How do I begin doing freelance writing with local businesses?

Question

I would like to do some freelance business writing for local companies or ad/pr agencies but don't know how to begin marketing my services. I'd also like to break into freelance magazine or newspaper writing. Any help in how to break into these markets would be appreciated.

Answer 1

The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.

I recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.

Associations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links.

Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:

* Start and Run a Profitable Freelance Writing Business: Your Step- By-Step Business Plan (Self-Counsel Business Series) by Christine A. Adamec
* How to Become a Fulltime Freelance Writer: A Practical Guide to Setting Up a Successful Writing Business at Home (Road Map to Your Writing Career) by Michael A. Banks
* The Well-Fed Writer: Financial Self-Sufficiency As a Freelance Writer in Six Months or Less by Peter Bowerman
* The Freelance Success Book: Insider Secrets for Selling Every Word You Write (Write It, Sell It) by David Taylor
* Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer: How to Win Top Writing Assignments by Jenna Glatzer

I also posted links to some free articles in the source box.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 2

Advertising isn't an easy business to break into. PR is even harder; it's all about contacts. That said, I work in publishing (marketing manager for a magazine). If someone came in and was enthusiastic about writing advertorials or collateral I'd be psyched (most people want to write pithy stuff) - as long as they had a portfolio proving they could write copy. It's practically impossible to solicit business without a track record. Ask people you know if they want you to write press releases for them or create ads/marketing collateral for free. When you have enough of those examples you can put your profile up on Guru and go to different businesses to sell your services. Good luck!

Answer 3

Prepare a portfolio of your work to demonstrate your writing abilities. Approach the editors of the local publications with short fully written pieces that you would like to submit for publication, often a review of a recent concert or event is a good place to start.
If you need to work on building your portfolio there are several online resources for publishing articles to be included as content on websites. You will not get paid for this work but it will give you the opportunity to have your work reach an audience.

Answer 4

Are you a freelance writer who would like to learn a lot more about how to earn wonderful funds undertaking what you get pleasure from? If you want to advance your creating job

Answer 5

Ask people you know if they want you to write press releases for them or create ads/marketing collateral for free. When you have enough of those examples you can put your profile up on Guru and go to different businesses to sell your services. Good luck!

Answer 6

Hello,
To start making money as a freelance writer,
you have to sign to this service http://www.goobypls.com/r/rd.asp?gid=292
Hope it helps.