We often hear common concerns from talented academic writers who struggle to turn their domain knowledge and research & writing skills into sustainable income. Some of them have concerns like:
- “I have strong writing skills, but I don’t know where to find clients.”
- “Will anyone actually pay decent rates for academic writing?”
- “There’s too much competition, how would I stand out?”
The good news is that there is an enormous global demand for quality academic writers today that most people never tap into.
Irrespective of one’s background (humanities, scientific expertise, or business knowledge), there’s a big market for one’s specific skills.
Let’s take a look at some non-negotiables needed to find remote academic writing work:
Building a Strong Portfolio
Start with a compelling portfolio that showcases your abilities.
Next, gather the best writing samples (essays, research papers, literature reviews, case studies) or create new ones in case you’re just getting started.
Use platforms like Notion, Contently, Clippings.me, JournoPortfolio, or Muck Rack to present your work professionally.
It’s okay to get started with one headshot and at least one sample piece. But make sure to add more samples and testimonials over time.
Organize samples by subject area and type of services so that clients can quickly find relevant examples.
Include your educational background, credentials, and testimonials to build immediate trust.
Finding Work
Look for opportunities across these freelance platforms:
- Freelance marketplaces: Upwork, Freelancer.com, PeoplePerHour, and Fiverr host many academic writing projects
- Academic platforms: Academia-Research, EssayShark, WriterBay, UvoCorp, Studybay, and EssayPro connect writers with students or researchers
- Research networks: ResearchGate Connect pairs qualified writers with institutions; being active on Academia.edu can lead to opportunities
- Job boards: ProBlogger, FlexJobs, We Work Remotely, and LinkedIn Jobs list academic writing positions
- Direct sources: Universities, research institutes, think tanks, educational companies, and journals hire freelance writers
When using platforms, review terms carefully and be aware of fees or commission cuts that marketplaces take from your earnings.
Brand Yourself
Create a strong LinkedIn profile with a clear professional headline that specifies your expertise areas. Focus your summary on how you solve clients’ problems rather than just listing qualifications.
Join academic forums, Q&A sites, and writing communities. Participate helpfully in Facebook groups and subreddits for freelance writers to build your reputation and generate referrals.
Demonstrate thought leadership by publishing articles about academic writing or your specialty topics. Guest posts on relevant blogs also establish you as an expert while improving your visibility.
Proactively contact potential clients with personalized pitches. Identify universities, research institutes, professors with large projects, think tanks, and education businesses that might need your services.
Explain specifically how you can solve their problems or save them time.
Maintain a consistent professional brand across all your online presence, with a website or landing page that serves as a hub for your portfolio.
Building Long-Term Relationships
Set clear expectations about scope, timeline, and deliverables at the start of each project. Keep clients updated on progress and ask thoughtful questions that show you’re engaged.
Honor deadlines religiously, especially in academia, where submission dates are often immovable. Delivering quality work early will set you apart from competitors.
Under-promise and over-deliver whenever possible.
Small extras like providing an executive summary with a report or additional references can delight clients and earn their loyalty. Become an indispensable partner by learning client preferences deeply and adapting to them.
Offer insights when appropriate and implement feedback eagerly. Maintain fair, transparent pricing. Avoid surprising clients with extra charges, but don’t undersell your services either. Discuss any fee adjustments before doing additional work.
Offer related services like editing, proofreading, or formatting to extend your relationship beyond the initial project.
This turns single assignments into longer engagements.
Provide excellent customer service by being responsive, receptive to revisions, and positive in attitude. Follow up after project completion to maintain the connection.
Want more such tips to spruce up how you appear to clients around the world?
Stay tuned!
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