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3 Things You Need to Know To Succeed as a Freelance Writer

Krystal Raydo

So you want to add your name to the growing list of freelance writers making good money online? Want to whip out your laptop and work from anywhere, so you can set your own schedule and live by your rules?

Of course you do! That’s why you’re here. And you’re smart for wanting to carve out a piece of this pie.

I’m here to tell you, though, that the rules have changed in recent years. Getting a writing job online today is a lot different than it was 5-10 years ago.

It may not come as a massive surprise that an online career could change so rapidly (lol, it’s the internet), but it’s tricky to keep pace with the “rules” of freelance writing when you’re focused on finding clients and doing great work.

To make matters even more difficult, every blog is giving different advice, everyone is claiming they are an expert, and some people are selling bad information just to make a buck.

Actually, that’s why I’m writing this post for you. I’ve been funding my lifestyle with online writing gigs for about 7 years at the time of writing this, so I’ve taken some major notes along the way.

Read on to learn about the new rules of making money online as a writer. There are only three, but each one is crucial to your success.

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12 Best Digital Nomad Apps & Tools

Krystal Raydo

If you’ve been working online for any amount of time, you’ve probably come up against some of the most common challenges of the “digital nomad” lifestyle.

Finding Wi-Fi can be a pain. Staying productive in paradise without a boss requires crazy amounts of discipline. Setting boundaries and managing your own projects isn’t easy. And time zone differences with international clients?

Don’t get me started.

Once I logged onto Skype at 3:00 AM to video chat with a client on the other side of the world. I had to wake up at 2 to do my hair, clean my desk (and any space that’d be on video), and drink some water so my voice didn’t sound groggy.

Anyway, as you can see, working remotely comes with a whole set of challenges you don’t encounter in the corporate world (in addition to a bunch of challenges you do find there—fun!).

Luckily, working online is becoming increasingly popular, and we have apps for just about every conundrum.

Whether you’re aspiring to escape the office or have already broken free, this list of digital nomad apps will prime you for productivity and efficiency.

We’re using everything on this list, and we’ll keep adding to it as we find new gems to share.

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How to Make More Time for Writing (Even if You’re Really Busy)

How to Make More Time for Writing (Even if You’re Really Busy)

Michelle Christina

In a perfect world, you’d wake up in the early hours of the morning in your clean, well-lit apartment, a mild breeze blowing through the windows as your S.O. served up breakfast and you flipped through the notes from yesterday’s three-hour writing workshop.

You’d slide into your robe and sip tea as you contemplate the completion of another brilliant published piece, sighing a happy sigh of relief.

You’d water your plants (none of which are perishing because you’re a brilliant plant mom), meditate, take a walk to the coffee shop, and soak it all in for another hour before returning to your spotlessly clean desk to tap out another masterpiece.

*ahem* Oh, sorry—that’s just my perfect world.

Back to real life. You’re busy. Really busy.

You’ve got freelance projects to complete on deadline—and maybe you’re still in a full-time job! There’s a to-do list to handle, bills to pay, a body to keep in shape, pets and family members that are always hungry, friends who demand your presence at brunch, a messy kitchen counter, etc.

Everyone seems to be reeling in their own version of chaos these days.

Writing isn’t easy, and it gets harder when your schedule is chocked full of obligations. Sometimes it feels impossible to sit down and get some work done (let alone write for yourself).

Today we’re going to demystify a few ways super busy people get a ton of writing done, even when it feels impossible to stretch the clock any further.

I promise, you can do this! It just takes a fresh reality check, some planning, and perhaps a few apps.

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What To Do When Clients Don't Pay

DJO Podcast 003: What To Do When Clients Don’t Pay

Michelle Christina

Non-paying clients are the worst, and freelancers deal with them often enough that there are now widespread campaigns to end this epidemic.

If you landed on this post, it’s possible you’re in a non-payment predicament right now.

So what do you do when clients don’t pay?

Whether you’re just beginning on your freelance career path or you’ve been working for yourself for years, it’s time to brush up on how to protect yourself. We compiled some steps you take right now to ensure you don’t fall trap to a deadbeat client.

In this podcast, we’ll tell you what to do right now and give you some tips for making sure you get paid in the future.

Hit play on this episode and empower yourself!

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Launch Your Freelance Career With No Experience

DJO Podcast 002: Launch Your Freelance Career With No Experience

Michelle Christina

Episode 2 is a big one, babes! It’s all about launching a freelance career and getting those first clients when you have little or no experience.

The paradox many new writers believe is that if they’ve never written professionally, no one will hire them… thus, they’ll never get writing experience.

So how do you launch your freelance career with no experience?

While there’s no “magic switch” to turn you into a freelance writer overnight, if you’re willing to hustle and put in the effort, you can land your first freelance writing gigs sooner than you think.

Seriously, though. You can do it!

We broke down exactly how in this week’s episode, so jump below and click play!

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How To Deal With Overwhelm 8

What’s It Really Like To Quit Your Day Job?

Michelle Christina

I walked into my boss’ office on a snowy winter morning, knowing my life was about to change. I’d never been so excited, so sure of anything before.

I was going to quit my job.

I think he knew what I was about to say when I knocked on the frame of his open door. The conversation was underway before I had a chance to think twice. There was no turning back. Plane tickets were booked.

It was time to jump…

If you’re anything like me, you’ve daydreamed about this moment yourself.

You might have read books about how to escape the corporate grind and followed the blogs of those successfully pulling it off.

You’re not alone if you’ve wondered “is it really possible to quit your job and live life on your own terms?”

And the answer, of course…

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4 Things You Need To Become A Digital Nomad

DJO Podcast 001: 4 Things You Need To Become A Digital Nomad

Michelle Christina

We’re kicking off the new year with a brand new podcast series!

Presenting, the first ever episode of the DJO podcast: 4 Things You Need To Become A Digital Nomad.

Going remote is easier than you think! If you’ve been debating whether the digital nomad lifestyle is right for you, this episode will shed some light on your inner-debate.

We give you a breakdown of the simple, essential things you need before you cut the cord and go full blown remote. As a bonus, you can hear us sing in creepy voices at the very end. So worth it.

You can listen to the entire episode below.

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How to get published - Tips for emailing editors - Freelance

How To Get Published: What NOT To Do When Emailing Editors

Michelle Christina

Once upon a time, I was an intern-turned-editorial contributor at the crown jewel of stylish online publishing, Refinery29.

Our stylish, growing team was crammed in a chic basement office, clattering away at our keyboards in a highly collaborative atmosphere.

As a freshly churned out fashion school grad, it was basically the best place I could have imagined working. They effectively kickstarted my writing career, which is huge. If the editors there hadn’t taken a chance on me, there’s no telling what I’d be doing right now.

…or whether this blog would exist!

Anyway, while growing increasingly obsessed with their ultra-cool content, I learned a lot about online publishing—specifically what editors look for.

In fact, I learned quickly enough that shortly after becoming an intern, I was allowed to guest-edit the site when the Editor in Chief or Global Editor had to step out for a meeting (or a runway show).

Site traffic was growing steadily, which meant editor inboxes were filling up regularly with pitches.

It seemed like everyone wanted to score some a piece of that prime digital real estate.

The editors spent a crazy amount of time reading emails from people hoping to place products or personalities on the website. They would laugh at some, gawk at others, and immediately assign some to be written up and published.

Others got deleted without a thought.

What was that magic quality something had to have to get published?, I wondered. And, after a while, I caught on. Years later, the same “magic qualities” hold true.

Want to get your projects published? Here’s what not to do when you’re writing to an editor…

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