7 Freelance Writing Skills You Need to Succeed

If you’re a writer (or thinking about becoming one), then at some point, you’ve probably considered pursuing a freelance career. And while this career path offers a lot of benefits – such as flexibility and the ability to travel while you work – you need to be more than just an exceptional writer to get started. A solid foundation of hard skills, such as knowledge of grammar and spelling rules, and soft skills, such as time management and networking, is necessary for success. As a freelance writer, you’ll need:

1. Strong writing skills
2. Proficient technical knowledge
3.  A solid grasp of SEO practices
4. Good communication skills
5. Stress management
6. Problem-solving abilities
7. Self-motivation and time management skills

Keep reading to learn more about each of these essential freelance writing skills.

1. Strong Writing Skills

Of course, one of the most important skills you’ll need to develop to succeed as a freelance writer is a strong writing ability. While you don’t need to be an expert on the topics you write about, you should be able to conduct research, understand general tone of voice and style guidelines, and be able to write clear, concise copy consistently.

However, you may have a niche in which you specialize that can help attract specific organizations or businesses as clients. You also need to be skilled at proofreading and editing your writing because you’ll always want to do your best to deliver polished and error-free pieces to your clients.

2. Proficient Technical Knowledge

Since you’ll probably be working remotely as a freelance writer, it’s important to have at least basic computer skills and technical knowledge. You should be familiar with word processing software, such as Google Docs or Microsoft Word, and be able to communicate with clients via email. It’s also beneficial for freelance writers to create a website or online portfolio to showcase their work and connect with potential clients all over the world.

3. A Solid Grasp of SEO Practices

Many clients reach out to freelance writers for help with search engine optimization (SEO) to boost their business’s online presence. For example, they may ask you to create content that lands them higher on search engine results pages or draws customers to their website. So as a freelance writer, it helps to have a solid grasp of basic SEO practices, such as how to use keywords and how to link to credible sources in your work. If you’re unfamiliar with SEO, doing some research so you can discuss best practices with potential clients is a good idea.

4. Good Communication Skills

You need good communication skills as a freelance writer to build long-lasting relationships with clients. As a freelancer, you’re responsible for finding and connecting with potential clients, meaning you also need to be able to market your services and reach out to prospects. Make sure you address all client questions and concerns in a professional and timely manner and clearly establish expectations from the beginning.

5. Stress Management

Stress management is an important skill for freelancers because it’s easy to overlook self-care when you work for yourself, especially when you’re just starting out. When you’re paid per project, taking on as much work as you can is tempting, but doing so can lead to burnout and overloading yourself with work. Make sure to build time into your schedule to rest and recharge, and don’t take on more work than you can reasonably manage.

6. Problem-Solving Abilities

Sometimes, you run into unexpected challenges as a freelance writer, such as difficult clients, scope creep, and late payments. To successfully navigate these issues, you’ll need to develop strong problem-solving skills, including the ability to critically analyze difficult situations and arrive at reasonable solutions (while maintaining your professionalism).

7. Self-Motivation and Time Management Skills

You’re in charge of your own schedule when you’re a freelance writer, and you may need to juggle multiple clients, so to meet deadlines, you have to manage your time efficiently and eliminate distractions. Many freelancers use project management software to help organize their projects and manage their daily tasks.

Becoming a Freelance Writer

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to be a freelance writer? Our course provides you with the freelance writing skills you need to launch your business and start down a rewarding new career path. Sign up for a free trial and get started today.