Freelance writing is a rapidly growing business as more people want to start working from home. Freelance resume writing is becoming more popular since more people are in the process of looking for a new job or making a job. Some job seekers have put in years with a particular company, so they haven’t had to worry about creating a resume in quite some time.
It’s these people who worry about competing with a younger, skilled group that need the services of a resume writer. If you’ve been freelance writing for a few years, you’ve gained the experience needed to impress job seekers looking for a resume writer, but you also need to work on building your credibility as a resume writer. With a few classes, some general practice, and a well-marketed website, you can begin earning a decent wage from resume and career writing.
Building Your Experience and Credibility
Every prospective client wants to see that you have freelance writing experience, but they’ll also want reassurance that you know how to write a resume that will help land them a job. Here are some things you can do to build up your credibility and impress potential clients with your experience and education:
- Take an online course in resume writing, preferably from a recognizable and reputable writing company.
- Offer to write complimentary resumes for at least three friends or family members. This gives you references and samples to showcase on your website.
- Create your own resume and cover letter to showcase on your website, possibly showing a before and after version of each one.
- Ask former clients (including the ones you’ve written complimentary resumes for) for testimonials and publish them on a separate page on your website. Make sure they emphasize that your resume writing skills helped them land a new job.
- Expand your business by offering a resume evaluation service, too. This service allows you to view a client’s resume and make recommendations for changes. While you can charge for the evaluation, your main goal should still be to get the client to hire you to write their resume.
- Have a separate business phone line and email address to handle all inquiries so potential clients know they’re dealing with a professional writer.
Setting Up So You Can Accept Clients
Before you start marketing your services, you need to set up your office and website. You will need a business phone line, a word processing program, a laser printer, and a comfortable work space. While many clients will be willing to have you email the resume for them to print out, some will want you to mail a hard copy to them, which is why you need a good printer.
Once you’re set up, all that’s left is finding clients. To do this, you will need to become an expert at selling yourself by convincing clients that you can sell their skills and experience to potential employers. Market yourself on online forums, by writing articles and back linking to your website, and visiting job boards looking for posters who need resume writing services. Charge according to the going rate, basing each charge on the amount of work needed. Once you start marketing your services, it’s just a matter of time before you start building a client list.
