A month ago, I took on some writing work for the first time.
Since then, I've launched my website, seen my words published and started a support network for "newbie" freelance writers.
Here are my biggest lessons so far...
Most of my energy and thought-time in my first month went into my brand.
I knew I wanted to be "me", rather than some company name. I wanted clients to get a sense of who I am - my values, the things I enjoy and am good at - before deciding if they want to work with me.
Because of this, most of my writing jobs came from people I'd met and had a conversation with. We'd shared interests, styles, experiences, and got excited about the same things.
I could be honest about my lack of writing experience, demonstrating my aptitude in other ways. Because let's face it, with less than a month's writing experience, I didn't have a rich portfolio to lead the sell with...
So, I started building my brand around my name - with a big headshot front and centre. I chose social media platforms that allowed me to share insights into my personality and interests, such as Twitter (heavily influenced by the ability to use GIFs).
I launched my website ASAP, as I wanted a one-stop-shop to share with clients in the absence of a portfolio.
And this approach has really helped with the enigma of "finding a niche".
I chose projects based on what interested me and styles that I enjoyed writing. Topics and audiences ranged, from B2B SEO articles to informal blog pieces, and I definitely wasn't an expert in all subject areas. Instead, I prioritised writing style and did the necessary topic research.
I stopped worrying about "finding my niche". Instead, I try to think less and do more. I take on projects that interest me, with clients I enjoy working with - and I'm far closer to realising my niche as a result.
I knew there'd be a lot for me to learn, having no background in freelancing, self-employment or even content writing.
But still, I underestimated how much time I'd spend Googling 'how to build a portfolio', 'how to work out your rates', 'tips for SEO'...
Luckily, there's a wealth of resources out there to help, such as HubSpot Academy and Skillshare. I spent lots of time watching videos and reading articles that gave me a great foundation in content writing.
However, I quickly realised that freelance writing isn't just a case of tapping away at articles for a couple of hours a day. In fact, most of my time was going into the behind-the-scenes bits - company research, topic research, endless drafts.
Not to mention the hours I spent figuring out what it means to be a freelance content writer - registering as self-employed, working out rates, building a brand, finding clients, writing pitches, etc, etc.
Like lots of newbie freelancers, I also have a full-time job, so being able to prioritise, adapt and manage my time efficiently was super important.
A key learning for me, and one I still struggle with, is knowing when something is "good enough". Posting to a blog regularly isn't sustainable alongside a full-time job and freelance work if you obsess over every word. It's part of the learning process to look back on earlier work and think "I could write that better now".
My biggest learning of all - community is everything! Surrounding yourself with the right people is the single best thing you can do when getting started as a freelance writer. Most of freelancing is about making friends.
There are three support networks that were vital in my first month as a freelancer:
Immediately after deciding to explore freelance writing as a career, I looked for a mentor. My career to date has been in volunteering and mentoring, so I know first-hand the value a mentor can bring.
I wrote for a client who had a wealth of experience in SaaS content marketing. She'd provided me with incredibly thorough briefs, feedback at each step of the process and links to learning resources. She gave me a chance early on in my freelance writing journey and I knew I could learn more from her - so I asked if she would be my mentor.
She has taught me about different writing styles, where to find clients, how to work out rates and tips for building a portfolio. Having someone experienced to turn to with questions has been invaluable.
I was worried a career as a freelancer would mean I'd lose the support offered by colleagues in full-time employment. Not the case!
Within my first day of setting up a Twitter account, I'd connected with someone who offered tips, guidance and even a Zoom call, to help me get set up in the freelance world. She'd been writing for 6 months and had just handed in her notice at her place of work. We chatted openly, about many things, and I came away feeling so motivated to build this career for myself.
I then got an idea for connecting with others in this way. I Tweeted, asking if any newbie freelance writers would be interested in joining an informal support network, with monthly catch-up calls. There was so much interest, I launched a Slack group for us all. We share tips, learnings and opportunities, and host monthly calls. I've learned so much from them already.
My friends and family are my biggest supporters - don't underestimate how much personal relationships can help your career!
They've introduced me to clients, helped me build my website, featured in my content, brought me cups of tea, and encouraged me to take this next step.
My first month of freelance content writing has been a whirlwind experience - I've met wonderful people, learned a whole heap of stuff about freelancing and discovered new skills.
Starting out as "Sarah", rather than some undefined company name, has meant I can be transparent about my experience. It's enabled me to ask for help, talk about the things that genuinely interest me and make meaningful connections.