Are you a shy or introverted writer? Most of us are to some degree. But that doesn’t mean you can’t book well-paying freelance jobs and make a living writing.
In fact, being a shy or introverted writer can work in your favor. Seriously.
Have you ever cowered at the thought of cold-calling freelance prospects? Broke into a nervous sweat when asked to introduce yourself at a networking meeting? Or got queasy when it was time to get on the phone with a prospect?
It happens. Those get-in-front-of-people moments are terrifying for a lot of shy and introverted freelance writers. Ever felt that way?
The thing is, being shy or introverted isn’t a weakness, it’s just who you are. And if you embrace that as a freelance writer, you can book freelance jobs, get paid well, and make a living writing.
You just have to figure out how to do it in a way that jives with your personality.
Want to learn how to book more work, even if you’re a shy or introverted freelancer? Check out these 10 tips to get started.
1. Afraid to Promote Your Writing? 5 Tips to Overcome Marketing Shyness
When freelance writer Nida Sea began her career, marketing, self-promotion, and hustling prospects for work wasn’t exactly on the top of her to-do list. But she knew she had to figure out a way to level up her marketing efforts to book more work and make more money. Here’s how she did it.
2. Punch Fear in the Face: 9 Confidence Boosters for Freelance Writers
When freelance writer Linda Formichelli set out to build a career as a magazine writer, she jumped in with both feet and slayed it, writing for more than 150 trade and consumer magazines. Are you too afraid to try? She’s heard that from a lot of shy and introverted writers over the years. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here’s what Linda recommends.
3. Networking for Introverts: The Terrifying Mistake That Created More Freelance Leads
There’s no way Julie Johnson was going to stand up in front of a crowd of strangers and introduce herself as a freelance writer. It’s why she decided to take a class to learn more about networking and marketing. You know, read the book, listen to the lecture, think, and never have to talk to anyone. But the “class” turned out to be an in-person networking meeting, and she was terrified. Here’s what happened.
4. 5 Ways Introverted Freelance Writers Can Do Painless Marketing
You’ve probably heard the advice before…Networking with people in your niche is a proven way to generate leads, engage prospects, and get more freelance clients. But if you’re a self-described introvert like writer Nillu Nasser Stelter, that’s easier said than done. So how do you market yourself as a freelance writer when you’re an introvert? Here’s what Nillu did to make marketing easier.
5. Yes, Shy Writers CAN Do In-Person Marketing
For a long time, freelance writer Rai Rose Cornell thought being the shy person in the room was her stumbling block to landing more freelance clients. And then something happened at an in-person marketing meeting that changed everything. Rai quickly learned being shy or introverted may actually be a strength for freelancers. Here’s what happened.
6. How Writers Can Stop Being Crushed by Fear of Rejection
When Carol Tice attended the World Domination Summit, she heard from a Chinese entrepreneur named Jia Jiang who faced a career-devastating loss. He could have given up, succumbed to fear, and walked away. Instead, he devised an experiment to become impervious to fear and rejection. Is being shy or introverted holding you back from freelance success? Here’s how to overcome it.
7. One Shy Writer’s Lazy LinkedIn Strategy for Landing Great Freelance Clients
When Amy Dunn Moscoco got started as a freelance writer, she was raking in a whopping $200 a month writing for content mills and low-paying clients. And she knew part of the problem was being shy and a little afraid to step outside her comfort zone. So she decided to do something about it. The simple LinkedIn marketing strategy she devised helped her quickly book $7,500 in assignments. Here’s how it works.
8. Asking for Referrals for Fraidy-Cat Freelance Writers
Ask for referrals. If you’re a shy or introverted freelance writer, even the thought of this can make you clam up, break into a cold sweat, or feel like vomiting. Karen Smock thought she might not be cut out for freelance writing if asking for referrals was a regular part of the gig. But then she figured out a way to make it easy, and she landed more work and better clients. Follow this shy writer’s strategy to ask for referrals.
9. Stop Whining: How to Crush Your Freelance Writing Excuses
Have you been making excuses for why you’re not making enough money as a freelance writer, have better clients, or assignments you love? Maybe you’ve been playing the “I’m shy,” or “I’m an introvert” card. If you want to move up, earn more, and make a living writing, it’s time to crush those excuses, says writing pro Linda Formichelli.
10. 4 Ways Freelance Writers Can Obliterate Their Weak Points
What’s holding you back from freelance writing success? A lot of writers blame it on being shy, introverted, or paralyzed by fear. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Everyone has weaknesses. If you’re serious about freelance writing, you won’t let those weaknesses hold you back. Check out this advice from Carol Tice to obliterate your weaknesses and book more work.
Join the uprising of shy writers to book more freelance jobs
If you’re a shy and introverted writer, but you haven’t achieved all your freelance goals yet, now is the time to join the uprising. Be yourself. Choose marketing activities you enjoy, and one’s you’ll do consistently. Be willing to take a couple baby steps outside your comfort zone. Write a pitch. Hit send. Introduce yourself. Just go for it. You can do this!
Is shyness holding you back from freelance success? Let’s discuss in the comments below.
Evan Jensen is the blog editor for Make a Living Writing. When he’s not on a writing deadline, or catching up on emails, he’s training to run another 100-mile ultramarathon.