I’ve been a freelancer for decades and while I can easily tell you what a freelance writer does, it occurred to me as I was writing this post that I have never actually looked up where the term originated. Until now.
According to Merriam-Webster, the word “free lance” dates to the early-1800s novel Ivanhoe and was used to refer to a “medieval mercenary who would fight for whichever nation or person paid them the most.” (A lance being a spear carried by mounted knights or cavalry.)
While we writers sitting quietly at our desks have little in common with men freely waving their lances on behalf of a wealthy landowner, we do wield our pens–metaphorically speaking–for the clients who hire us. So there is some connection, however tangential, to the colourful history of freelancing.
The point? When you think of what a freelance writer actually does, it’s in the name. We are writers for hire, free to work as needed with business owners or marketing agencies seeking to outsource some or all of their communication tasks.
Unlike our forebears, we are not hired guns but, rather, hired pens who can take on any manner of writing:
- creating blog posts and updating website copy on a full-time or occasional basis
- writing advertorial articles for placement in print publications
- preparing FAQ pages or how-to documents
- taking on larger, more specialized projects that might be beyond the scope of a business owner, like ebooks, white papers, or blog series on specific topics
If there is something you need that is not on that general list, you can typically just ask for it. Most freelance writers have a versatile skill set. They also tend to be very open about any limits they might have. For example, a generalist writer might recommend you seek someone else for specialized professional or technical writing.
How Does the Freelance Relationship Work?
I can only speak to my process, although I think it’s fairly standard. Once you contact me, I will reply to set up an introductory chat at no charge to discuss your goals and the scope of the project. Ahead of that call, I will research your business and learn as much as I can about it.
During the call, I will consider the amount of research involved in your project and the volume of work required while also answering any questions you have. If we agree to move onto the project phase, I will prepare a written work agreement for you to sign that outlines the project scope, timelines, and rates.
From there, I just need your signature on the agreement to get started.
First steps depend upon the project. I might write some questions for you to answer to help me fill out some of the details about your business. If your content is designed to educate, I will do any necessary research and then begin writing. If I have questions along the way, I will contact you.
When I have finished writing, I will send you a draft to review. You can make any changes you like in the document or schedule a time to discuss things if you prefer. I will do a final draft based on your comments that you can then publish. (The terms and costs of any additional revisions, which are not usually needed, will be laid out in the work agreement.)
What About Author Credit?
Freelancers typically discuss this kind of thing before work begins. In my case, you can consider me a ghostwriter or credit me as a guest writer. I’m fine with either but will likely ask to use the work as a writing sample even if my name is not on it. We can discuss such details before we move into the project phase.
Is A Long-Term Contract Required?
Every client is unique. Some want occasional long-form content, like an ebook, while others want regular posts to keep their blog current. While I cannot speak for other freelancers, my work agreements reflect the casual, ad hoc nature of freelance writing and do not commit anyone to an extended partnership.
As I note on my home page, I can work with you long-term, casually, or on a one-and-done basis. It’s all about flexibility and scalability.
If you are interested in scheduling an initial chat, please contact me.
Photo of library cabinets by Anastasia Meraki on Unsplash.