Have you ever thought about turning your personal stories or opinions into a profitable side hustle? Even in a world dominated by AI and shifting economies, if you can string together sentences in a way that gets people wanting more, it is absolutely possible.
In a recent interview on the Online Business Launchpad podcast, Lindy Alexander shared her inspiring journey from social worker to six-figure freelance writer, offering invaluable advice for those just starting their writing careers.
The Beginning of Lindy's Writing Career
Lindy Alexander is now an award-winning freelance travel writer and the founder of the popular blog The Freelancer's Year. But she did not always see herself as a professional writer.
Initially working as a sign language interpreter and then as a social worker, Lindy always had a passion for writing. It wasn't until she was pregnant with her son in 2012 that she had the time to explore writing more seriously. And during her maternity leave, she realized that freelance writing was a viable career path.
Her first paid piece, an article on emotional resilience in children, was published for $400. This experience opened her eyes to the possibilities of being a freelance writer: “I was like, oh my goodness, people are going to pay me for my words.”
And when she talks about getting started as a writer, Lindy stresses the importance of having a clear angle and a hook in your pitches to editors, making your stories compelling and relevant.
Overcoming Initial Challenges
Starting out in freelance writing can be intimidating, especially when editors ask for previous work. Lindy suggests that one of the quickest ways to get published and build a portfolio is by writing personal essays or opinion pieces:
“One of the greatest, fastest, easiest ways to get published and paid for it is by writing a personal essay or an opinion piece.”
These pieces allow you to share your unique experiences and viewpoints, making them more accessible to new writers.
For those without a portfolio or collection of existing work, platforms like LinkedIn and Medium can serve as excellent places to showcase your writing. These platforms allow you to build a portfolio, gain feedback, and connect with other writers and potential clients.
Lindy says that “You can write a post or you can write a newsletter on LinkedIn. You can go to Medium and you can write things there and you can start to build up a portfolio.”
The Power of Community
Lindy attributes much of her success to the support she received from other freelance writers. Engaging with a community of writers who are at similar stages can provide motivation, support, and valuable feedback. This network can help you navigate the ups and downs of freelance writing, from dealing with rejections to celebrating successes.
“Talking to other writers who were at similar stages to me and who were struggling with similar things… made me think, oh, there's this really supportive community of freelancers out there that I knew nothing about.”
Transitioning to Full-Time Freelance Writing
By 2017, Lindy decided to go full-time as a freelance writer. She started her blog, The Freelancer's Year, to document her journey and share the strategies she used to land high-paying gigs. Her transparency in sharing her income reports and pitching strategies resonated with many aspiring writers, leading to a significant increase in her blog's following.
Recognizing the demand for her knowledge, Lindy began offering one-on-one coaching sessions and eventually launched her first online course, “Write and Thrive”, in 2020.
She says that she realised that she should be charging because she is teaching people her strategies and techniques … which is quite valuable information. This course, aimed at helping writers land high-paying content clients, quickly became a success.
Navigating the Impact of AI and the Economy
Lindy acknowledges that the landscape of freelance writing is changing with the advent of AI and economic shifts. However, she remains optimistic about the opportunities available for writers who can offer something more than AI generated content.
According to Lindy, businesses and editors still value well-crafted, human-driven content.
“I think it's still a good approach… they want strategy. They want creativity. They want the human element.”
Advice for New Writers
For those just starting, Lindy offers several pieces of advice:
- Choose Your Hard: “You just have to choose your hard. It's hard not doing anything and staying there and feeling unfulfilled and unsatisfied. And it's also hard putting yourself out there.”
- Start Small: Begin with personal essays, opinion pieces, or even letters to the editor. These can help build your confidence and provide published examples of your work:
- Utilize Free Platforms: Use LinkedIn, Medium, or other free platforms to showcase your writing and build a portfolio: If you have a free (or paid) LinkedIn account, you can write posts and articles or you can write a newsletter on LinkedIn. It’s the same for Medium and other platforms like it. They are good places to build up a following for your work.
- Network and Engage: Connect with other writers and join supportive communities to gain motivation and feedback: “Talking to other writers who were at similar stages to me and who were struggling with similar things… made me think, oh, there's this really supportive community of freelancers out there.”
- Offer to Write on Spec: If you lack published work, offer to write articles on spec (speculation). This means you write the full piece, and the editor decides whether to publish it: “And so that's what this writer [in Lindy’s community] did. And she messaged me two days ago to say that the editor loved it. So she'd written it on spec.”
Final Thoughts
Lindy Alexander's journey from social worker to six-figure freelance writer is a testament to the possibilities that exist for new writers. By leveraging her strategies, engaging with supportive communities, and adapting to changes in the industry, aspiring writers can turn their passion into a profitable career.
For more resources check out the courses and guides that Lindy has for you so you can succeed in your writing journey.
Lindy’s Resources For New Freelance Writers:
- Break Into Travel Writing (affiliate link)
- Foundations of Freelance Writing (affiliate link)