11 Lessons I Learned From My Freelance Writing Career (5+ Years)

Some lessons might shock you.

I made a scary decision to quit my job and start freelance writing six years ago, and I’ve never looked back. Getting started seemed easy. I learned how to:

• Write copies for the web
• Create solid samples demonstrating my skill
• Pitch clients

Fortunately, I landed my first client after six months of pitching. I’ve learned a lot, which has changed my view on freelance writing.

Today, I’ll reveal the key lessons I’ve picked along the way.

Feast and Famine are Myths

“Real artists don’t starve.”

Some writers often complain work is drying up while others are reaping big. How come that happens, yet many writers are skilled? I wonder. Here’s why I feel several writers starve:

• Working for cheap clients
• Failing to improve their writing skills
• Staying in their comfort zone

Skilled writers get enough work because established businesses are always hiring. You’ll join them if you level up your game and market yourself like a pro.

Tip: If you love stability, apply for a full-time writing job — scout job boards like Superpath, Dynamite, LinkedIn, etc.

Your Niche Matters a LOT

Writing niches aren’t the same; some are in high demand and vice versa. Don’t forget that.

It’s hard to find good clients who will give you consistent work if you write about topics like environmental conservation. You’ll probably work with NGOs. However, you’re more likely to make good money writing about topics like business, finance and technology.

Ex: The SaaS niche is booming. The founders need experienced SEO content marketers to grow their reach online. If you go to LinkedIn, you’ll find several B2B SaaS writers.

Moral: Go where the money is.

It’s Risky to Play Safe

Writers fall into the contentment trap. They get a few good clients, then stop pitching for work. Here are some cons of being a freelance writer:

• Running out of work when you have bills to pay
• Employers can lay you off at any time
• Your clients can cut down their content marketing budget, affecting your income

There’s only one secret to avoiding panicking:

Never settle.

Continue looking for better clients even if you have more work than you can handle. Also, use your current skills to build passive income assets for yourself.

Here’s what I’d do if I were to start freelance writing today: work for 2–3 clients while building a blog on the side. Later, I’ll save enough money and stop freelancing to scale my blogging business.

Freelancing is Mad Fun

Though freelancing isn’t easy, it has its sweet sides. Below is what the majority love most about being a writer:

• Choosing when to work — do it in the morning, noon, or evening
• Working from home — you don’t have to travel to any office
• Creating time to do other things you love — enjoy your hobbies after finishing work
• Working with the clients you want — we can choose to work with the well-paying ones only

You’ll love your work-life balance if you create a routine that works for you.

Freelancing Gets So Lonely Sometimes (Sigh)

Freelance writers go through a lot, but few are bold enough to talk about their struggles. Here’s what the majority struggle with:

• Looking for new clients
• Chasing deadlines
• Dealing with rejections from editors
• Getting mentally exhausted writing similar subjects over and over again
• Spending hours doing client work

You can overcome the loneliness that comes with freelancing. For instance, I learned to take breaks and create time for enjoyment. Also, I use my hobbies to distract me from toxic thoughts.

Secret: Keep going even if the road gets lonely.

Writing is a Lucrative Job

Writing is a business like any other. It even pays better than several full-time jobs.

I’m no longer bothered if anyone tells me to get a real job instead of wasting time on my laptop. If several writers have been earning a living from writing for decades, you can do it too — freelance writing isn’t going anywhere.

You can become the next high-earning freelance writer. How? Hone your skills, then search for quality clients — you’ll predict your monthly income if they put you on a retainer.

You Need a Backup Plan ASAP

Nothing is guaranteed in this world, not even life. You have to prepare for anything. Here’s how to stay sane as a freelance writer:

• Create passive income sources
• Open a fixed savings account
• Master other skills, e.g., WordPress web design
• Diversify your income, e.g., starting a YouTube channel
• Have multiple writing clients.

Work for your clients but remember to build some online/offline businesses. You won’t panic if the workload reduces or you lose your main clients.

The Sky’s The Limit

Top writers started from somewhere. They didn’t charge $500+ per post initially. Chances are they worked for peanuts before leveling up.

The trick here is to build your skills and increase your rate over time. Good clients are out there waiting for you to find them. You’ll move from earning $20 per post to $100+. For instance, Jacob McMillen made $15 per post when he started freelancing, but he now earns $15,000+ per month. That’s real growth.

Pro tip: Increase your writing rates by 20% for every new client you get. If you earn $200 per post, quote $240 for your next client.

You’ll build your confidence to command higher rates.

Writing is Hard, Sorry

Writing looks like an easy task, but if it were so, everyone would be doing it — businesses wouldn’t struggle to create their marketing copies.

Most clients think writing is easy, yet it’s tedious. We’re responsible for tasks like:

• Researching articles
• Writing the copies from scratch
• Editing posts
• Formatting our work

The pros will tell you that it takes a lot to create content that drives engagements.

The good news is writing becomes easier with practice. You’ll become a better writer the more you practice.

You Can’t Quantify Freelance Success

Several bloggers have brainwashed us into believing that you must make six figures to be a successful writer.

That’s not the real measure of freelance writing success. Everyone should define what their win looks like. It can be:

• Earning side income to supplement your monthly salary
• Finishing your work early to spend time with your family
• Making $500, $1000, or $10000 on the side
• No longer using your salary to pay your bills

Don’t copy another person’s version of freelance writing success — create yours.

You Won’t Get Writing Clients Overnight

Many beginning writers give up writing if they fail to get a job after sending two or three applications.

Remember, you’re competing against several experienced writers, so you must apply to several jobs to increase your chances of getting work. Also, your pitches must stand out for clients to hire you.

Tip: Try multiple ways to get new clients. For instance, guest posting on niche-related blogs, pitching established publications, asking for referrals, etc.

The Truth About Being a Writer

Writing is a noble career.

It’s a fun way to make a living online. However, the craft isn’t so easy. Prepare to face some challenges we’ve discussed here.

Either way, you can still become the next successful writer if you:

• Choose a profitable writing niche
• Create good samples
• Hone your writing skills
• Market yourself like a pro.

Remember never to settle — continue looking for those better clients as you build your side hustles. You’ll love the freedom that comes with being a writer.