My Most Frequently Asked Questions as a Freelance Writer

by on in FREELANCING + REMOTE WORK

I receive dozens of messages every day from potential clients, and as a result, I get asked a lot of the same questions. You can visit my FAQ page to see some of the most logistically-focused questions that clients want to know. However, in this blog, I’ll focus on some of my most frequently asked questions as a freelance writer that I get from other writers getting started in this space or people generally curious about what I do.

1. Where do you find your clients?

This is normally the first question out of people’s mouths when they find out I’m a freelancer because it’s an unfamiliar concept to most. They’ve never freelanced, and they aren’t sure how any of it works. 

My clientele primarily comes from Fiverr, the largest freelancing marketplace in the world. That’s where I started freelancing and that’s where I find new clients. I love Fiverr because I don’t have to do any bidding to get work — clients come to me at all hours of the day and instantly book my gigs. I also have some long-term clients that I now work with personally, and there are also some clients that find me through my website (kelseyyurek.com) or LinkedIn. 

2. What type of writing do you do?

When people hear the term “freelance writing,” I think people struggle to imagine what I could possibly be doing. Am I a book author trying to get published? Am I selling articles to the dying magazine industry? They can’t quite figure it out in their heads. 

I had never heard of the type of writing I’m doing before I started doing it. I write SEO (search engine optimized) blogs for small business owners and entrepreneurs who are trying to increase website traffic to their website and thus improve sales of their product or service. At its core, my type of freelance writing is marketing. 

3. How did you get your first freelance writing gig?

I read this article, How This 25-Year-Old Made 6-Figures in 6 Months Off of Fiverr, the summer before I started my senior year. I’m all about a side hustle and making a quick penny. I was sitting in the back of a class one day on my laptop, and I decided to check out Fiverr. I quickly made a profile, created a couple of gigs, and forgot about it. I knew I may never make a dime off the site. Four days later, I got my first gig, and the rest is history. You can read the full story here, My First Gig: Getting Started on Fiverr. 

4. Where did you go to university, and what did you study? 

I attended Georgetown University from 2015 to 2019. I graduated with a degree in Government with a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies. Most people are surprised that I wasn’t an English, Journalism, or Creative Writing major. I just did a lot of writing in my classes.

When I first entered university, I figured I go to law school almost immediately. However, after a few years in school, I felt burned out and knew that pausing before pursuing a graduate degree would help me realize if it was something I really wanted. (So far, it’s not!)

5. Why did you want to start freelance writing?

In all honesty, I didn’t intend to start freelance writing at all. I hoped to make a few extra dollars writing blogs for people. I’ve always been a strong writer, and I thought I could leverage that skill at that moment. I never dreamed it would turn into years of my life and a way to travel. 

6. What are some good resources for a freelance writer just getting started?

It all depends on how you learn. I’d recommend taking advantage of as many free resources online as possible. One great free resource I’ve recommended to people includes these videos from Alex Fasulo who was featured in that very first article I ever read about Fiverr. 

I also provide a ton of free tips on my website blog, and I’m in the process of creating an online course specifically geared toward getting started on Fiverr. Stay tuned for that!

7. Do you see yourself doing anything else?

Given that this was never my intended career, I often get asked whether I want to do something else imminently or eventually. Right now, the answer is no. I fell into freelance writing, but it was one of those “happy accidents.” Freelance writing found me exactly when I needed it…because I didn’t need it. 

I was a student who had two campus jobs and parents still assisting with bills. I didn’t need any money for anything other than going out with friends on the weekends. I could afford to fail at freelance writing — I expected nothing from it. When I found success, I saw it as a way that I could be flexible, travel the world, and maintain a career without allowing my job to take over my life. 

I won’t say I’ll never do anything different. In 15 years, after having a family, I could very well decide that law school is still in the cards for me or that I’m interested in a new and different career path. (I have a lofty dream of owning and running a bed and breakfast or historic inn.) For now, though, this career is giving me the flexibility to live my life the way I want to, and I love that about it. 

8. Do you have any other advice? 

My core piece of advice, if you’re dying to try freelance writing, is to do it slowly. I didn’t wake up, decide to become a freelance writer, and then rely on it as my sole income. I was in college still and very privileged to have family support. I also had two other jobs on campus that I used to cover bills. I wanted money, but I didn’t need money at that point, which is the best possible situation you could be in. I would always recommend starting to build up a profile during that period of time when you have a bit of a safety net. 

Final Thoughts

Do you have any other questions for me? Feel free to send me a message if you do!