How to Write Freelance Letters for Money
Ringing phones, full inboxes and stuffed mailboxes make the modern office a busy place. In fact, sometimes offices are so busy that they don't have time to keep up with correspondence, writing business letters such as those to offer or deny employment or to report a mistake to the public or an employee. Freelance writers who have good business writing skills can earn money writing business letters for companies and individuals from home. From simple thank you letters to high stakes apology and cover letters, the more letters professional freelance letter writers know how to compose, the more they can make.
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Instructions
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Learn how to write effective business letters. Take an online or on-campus college level business writing class, and carefully study the changes your professor makes to your graded letters. Meet or chat online with her to discuss how you can improve your letter-writing skills. Read the good examples of business letters that will likely be provided as part of your class, and learn to identify what makes them so good.
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Create a portfolio of sample letters. Write samples of the most popular types of business letters, like job search cover letters, employment offer letters and collection letters. Keep electronic and hard copy versions of this portfolio so that you will be ready to display it to anyone who inquires.
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Begin looking for clients. Network by first contacting people you know. Target those who work at business offices and who might be in need of a professional letter writer. Offer to do cover letters for your friends at a reduced rate, and ask them to spread the word. Advertise your services on online-classified websites like Craigslist. Join both freelance writing websites like Writerlance.com and specific freelance letter writing sites, like LetterRep.com and take letter-writing projects.
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Create a professional website. Upload your sample letters as well as an "about us" section that describes you and any additional writers' experience and credentials. Place a contact form on your site through which potential clients can ask questions or place orders. Respond to questions and orders immediately, and write the letters ordered as soon as possible. This will encourage your clients to recommend you to others.
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Tips & Warnings
Decide how much to charge for each letter based on the going rate, your expertise and the difficulty of the letter. As freelance writing rates fluctuate often, research the going rate by finding out how much professional services charge for their letters and asking other freelancers. Keep your rates competitive, but don't make them so low clients question their quality.
To avoid having a client take your letter without paying you, either provide a contract that the client must sign or provide only part of the letter until payment is made. A good rewrite policy, which allows clients to request reasonable changes, can help the client feel more at ease with paying up front.
References
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