Freelancer Requirements

Organisation and perseverance

Not everyone makes a good freelance writer or researcher. It takes a lot to be able to work on your own and under tight deadlines. Organisation and perseverance are crucial ingredients for your success in the competitive freelance industry. You need to be able to manage your time properly in order to be efficient. Furthermore, you have to be perseverant and you should not quit if a project turns out to be too difficult to handle. Just make sure you understand the requirements perfectly well, and do not be afraid to ask questions.

Excellent research skills

Excellent research skills are very important for your work as a freelance writer. You need to be able to select resources carefully, and to approach them critically. There is a wide availability of resources but you have to be able to say which ones are legitimate and suitable for the purposes of the research project you are working on. Make sure that as a researcher, you have free access to library and research databases, as well as specialised software such as SPSS or STATA, if you do statistical research. Also, always make sure you keep up to date with the latest publications and developments in your field. When you work for the Writers Website, we will be helping you with as many resources as possible, but in most of the cases, it will be your responsibility to make sure you have access to what is required.

Excellent writing skills

Writing is a craft, and having excellent writing skills is the essence of being a freelancer. Make sure you work on improving your writing style and techniques, and ask for reviews or feedback for completed work. In this business there is always a field for improvement, and writing is a skill, which can be mastered. For some extra tips, go to How to improve your writing.

Ability to work independently

As a freelance writer you have to be able to work independently. Although we will always be here to support you with guidelines and information on ongoing projects, you have to be able to work on your own and without supervision. This means that you need personal discipline, and the ability to deliver without the external pressure of a supervisor. 

Knowledge of modern technology and social media

To be a successful freelance writer, you need to have excellent knowledge of modern technology and the social media. You need to know how to use the internet and social media to the best of your advantage for networking and marketing purposes. Depending on your field of research and particular discipline, you will also need to know how to work with the relevant database or software. Being equipped with the technical knowledge necessary for your field will help you get a step ahead of the competition.

Eye for the detail

In order to have a fulfilling career as a freelance writer, you need to be observant and patient. Especially if you work as a proofreader, you will have to deal with large amount of textual information. For some of you, the texts might be industry specified (legal, technical, medical) and then eye for the detail is even more important. You have to be able to instantaneously spot the weaknesses of the given text and to know how to address them.

Being professional in the services that you provide

A professional outlook of the work you submit is very important. Make sure you present and format your work carefully, and that you meet all the necessary requirements. If you do not understand something, make sure you ask. Know your strengths and capacities as a writer. It is always good to experiment with new tasks, but do not accept to work on a project if you are not perfectly confident that you can deliver it to the best standard.