5 Lies That Will Keep You from Building a Successful Freelance Writing Career

This is a guest post by Alicia Rades

Are you a freelance writer? Or maybe you’ve been playing with the idea of breaking into freelance writing. If so, then you’ve probably heard quite a few claims about the field, many of which are blatant lies, usually from people who don’t have much experience.

As someone who’s been freelancing full-time for the past three years, I’ve noticed a few common claims that are only setting people up for failure.

In this post, we’ll be discussing some of these claims and why’re they’re complete BS.

Check ’em out below:

1. It’ll be a Cinch

I have to roll my eyes at my younger self looking back four years, because I believed this one, too. Eh, sure it was easy to start making money writing, but at $0.01 per word, I was far from successful. If you think you’ll become successful writing at those rates, you couldn’t be more wrong.

Believe it or not, you can find clients willing to pay $0.10, $0.20, $0.50, and even $2.00 per word. Those are the people who actually value writers and understand that writers don’t just vomit words. (Thanks to Lauren Tharp for coming up with the phrase “writer vomit.”)

The kicker is that building up that clientele isn’t easy, and it takes a lot of time, promotion, and patience. But it is possible and worth it if you’re serious about your career. I suggest taking a look through Be a Freelance Blogger’s archives for excellent tips on how to start building up your business (many of the tips apply to all types of writers).

2. Freelance Sites like Elance Are the Best Places to Make Money

You’ve heard it before, and I’ll say it again: Bidding sites are the bottom of the barrel! You could be getting paid ten times more for the same type of work by landing your own clients.

If you do choose to start at freelance writing sites, don’t expect to stay there throughout your entire career (unless…you know…you’re okay with making next to nothing your whole life). Have a plan for building up your career (and your pay).

Here are a few things you can do to break free of the content mills:

1. Create a writer website. Shockingly, a good 40 percent of writers don’t have their own website. Remember: You are a business owner. Showing that through your professional website will attract clients.
2. Find private gigs through job boards. You don’t have to wait around for clients to find you! With job boards like ProBlogger, All Indie Writers, and Journalism Jobs, you can apply for jobs where you work with clients one-on-one and get paid more.
3. Market yourself. Yes, this may mean cutting back a bit on your content mill work so that you have time to market yourself, but it can definitely pay off in the long run with higher rates. You can market yourself through social networks, by talking with local businesses, by guest blogging (strategically, mind you), and through numerous other alleys.
4. Network with other writers. My highest paying clients have come through referrals from other writers. Not only can this practice land you clients directly, but you’ll get so much advice and feedback from other writers to help you boost your career.

3. You Work for Your Clients

No, no, no. You’re an independent contractor, which means that you’re not employed by anyone. That means you don’t have to deal with ridiculous client demands! You set your rates and your schedule. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you’re working for your clients and they have the final say. You’re under a professional arrangement, not an employee-employer relationship.

Let me ask you this: Are you your dentist’s boss?

No? Well your dentist is an independent contractor, too. Just like your lawyer or accountant will work with you to meet your goals–but doesn’t work for you–you will do the same for your clients.

I once heard someone say that as a freelancer, you’re an employee without the benefits. But you’re not! Yes, you should aim to please, but you’re working together under a professional business arrangement, and don’t let yourself or your client forget it.

4. Freelance Writing is a Great Way to Make Money on the Side

Okay, so this one is little true, but if you’re thinking about doing freelance writing full-time, you have to let go of this mindset. Most people who freelance write on the side are writing on sites like TextBroker or finding jobs on Elance. That’s not going to lead to a successful full-time career.

The thing with this is that framing freelance writing as a “great way to make money on the side,” or an “excellent way to supplement your income” usually gives the idea that 1) it’s super easy and anyone can do it, 2) it’s not a good full-time option, and 3) it’s comparable to other income supplement options.

Living with these ideas in your head is only going to keep you from building a successful freelance career.

The truth is that it’s not for everyone. I’m not saying that it’s super hard and most people can’t handle it, but some people simply don’t enjoy working for themselves, and honestly some people don’t have the writing/marketing skills or talents and aren’t willing to learn and grow.

Contrary to what the “side gig” mentality says, freelance writing is an excellent way to make a full-time income. In fact, I’ve been supporting my husband and myself on my freelancing career alone for the past three years while we were both in school. I’ve also come across numerous successful freelancers who were able to make more freelancing than they ever did as an employee.

Finally, if you have enough drive to build up your freelancing business, it’s nothing like taking online surveys, mowing lawns, selling your plasma, or selling odds and ends on eBay. It is a real career, and that I can say from experience.

5. Freelance Writing Isn’t a Stable Career

I’ve heard Linda Formichelli of The Renegade Writer say it before, and it makes perfect sense. Freelance writing is arguably more stable than a traditional career.

As an employee, your employer could cut you off in a second, which means you suddenly have NO income. If you lose a client freelancing, you still have plenty of other clients offering work, so unless you’ve completely isolated yourself and are working for one client alone, your income isn’t going to come to a standstill. It makes so much sense that I don’t think there’s any need to elaborate.

Did you believe in these lies before now? Maybe you completely disagree with my reasoning and think they’re 100% accurate. Either way, let me know in the comment section, and make sure to tell me what other claims you’ve found are false in regards to freelance writing.

Author Bio: Alicia Rades (@aliciarades) is a freelance blogger, writer, and editor. When she’s not writing for clients, you can find her moderating comments on her favorite blogging forum, offering freelance and career tips on various blogs, or discussing blogging topics at aliciaradeswriter.com. Visit her site to learn more about her available blogging services and to grab her free Which Freelance Blogger Should I Hire? worksheet.