Freelance Writing for Non-Native English Speakers
Just because you can speak the language doesn’t mean you can write in it.
Harsh?
Not really.
It’s the truth. Besides, those words aren’t inscribed in stone and need not remain true for you much longer.
In the wake of the recent pandemic, the freelancing world rose in popularity all over the world as people looked for alternative ways to conduct business.
While that was good news for established freelancers, the competition didn’t make things easier for non-native English speakers who were just starting out.
The assumption that non-native English speakers can’t write in the language may be justified to some extent.
However, the fact that there are those of us who are also thriving in the field is certainly a game-changer.
This article is geared toward guiding those who are new in the field and are getting discouraged by the “English native speakers only” disclaimers they see plastered on job adverts.
Master Your Craft
The first step you need to take before entering the bidding world is to practice your writing skills.
First of all, applaud yourself for the fact that you can speak and write in more than one language.
Next, recognize that there is a high chance your English skills may have suffered from the influence of your other languages.
To make any kind of impact in the freelancing world, you must deliver according to your client's expectations.
Therefore, there is no way around the learning stage. This step is the one most of us try to skip, but we can’t because, without it, we faceplant as soon as we get started.
It may take a while before you are confident with your work but keep at it because it is worth it in the end.
Read a lot, practice writing, and then have the people around you read your work and give feedback.
Reading blogs in your areas of interest is also a great way to get acquainted with how other writers present their ideas.
Let’s Publish
Having grown confident in your writing skills, it’s time to publish.
If you are like me when I was starting out, the idea of publishing your work in public forums is terrifying.
Sweaty palms and nightmarish doubts aside, you need to do this. You need to get your work out there and let people read it.
Platforms like Medium and LinkedIn are free, and once your work is out there, you can use those links for the next step.
It’s Bidding Time
Placing bids on platforms like Upwork is taxing. Not only is it competitive, but getting an interview takes more than sending out generic pitches.
I used to wonder why even freshly posted jobs never lacked a substantial number of bids way before the rest of us could hit the refresh button.
How do these people write pitches and bid so fast on everything?
Normally it takes me at least 30 minutes to fashion a pitch I am comfortable with, and let’s not even get started on the time it takes to edit my work samples.
So how do these people do it?
That question was answered the day I attempted to place a job post. The bids flowed quickly, and going through them shed light on why freelancers struggle before making it.
I realized that some freelance writers don’t even take time to read the job post while others opt for the “please give me this job” route.
Both methods are off-putting because they lack professionalism and the seriousness the client is looking for.
Clients want to know that their needs have been heard and that the people who took the time to bid have something to bring to the table.
Now, while your reasons for the job may move the client, those reasons don’t mean you are qualified.
A quality bid is one that shows the client that:
- You read and understood the job post
- You are qualified to handle the said job
- …and you are the best fit for it
- In other words, you need to present yourself as the answer the client is looking for
Being a beginner freelance writer, you might wonder how to show that you are qualified if you have no prior work experience or even client testimonials.
This is where the time you spent learning your craft pays off. Remember those links you have for your awesomely written and published articles?
Those babies, accompanied by an explanation of what you would deliver if hired, should give you a good headstart.
Deliver Quality
As a beginner, you aren’t chasing big bucks. No, your goal is to impress the client and get great testimonials.
These testimonials will help you get more clients as you continue to build your portfolio and, eventually, social proof.
You may have heard it being said that you need to overdeliver. Yes, please do because this will earn you favor with the client and may even open doors for more work opportunities in the future.
As I Sign Off
Those “keep off” disclaimers that are reserved for non-native English speakers shouldn’t scare you away.
In fact, they should fuel you because some clients don’t care where you hail from. These clients will give you a foundation, so use that and build on it.
With resilience and a desire to improve your skills, you’ll soon be turning down job invites because not only did you master your craft, but you are now a highly sought-after asset.
