The elation — and perhaps surprise — of landing your first writing gig is a fantastic experience! Especially if your first gig is the result of hard work and something you have prepared for, then it’s quite an accomplishment, and you deserve a pat on the back!
To keep yourself well-grounded, it always helps to recognize when you first started freelancing and how you landed your first writing gig. If you haven’t begun freelancing or landed a paid writing gig yet, then Freelancer.com, a jobsite for freelancers, is an excellent place to start.
While we cover Freelancer.com in this article, there are other great places to find freelancing jobs, even for beginners.
What prompts buyers to Freelancer.com?
Along with similar jobsites like Elance.com and ODesk.com, Freelancer.com is one of the easiest job sites to navigate. All you need to do is register for a Freelancer.com account and sign up for free. Just as easily, you can also post your first projects for free and bid out the rest for a minimal fee.
What attracts writers to Freelancer.com
On the writer’s part, it’s s easy to set up an account. Just register your username, create a profile, and browse for projects. With or without any previous on-site experience, you’re ready to bid for the next writing job!
What writers should avoid
The nicest thing about being a freelancer is that you’re self-employed. Consistent with the Freelancer.com’s new avian logo, you’re free as a bird! The sky’s the limit as you enjoy the conveniences and rewards of freelance writing.
Freelance writing, however, comes with certain tasks and responsibilities. If you ever hope to land your first writing gig (and not make it your last), then build your career on some things-to-do. Let’s sum them up as the top 10 tips to remember while working as a competent writer on Freelancer.com:
Tip #1: Don’t procrastinate on signing up. Register now!
Have no second thoughts about signing up for a Freelancer account. As a jobsite, Freelancer.com is one of the most legit websites for independent writers. Here, you can go ahead and bid for short-term contracts or for long-term work.
Tip #2: Don’t take your Profile for granted.
Make the most of your portfolio of qualifications and credentials by posting them on your profile. However, keep your information job-related and not personal, private
information.
With a few exceptions, most writers are private people. Thus, if you value your privacy and have no intentions of giving it up, be friendly but stay professional.
Tip #3: Without any arrogance, take your qualifying exams.
Freelancer.com’s exams are more than rigid tests. If you’re up to the challenge, they’re fun ways of benchmarking your current skills.
For example, Freelancer.com offers qualifying exams that test your English proficiency and mastery of the language. You will also find exams which gauge your
knowledge on freelancing rules for both employers and writers. You should take these exams because they will show up in your Freelancer.com portfolio.
Tip #4: Don’t bid on everything. Rather, be selective!
Anxious as you are to land your first gig, be selective with your bids. As an independent contractor, feel free to choose your clients. After all, it’s only a matter of time before they choose you.
Remember: Instinct will remind you that you didn’t get out of the “rat race” just to enter another dog-eat-dog world. So, by your own
personal standards, strive to outwit the competition and outdo yourself.
Tip #5: Avoid getting distracted. Keep your eyes on the dashboard.
The dashboard’s where you can monitor your projects and messages as they come. In the meantime, focus on your goals until you find your niche. This leads to a nice, clean break or a clear opening for you.
Tip #6: Remember to browse for jobs now and then. Don’t remain idle!
While waiting for your active bids to materialize, try not to stagnate. Search for more
jobs and scan the latest projects which fit your specialty.
Tip #7: Don’t overlook your overhead costs.
Before your first payments start coming in, do a little accounting. Even if your overhead costs are minimal right now, you should try to maintain a basic check and balance of expenses, including monthly membership fees.
Tip #8: Avoid promising offers which sound too-good-to-be-true.
In line with Tip #4, don’t be afraid to say “No” to questionable projects. Anywhere on the web, you will run into
imbecile outsourcers who prey on first-timers and newbies.
To detect scams early on, check on outsourcer’s past reviews. Familiarize yourself with current prices or rates to prevent yourself from being fooled or misled into working for pennies.
Tip #9: Avoid actions which get you suspended.
Right from the start, refrain from any abuse on the job site. For instance, Freelancer.com limits what you can post and how you can get in touch with your prospective employers.
If Freelancer.com does suspend your account, it will take days
to weeks before the jobsite removes your suspension. This translates to lost time and a tainted reputation since it somehow reflects on your account.
Tip #10: Don’t stop improving! Learn and grow.
To ease into your first writing gig, conquer your fears and insecurities. With constant exposure and practice, you can slowly and surely build your strengths, plus expand your skills on a variety of topics.
To enhance your knowledge, learn as much as you can and listen to the experts. They are the first to tell you never to stop growing or
improving your writing skills.
FACTS ABOUT FREELANCER.COM
FACT #1: Freelancer.com is the world’s largest outsourcing marketplace, surpassing $100 million in user earnings this
year.
FACT # 2: Freelancer.com connects over 2.7 million freelance professionals from all over the world–enabling employers to hire freelancers in areas such as copywriting, ghostwriting, article writing, and copy editing, etc.
FACT # 3: According to Freelancer.com, the United States and United Kingdom are the biggest outsourcing nations, followed by India, Canada, and Australia.
FACT # 4: The average freelance job pays US$200.
FACT # 5: Freelancer.com enables employers to hire reliable and capable freelancers based on price, skills, the freelancer’s
bid, the freelancer’s reputation, and the freelancer’s feedback from other clients.
FACT # 6: Freelancer.com offers over 400 categories of work.
FACT # 7: Copywriting is one of the top 10 job categories.
According to CEO Matt Barrie “Reputation is the most valuable long-term investment for a freelancer, and most freelancers establish their reputation by going above and beyond to provide exactly what businesses need.”
