If you want to learn how to become a freelance writer there are two ways to accomplish this. You can start on the poor route or launch with your value in mind.

Why are there two ways to start on how to become a freelance writer?

If you’ve been looking at the freelance job sites and content mills, you might see most of the jobs listed at $2 per article and less!

Do you want that little for articles? You would have to write at least 20 per day to make $40. That’s too much work. Eventually your quality would drop and the content mill would fire you anyway. At least that’s what happened to me before I wizened up and learned that if I wanted more money, I had to establish myself as an expert and claim higher pay.

Here’s a list of a few niches to start with on how to become a freelance writer.

1. Break into print, slowly. It doesn’t happen overnight. You can submit to Harper’s Bazaar all you want. Editors there want to see some credential and knowledge of writing. Become a freelance writer by starting with lower paying magazines. A well-known book that lists publications and pay ranges is the Writer’s Market. In it you can find several niches and magazines that take articles. You will also see the percentage of articles written by freelancers. Try querying the lower paying magazines first so you can build clippings to send to higher paying markets.

2. Search online. Just about every magazine in print has an online edition. These give bylines and build credibility. Even the Huffington Post has a blog that well-known authors and speakers like Arielle Ford participate in writing. Finding online markets is easy by simply typing “write for us” in the search engine of choice. You can also check your favorite blogs, newspapers and online magazines to see what the guidelines are for submission.

3. Write reviews. Do you know the number one reason why people search on the Internet? It’s to find information when they want to buy something. One way that marketers have capitalized on the power of social proof is through reviews. Customers love reading what others thought of a product. It’s a great way for them to figure out if the product or service will meet their needs without too much hassle. As a result, review freelance writing is on the Internet and pays well.

4. Write a book for someone else. Called ghostwriting, this area is gaining in popularity and necessity. Business owners are moving into writing books to establish their business in higher paying markets. Many business owners do not have time to write their own books or study writing. So, they seek ghostwriters. According to Laura Cross, you can build a six-figure business around specializing in ghostwriting with your expertise.

5. Write the fine details with technical writing. How to become a freelance writer would not be complete without technical writing. Businesses by the dozens are creating applications, software and more technical products to satisfy demand for companies and individuals. With technical writing, classes at the local college teach you all you need to know in the needed software and skills. For a low start-up cost of education, you will launch yourself into a growing field that starts with a high pay range.

6. Motivate customers to buy with copywriting. This is another growing field that businesses need more freelance writers. Copywriting includes web copy and advertising writing that commands attention either directly or indirectly. If you are excited about selling products and services while wanting to know how to become a freelance writer, try copywriting. A great at-home course that covers all the bases is Michael Masterson’s Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting.

Now that you have a list to start on how to become a freelance writer, you have no excuses. Which one will you start your freelance writing?

photo credit: .MegLynn.