You don't have to be in the online freelance writing market for a long time to see just how oversaturated it is. Many creatives aspire to be writers but often find themselves confined to an empty box before they have a chance to develop their own voice, all in the pursuit of making a living.
The content writing niche has become the ideal playground for corporations and platforms to exploit talented creatives.
Over-promising opportunities and under-delivering in more ways than just financially.
As a creative with a passion for writing, always remember the true value of your contribution. Before signing up for countless freelance platforms, keep in mind that they need you more than you need them.
Not only does your time spent curating a profile boost the platform's image and attract more clients, but it also doesn’t guarantee that you’ll land any projects.
If time is our most valuable commodity, why waste so much of it with nothing to show for your efforts?
The truth is, every business or online space can benefit from a skilled writer. Blogs are essential for keeping online sites vibrant, enhancing search engine visibility, driving organic traffic, and more.
The benefits of good content writing for any business are infinite. If this is the case, doesn’t it also mean that writing jobs are essentially infinite?
Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket: Follow Your Passion and Trust Your Path
Most freelance platforms for writers are overcrowded, and that's simply a fact. Spending most of your time curating the perfect profile, searching for projects, and waiting for client responses can demotivate even the most passionate writer.
Competition isn’t the problem; in fact, it can be beneficial by motivating you to improve as a writer and learn from others.
Rejection for a project is also not the main issue, although it might sting for a moment or two. The real issue is receiving empty offers or, even worse, having a project hang in limbo because the client is MIA. In the client’s defense, many of these platforms don’t limit the number of applications, so they could be overwhelmed with 30 or more messages and writing samples like yours.
It often seems that freelance platforms are more focused on what they can gain from clients than on ensuring their freelancers receive what they deserve.
Without you as a writer, these platforms cannot function, so don’t overextend yourself and only rely on these platforms for securing the projects you want.
Starting out as a content writer, finding clients without freelance platforms can feel impossible but where there is a will, there is a way.
Be bold and step out of your comfort zone; a "No" is better than an empty offer.
Instead of investing so much of your time for free on these platforms, consider applying for a writing job at a company you respect. There, you'll be paid for your time and enjoy consistent work.
If you don’t want to give up the freelance lifestyle just yet, I'd still recommend spending your time where you get what you deserve.
Effective Ways to Market Yourself Without Relying on Freelance Platforms
Start building your own brand by defining your Niche and Expertise
Create a professional profile that showcases your best work, including case studies, samples, and testimonials.
Utilize social media to build a presence on platforms relevant to your target audience, such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
Network and build relationships by connecting with other freelancers, potential clients, and industry influencers.
Pitch to potential clients by researching companies and individuals who might need your services. Send tailored pitches with personalized proposals that highlight how your skills can address their specific needs.
There's a world beyond your screen. Step back into reality where the company next door might be looking for someone with exactly your skills.
If you're interested in writing books, I highly recommend considering self-publishing or seeking out a reputable publishing company.
The art of writing a book is too valuable and time-consuming to be compensated on a per-word basis.
If you’re thinking about ghostwriting, make sure you ask for a rate that truly reflects your work’s worth. Do your homework on royalties and aim for a share of the book’s sales revenue. Many authors get an advance against future royalties, which is essentially a prepayment. You’ll start earning additional payments once the advance is covered by royalties.
Don’t settle for less than you deserve just because you struggle with imposter syndrome.
Maybe your first few books don’t get accepted by your dream publisher or don’t perform well on Amazon—so what? Try again! Failure is only a reality if you stop working towards your goal. Remember that some people can not even finish writing one book.
Trust yourself and protect your passion; from it, everything flows.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to be famous to be a successful writer—you just need to keep writing.
In the end, if you’re truly passionate about building a writing career, explore all avenues and find what best suits your needs. Keep honing your craft until you develop a voice that others want to hear, rather than fading into the noise of oversaturated platforms.
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