It’s an exciting time for freelance writers. According to research by Intuit, by 2020, more than 40 percent of the American workforce will be freelancers, contractors and temporary employees. Why? This is the interesting part. The Millennial generation who were born between 1983 and 2000 and even younger are not interested in the traditional 9-to-5 job. They enjoy flexible work schedules, working from the comfort of home or their favorite coffee shop and want to be in charge of their future. That’s where freelancing fits in perfectly. Freelance writing is not just reserved for the younger generation — it is also a sweet gig for everyone who wants to make a few extra bucks and keep their writing fresh.
But unlike the corporate world where educational programs and business development are part of a job description, it is up to you to keep up with the latest information, trends and advancements to maintain your freelance edge. Like the old tried-and-true saying goes, there’s no such thing as a free lunch, and that holds true with freelance work. So which book would you recommend for a new freelance writer? Here are some excellent books and resources for new and even seasoned writers.
“Content Marketing Masterclass”
This free resource is the A-to-Z on content strategy and explains the art and science involved in being a stellar freelance writer. The author of Content Marketing Masterclass is the CEO of Writer Access, Byron White, who has years of customer service, business experience and supplying marketing content to satisfied customers. Writer Access is an online resource for content and a perfect platform for freelance writers to find work. White calls this masterclass “the definitive guide to content strategy bundled with an online vault of content marketing templates, plans, journey maps, buyer persona, software and masterclass certification.” He discusses how the customer journey is the key to success, how to map your customer journey as well as offers real-life examples of companies that are doing it right. This is a must-have for anyone who is a freelance writer, especially those who are just starting on their writing journey. Writer Access also has an informative blog and other resources to help companies and writers come together for all of their content needs.
“Everybody Writes”
Get to know the rules of digital writing that apply to web pages, landing pages, blogs, email marketing and even social media. Everybody Writes, by Wall Street Best Selling author Ann Handley shares her impeccable knowledge and insight of this challenging industry in a go-to guide for anyone creating any kind of online content. Learn how to write better, grammar rules, the art of storytelling, journalistic practices and content tools that will make your online writing journey much easier. An extra bonus is “Things Marketers Write, the fundamentals of 17 specific kinds of content that marketers and often tasked with crafting.” This will become a valuable tool in your everyday writing.
“Disrupted: My Misadventure in the Start-Up Bubble”
This is a true story about what it is like to reinvent yourself and start a new career in your fifties. It is about a regular guy, Dan Lyons, who was unexpectedly let go from his good — no, great — job at HubSpot and was forced to start over in an industry that favored younger workers. His humble and sometimes hysterical story offers a behind-the-scenes look at someone who took a closed door and turned it into an open window of opportunity. Why is this book a good read for a new freelance writer, or any entrepreneur for that matter? Because being on your own isn’t always as easy as it appears to be, but with some humor and commitment, it can work wonderfully.
Susan W keeps her target audience in mind and writes a creative, clear, thoughtful piece. She has written hundreds of news articles, newsletters, informative letters, blog posts, emails, social media posts, magazine articles, news releases, executive speeches, promotional articles, catalog copy, web site copy, headlines and radio scripts. She researches and writes SEO friendly articles, using the best writing style for the article and audience. She has a “flair” for word combinations that promote and entertain. Whether the article is “short and sweet” or “long and lengthy” Susan’s style keeps the reader engaged and interested.
