For someone just starting out without a whole lot of back work, it can seem beyond impossible to get work coming in.    You need your foot in the door, and have no clue how to get it there.  Starting out writing or designing online is a great way to work, and the job’s hours are unbeatable but if you can’t find the work it’s just another dream.

Be honest with yourself before you continue- can you really hack it? 

Generally, when working online you need a few things, and to be able to do a few things. 

This goes for both writers and designers, and to be perfectly honest, if you don’t have much to offer- you aren’t going to get far.  Someone with a better understanding will get the job.  While the term writing is used below, the same goes for design as well. 

Fluency: If you are applying to a gig, and you don’t speak the language- you aren’t getting that job.  More and more companies are wanting a writer than has a good grasp on the English language.  If you really don’t have a clue about grammar, spelling, and punctuation you won’t be getting far.

Time Management Skills: If you can’t be arsed to finish your work in an appropriate time span, you aren’t keeping any jobs you may have gotten. It’s not going to happen.  While sure, things come up- it happens and that’s life- being constantly late isn’t going to do you any favors. 

Start Up Money: Before you start, make sure you have some extra money in your bank account.  You will need it for living expenses.  Better yet, don’t quit your day-job quite yet.  While in some cases you get lucky, or forced into the same luck- more often than not you would be just royally screwing yourself over if you quit and can get any new work.

An Ability to Handle Disappointment:  On average you aren’t going to get the gig.  Depending on your credentials, and prior experience you will be applying to jobs that you more than likely aren’t going to get. Especially if you are brand new.  It sucks, bad.  If you can’t handle that, don’t freelance.

A Blog:  You need somewhere to send perspective clients to show you can write.  Starting your own blog is the absolute easiest method.  You need something that shows you can be engaging and are capable of writing properly.

Patience: It takes a while before you may be seeing anything coming from your writing.  By a while I don’t mean two days or weeks- try anywhere from 6–9 months or over a year.

In addition to the above, don’t be afraid to take lower paying positions.  It’s a good way to work up to the area you want.  A good deal of those will also help you work yourself into the position itself.  Just don’t be an ass and burn that bridge.  Never leave a website or gig on a bad note, besides it just not being ‘polite’ it’s a good way to get yourself blacklisted.

Think of that (now cliché) ‘You will never work in this town again!’ today, anyone can actually make that happen.

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