Advanced tips for excelling in freelance writing and editing

If you have been a successful freelance writer but would like to enjoy continued success or even more success then you need to push for excellence in both your writing and editing skills. There is certainly a huge demand for expert freelance writers at the top end of the market. These are writers who have experience and achieve success. There are many employers who are willing to pay top dollar knowing that they will receive outstanding work. You only have to look at the comments made by many employers who are seriously impressed by the quality of work they have received. The freelance writers who win these comments are writers who have excelled in their writing and editing skills. How can you get to that level?

• Take any online courses which will improve your skills.
• Be very aware of the difference between proofreading and editing.
• Study the work of those who are highly regarded.
• Refine your skills when it comes to job applications.
• Investigate blogs and articles about freelance writing in general.

It is not only the agencies which operate freelance writing scenarios but also there are a number of online tutorials all of which are designed to help freelance writers. In many cases the courses being offered are free. There is a double benefit by taking some of these courses. Obviously you will improve your skills and become better equipped as a writer and editor but also you will improve your ranking within the particular freelance writing agencies to which you belong. The more qualifications or skills you develop within each agency, the higher you are ranked.

When it comes to editing it is vitally important that you understand the difference between proofreading and actual editing. If you are aiming for excellence in the editing department then you will without doubt be someone who is fully aware of spelling and grammar issues and be able to correct faults before you submit your finished work. But the editing aspect of this task involves far more detail. You need to be aware of the following things.

• Repetition must be eradicated.
• Vague or ambiguous writing must not be allowed.
• Answering a question or sticking to the point is vital.

If you want to aim for excellence as an editor in your freelance writing career then there are skills in this area you must master. One of the best ways to improve your skills is to look at the work of freelance writers and editors who are highly regarded. They are fairly easy to find. They will have achieved a very high ranking, performed many tasks and won many plaudits for their work. Finding examples of their writing and studying what they do and how they do it will help you add that extra 10% of expertise to your already high level of excellence.

Of course to get the jobs which will enable you to excel in your freelance writing and editing you need to be even better with your job applications. When you get to this high end of the market you are competing with people who have gone out of their way to improve their expertise. You may be equal to them in terms of expertise but they may have an edge because they are better at writing a job application. Take the time to find out what makes a really good job application. Find out how you can improve in this particular area.

The world of freelance writing is extensive. You will do yourself plenty of good by reading some of the blogs and forums to do with the world of freelance writing and editing. What are people saying? What are the trends in freelance writing and editing? How can you become more familiar with what is going on in the industry and thus help yourself improve?