Freelancing Ideas for Creatives
Freelancing is a great way to make money, but it can also be extremely stressful. To help you out with that, I've put together this list of different ways you can use your unique talents as a creative freelancer. Are you a creative? There are so many ways to monetize your creativity that you may not have realized. Read on below for more.
The examples in the article are just some of the ways to monetize creativity, and there are many more ways that aren't listed here.
Ghostwriting
Ghostwriting is when you write content for someone else. This can be anything from blog posts and articles to books, letters, newsletters and more. The idea is that the person who hires you doesn't want to do the heavy lifting of the writing. So they give you some guidelines of what they're looking for and you, as the freelancer, write the entire thing for a flat fee and they take credit for your work under a mutual agreed contract.
When I first started ghostwriting I was working at a well-known Canadian magazine and would often get requests from people wanting me to write articles under their names - usually as a favor or because they knew I was good at writing but weren't confident in their own abilities. Since then I've been lucky enough to have clients come directly through my website instead of through word-of-mouth referrals (you can see examples of my work on my website), which has given me an opportunity to explore other types of writing projects beyond what I used to do professionally like book proposals, presentations, ebooks and even song lyrics!
Graphic Design
Graphic design is one of the most popular freelance fields, and for good reason. It can be deeply rewarding to create something beautiful for someone else to use, and there's no shortage of opportunities to create beautiful things.
For starters, what kind of work do graphic designers do? Graphic designers are responsible for creating the images and layouts that will appear on a website or print publication. This could mean creating logo designs, developing custom fonts and icons, or even redesigning an existing brand identity.
Another vital aspect of graphic design is photo editing; in addition to designing with photos as part of their overall aesthetic, many types of graphic designers also manipulate old images using digital tools like Photoshop or Illustrator—think adjusting lighting levels on an image so it looks more realistic or removing distracting elements from an image so you can focus on what matters most: being able to see your baby's face clearly when she smiles at you!
Book Cover Design
Book cover design is a tricky business. While you might think that whatever catches your eye in a bookstore is the best book cover ever, this isn't always true. A good book cover should do more than simply attract attention; it must also convey the story or information about the book's content, genre and style in an eye-catching way. Here are some tips to keep in mind when designing your own:
Don't be afraid of simplicity - While complicated images can be effective for drawing attention, they may not work well for long-term branding as readers will get tired of seeing them over and over again on different books. Instead, consider using simple but striking typography with no graphics at all (or just one simple graphic element) to create a recognizable style that will help sell future publications by this author or publisher.
Use color wisely - Color has a huge impact on how people perceive things so use colors that complement each other rather than contrasting sharply with each other; otherwise readers' eyes will start hurting after reading just one paragraph! Also think about whether there are any colors that could cause problems if combined with others - like red text on black backgrounds which usually makes tiny print difficult to read unless you have perfect vision (and even then...).
Logo/Brand Design
There are many benefits to branding, from establishing a recognizable business identity to helping prospective clients recognize you as an expert in your field. But what exactly is a logo? How do you create one?
A logo is simply the visual representation of your brand. It’s how people identify with who you are and what products or services you offer them. The job of a logo designer is to create something that sums up everything about your brand into one single image—and uses only two or three colors! They have the task of making sure this graphic can be reproduced consistently across all platforms: print, web and digital displays while retaining its original meaning at all times. This can be difficult because logos don't always look good when scaled down or enlarged (like when they're used on promotional products like bags).
Blog Design + Development
Blog design and development can be a great way to make money as a creative.
There's a huge demand for blog design services, which means you'll have plenty of opportunities to find freelance gigs online.
It doesn't matter if your portfolio is small or nonexistent—you can start building it from scratch by taking on small projects with other freelancers who are just starting out as well. Freelancing will also help you develop new skills and improve your resume so that when the time comes, finding full-time employment won't be such an uphill battle.
Web Design + Development
If you’re any kind of creative, chances are you have a website and/or an online presence. You may also know some other creatives who don’t have their own websites—and they could use one. If that sounds like how you want to spend your time and energy, web design is a great potential side hustle in a few different ways. Think of it this way, every single business needs a website so the work opportunities are there and these days, with all of the codeless web platforms, you don't need to be an html or CSS knowledgeable programmer to design a beautiful and highly-converting website.
Photo Editing Services
You can also get paid for editing photos. If you have the skills and the software (I'm talking about Adobe Photoshop or another photo editor) you can use it as a service for your clients. You could also get into graphic design, in which case you'll be designing logos, websites and other stuff that requires photoshop skills.
This is one of the easiest ways to make money from freelancing because there's no need to invest in any other equipment or supplies other than your computer and the software itself if it's not free already!
Editorial Calendar Management (Social Media)
What is an editorial calendar?
An editorial calendar is a big, beautiful Google Doc full of all the content you’re going to publish on your website. It helps you plan ahead and gives you the freedom to be more creative because you don’t have to worry about what to write when. You can see what topics are popular, but also switch gears if inspiration strikes and come up with something new. With an editorial calendar, there's no excuse for boring content!
Why you need one?
In order to grow your blog or business on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and Twitter (where people have shorter attention spans than ever before), it's important that every post feels fresh and engaging. The best way to do this is by using an editorial calendar!
Content Creation (Social Media)
Do you have a creative mind? Do you love to write, film videos, and create? Are you good at social media? If so, content creation might be the perfect freelancing idea for the creative in you.
You can use your talents to take on projects for companies as a content creator or social media manager. You can also start a blog and make money through writing or by promoting products as an affiliate marketer or UGC (user generated content) sponsorships.
White Paper Writing
Are you a writer? Do you enjoy writing? If so, white paper writing is a great way to get paid for what you already enjoy doing.
White papers are articles published by businesses that function as marketing material and educational resources. Writers of these papers typically have some knowledge of the topic they're writing about and are able to present it in an accessible, concise manner that can be understood by both experts and novices alike.
In order to succeed as a white paper writer, there are two main areas where you'll need to develop skills: writing clearly, with no ambiguity or unnecessary words; and editing your own work carefully before submitting it for publication (or at least doing so after receiving feedback from your client). You'll also need some communication skills so that you can explain whatever ideas come up during your discussions with clients — whether those ideas come from them or from yourself!
Website Copywriting
When you're writing for your website, blog or social media platforms, it's important to remember that your audience is looking for information. They want to know about the latest trends in your industry and how you can help them.
When writing content for a website, it might be helpful to think of yourself as a journalist reporting on what’s going on within your niche. For example: “I'm such-and-such and here's my take on this news story from last week!” Be sure to make references back to previous content so readers can easily follow along with the conversation you're having with them about their interests (and yours!).
You also want to incorporate SEO (search engine optimization) keyword driven copywriting in your offer. These days, all website content needs to be SEO optimized to compete at an equal level for Google ranking. You must understand the important of keywords, long-tailed keywords and searcher intent when you are writing copy for a website page.
Freelance Videography Services
Videography is a very broad term, and you could be a freelance videographer in any number of ways. You might work on corporate videos for big corporations, or maybe you're more interested in filming weddings and birthday parties. Some people even do live streaming video of concerts or sporting events.
Regardless of the type of work you do as a freelance videographer, there are some key things to keep in mind when starting out:
Find a niche market that interests you! If you love to film weddings, then start doing it! If your passion is documenting local bands' performances at small venues all over town (or around the world), then go for it! You don't need to limit yourself based on what other people think—only do what makes sense for YOU.
Be sure that your equipment matches up with your skill level and experience level too—don't try filming an entire feature film if all your equipment consists of an iPhone 6s Plus strapped onto one arm while recording with another device that isn't even plugged into anything!
Illustration
I’m sure you’ve heard of this before, but it bears repeating: the world is full of people who like to spend money on things that make them happy. And if you are any kind of artist or illustrator, there is a good chance that at least some of those people would be willing to pay you for your work.
I know what you may be thinking: “But I can barely afford my rent at the moment, let alone start buying pencils and paper!” That’s fine; this article isn't about how to become rich overnight (because that doesn’t exist). It's about getting started with freelancing in a field where there is always room for new talent.
When it comes down to it, there are two main ways artists get hired by clients: through personal recommendations and via online platforms like Upwork/Freelancer (formerly known as oDesk/Elance) and selling your work using Print On Demand platforms and business models. You can start for free on websites like Redbubble and get paid not only for any product you sell but also your design if used by a client on a product that isn't in your collection. It really is an easy way to earn some extra income without much financial investment.
Photography
Photographers are in demand in a world where anyone can take pictures with their phone.
But, if you're a photographer at heart and have been working on your craft, why not try to make money from it? You may be surprised at how many people will pay for your services.
You can sell photos directly to customers through websites such as Shutterstock or iStockphoto, which sell stock photography. This is most likely the easiest way to get started freelancing as a photographer—you don't need any other skills (other than being able to take good pictures), but the pay isn't great unless you're very successful. Alternatively, many photographers also offer portrait services—photographing families and weddings is a very common source of income for those who are looking for ways to earn money doing what they love most: taking pictures!
Content Writing
We’re all familiar with the term “content writing.” It’s the stuff that goes on blogs, websites and social media posts.
A lot of people think that content writing is only for writers and journalists, but this isn't true! Content writers can come from a variety of different backgrounds and disciplines. You just need to have a good understanding of the subject matter you're writing about and excellent communication skills.
You can also use tools like Copy.ai to write any type of content, in literally minutes. If you're a busy small business owner and need a tool to help you generate great content really fast for your brand, this is the only tool you'll ever need!
I have seen freelancer copywriters buy this tool, create a profile on Fiverr and literally start making 4 figure months right off the bat. It's part of the "work smarter not harder" thought leader mantra. They have a point. Although I wouldn't use whatever the tool spits out word for word as a final handout to your clients. I would let the AI do the bulk of the job but I would still rewrite some sections to add my own thoughts and opinions into the piece to make it original.
Social Media Management
Social media management is a great way to monetize your creativity. You can use it to build your business and promote your brand, so it's a win-win!
It’s also a great way to build your own personal brand. If you’re not interested in building an empire, but would like to make some extra cash on the side, this is perfect for you!
Teaching Online Courses
Teaching online courses is an interesting way to make money as a creative. The idea is quite simple: create a course on any topic you are passionate about, and use your knowledge to help others. If you want to get started with this, there are two main things you should consider.
First of all, it’s important that you choose the right platform for creating your course (i.e., Udemy or Skillshare). Many platforms offer different features and tools that can help you create and promote your course easily—and those who don't have experience in teaching often find themselves overwhelmed by these options. So pick a platform that’s easy for beginners! You can also create courses on Micro sites like Stantore or Pensight for next to nothing.
Secondly, think about who will be taking part in your course—will they all be from one country or multiple ones? This will affect how much money you can earn per person (or student), as well as how many people might join overall; if most students come from overseas then this could be lucrative indeed!
If you are a creative, I hope this article has inspired you to explore the many ways in which you can monetize your skills and expertise. You don’t need an MBA or even an advanced degree to work as a freelancer; all you need is an internet connection and some free time! I wish you the best of luck with your new freelance career (and remember: if at first it seems tough, keep at it).
If you need a little more inspiration on the subject, make sure you grab my guide "70 Ways To Monetize Your Passions, Skills and Expertise" promoted on the pop up of this website. If you're excited about this post and want to strategize right away and see what opportunities would be best suited for you, book a call with me right now by clicking here and let's get you started on your new freelance career.
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