There isn’t as much job security as there used to be, so more people are looking into self-employment opportunities. One of the most reliable options is freelance writing, especially since content marketing is now a significant trend.

However, the field is also highly competitive which means only writers with effective strategies will be successful. This article details some general approaches that can be adapted to maximise your chances. Every writer is different, but planning, researching and having a high attention to detail goes a long way.

1. Plan your articles for freelance writing in advance

Many accomplished freelance writers are perfectly capable of writing content in the moment. Nevertheless, planning is likely to increase your chances of success. It’s an innovative idea to plan the titles of the articles you want to write in advance. Writing in batches of five or ten at a time also means you will have more articles for sale at any one time.

2. Research Google trends and be aware of what sells

Being a successful writer is not merely about your ability to string words together in a coherent way, but it also comes down to marketing strategy. Researching Google trends can be a useful starting point for gaining an idea of the topics that are trending. It is also crucial to know which issues are routinely popular and the types of articles clients are consistently looking for. Any information on recently sold articles will help you with this, but you will also get comfortable with it as you gain experience.

3. Price your content competitively

Freelance writers will have different views on the prices they are happy to sell content for. In a competitive marketplace, your pricing strategy could play a significant part in your ability to sell articles on a regular basis. To help you decide how to price a piece, consider the word count, the research involved and the time it took to write. Also, remember that pricing content too low can also be a deterrent as clients may be concerned about the quality of it.

4. Maintain the highest standards possible

In this fiercely competitive market, quality certainly does go a long way. Therefore, you should ensure each article you write is of similar high quality; and if you write similar types of content, this is easier to manage. As well as the general quality, spelling and grammar are vital things to keep in mind with every article.

A recommended practice in freelance writing is to proofread every piece of content and use reliable grammar software to check for anything you may have missed. Consistent high quality is one of the top things you can ensure to sell more articles. Especially since most of your sales may come from a small number of clients.

Parting words

It’s certainly true that more people are turning to self-employment with job security not being what it used to be in various industries. One of the safest types of self-employment to consider is freelance writing. There are multiple practices you need to follow to become a successful writer. Therefore, remember to plan articles, research Google trends and be aware of what sells. Price your content competitively and maintain the highest standards possible.