I knew I wanted to quit my job to work full time on freelance writing jobs, but I was scared. I was worried it would be hard to make money, that I’d struggle to find good clients, and that I wouldn’t be able to convince brands of my value. Surprisingly, it wasn’t booking some big client that convinced me I’d succeed—it was other freelance writers.
At the time, I was hiring freelancers to help create content for my company’s blog, and these writers supported my decision to start freelancing. One writer, in particular, talked me through my choice to quit. “You’re talented and I know you can do this,” she said. “Not only that, but I’ll help.”
The freelance writers I worked with didn’t see my choice as competition—they saw me as a future colleague, someone that was joining their team. Now, I work with other content creators on freelance writing jobs all the time, and firmly believe in the power of working for each other, not against each other.
Today, I’m sharing five ways that you can work with other freelance writers, not against them.
When I first quit my job, the number one thing that terrified me was whether I’d make enough money. I had a few clients, and I knew there was a market for freelance writing jobs, but I was unsure of whether I could convince brands to hire me, and I was confused about what I should charge. Instead of making up figures or researching what to charge online, I called on the freelance writers I knew and asked for help.
I told these fellow freelancers what I was afraid of, and they surprised me by sharing their personal experiences. Many told me how much money they had made in a given year, and virtually all were open about what they charged their clients. By sharing what I was afraid of, I was able to learn about what rates I should charge, and how I should go about structuring my services.
Sometimes it seems as though I have so much work I can’t breathe, and other times I find myself organizing my desk, waiting for some work to come in. The work comes and goes, and my income can fluctuate on a monthly basis.
One of the strategies that has helped offset this fluctuation is working with other writers. When I’m extremely busy, I occasionally outsource work to other freelancers—after checking with the brand, of course. Not only does this help me get through the busy times, but these freelance writers often pass work on to me when they’re overwhelmed. By offsetting each other’s busiest times, we’re able to work together to create a more stable workflow and income.
The most successful freelance writers are able to show their clients more value than just the words they write, and sharing a network of other writers is a great way to provide this value. Most brands hire more than one content creator to help with freelance writing jobs, and they may be scouting for other contributors that can help with their efforts. If you can help your clients find other freelance writers to write for their brand, you’ll be positioning yourself as a connected professional worth working with.
It’s good to have a few freelance writers you trust in your back pocket—these writers can step in when you don’t have time for a new project, are looking to source quotes, don’t specialize in a certain subject matter, or when a client needs more help than you can give.
Freelance writers spend a lot of time at the computer pumping out words, and we don’t get a lot of time to meet other writers to share our stories. Every time I go to a local event, I’m impressed by the other writers there, and excited about how I can learn from them. Rather than seeing these people as competition, I see them as teachers. Many have been freelancing for much longer than I have and have substantial experience in industries I’m curious about. By talking shop with these other writers, I’m inspired to build a better business and reach for the next challenge. Meeting other freelance writers reminds me to stay humble—it shows me how much there is to learn about the space.
Other freelance writers can be intimidating. I often see other people with websites, portfolios, and Twitter accounts that seem much better than mine. I talk with other freelancers who are booking impressive clients, or who are invited to give talks at various events, and I worry that my business can never compete. I do my best to let go of these comparisons. Ultimately, they’re not helpful, and as long as I’m building my business in the way I see fit, it’s best to let go of these competitive worries. When I start feeling down about how I compare to another freelance writer, I reach out to them and ask for advice. Not only do these people wind up inspiring me, but usually they show me how much we have in common.
There are content creators everywhere, so it’s best to join the throng with positivity. I’d love to hear how you’ve worked with others in the field to achieve success.
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