#3: Not Having a Specialty
When you’re just starting out, it can be tempting to jump on any and every project that’s offered. Keep in mind, however, that clients are more likely to take you seriously as a professional if you can offer specialized knowledge within a specific niche, such as home improvement.
You could also specialize in a particular type of writing, such as white papers or press releases. Focus on branding yourself as an expert in these areas and the right projects will follow.
#4: Underestimating the Importance of Marketing
A lack of marketing experience is a problem that cripples many long-time freelance writers.
As a result, many of them end up settling for low-paying content mills or waiting for the next client to show up through a fellow writer or a highly competitive job board.
If you want to succeed as a freelance writer, it’s critical to learn the ropes of online marketing.
Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities for freelance writers to promote their skills online, such as authority blogging, guest posting, social media marketing, consistent networking in relevant forums, distributing free infoproducts, and even pay-per-click programs and other forms of online advertising.
It’s best to pick one or two of these strategies initially to get your feet wet. Once you have some success, you can build from there. There’s a world of opportunities to get noticed – don’t ignore them.