Editor’s Note: Here at Dispatches, we are always looking for ways to help our readers do things. For some of our readers, that means helping navigate the working world, for others, it means assisting in the ever challenging question, “what’s for dinner?” For still others, it means figuring out how to balance family life with everything else. In an effort to aid in all of these endeavors, we have collaborated on this article written specifically for our readers.
Whether it’s blogging, writing for a publication, or a combination, freelancing can be a good solo business if you are willing to work at it.
If you can write a cohesive piece, fluently and articulately, with enough technical knowledge, then freelancing might be a good option for you.
Essentially, you need to be able to explain to yourself in a sentence what you write and why. It might be something specific and industry-related, such as writing help guides for a certain brand of computer. Or you might be more of a creative writer and you are adept at writing in various styles. It is often easier to start small and grow from there.
Whether you are blogging, or you just need a vanity page or portfolio, you will need a website. This is where the technical knowledge comes in, and for many writers, it can be daunting. For your website consider hosting first. Then concentrate on designing your site.
If you have not yet got a clear idea of who your readers are likely to be, then now is a good time to start thinking about it. Actually, the best way is to just start writing. Start writing, publishing, blogging and you will notice that certain people will gravitate to your work. For any published piece outside of a blog or personal website, make sure you fully understand the required tone and the target audience. Most publications will share this information with you but also expect you to have an underlying understanding of your audience.