Freelance academic writing is one of the most popular ways of making money online. Wonder why? Because it’s a gold mine that gives lots of opportunities. There are many reasons that will make you consider this type of job and among the most important we can name are:
- flexibility (you are the boss of your time and workload);
- accessibility (online jobs give you the chance to work at any place you like);
- profitability (you can earn decent money with this profession);
- constant development (every day you get to know something new).
Already interested? Then we will tell you how to succeed in this industry if you have just started your career. You should take into account that it’s not so easy to become a professional in this sphere, so mind the fact that it requires a great deal of determination and willpower to reach your goal. Thus, if you are ready to make some effort, check out our 8 practices for freelance academic writing newbies and start working on your career right now!
1. Register on Several Freelance Websites
If you’ve decided to become an academic writer, then you must remember that there is strong competition. It means that besides applying in writing agencies or looking for a job among your local employers you should register on freelance platforms like Upwork.com, Freelancer.com, Fiverr.com or EssayLancers.com. There is also a list of academic writing websites here. You can add Facebook to your list too, even though it’s just a social network. Many academic writers find direct clients there by offering their services to potential customers.2
2. Polish Your Profiles
That’s a very important part of your success in this writing world and lots of writers fail on this stage. Your profile is the first meeting point with a potential employer/client. So, practically, it’s your business card. Therefore, your profile must:
- have a full description of your services and skills you can offer;
- be flawless in terms of grammar (if you are not sure whether there are mistakes, use some online checkers or ask an expert to have a look at it);
- have samples of your work (it’s an essential element as this is a service you offer and people need to see what you can do);
- include a decent and clear photo of you (it must be appropriate for a resume as, in fact, that’s what it really is);
- point out your full name and the country you come from;
- have a degree or certificate that proves your language qualifications.
3. Choose a Niche
You can’t be a real expert in everything. This writing consists of many types and directions that have their own peculiarities (essays, research papers, dissertations, case studies, proposals, reviews, etc.). That’s why it is much better to choose a niche than try to cover the whole sphere. This way you are able to polish your skills and become a valued expert in a chosen sphere.
4. Select a Strategy of Getting the 1st Order
Getting the 1st order is the most difficult thing for a newbie due to the above mentioned strong competition and different stereotypes. That’s why, it’s necessary to determine the strategy that will get you started. It greatly depends on the niche that you’ve chosen and can range from offering your services to family and friends to introducing various discounts.
5. Be Aware of Current Rates
It is significant to be familiar with current rates to settle the best prices for your services. As you are a newly-minted writer, it’s obvious that you can’t charge clients to pay a lot of money for your work as there are no reasons for this. But putting a too low price can also be suspicious. It means that you have to find a balance and determine the right rate for you current position.
6. Organize Your Work Rhythm
Time management is a vital part of this career and you are not allowed to neglect it if you want to be successful. First, you have to understand how much time it takes you to write this or that type of paper. This way you’ll have an idea of deadlines that you can cover and workloads you can take. Freelance academic writers who have decent experience in this industry often use time management tools to organize their working process and you certainly need to consider them too.
7. Constantly Improve Your Skills
Professionalism is the key to success and it’s natural for clients to return if they get high quality services for their money. So, if you want to develop your command of English, it is more than possible. You can take up several free online courses that some universities provide for students. They are very useful and you will certainly benefit from them. Another way to improve your skills is hiring a mentor. You will surely find people who train newbies but beware of scams. Thoroughly research on trainers before paying them money.
8. Grow Your Network
From the very start of your career keep in mind that you need to store up connections that might turn into your direct clients/employees. This is very important because people remember when they get a high quality service and they tend to return. Grow your network, connect people on Facebook or LinkedIn, don’t miss the chance to say hi (but don’t be pushy). Think about it like an asset that you make for your future as you never know how the things will turn.
These are the most important elements to take into account when you want to master this career. It is quite hard to follow these guidelines from the start but much harder to return to them when you are halfway down the road. So, make sure that you really want to be a freelance academic writer because along with the advantages of this profession, there are lots of steps you need to take to become an acknowledged expert and we hope that our tips will help you get started.
Be successful in academic writing. Be successful with EssayLancers.com.
About the Author:
Larry Milbourne is a senior freelance academic writing supervisor at EssayLancers.com – the online community of freelance academic writers from all over the world. Larry has in-depth knowledge and experience in the academic writing industry.
Thanks a lot Walter and Larry. Your guidance and encouragement keeps me going.
Most welcome Otieno.
I really did not link you and this site until I saw your comments. I’m a member of ATK on Facebook. This is great information. I’ll open my own account and start from scratch. All the best to me
Hi Mueni. Hahahaha 🙂 Yeah, it’s me (founder of ATK). I’m happy to see you here. All the very best as you start your journey from scratch. Keep going!
Hey walter and larry i really appreciate your good work of providing this useful information to newbies lk me, i look forward to be an expert academic writter
Thank you Guys
Adikym, you are welcome! We are happy that it helps newbies on their way!
Hello Walter,
I’ve been writing for Iwriter for awhile and I recently installed the Grammarly plugin to my browser. I’m pretty sure that I don’t make any major spelling and syntax errors, but Grammarly always finds “advanced issues” which require a premium subscription to get solved.
Because of this I was wondering if it was a good investment to purchase Grammarly premium account and thus improve my writing since I’m still a newbie writer.
I hope you can clarify this concern for me since you have more experience.
Thank you for your time and understanding,
Benjamin
Hi Benjamin
If you’re good in grammar I wouldn’t advice you install Grammarly. It’s best for those with grammar issues or those who outsource work to other writers.
Hi my friend Akollo am close follower of you, i get inspired whenever i get along with your work.Am a newbie here and my main concern is to get to know what is required for me to have, in order to start acadermic or article writing from a cyber since i don’t own a computer.Am i needed to have my hard disc for instoring my work ?
Hi Solomon,
Good to know you love my work. Thanks.
You don’t really need a hard disk for that. You can just work then upload your work on Dropbox (just what you want to keep) which you can join at Dropbox.com.
You can then use the tips above to get started with work.
That way, wherever
This is wonderful. Thank you so much Walter and Larry. This web blog has been very
helpful to me. I finally quit my permanent job a few months ago for full time writing. No
regrets am enjoying especially this peak season. I should now by my beast in Dec…*wink
but its attainable.
Thank you again.
Many thanks for your kind words Teresiah. I’m glad you quit your job to focus on full time writing. I am glad you’re enjoying the peak season. I’ll be happy to ride on your Beast one day lol. All the very best in that goal, seriously.
Thank you Walter.I will look for you to make sure you have a ride when this keyboard gets me a key to the beast.
That’s wonderful, Teresiah. Looking forward.
Hi Teresiah.
If you outsource some work I would be willing to do some of it for you.
My email is nndungu@gmail.com. thanks
Teresiah! That’s great that you’ve decided to devote all your time to writing. This way you’ll become a real expert and will make good money.
Thanks Walter for this informative blog. I am almost getting started in Academic writing, and I truly need such motivational guidelines. Let me have a look at Essaylancers.com as it has opened in the next tab.
Keep up the good work!
Faith, I hope that these tips will help you get started in this field! Academic writing is truly a great career to succeed in, so good luck to you!
Most welcome Faith. All credit to Larry for the wonderful piece. EssayLancers is awesome. Check it out and take advantage of all the wonderful features.
Thank you for the tips, Milbourne and Akolo. I have never heard of EssayLancers.com.
Welcome Wairiuko
You are welcome, Wairiuko! EssayLancers is a great place for academic writers. Register and you’ll know the benefits.
Thanks walter for this information. You and Larry have done a very good job by giving the information so much required by a person intending to venture in this enterprise. You are God sent. Am clearing my degree soon and will join this academic writing venture fully and am now armed.
Once again thank you Walter and Larry.
Beatrice
Good luck to you in youe venture! I am happy that this tips will help you to start your career.
Most welcome
This comes at the right time when am laying my foundation for academic writing. Academic writing is currently creating more self employment ventures than any other profession in Kenya. Keep up the informative work you are doing. Thank you
Hope that will boost your start in this sphere. Good luck to you!
Hi Larry and Walter
you guys are God send this articles on newbies is on point.Keep up the great work.
Thanks Immaculate. Much appreciated.
I am very happy that it appeared to be so useful. Thank you for your kind words.
Thanks for the jewel of info on academic writing
You are most welcome!
Great insights. very inspiring and educative indeed
Thank you so much. I hope that it helps a lot of newbies.
This post summarizes every aspect of academic writing. As I read through it, I reflect some years back when I searched for such crucial information. It gives me a smile that newbies can achieve their goals easily. I appreciate Larry and Walter for the continued support to see a well-informed freelance community. I must admit that information is power when used appropriately. Your dreams are valid and live!!,,,,Build Your Network (Milbourne, 2015)
Thanks Renson for your kind comment. I believe you’ll one day be an icon in the freelance academic writing community. True, Larry did a great job with this post. Cheers 🙂
Renson, thank you for your kind words. EssayLancers team did its best to compile only the most useful information. I am very happy that you like the article.
Thanks for the beautiful post for newbies. We can revise too. Today, most companies are not accepting any application. I think all, especially the pick accounts, which are deemed Prime. The bidding accounts are open full time even though the price in these accounts keeps going down each day. Academic writing is yet to reach an equilibrium price like the article counterpart. Well have not come close to Essaylancer for that matter. Happy emoticon here!
Thanks Dennis. I think academic writing is doing great in the country. However, our prayer is that it will be increasingly easier for people to directly apply for great academic writing accounts without too many hurdles.
Thank you Dennis for your comment and I agree with you on your points. I hope that situation will change for Kenya in the nearest future!