While a paid writer in the employ of one organisation works full-time, a freelance writer or journalist usually works solo and perhaps initially outside regular work hours.
As a consequence this generally requires him or her to have an extra set of skills.
Freelance writers must not only produce interesting stories about the world around them, they should also be able to sell those stories to the appropriate outlets and create an independent income from these sources.
Form Relationships With Editors The relationship between editor and freelance writer is based on effective communication, trust and mutual respect.
If, as a freelancer, you do your job well, editors will trust you and know you can be relied upon.
As a result, you'll get whatever work the editor can cast your way.
Don't Overwrite Your Articles Only produce articles or content to the length your intended publication prefers.
If you try to "pad" or fill your story it will be obvious to the trained eye.
Do not include unnecessary material or research simply to bulk up the article.
Ask yourself this question; does all of this content benefit the article? Write Your Articles in an Active Voice Try to avoid writing your article content in a passive voice.
Be cautious using the word 'by'.
It often shows you are writing in the passive voice.
Take this example for instance: Passive: A cinema employee was attacked by a patron last night.
Active: A patron attacked a cinema employee last night Keep The Word Count Down Competent writing relies on using as few words as possible to get a clear message across to readers.
Don't use three words when you can say what you want to say in two.
Don't use two words when one will suffice.
And, don't use a long or elongated word when a shorter word will get the same message across.
The simpler your writing, the easier it is to understand.
Maintain Audience Interest Irrespective of how impressive your lead might be; it will never hold your reader through the tedium of a boring story.
It's one thing to have a great "hook", it's entirely another thing to keep the reader salivating to the end of your article.
Engage with the reader and write with a single person in mind as your audience.
Edit Your Articles Then Edit Again For beginners especially, the single most important piece of advice you will ever hear is this...
edit what you write, allow a cooling-off period and re-edit your work again.
Sometimes two or three edits are not enough, don't be frightened to set your work aside and come back to it hours or days later.
It's surprising what you will discover and simple changes can make a world of difference.
Set Goals and Aspire to Success Successful freelance writers are regularly published by a number of different media outlets because of their contacts, knowledge and skills.
Once you start writing and selling your work you will gain invaluable experience, enabling you to identify "regular jobs", that is, publications you are best suited to produce work for based on your interests, writing style and any gaps in the marketplace where you can seize opportunities.
Follow these simple guidelines and you will no doubt find yourself on the road to success as a freelance writer.
Even consider establishing a niche and writing about topics you have a particular knowledge in.
Remain positive and always create interesting content and you will enjoy the journey.