How to Become a Successful Freelance Writer in Nigeria 2024+

 Are you looking for a flexible and rewarding career that allows you to work from anywhere, set your own schedule, and earn a decent income? If so, freelance writing might be the perfect option for you.

Freelance writing is the practice of writing for different clients on a project-by-project basis. As a freelance writer, you can offer various services, such as blog posts, articles, web copy, newsletters, ebooks, and more. You can also choose to specialize in a specific niche or industry, such as health, education, finance, or technology.

Freelance writing has many benefits, such as:

• You can work from home or anywhere with an internet connection.
• You can set your own rates and negotiate with clients.
• You can choose the projects that interest you and match your skills.
• You can improve your writing skills and learn new things.
• You can build a portfolio and a reputation as a writer.

However, freelance writing also has some challenges, such as:

• You have to deal with competition and rejection.
• You have to manage your time and deadlines.
• You have to market yourself and find clients.
• You have to handle legal and financial issues.
• You have to cope with isolation and stress.

So, how can you become a successful freelance writer in Nigeria? In this blog post, we will share some practical tips and advice on how to start and grow your freelance writing career in Nigeria.

About the Author

My name is Ellis D. Graham, and I am a freelance writer based in Nigeria. I have been writing for various clients for over 2 years, covering topics such as SEO and Computer Tutorials. I have also published my own ebooks and courses on freelance writing. I started my freelance writing career as a side hustle while working as a Computer Instructor, but soon realized that I enjoyed writing more than anything else. I decided to quit my job and pursue freelance writing full-time. Since then, I have never looked back. I love the freedom and flexibility that freelance writing offers me. I also love the opportunity to learn new things and share my knowledge with others.

Understanding Freelance Writing

Before you start your freelance writing career, you need to understand what freelance writing is and what it entails. Freelance writing is not just about writing; it is also about running a business. You need to treat your freelance writing career as a professional service that you offer to clients. This means that you need to:

• Have a clear vision and goal for your freelance writing career.
• Identify your target market and ideal clients.
• Develop your unique selling proposition (USP) and value proposition.
• Create a portfolio of your best work samples.
• Find a niche or industry that suits your skills and interests.
• Set up a professional profile on freelance platforms or websites.
• Market yourself and pitch to potential clients.
• Negotiate contracts and rates with clients.
• Deliver high-quality work on time and within budget.
• Communicate effectively with clients and build long-term relationships.
• Manage your finances and taxes.
• Keep learning and improving your skills.

Skills Required

To be a successful freelance writer, you need to have certain skills that will help you stand out from the crowd and deliver value to your clients. Some of the most important skills are:

• Writing skills: Obviously, you need to have excellent writing skills to be a freelance writer. You need to be able to write clearly, concisely, grammatically, and persuasively. You need to be able to adapt your style and tone to different audiences and purposes. You need to be able to research thoroughly and cite your sources properly. You need to be able to edit and proofread your own work before submitting it to clients.
• Research skills: As a freelance writer, you will often have to write about topics that you are not familiar with or that require extensive research. You need to be able to find reliable and relevant sources of information online or offline. You need to be able to analyze and synthesize information from different sources. You need to be able to avoid plagiarism and respect intellectual property rights.
• Communication skills: As a freelance writer, you will have to communicate with different people, such as clients, editors, readers, and other writers. You need to be able to communicate effectively through various channels, such as email, phone, chat, or video call. You need to be able to understand the needs and expectations of your clients. You need to be able to ask questions and clarify doubts. You need to be able to provide feedback and receive feedback gracefully. You need to be able to provide updates on your progress, ask questions if needed, and handle feedback and revisions.
• Time management skills. As a freelance writer, you will have to manage multiple projects and deadlines at once. You need to know how to prioritize your tasks, plan your work, and meet your deadlines. You also need to balance your work and personal life and avoid burnout.
• Marketing skills. As a freelance writer, you will have to market yourself and find new clients constantly. You need to know how to create a portfolio, find a niche, and set up a professional profile on freelance platforms. You also need to know how to network, pitch, and use social media to promote your services.

Getting Started

Now that you have an idea of what freelance writing is and what skills you need, you are ready to take the first step towards your freelance writing career. Here are some practical steps that you can follow to get started as a freelance writer in Nigeria:

• Create a portfolio. A portfolio is a collection of your best writing samples that showcase your skills and expertise. Your portfolio should include samples that are relevant to your niche and target clients. You can create a portfolio using a free website builder like WordPress or Wix, or use a platform like Contently or Journo Portfolio.
• Find a niche. A niche is a specific area or industry that you specialize in as a freelance writer. Finding a niche can help you stand out from the crowd, attract your ideal clients, and charge higher rates. You can find a niche based on your interests, experience, knowledge, or demand. Some examples of popular niches are business, education, health, lifestyle, and technology.
• Set up a professional profile on freelance platforms. Freelance platforms are websites that connect freelance writers with clients who need their services. Some of the most popular freelance platforms are Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, and PeoplePerHour. You can set up a professional profile on these platforms by filling out your details, uploading your portfolio, choosing your services and rates, and taking relevant tests and certifications.
• Find and retain clients. Finding and retaining clients is one of the most challenging aspects of freelance writing. You will have to market yourself and pitch your services to potential clients who need your help. You can find clients by using freelance platforms, networking with other writers and professionals in your niche, pitching to blogs and websites that accept guest posts, and using social media to showcase your work and connect with prospects. To retain clients, you will have to deliver quality work, meet deadlines, follow instructions, communicate effectively, and ask for referrals and testimonials.

Setting Rates

One of the most common questions that freelance writers have is how much to charge for their work. There is no definitive answer to this question as rates vary depending on various factors, such as:

• Your skills and experience
• Your niche and industry
• Your project scope and complexity
• Your client's budget and expectations
• Your location and currency

However, here are some general guidelines that can help you set competitive yet fair rates for your work:

• Do some market research. Find out what other freelance writers in your niche and location are charging for similar projects. You can use websites like PayScale or Glassdoor to get an idea of the average rates in Nigeria or use platforms like ClearVoice or WriterAccess to see the rates of different levels of writers.
• Choose a pricing method. There are different ways that you can charge for your work as a freelance writer, such as per word, per hour, per project, or per value. Each method has its pros and cons and depends on your preference and situation. For example, charging per word can be simple and transparent but may not reflect the quality or complexity of your work. Charging per hour can be fair and flexible but may require tracking your time and justifying it to your client. Charging per project can be convenient and profitable but may require negotiating the scope and deliverables upfront. Charging per value can be rewarding and satisfying but may require demonstrating the value and impact of your work to your client.
• Consider your expenses and goals. When setting your rates, you should also consider your expenses and goals as a freelance writer. You should factor in the costs of running your business, such as internet bills, taxes, software subscriptions, etc., as well as the income that you need or want to earn from your work. You should also consider the value that you provide to your client and the results that you deliver.

Legal and Financial Considerations

Before you start your freelance writing career, you need to take care of some legal and financial aspects to protect yourself and your business. Here are some of them:

• Register your business: You need to register your business name with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in Nigeria to operate legally and avoid any issues with the law. You can choose between a sole proprietorship or a limited liability company depending on your needs and preferences. Registering your business will also help you build trust and credibility with your clients.
• Open a bank account: You need to open a bank account for your business to receive payments from your clients and manage your finances. You can choose between a local or a foreign bank account depending on the currency and payment method of your clients. You can also use online payment platforms such as PayPal, Payoneer, or Flutterwave to receive payments from international clients.
• Create contracts and invoices: You need to create contracts and invoices for every project you work on to ensure that you and your clients are on the same page regarding the scope, deadline, price, and terms of the project. Contracts and invoices will also help you avoid disputes, late payments, and non-payments. You can use online tools such as Bonsai or And.co to create professional contracts and invoices for your freelance writing projects.
• Pay taxes: You need to pay taxes on your freelance writing income to comply with the law and avoid penalties. You can pay taxes as a self-employed individual or as a registered business depending on your registration status. You can use online tools such as Taxumo or Taxify to calculate and pay your taxes online.

Growing Your Career

Once you have taken care of the legal and financial aspects of your freelance writing career, you need to focus on growing and sustaining it. Here are some tips on how to do that:

• Create a portfolio: You need to create a portfolio of your best work samples to showcase your skills and expertise to potential clients. You can create a portfolio website using platforms such as WordPress or Wix or use online portfolio platforms such as Contently or Journo Portfolio. Your portfolio should include your bio, contact details, services, niches, testimonials, and links to your published work.
• Market yourself: You need to market yourself as a freelance writer to attract clients and generate leads. You can use various marketing channels such as social media, blogging, email marketing, guest posting, networking, referrals, etc. You can also use online platforms such as Upwork , Ideahub , or Jooble to find freelance writing jobs in Nigeria or abroad.
• Deliver quality work: You need to deliver quality work to your clients that meets their expectations and requirements. You need to follow the instructions, guidelines, and feedback provided by your clients and adhere to the deadlines. You also need to proofread and edit your work before submitting it to ensure that it is error-free and plagiarism-free.
• Seek feedback: You need to seek feedback from your clients on your work performance and areas of improvement. Feedback will help you learn from your mistakes, improve your skills, and enhance your client satisfaction. You can also ask your clients for testimonials or reviews that you can use for your portfolio or marketing purposes.
• Build a personal brand: You need to build a personal brand as a freelance writer that reflects your personality, values, vision, and mission. A personal brand will help you stand out from the crowd, attract your ideal clients, and establish yourself as an authority in your niche. You can build a personal brand by creating a logo, tagline, website, blog, social media profiles, etc.

Conclusion

Freelance writing is a great way to make money from your passion and enjoy the benefits of working from home. However, it also requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and professionalism. To become a successful freelance writer in Nigeria, you need to take care of the legal and financial aspects of your business, grow your career by marketing yourself and delivering quality work, and build a personal brand that sets you apart from the competition.

If you are ready to take the first step towards your freelance writing career, start by creating a portfolio of your work samples and applying for freelance writing jobs on online platforms. You can also join online communities and forums for freelance writers in Nigeria to learn from others, network, and find opportunities.

We hope this blog post has given you some useful insights and tips on how to become a freelance writer in Nigeria. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to share them in the comments section below. We would love to hear from you and help you with your freelance writing journey.

References

: https://www.upwork.com/hire/writers/ng/
: https://ideahub.com.ng/write-and-get-paid-instantly-in-nigeria/
: https://ng.jooble.org/jobs-freelance-writing/Nigeria

Comments Section

Do you have any experience or tips on freelance writing in Nigeria? Do you have any questions or challenges that you face as a freelance writer? Do you have any suggestions or feedback on this blog post? Please share them in the comments section below. Let's start a conversation and help each other grow as freelance writers in Nigeria.