Reading: Ready to Launch Your Freelance Business?

As a teen in the 1980s, I grew up thinking that the path to success started with higher education. So, I went to college and then on to graduate school, earning degrees in communications and public relations. I’ve always wanted to be a writer — penning my first short story in elementary school, publishing poetry in high school, and editing my communications department newsletter in college. During my college years, I discovered the allure of freelancing after stumbling upon a book that would change my life: Writer’s Market. This massive annual tome listed thousands of places where I could sell my writing directly to magazines, book publishers, poetry anthologies, and even greeting card companies. Mind. Blown.

I’d originally planned on working full-time as a newspaper reporter or magazine journalist. But learning I could sell my work directly to magazines and make money immediately change my course. While still in college, I started pitching magazine editors. I landed my first byline around 1985, earning a whopping $30 for a short profile about a local business. Soon after, I found a local company needing copywriting help. I had zero experience but landed the gig anyway. 

Still, as I approached my graduation date, I kept thinking job security meant staying with one company, working diligently, and climbing the corporate ladder. That being an entrepreneur was too risky and unpredictable. I liked the idea of steady paychecks, company-provided health insurance, and paid sick days. So, I accepted my first real job in public relations.

But, even when I held a full-time “real job,” I always did some freelance writing on the side. I relied on Writer’s Market to find magazines where I could pitch my editorial ideas, snagging an occasional assignment from an editor. And I did some old-school legwork to find small local businesses that might need to outsource some copywriting. (This was in the late ’80s and early ’90s — pre-internet days — so this means I conducted research using library business directories, made phone calls, sent snail-mail letters, and got referrals from current/past clients.) 

Freelancing provided an outlet to write about different topics outside my day job. Plus, it allowed me to learn new skills, market myself, and generate additional income. And, of course, I answered to no one other than myself. That felt both empowering and intoxicating.

Eventually, the allure of freelancing proved too strong. After eight years, I ditched the corporate world to become a full-time freelance writer — and I never looked back.

Building a Successful Freelance Business
My husband owned his own tech consulting business at the time I launched my own freelance business, so we relied on his steady income and health insurance plan. I’ll admit, without this built-in safety net, it would have been a lot more challenging as a new freelancer. My income, especially in the early years, initially followed the typical feast-or-famine cycle, where some months I had more than enough work and others, not so much. Eventually, I learned how to manage my workload, estimate my unpredictable income and, most importantly, ensure I’ve always got projects in the pipeline. 

Over the past 35 years, I’ve tackled a diverse range of editorial, content marketing, and copywriting projects for hundreds of media outlets and clients — from Fortune 500 corporations and small businesses to associations and nonprofits. I’ve written for The New York Times, Condé Nast Traveler, and other top-tier publications, but I also wrote for Chick fil A, Nature Made, WebMD, hospitality chains, and agencies.

I said “Yes” to every assignment and worked on content like newsletters, executive bios, white papers, press kits. 

For decades, I worked like this, as a generalist for multiple industries. Casting a wide net served me well for years, as I gained valuable experience, learned a breadth of skills, and earned a reputation as a go-to freelancer who could tackle any assignment. 

But the market changed in the last 10 years, moving me to change along with it. I narrowed down my focus to topics I really enjoyed: travel, food, lifestyle, wellness. Focusing on a few specific niches, rather than trying to be everything to everyone, helped me earn a reputation as a solid writer with hospitality and wellness expertise.

As I approached 60, I realized there was one more big project I wanted to do to help others have the successful freelance career I had. So I started publishing a free newsletter called Expert•ish Freelancer, that’s amassed more than 700 subscribers so far. The goal? Help others launch or elevate a freelance career (whether that’s a writer, PR pro, virtual assistant, graphic designer, or any other freelancer) with sound advice on marketing, positive mindset, finding steady work, healthy business habits, and client relationships — all the essentials for any freelancer, regardless of your field.

Ready to Explore Freelancing?
Whether you’re rethinking your career, looking for a side gig, or craving a meaningful retirement, freelancing might work for you. You might be seeking a renewed purpose, a way to stay engaged, or an additional income stream. Whatever the reason, you should leverage your decades of experience to build something meaningful and fulfilling.

Over the years, I’ve found that to thrive as a freelancer, you need certain core skills, including:

• Self-discipline and focus: As your own boss, you need to set deadlines, prioritize tasks, and manage your workflow efficiently.
• Organization: Managing multiple projects and clients requires breaking down tasks, tracking progress, and meeting deadlines.
• Communication: Effective communication with clients — whether in person, over the phone, or via email — is essential.
• Marketing: Promoting your business through networking, social media, and other channels ensures a steady flow of clients.
• Financial management: Handling bookkeeping, taxes, and other financial tasks, or outsourcing them to an expert, is vital.
• Positive mindset: I know firsthand how imposter syndrome can rear its ugly head and quickly sink your confidence. If you don’t keep self-doubt in check, it can tank your business. I decided to call my newsletter Expert•ish because a big part of making it as a freelancer is confidence. The -ish conveys that you’re good enough, talented enough, and expert enough to succeed. You just have to believe it.

Lisa A. Beach is a freelance journalist and copywriter whose work has been published in The New York Times, Condé Nast Traveler, Good Housekeeping, Success, USA Today, and dozens more publications. Check out her writer’s website and her free newsletter. For aspiring freelance writers who don’t know how to get started…click here.