Writing for a living sounds ambitious to many. It’s conceptually appealing but tough to bring into reality. However, it can be done. If you love to lace words and experience a sort of “high” every time you come up with the right blend, then you have a good chance succeeding on the endeavor. In this article, let’s talk about how you can start a career in freelance writing online.

Start a blog — If you are new to the business of writing online, it is imperative that you create a blog. It will be a terrific avenue to showcase your abilities– how you sling verbs and put thoughts into words. It can also serve as your real-time, accessible portfolio which potential clients can check to determine whether you’re the right person for them. Bear in mind that writing for print is different from writing online. Even if you have an experience with the former, you still need to learn the ropes of the latter.

Build your reputation — Just as it is in the real world, you need to work on your reputation in the cyber world. It is very crucial when it comes to determining how well your career as a freelance writer would go. Naturally, the more followers you have, the more “sellable” you are to prospective clients. They often take popularity as a sign of worthiness. Logically, the more known you are, the better it is for their business. After all, who would want to do business with someone nobody listens to, right?

Blog for others — Once you have already developed a “brand” for yourself, you may take the plunge. If you wish to start slow, one of the best options is to write for bigger blogs. They are usually the ones that pay. You can send them a polite query if they are in need of a freelance writer. Introduce yourself briefly and send them a link to your blog. You can also send them a couple of your other articles. From here, your new career can take off to greater heights.

Don’t quit your regular job too soon — While there is a growing number of freelancers who write full-time for a living, it doesn’t mean that you should quit your 9-to-6 job right after deciding to jump into the venture of online writing. It is always wise to test the waters first. It will not only give you an idea of how the job is like but also provide sufficient time to hone your skills better. When you already have an idea of what to expect and your competence has gone a level up, it will be much easier to gauge whether giving up your day job is worth it to get into writing full-time. If it is, then go for it!

These are the fours steps on how to be a freelance writer. If you wish to make money as you enjoy your passion with words, these practical tips can surely give you a good head start.