You’ve spent years thinking about certain things, accumulated unique stories and lived experiences, or assembled problem-solving frameworks in your career—and you’re ready to share them with the world. Unlike a novelist, who must write their magnum opus in silence and then release it into the wild to find an audience, online writers can shape their ideas in real time.
Whether they write for an established brand or their own personal blog, it’s possible to become well known for the work they produce and earn a steady income from it. But before you can land your first client, there are some skills to master and habits to develop.
As a freelance writer, your most valuable tool is the one in your pocket: a smartphone. It’s how you communicate with clients, research topics, create drafts, and ultimately submit your work for payment. It’s also how you connect with a readership that grows and engages around your content.
Writing for online publication requires an understanding of what makes an effective post – short paragraphs, white space, images, and headlines that grab attention and drive readership. This approach differs from writing a book, which is often written in long sentences and full of detail.
If you’re new to online writing, it can take a while to develop your voice and style. But once you’ve got a handle on how to compose and edit for this medium, your work can be incredibly powerful. The best way to get started is to read a lot of content from your favorite online publications. Then try to replicate the tone and style in your own work.
The next step is finding topics that editors will want to publish. That could mean identifying an issue that’s been overlooked, or developing a fresh angle on an ongoing story. For example, if a major milestone is approaching at Amazon, you might write a piece about what to expect in the next 25 years.
After you’ve developed a few article ideas, crafted them into queries, and sent them out, the final step is waiting for an assignment to come in. It might be days, months, or even a year before you finally hear back from someone who wants to publish your work. But, as long as you keep coming up with ideas, writing queries, and sending them out, you’ll eventually connect with an editor who will pay for your work.
As an online writer, it’s important to have a reliable internet connection. That doesn’t necessarily mean high-speed, but it should be consistent enough that you can find clients, research topics, and send invoices. You may also need to have a dedicated email account for communicating with clients. Lastly, you’ll need an invoicing system to track your payments. Wave Invoicing is a great free option to start with. If you’re comfortable working remotely, and have these tools available to you, then you’re ready to start making money as an online writer.
