Freelance writing is a flexible career move with many advantages. It gives you lots of time to organize your life the way you want. Additionally, the bulk of information you find on the internet is actually made by freelance writers. As a result, there are a lot of opportunities for you if you want to get into freelance writing. Nonetheless, these opportunities vary from location to location. Therefore, you will need to consider different things depending on where you find yourself.
If you live in Japan, there is a distinctive path to becoming a freelance writer. Below are steps you can follow on how to start freelance writing in Japan.
Steps to Freelance Writing Career in Japan
Put Yourself Out There as Freelance Writer
Publishers and magazines can only find you if you put yourself out there. Therefore, you will need to have your portfolio on the internet. If you are up for it, you can create a personal website. You can present all the types of work you are comfortable handling. Doing this gives you credibility. It also tells your potential clients you take your job seriously. From your location in Japan, clients can offer you writing opportunities based on where you can access them. Also, they give you writing gigs based on the quality of work you include in your portfolio.
Similarly, you should use social media platforms (like LinkedIn) to tell clients what you do. You can present your entire resume on such platforms. Additionally, you get to connect with other writers within Japan. Doing this can encourage collaboration and increase opportunities for you.
Use Freelance Platforms
You can use localized freelance platforms to find writing jobs. On such platforms, you will find tons of writing opportunities to choose from. Such platforms create an ecosystem that protects you and your clients. Therefore, as long as you adhere to the rules of such platforms, you will provide services to the right clients. Examples of freelance websites include:
● Upwork,
● Crowdworks,
● Crowdtech,
● Freelancer.

Depending on your location and skillsets, these platforms make it easy for you to find suitable clients. On the other hand, customers are able to seek your services through your custom profiles.
Look for Writing Ads as Freelance Writer
Unless you are an established freelance writer, writing jobs do not just spontaneously pop up. You have to go looking for writing opportunities to find them. Therefore, you will have to be on the lookout for writing ads on the internet, especially social media. Some several Japanese magazines and platforms are looking for writers to create articles and blog posts. If you are lucky, you can quickly find a job that works for you. You can leverage a free plagiarism checker to ensure you provide your clients with unique content. Checking your content for plagiarism is a must, as original content speaks to your professionalism as a freelancer.
However, not all writing jobs actually pay. Some websites and magazines will publish your work without giving any compensation in return. Yet, the exposure of having your work out in the world can be of benefit to you in the long run. Savvy Tokyo and Metropolis Japan are examples of online magazines that pay freelance writers for the articles they submit. Most of these online platforms are willing to hire decent writers with good content. In the long run, you may have the opportunity to be invited for paid advertising articles.
Pitch Potential Clients for Freelance Writing
Armed with your portfolio, you do not always have to find an ad to look for writing opportunities. You can contact as many platforms as you are able to. By pitching to writing platforms like SupremeDissertations or BestEssayEducation, you have the chance to secure a writing gig. Depending on your skill, location, and availability, you can quickly land writing jobs.
Most writing platforms make pitching easy by having a page for new writers to submit their applications. Some may give you the option to contact their editor or publisher. In some cases, you will have to do some research to pitch to a platform. You may have to physically meet up with editors in and around Tokyo for you to get a writing job.
Become Niche-Specific
If you really want success as a freelance writer, you will need to become niche-specific. Being a niche-specific writer means you are a specialist in a distinct field. Therefore, you are more likely to get noticed by writing platforms in your niche. Once you become a specialist in what you do, you will no longer have to pitch to clients. Instead, platforms will come looking for you. For example, if you know about traveling and tourism in Japan, many resorts and hotels may reach out to you. In some cases, you may even get all-expense trips that let you experience and write candid reviews about hotels and resorts.
Summing Up
Becoming a freelance writer in Japan involves several steps. You will need to put your work out there for clients to see it. You can also use freelance platforms to get writing jobs. Additionally, you will need to look out for writing opportunities and ads on social media and other online platforms. Your ability to pitch to clients increases the possibility of finding writing gigs. Ultimately, you will want to become a niche-specific writer to maximize your writing potentials. Follow these steps and your freelance writing career in Japan will kick off right away!