Key Learnings from the Article
In the freelance business, “investment is zero while skill and intelligence is the hero.”
Mr. Amit Agarwal is the Founder of the Indian blogging revolution. He quit his well-paid IT job and became India’s first professional blogger. Currently, he is earning about Rs. 44 lakh per month.
You can build a career in different types of writing such as:
- Article writing
- Medical writing
- Content writing
- Technical writing
- Advertising copywriting
- Fiction writing
- News writing
- Blogging
- Resume writing
- Business writing
- Ghostwriting
This video will focus on blogging, content writing, and ghostwriting.
1. Blogging
A blog is a modern and refined version of a daily diary (journal). You have two options in blogging:
i. Work as a freelancer
- You can write for an established blogger as a freelancer
- In this option, you can get fast and regular assignments but get a low income.
ii. Start own blog
- In this option, you get a high Income but this demands effort and time to grow the business.
How to Start Blogging?
To start blogging, you need to take the following steps:
i. Select a topic as per your expertise
- You can choose any topic of your expertise such as gardening, automobile, technology, performers, shopping, or history.
- You should have an “established authority” on the chosen topic.
ii. Start a blog
- You can start blogging using an established website such as medium.com.
- You can also register your own blogging website through the platforms like WordPress or Blogspot.
Notably, you need to have the same patience while starting a blogging business as you will have in any other business.
2. Content Writing
- In this, you write for any other client which may be a corporate company or an established blogger.
- To start content writing, it is important to have good corporate connections or an “impressive and credible work portfolio” on professional websites like LinkedIn, Upwork, or freelancer.com.
- Content writing business also requires patience and marketing.
3. Ghostwriting
- In this, as the name suggests, the name of the real writer is not disclosed.
- Many people, who want a book to be published on their names, and many subject matter experts, who do not have time to write, hire ghostwriters.
- Ghostwriters write books, essays, or white papers on the outlines provided by their clients.
- Ghostwriters charge huge amounts of money for their work.
- Biographies of many sports stars, politicians, and celebrities are written by the ghostwriters.
4. Requirements for Freelance Writing Business
You can easily start this business from home. You do not require any company registration for it. You can register a proprietorship company through a CA to look professional.
You can start freelance writing business with zero investment.
i. Capital expenditure (CAPEX)
The business requires 1 laptop, which costs about Rs. 30,000, and a website, which costs about Rs. 15,000.
Thus, the total CAPEX will be Rs. 45,000.
ii. Operational expenditure (OPEX)
The OPEX will include:
- Internet connection – Rs. 500 per month
- Website SEO – Rs. 5,000 per month
- Miscellaneous – Rs. 1,500 per month
The total OPEX will be Rs. 7,000 per month.
5. Income
In the freelance writing business, your income depends on:
- Your calibre and skills
- Marketing
In India, the rate of freelance writers is not well structured. Freelance writers may charge on the basis of:
- Per-word(Rs. 0.50-2)
- Per-hour(Rs.500-2000)
- Per-project
You can earn maximum income with the help of proper marketing and a focused approach.
6. Tips for Success
i. Credible profile on leading websites
The freelance writers should have an elaborated and credible profile on all the leading freelancing websites such as:
- Fiverr
- Freelancer
- Upwork
- PeoplePerHour
- ListVerse
- ContentWriters
ii. Word-of-mouth
- Word-of-mouth is a good way to get success in the freelance writing business.
- You should ask for a testimonial or recommendation mail from your satisfied clients and flaunt them on the websites.
Key Outcomes of the Video
- Select a topic as per your expertise
- Start blogging using an established website such as medium.com or make a website on platforms like WordPress
- Have a credible profile on leading freelancing websites
- Ask your client for testimonial or recommendation mail