If you’re going to write for a living, then you need to put your writing life on a business footing. That doesn’t mean giving up the pleasure of writing; it just means that you need to take it seriously and get others to do the same. So how do you transform your writing from a hobby into a business?

Professional Presentation

One of the first things to do is to present yourself professionally. These days, that means having a decent website that includes:

• your name and contact details (either an email address or a contact form)
• a resume or CV which shows your education and writing background
• some samples of work
• some real testimonials
• a photo and some text about you that makes you human
• your rates (this is optional; not all writers do it)

That’s only the beginning. Once you’ve got an online presence (I always recommend that you buy your own domain), it’s time to let people know. You can do this by optimizing your website and promoting your site through article marketing.

Create Some Profiles

Next, set up profiles at some of the major freelancing sites. I love the profile features at Ifreelance. Although I don’t take many projects from there, it has been invaluable as a promotional tool. There are many other freelancing sites out there. It’s up to you to find the one that works best for you. Whichever you choose, remember to include a link to your website and to your best work.

Subscribe to the feeds of the major sites that offer freelance writing jobs. Use a feed reader or have the latest job listings come directly to your inbox. This means that you’ll be able to bid for jobs as soon as they are posted.

Writing Samples

Prepare some samples that match the kind of writing jobs you are looking for. It will save time when prospective clients ask you to show what you can do. In my samples folder, I have a ‘how to’ article about blogging, an article on consumer finance and another on real estate. However, my website has links to articles on parenting, blogging, education and all sorts of other areas we have covered.

I haven’t talked about equipment yet. You’ll need a computer with a decent internet connection, a word processing program, a spreadsheet or accounting program for tracking your writing work and finances and some equipment for recording interviews. I also find it handy to have a desk diary or online calendar for keeping track of deadlines.

I’m not claiming that this list is exhaustive. Writers will have additions that they can’t do without. However, this setup works for me. What did you find essential when you moved your freelance writing from being a hobby to being a business?

Got more freelance writing questions? Ask them here.

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