A freelance writer faces obstacles in the job hunt arena that are unique, but certainly not insurmountable. Getting a copywriter freelance job is not only possible, but many make a living doing this and only this. The trick to getting work is catching the eye of the right people – content developers, marketers, advertisers - even while a myriad of other writers are doing the same thing.
There are many different kinds of writers but those interested in freelancing need to develop a diverse collection of writing samples and a solid resume. Building samples across a wide variety of topics and styles of writing is a good idea. But how do you do that in a time when it seems like printed material is becoming obsolete and there is more competition than ever on the web?
Many freelance writers started out writing for newspapers or magazines, but now it is very common to start your career with an online publication, agency or in the marketing department of a small or large business. Many have also simply started blogging on their own and maintaining a website full of their own work. If you plan to use your own blog or website as a portfolio when applying for freelance writing jobs, be sure to uphold the same standards of quality you would for any paid assignment.
No matter where you begin, always keep your eyes turned toward the type of writing you aspire to do and stay up to date on what sort of writers employers are hiring. Is there a growing need for web copywriters? Are you an aspiring novelist who sees a rise in the need for ghost writers? You’ll learn that writers with a medical background can often find work, or that technical writers are in high demand and typically receive generous compensation. But these things change over time, so staying up to date on the qualifications of different opportunities and continuing to write on a broad variety of subjects will likely help you gain employment.
Of course your passions and interests matter, as well, as people write best about what they care about. When you are putting together samples, writing on what you know and what you care about is a good place to start. Ultimately, the practice and mastery of language you gain from this will enable you to write about any topic placed before you.