One of the most common questions I get asked by my readers is “how do I get started writing online?” In some ways, I feel underqualified to answer the question. Like I’ve said before, I sort of fell into my writing career while I was doing other things. I hobbled together my writing business rather haphazardly.
If I were to start over today, I’d be more organized about it. I’d avoid some of the mistakes I’ve made over the past five years. I’d put energy into the projects and ideas that were a good fit for me, and I’d let all of the extraneous stuff go.
To be sure, you can’t exactly do that. You can’t mystically experience what I’ve experienced, and some of the things that are a good fit for me aren’t going to be a good fit for you. There are lessons that only experience can teach.
I can certainly share my experiences here, pass along things that have worked for me, identify some general pitfalls to avoid. I can identify writing resources that have helped me immensely. I can talk about the freelance business, share my setbacks as well as my successes. I’ve done all of those things. All of these things provide benefits to you, but they don’t tell you how to get started.
So, over the next week or two, I want to offer my plan. I want to tell you how I’d do it if I could do it over again. Along the way, I hope we’ll have some interesting discussions, and that you’ll offer me your thoughts and questions in the comments section.
Follow The Journey: Other Posts In This Series
How To Start Your Freelance Writing Business: Introduction
How To Start Your Freelance Writing Business: Education
How To Start Your Freelance Writing Business: Honing Your Craft
How To Start Your Freelance Writing Business: Planning
How To Start Your Freelance Writing Business: Building Your Portfolio
How To Start Your Freelance Writing Business: Finding Work
photo credit: Jon_Marshall
7 comments ↓
Looking forward to reading your advice. Thanks!
Marys last blog post..What Would You Tell Your Teenage Self?
I love the Writing Journey. As a relatively new starter, I’m interested in hearing what you have to say.
I’m particularly interested in how you organize your projects on a day to day basis. Do you set a schedule? Do you have a big white board? What things help you to keep organized?
Thanks!
George
Tumblemooses last blog post..Viral Blogging
Wonderful timing, I’ve been looking into starting to work as a freelance writer. Thank you very much for taking the time to write this series.
Crystals last blog post..Knitting Class..
This looks like an interesting series. I look forward to seeing how this business is tackled.
Bamboo Forests last blog post..7 Things That Happen in Movies - But Probably Not to You
I am looking forward to your series and I’m sure I will get alot of good information from it.
I think that one of the secrets to success is finding what works for you. Sometimes it takes a while (years even) but it’s always worth it in the long run. Sure, there are plenty of business models out there that can provide good ideas or a solid foundation, but ultimately, you’ve just got to hang your shingle (put up a website) and start offering your services. Looking forward to the future posts in this series
Melissa Donovans last blog post..Novels, Blogs, and Poetry - Oh My!
[...] The Writing Journey has a whole series of posts on How To Start Your Freelance Writing Business. [...]
Leave a Comment