Tag: freelance writing

How to Succeed as a Freelance Writer – An Interview with Suzanne Heyn

Portraits of the freelance writer.

There you are in front of the computer, your thumb resting gently on the space bar. The cursor blinking in a hypnotic rhythm. Perhaps you’re trying to come up with four more ideas for your “Top Ten Things to Avoid When Moving” article that you’re writing on spec for a random website. Or maybe you have one eye on a blog post you’re creating and one eye on your email account, waiting to see if that local dental practice that needs some marketing copy on gingivitis has gotten back to you.

Maybe this sounds familiar. Maybe not. But one thing’s for sure—if you are trying to make it as a freelance writer in this world, there is no direct path. No one “right” way. No instruction manual that can guarantee success and financial security. But there are clues. And there are people who have gone before and have made it in the freelance writing world!

With all that said, I want to welcome you to another installment in our series on freelance writing. Our previous article, featuring Nikki Steele, got some of you thinking and talking, so I decided to jump back in with a new feature on Phoenix-area freelance writer Suzanne Heyn.

I presented Suzanne with the same four questions, and have provided her answers below. Take a look and see what she has to say. Perhaps it can provide guidance as you navigate the freelance writing maze!

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What is your academic and professional background in the writing space?

I studied journalism at Temple University, and then went on to write for newspapers for four years. I probably learned more in the newsroom than during college. I learned how write fast, be accurate, meet deadlines and self-start. Then I worked in marketing communications for a small consulting firm and did the corporate thing for a while.

What were some key factors that got you thinking about a freelance writing career?

I hated my corporate job and wanted to quit. I missed the independent yet collegial atmosphere of the newsroom and decided I valued my independence more than a steady paycheck, so freelancing it was.

What steps did you take to get your freelance career off the ground?

I didn’t do an LLC. I’m a sole proprietor.

The first thing I did was set up my writer website. I had a .wordpress one at first, but had a high bounce rate, so then went ahead and bought my own domain name. I think that’s really important. You don’t need to have a super snazzy site, but it needs to look professional and like you’re committed.

Then I marketed my butt off. People always say not to answer Craigslist ads, but I’ve gotten some really good clients from that site. One of them I still work with today, and they’ve turned into my biggest client. I also cold called a lot of people and sent letters of interest. Cold calling didn’t really bring in a lot of results, but letters of interest turned out well. I landed a big trade magazine client that way, and the editor gave me a ton of work.

I was interested in pursuing magazine journalism initially, so I broke into some local magazines with pitches.

What are some key tips you can give to those considering a freelance writing career?

Have money saved up or a spouse willing to support you for a while. It takes a few months to get going, and you won’t have much money coming in at first. You don’t want to have to take low-paying work because then you won’t have time to market for better jobs.

Also, you need patience. The first few months are really hard and you’re pouring a lot of yourself into an enterprise that isn’t necessarily giving you anything back. So take care of yourself, get plenty of sleep, remember to exercise and hold out for clients who respect you and pay you well. They’re out there, it just takes work to find them.

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Suzanne provides some strong advice. First, decide if you value that steady paycheck or more independence—it’s a key threshold question to determine if the freelance life is right for you. Then, project a professional image and don’t be afraid to market yourself. And finally? Patience. Understand the ball may start rolling slowly, but that you will build up momentum over time.

If you’re just starting out as a freelance writer, or even if you’re a freelance veteran, we’d like to hear your stories. How did you get started? How do you maintain success?

Suzanne Heyn is a freelance health and wellness writer, author, yoga teacher and mindfulness expert based in Phoenix. You can find her professional work at SuzanneHeyn.com, and tips for living a more peaceful, authentic life at ModernYogi.today and on Instagram @modern.yogi.

How to Succeed as a Freelance Writer – An Interview with Nikki Steele

Ah, the freelance writer life:

  • Sitting at home
  • Eating chocolates
  • Watching TV

Actually, that doesn’t sound right. Let me try that again.

Ah, the freelance writer life.

  • Learning self-promotion and basic business principles
  • Scheduling meeting with clients
  • Networking, networking, networking
  • Maintaining a blog (or two or ten) and social media
  • Negotiating rates
  • Working longer hours than most of your 9-5 friends

That sounds more like it.

There is a great allure to the freelance writing life, starting with the idea of being your own boss. A successful freelance career can also mean having the freedom to pick and choose jobs and to take on clients you believe in. The idea of being your own boss can be daunting and overwhelming, but the rewards can be exhilarating.

So how do you start?

Fortunately, successful Phoenix-area freelance writer Nikki Steele agreed to answer some questions for us all on how she made it in the wide world of freelancing. I am providing her answers here, in her own words, so that you can get a snapshot of how one person made it. Read this carefully. Some of this information is absolutely essential. (Note: added emphases are mine.)

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What is your academic and professional background in the writing space?

I went to Arizona State University and got a bachelor’s degree in English, with an emphasis in creative writing. Nothing too crazy there.

Once I was out of school, however, I began freelancing with an academic textbook editing company. It was a good stepping-stone into the world of freelancing—I wasn’t responsible for finding new contracts or invoicing. I simply had to do the work (and do it well to be chosen for future projects). I worked with international publishing houses, on books ranging from ecology to health to education.

I then moved into a career in instructional design for a few years. In the same way as with my previous freelance work (which was still ongoing at that time), I worked with high-profile international brands from all different industries. I think this early exposure to huge brands made it much less intimidating to strike up conversations and deals with companies when I began my own business.

What were some key factors that got you thinking about a freelance writing career?

Independence, flexibility, and self-determination.

I’ve always been most comfortable when I’m in charge of (and accountable for) my own work and my own schedule. Working as a freelancer has its own unique challenges, but at any time, I can take a step back and figure out if the things I’m doing are leading me towards my eventual goals. I can also check in to see if I’m being as effective and true to myself as I need to be. You can’t do that as candidly when you’re not your own boss.

What steps did you take to get your freelance career off the ground?

Once I went completely freelance, I began the work of putting together a business. That included setting up an LLC, talking to an accountant so I could better figure out taxes and expenses, and portioning off an area of our house that was designated solely as my office.

Beyond the nuts-and-bolts work of it, I dove into a lot of marketing groups at the beginning. For young female entrepreneurs specifically, there are many supportive communities to help you get started. These may be online or at community events.

Dive into those when you start out. But then, take a step back from them.

Take the lessons online and community organizations give you and make sure they align with why you went into freelancing. Learn everything you possibly can at first, so you can decide what’s best for you after the lessons have settled.

I found that, for me, marketing and self-promotion became a chore. Some people thrive on the constant marketing and networking and you’ll see that there’s a constant push to do so within freelancing circles. That didn’t feed me, or as I found out, my business.

After a year freelancing, I realized that my best clients came from my referral network—the people who I had already worked with, who referred me for new projects, and who brought me new work when they had it. Instead of spending time marketing, I transferred that energy towards nurturing the relationships I already had, thinking of how they could be made better, and actively asking for referrals. I really haven’t had to do much marketing since.

What are some key tips you can give to those considering a freelance writing career?

Hit your deadlines

Seriously. You’ll be surprised to find how many people don’t hit their deadlines. Do that, especially if you want to turn it into a referral-based business. Set deadlines that give you some wiggle room and then wow your clients when you get the work done faster. If you can’t hit a deadline because of some unforeseen circumstance, let your client know before the deadline has passed. Always be proactive and communicative.

Expect that your career will change over time

I started freelancing primarily in the publishing field, but over the last few years, slowly shifted towards medical writing and vendor management. It’s been fun to look back at the small, random projects I did before and see how they all fed into what I’m focusing on now. It will likely be the same for you. Be open to new and exciting possibilities.

Besides those, a few miscellaneous tips that have really helped me include:

  • Get an accountant to help you figure out taxes and business expenses and home deductions.
  • Find technology that makes you more effective. The ones that I need every day are FreshBooks (for accounting and invoicing) and Remember the Milk (for task management and time tracking).
  • Practice self-care, even when you don’t feel like you have the time.
  • Be kind. Be somebody who people want to work with. Care about the people you work with and the projects that you do. Thank people for the help they’ve given you. You don’t have to be nice and get walked all over, but you do have to be kind.

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No matter your background, it would seem that Nikki’s keys to freelance success are clear: understand your motivations, be prepared and proactive, and find a rhythm, formula, and vision that works for you—and stick to it.

The point of a freelance career for so many folks is independence. So why not make your freelance path to freedom your own?

You can find Nikki Steele on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. She’s a contributor on Book Riot, the largest independent book website, content manager at Boost Medical, and blog manager for the Tucson Festival of Books.