Forget These Myths About Becoming a Freelance Writer

If you have considered entering the world of freelance writing, then there is a good chance that you have discovered that people have a lot of opinions on the subject. You may have been told that you’ll never be able to make a stable living that way, or that writing is a dead industry, or that all freelance writing job offers are scams. Maybe you’ve been advised that you’ll hate working from home or that you’ll never be able to pay for health insurance or save for retirement. These are the things that people tend to tell aspiring freelance writers—that is, unless they are freelance writers themselves. If they are freelancers, you are likely to find that they paint a much rosier picture of what lies ahead in the world of freelance writing. Who should you believe?

Although everyone has his or her own freelance writing journey and experiences in the field, there are some definite myths that you should ignore as you try to make a decision about launching a writing career. Here are some common freelance writing myths that deserve to be busted right away.

Myth: Freelance writing opportunities are all scams.

This is a persistent myth about freelance writing, but it is hard to see how it has legs. After all, if every freelance writing opportunity were a scam, how could there be so many people making a living as writers?

In reality, there are plenty of scams all over the internet. People fall for them every day in lots of different ways, from phishing emails in their inboxes to entering data on fake websites. Yes, there are freelance writing scams out there, but there are also tons of legitimate—and exciting—opportunities for writers. There is also a thriving online community of freelance writers, including here on Writers Work. When a writing project is a scam, you can bet other writers will start talking about it online and news will spread fast. The same goes for real projects for clients who end not paying. Word gets around, so scamming freelancer writers isn’t exactly a winning business.

Myth: You can’t make any money as a freelance writer.

This is another myth that doesn’t really make any sense. Why would it be a popular career choice if there was no money in it?

The truth is that the income that freelance writers make varies greatly. The rates you can charge depend on many different factors, including how much experience you have and what kind of clients you take on. Some freelance writers don’t make a lot of money. Some make six figures annually. In many ways, as a freelance writer, you are in charge of your own destiny in terms of how much money you make. Obviously, writers who work full time make more money, as do writers in high-demand niches. Freelance writers with big incomes also tend to spend a lot of time pursuing new clients and marketing themselves online.

However, other freelance writers simply want to earn some extra income while taking care of their families or pursuing other careers. They may not make as much as other writers, but then that is not their goal. The bottom line is that there is money to be made, and you can decide the right balance of work and income for your needs.

Myth: You can’t get a freelance writing project as a new writer.

Every freelance writer had his or her first job at some point. Your first project as a writer isn’t some unattainable thing—it’s just your first job. There’s no particular mystery to crack, and everyone else who works as a freelance writer isn’t part of some special club that you haven’t been invited to join.

The line between people who are doing freelance writing work and those who aren’t is usually simple—those who have the projects had the nerve to try to get their first client. To land your first gig, you may want to create a few writing samples to show clients what you can do, and you may want to spend some time using resources like the Writers Work University Library to learn the ins and outs making pitches. From there, it’s all about trying. Reach out to prospective clients and pitch your services. You may be surprised how quickly you can build up a network of clients.

Myth: You have to have a journalism or communications degree to be a writer.

Some freelance writers have degrees in journalism or communications. Some have degrees in English. Some don’t have degrees at all. The vast majority of writing positions won’t ask for a writer with a specific kind of degree or even ask about your education at all. Your freelance writing clients want to know that you can produce quality content on a timeline that meets their needs. If you can, then you’re hired. If you can’t, no amount of education in the world will get you the gig.

Freelance writing is one of the few fields left in which your talents can take precedence over your resume, but many new writers let assumptions about educational requirements keep them from trying. Savvy writers know that few clients will even ask about schooling if they like your samples.

There are, of course, a few instances in which a degree can be helpful. For example, if you’re pursuing tech writing jobs, having a relevant education may help you stand out to clients, and it can certainly help you better understand their needs. If you have a degree that stands out as a selling point for your work, use it to market your services, but don’t feel like a lack of a degree has to hold you back.

Writers Work has everything you need to take the leap and start your career as a freelance writer. From our extensive database of job listings to our Writers Marketplace, freelance writers of all experience levels will appreciate our robust set of tools. Start exploring our site today with our 30-day money-back guarantee for all memberships.