Job one for any freelance writer is to write well.
Sometimes, while reading a website which sells the services of a freelance writer, I suddenly realise, “Ouch, this person really doesn’t write very well at all.”
That’s not good.
It’s like being a plumber and not being able to join two pipes together without them leaking.
If you want to sell your services as a writer, you have to write well.
Some people are complete naturals when it comes to writing well. Most of us have to work hard on our craft.
If you’re a natural, lucky you.
If you’re not, take steps to get better.
This means reading a lot. It means writing a lot. It means studying hard in whatever area of freelance writing you have chosen to specialize in.
And it means having thick enough skin to take some criticism from people you trust.
Of course, you first have to find someone who is prepared to tell you the truth about your writing. And that may not be easy. Finding someone brave enough to criticise your writing can be as tough as finding someone who is prepared to tell you your baby isn’t beautiful.
And that is the nub of it. We don’t like to be told there is room for improvement in the quality of our writing. We take offense easily. We get defensive.
You need to get past that. Like any craft, learning to write takes a lifetime.
You’re never done. You’re never at a point where your writing is perfect.
Why do I mention this?
Simply because a lot of freelancers focus a great deal of attention on building and marketing their businesses. But they don’t spend as much time improving their craft.
If you are a copywriter, study the writing of the leading copywriters you admire most. Really dig deep into how they write. Study every line. Feel the rhythm and flow of the words, sentences and paragraphs.
Me? I used the study the work of David Abbot. I’m guessing he is retired by now. But in the early years of my career I studied every ad he wrote, line by line and word by word.
My purpose was to improve my craft.
Writing well is job one. Marketing your services is job two.
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