Being a full-time, work-from-home freelance writer is easy if you go into it with an open mind. Most young writers dream of making it big some day with that bestselling novel or non-fiction book, but what we tend to forget is that only a small fraction of the writers in the world are able to support themselves on their books alone. On the other hand, if your dream is to have articles published in magazines, this is more attainable, but even people who get published regularly in magazines usually have to find other ways to support themselves.

That’s why, to be a full-time freelance writer, you’re going to have to keep an open mind to all types of writing work. Particularly when you’re just starting out, you can’t expect to find work that puts all your talents to work. Instead, you have to adjust yourself to the type of work that is out there. For now, try to get a feel for the jobs that are available to someone with your training and experience, and be prepared to spend a substantial amount of time doing the types of work that young writers don’t exactly dream of doing.  

To find work through the internet, first sign up for one of the numerous websites set up to connect freelancers to clients. Just like with pretty much everything else online, a large proportion of the sites you find through Google are either scams or just not very good. So look for one that is well-reviewed and that lets you look around before paying. And as for payment, if the site has a good reputation and looks like it’ll help you get work, don’t be afraid to give a small fee. All freelancers have to deal with this kind of thing. It’s just part of the business, so get used to it.

Once you sign up, you’ll get the opportunity to bid on projects. This is the tough part, because many sites don’t let you see what your competition is bidding. Unfortunately, given the overseas competition, freelancers in Australia often have to work for lower than what they would expect to make at a regular job. That’s why it’s important to do good work so that you can establish long-term working relationships with a few clients who will pay you rates that are closer to what trained and educated Australian professionals can expect. Trust me, if you find a client who is friendly, professional, and who doesn’t try to pay you Indian or Kenyan wages (i.e., extremely low wages by developed country standards), do everything you can to please that person, because they’re hard to find.

A few more tips:

1. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that just because you’re writing for hire—and maybe not getting paid much—that the writing can be low quality. Make all of your web content or articles interesting, engaging, and original. And don’t forget to proofread. Your hard work will pay off in the long run.

2. Keep an eye out for potential clients who specify that they only want to work with people in English-speaking countries. These people are usually looking for higher-quality writing, which usually pays better and is more enjoyable to write.

3. Make sure to communicate with all clients in a professional and friendly manner. If you’re going to have trouble meeting a deadline, tell them as early as possible. Keep your communications impersonal but warm. And when a project is complete, let them know that you’ll be available whenever they have future projects.

4. If you want to make a full-time salary, be ready to work full-time hours—meaning 8-10 hours per day. If you want to be a freelance writer, try not to think of it as an easy job. Sure, you get to work from home, but you’ll have to learn to avoid home-based distractions, which means being your own boss.

5. When you’re having trouble finding writing work, consider trying to find editing, proofreading, and transcription projects.