By

Michele L. Tune

Aspiring writers fantasize about writing articles that please editors or potential clients. When you hit send, you cross your fingers or say a prayer – or both! – and hope for the best. But when you receive a response filled with negative news of a rejection (or worse, no response at all), it can seem hopeless; like you’ll never make it as a freelance writer. You might even think of throwing in the towel and giving up totally. You don’t have to give up your dreams and ambitions of being a freelance writer! Follow these steps and learn how to write a quality article that will leave potential editors and clients salivating for more!

1. Write from your heart. If you don’t put your heart and soul into your writing, your words will fall flat, won’t have a smooth flow, and won’t stir the emotions of your reader.
2. Brush up on basic grammar and punctuation rules. You want to impress potential clients and editors with your writing skills. You’re a professional, remember? You wouldn’t go to the office in your gym clothes, so put on your thinking cap and play the part of a writing pro!
3. Write more, write often. The more you write, the better you’ll become – if you have any talent, that is. Some people aren’t born to write (just like some aren’t born to sing). We all have our calling. I couldn’t ride a wave if I had to, but surfers are one with their board.
   
4. Read. This is something a lot of writers fall away from once the gigs start pouring in. Not every writer does this, but it happens. It’s been said that the more you read, the better your writing will be. Why? Because you’ll become familiar with the way words should flow, sentences should come together, and you’ll have correct grammar and punctuation drammed into your head continuously. So, even if you don’t possess a degree in English or Writing, you’ll be educating yourself and polish your skills while doing something that is probably already your favorite pastime.
5. Sleep on it. This is my most successful tip yet, I do believe. There’s nothing I love more than to pour my heart and very soul onto blank pages into the wee hours and save my work, knowing I can rest peacefully and be proud of the work I accomplished. The next morning, I go back into the file and proofread the piece. If it needs polishing, I polish. I usually save it again and go back a couple hours later – maybe even after lunch. At this time, I give it a final good read. If I’m satisfied, I hit send.

My editors and clients are pleased with my work and I know it’s because of the above tips. For example, just the other day I applied for a writing gig I was interested in on Deb Ng’s Freelance Writing Jobs. I heard from the client within 4 hours! Not only did he give me an assignment, he was thrilled with my work (turned in before deadline) and I’ve already scored ongoing work! (The pay is awesome and it’s on topics I’m passionate about.) And, another writing gig I applied to recently (found it at Freelance Writing Jobs, too), I heard back from the potential client within a few minutes!

In my next post, I’ll share tips for sprucing up your e-mails when you apply for writing gigs so you’ll get a better response. It’s fun, I promise! But you don’t want to miss my tips so be sure to subscribe so you can increase your own freelance writing success!

Until next time, keep writing the cyber highway!