Freelance Questions: Breaking Into New Markets
I receive questions every now and then, whether in my comments or directly to my email address. It comes with the territory. Any beginning freelance writer knows how hard it can be to get into the field and when you find someone who appears or claims to know more than you, you ask them questions…lots. I’ll never claim to be an expert in the field, but I’m going to start posting some of the more frequent questions I receive here to share a little of the advice I feel I can offer as someone who has already been through the beginner’s gauntlet.
I received the following question from a user on Helium, following a recent spotlight on an article I wrote for the site:
I Â write a few things but I would like to expand my range and write full time. Â Have you any pointers for breaking out into other markets? This is the thing that is holding me back at the moment.
This is a question that I have come across time and again in forums, in blog comments, and on countless writing websites. It’s a great question and not one I necessarily have the “right” answer for.
What I do have though is a bit of experience in expanding my markets and taking on new projects, styles and ideas. After all, I didn’t start as a copywriter. I studied fiction and creative writing and found myself drawn to this field much later, mostly after I realized I could make a living from it. Here are some of the more useful tips I’ve found along the way:
- Practice Constantly – Every time you see a project, job, or opportunity that interests you but you are afraid to apply for because you lack experience, practice it. You do not have to take on a paying job to learn how to complete it.
I’ve preached the importance of sites like Helium and Associated Content in the past repeatedly – not just as money making chances, but as ways to practice new forms. You wouldn’t write your first article as a paid job, would you? You would write it for a website that will allow you to get feedback from fellow writers and learn from your mistakes. - Ask Questions – Every time you feel confused or lost on a new topic, concept, or project, look for somewhere to ask questions. There are plenty of websites that provide information about how to write a sales letter or an interview. Read as many of these as you can and if you don’t find what you need, email the author or find another writer who can help you.
- Be Confident – If you write well, you will almost always write well. That talent translates into thousands of different subjects, styles, and methods – it just takes the necessary information and practice to allow your talent to shine. If you’ve never watched a Hockey game in your life, your first hockey article might be a little dry, but if you research and get to know your topic, you’ll find that the same talent you used to write compelling fitness articles translates to hockey.
- Take it Slow – Just because you want to strike out into different fields does not mean you should tackle five or six at a time. Choose one new topic, or if you have the luxury, allow the topic to choose you. Then, focus your attention on learning as much as you can about that topic and becoming an expert. Only then should you jump to something new. With time, you will start learning faster, picking up new techniques and tricks, and digesting new topics at a quicker pace. For now though, be patient and willing to take the time needed to learn.
There are plenty more tips I could throw at you – things like: don’t lie to someone about your expertise in a subject to get a job, and don’t give up if you fail once or twice (we all do…more times that I can count last I checked). Hopefully that gives you a good starting point as to jumping on board new styles and methods of freelance writing. After all, the more you can master, the more jobs you can perform, and the more successful you can be.
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