10 Tips For Freelance Content Writers: How To Upgrade Your Skills

Being a freelance content writer has its benefits and drawbacks. On the one hand, you are your own boss; on the other, if you don’t structure your day well, and keep yourself motivated, you may not get paid at the end of the month. Stress over job insecurity is a major drawback of freelancing, but the opportunity to do something you love makes it worth it.

While pay insecurity can be stressful, by upgrading your skills, you are more likely to see steady work and better pay. Here are some suggestions for how to upgrade your skills.

Top Ten Tips for Upgrading Your Skills Now

• Be your own boss. As mentioned, the most important thing a freelancer can do is structure their day. That goes for the week, month, and even year as well. While structure isn’t always seen as a skill, when you don’t have a job and therefore a boss telling you what to do and when to do it, becoming your own boss becomes crucial for success--and when something is needed for success, that’s a skill. So rise early and work full, organized days.
• Organize yourself. In the same vein as structuring your days, another important thing to do is to organize yourself. What do you need to send, and when do you need to send it? If you don’t know when assignments are due, you’ll get lost. Use a calendar, agenda, your phone, and a notebook--whatever works for you.
• Type faster. If you’re not already a fast typist, make that a priority.
• Network. Networking is absolutely crucial in freelancing. It’s what ensures that you’ll have a job next. If you don’t have any connections, sign up to some freelance sites and start talking. Go to conventions and meet people.
• Have an online presence. This is very important. Have a blog where you present yourself as a professional content writer. Connect with other webmasters who may eventually be interested in your services or can send you to others who are.
• Stay motivated. Motivate yourself by taking breaks every hour or whenever you start to lose concentration.
• Think about using a standing desk; eat vegetables or fruit, which will give you lots of energy.
• Set realistic goals. While you may not have the job you want right now, having an unrealistic goal will only frustrate you. But set small, realistic goals that you can reach, and when you have you will start to understand how it is possible to reach the bigger goal that seemed unrealistic to begin with.
• Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. If you’re working with one client and the opportunity doesn’t work out, it’s good to have a back-up plan.
• On the other hand, don’t scatter yourself. Stick to one or two projects at a time, with another idea or two in the back of your mind that you can turn to if needed. You owe it to yourself.