As a non-native English speaker, it can be difficult to find those freelance writing jobs that seem so readily available to others. Finding success writing for an English audience is not an easy feat, however, there are ways to work around the limited and low-quality gigs.
So how do you get started?
Here are some tips for beginners looking to grow their revenue and expand their portfolios.
Practice
It sounds self-explanatory but it is SO helpful.
Write every day.
It doesn’t have to be a 700-word article, but practicing your writing consistently makes the greatest difference in mastering this skill. Dedicate some time during the day to write something and hold yourself accountable to gradually increasing the length per day. Some prompts may include:
- Imagine yourself giving advice to someone just starting their freelancing journey. What key lessons or insights would you share based on your own experiences?
- Create a fictional scenario where you land your dream client. Describe the project, your approach to meeting their needs, and the impact it has on your freelancing business.
- Reflect on your work-life balance as a freelancer. What are ways you can improve? What are habits you believe work for you?
- A book you’ve written has just landed on The New York Times Bestseller list. What is the book about?
- What goal are you currently striving for? What are some actionable steps you can take to get closer to reaching it?
- If you never had to work again, what is the first thing you would do?
Developing a daily writing routine will allow you to expand the boundaries of your writing and give you the practice you need to grasp that skill in another language. Whether your practice is made up of creative prompts like the ones listed above, or more serious samples, the importance lies in the steadiness of your writing.
Unfortunately, not everyone has the time to have an hour-long writing session each day. We’re all busy and sometimes it’s easier said than done – that’s OK. You can tailor your writing routine to suit your schedule.
Sometimes it means waking up earlier than usual to have a few moments to yourself. Other times it means breaking out your journal on your lunch break. Regardless of what it may be, factoring it into your schedule and taking accountability for dedicating the time is the first step to conquering freelance, especially in another language.
Beat Writer’s Block
There are various resources you can rely on to combat the inevitable lack of creativity. Writing groups such as “Writers Helping Writers” or “She Writes” are filled with professionals in the industry just waiting to provide valuable feedback on your work. They are also helpful for providing valuable strategies for tackling writer’s block and common editing mistakes to watch out for.
Another approach is to clear your head and shift your environment. Visiting a local coffee shop, public library, or even a park instead of your usual study space can do a world of good if you’re finding it difficult to focus. A change in environment not only allows you to focus more, but also has the ability to positively affect your mood and overall mental health.
What if you have too much on your mind to focus? Personal life obligations getting in the way? Explore a stream of consciousness. A stream of consciousness is a person’s thoughts and conscious reactions to events, perceived as a continuous flow. Similar to a “brain dump”, this can be a great method on those complicated days as it doesn’t require much structure, yet allows you to get that valuable practice in.
The best thing about these is that, after some refinement, they can even become publishable content! Nowadays, writers are looking for all sorts of different angles and more personal stories for their publications. With some tailoring, there is nothing stopping you from pitching your practice to publications if you believe they are strong pieces.
Learn From Native English Speakers
While sentences may sound right, grammatically they may be incorrect. Speaking to native English speakers, you can become familiarized with the spoken aspect of the language and then translate those skills into your writing.
If you live in a country where the dominant language is not English, utilizing online resources such as videos and podcasts allows you to surround yourself with the English language without necessarily speaking to another person.
Watch your favorite shows and movies in English and listen to English songs. During your practice, record yourself saying certain phrases and identify where you can improve – you can then use language platforms to apply what you’ve been learning and measure your results.
Take the opportunity to become familiar with the English dialect by reading the work of other natives as well. Read a wide range of topics to understand sentence structure and common vocabulary in the pieces you’re trying to emulate, then narrow down on your desired niche.
If you are feeling extra confident, you can even try English tongue-twisters!
Tailor Your Work
With each piece you write, it is vital to tailor it to your audience. For an English speaking audience, you want to incorporate words that are familiar to them and read well in your writing. Stay away from difficult translations and take account of the various meanings for certain words. When you feel confident enough to express your ideas to an audience, understanding you are writing for THEM and their needs is the greatest aspect to focus on.Work With An Editor
Need help with grammar checks? Find an editor or editing tool that can help you finalize your drafts before using them in pitches. Tools like Grammarly, an online writing and editing program, are created for writers who want to polish their work and have that extra set of eyes to review any hidden mistakes.
When finding an editor, make sure you find someone that you can work well with, that offers supportive commentary as opposed to harsh critiques. It is important to hire someone who can make the edits, without stripping the piece of your creative voice.
Know Your Worth
Just because you may not be a native English speaker doesn’t mean you have to take opportunities that don’t align with who you are as a writer. Understanding the freelance writing market is a goal within itself, but there are many free and paid databases you can look up that hire freelancers.
In negotiating rates for your writing, understand that some publications simply aren’t interested in working with non-natives, but don’t let that deter you from charging what you believe you are worth. Oftentimes, publications seek native speakers due to past experiences that may not have gone well.
Instead, look for publications that don’t specify what type of writer they are looking for, and charge for the quality of your work. You should not have to justify your rate to anyone, instead, be open and transparent to any publication you are looking to do business with.
When it comes to articulating your value to prospective clients and publications, take the time to research what they are looking for. Similar to interviewing for a job, you want to align yourself with the other party’s values and put yourself in the position of someone who fits what they are looking for.
Recognize their values and clearly state how you have incorporated those values into your work over time. Differentiate yourself from your competition by highlighting your greatest achievements and quantify those achievements with statistics that back up your work.
Understanding your worth as a writer will come in handy when negotiating rates and pitching yourself to publications. Episode 25 of our podcast Talk Freelance To Me explores how to take control as a freelancer and establish boundaries for those looking for a more in depth explanation.
Stay Persistent
The freelance writing space is so abundant with publications looking for writers that possess YOUR talent. Don’t let geographical location determine your worth as a freelancer and go for those opportunities that call your attention. Practice goes a long way and consistency is key, so definitely keep that in mind when looking for your next opportunity.Also take a second to check out our recently updated our Talk Freelance To Me Big Money Guide. This guide is 27 pages full of links to publications looking to PAY for your skills including writing gigs for international writers!
Are you a non-native English speaker who does freelance writing in English? What tips would you add? Let me know in the comments.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels
1 comment
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