You're tired of that 9 to 5 grind and want to start making money on your own terms. Freelance writing could be the perfect side hustle or full-time gig for you. All you need is a laptop, WiFi, and the motivation to find clients and land paying work. How do you get started as a freelance writer and start earning money from anywhere?
This article will walk you through how to find your first freelance writing
clients, the types of jobs available, setting your rates, and building your
business. Before you know it, you'll be writing for publications, companies,
and individuals around the world, all while working wherever and whenever you
want. The freelance writing life offers flexibility and freedom you just can't
find in a typical office job. Are you ready to become your own boss and start
making money online through the power of the written word? The opportunities
are out there if you know where to look. Let's get started.
Deciding to Become
a Freelance Writer:
So you've decided to become a freelance writer. Congrats! It can be an
incredibly rewarding career. To get started, here are some tips to find your
first clients and start making money online:
Decide on your niche. Do you want to focus on blog posts, website copy, news
articles? Choose a niche that plays to your strengths and interests. This will
make it much easier to find work.
Build your portfolio. Create a website to showcase samples of your writing.
You can also start a blog in your niche to establish yourself as an expert.
Publish on Medium or LinkedIn as well. The more clips you have, the more likely
clients will hire you.
Search for opportunities. Check websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Problogger
for open jobs in your niche. Many companies hire freelance writers to
contribute blog posts, product descriptions, newsletters, and more. You can
also pitch publications directly to become a contributor.
Set your rates. For entry-level work, $0.05 to $0.20 per word is typical. As
you gain more experience, you can charge $0.30 per word or more. Don't sell yourself
short - know your worth!
Market yourself. Create social media profiles on Twitter, Facebook, and
LinkedIn to promote your services, share your work, and connect with potential
clients. Send personalized emails pitching companies in your niche. The key is
to keep putting yourself in front of people.
Finding your first freelance clients may take time and persistence. But by
defining your niche, building your portfolio, searching for the right
opportunities, setting competitive rates, and continuously marketing your
services, you'll gain valuable experience and be making money as a freelance
writer in no time! Stay determined and don't get discouraged. The hard work
will pay off.
Building Your
Freelance Writing Portfolio:
To land your first freelance writing clients, you need samples of your work
to share. The best way to build a portfolio is by writing guest posts for
industry blogs and online publications for free.
Reach out to blogs
in your niche:
Search for popular blogs in your target freelance writing niche. Pitch the
editors unique article ideas that would interest their readers. Offer to write
a guest post for free in exchange for a byline and bio where you can link to
your website.
Create your own
blog:
Start your own freelance writing blog. Write posts about topics you want to
write about as a freelancer. This allows you to establish your expertise and
gives you full control over the content. Just be sure to update it regularly!
Do some pro bono
work:
Offer to write some articles for free for nonprofits or small businesses in
your area of expertise. Make it clear that you're building your portfolio in
exchange for a byline and the rights to use the work in your portfolio. This is
a great way to get real-world experience.
Revise and improve
older work:
Do you have any old papers, blog posts, or other pieces you've written in
the past? Revise and improve them, then add them to your portfolio. Mention
when they were originally written to show how you've improved over time.
With a strong portfolio featuring your best work, you'll be prepared to
start pitching clients and applying for freelance jobs with confidence. Keep
building on your portfolio, and before you know it, you'll have more work than
you can handle! The key is just getting started. Now get out there and start
writing!
Where to Find
Freelance Writing Jobs:
Once you've decided to become a freelance writer, the next step is finding
clients and jobs. The good news is, there are many places online to source
freelance gigs. Here are some of the top spots to find freelance writing work:
Job Boards:
Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer are popular freelance job
boards where you can find writing jobs in practically every niche and at
various pay rates. Browse listings that match your interests and skills, then
submit proposals to the clients that interest you. Many new freelancers get
their start on these job boards.
Company Websites:
Check the websites of companies you're interested in directly. Many have a
"Careers" or "Jobs" page where they post freelance
positions. For example, if you want to write for a tech company, routinely
check sites like Mashable, Wired, and TechCrunch for openings.
Facebook Groups:
Facebook has groups for just about everything, including freelance writing.
Join some relevant groups in your niche, like "Freelance Writers" or
"Remote Writing Jobs," and watch for people posting job leads or
requests for freelance writers. Comment on posts that match your skills, and
connect with the people that post them.
Referrals:
Once you start getting freelance jobs, ask your clients if they have any
other work they need help with or if they know of anyone else looking for a
writer. Build up your professional network by connecting with editors, fellow
freelancers, and other industry pros. Let them know you're available for future
freelance projects or referrals. Referrals and word-of-mouth are great ways to
find new, long-term clients.
The key is persistence and patience. Keep searching the various resources,
submit lots of proposals, and don't get discouraged. It can take time to land
your first few freelance clients and build up your portfolio, but with hard
work, you'll be making money as a freelance writer in no time!
Pitching to Clients
and Landing Your First Gigs:
Once you've built up your portfolio and online profiles, it's time to
start pitching to clients. Landing your first paid gig as a freelance writer is
an exciting milestone, but it does require putting yourself out there. Here are
some tips to get started:
Research Your
Target Clients:
Make a list of websites, blogs, companies, and other businesses that you'd
like to write for. Study what they publish to determine if your skills and expertise
are a good match for their needs. Focus on clients that you genuinely want to
work with, rather than mass pitching to anyone.
Pitch Carefully:
Reach out to your target clients with a personalized pitch email
highlighting a few article ideas you have for them. Explain why you're
interested in their company and publication. Provide writing samples that
demonstrate your ability. Ask if they’d be open to a guest post or contract
work. Pitches that are tailored to the recipient have a much higher chance of
success.
Start Small:
Don't be afraid to begin with smaller paid writing jobs to build up your
experience. Things like blog posts, product reviews, website copywriting, and
email newsletters are all good ways to get started. As you establish a proven
track record of success, you can pitch to larger clients for more substantive
work. Every published piece builds your credibility and portfolio.
Negotiate Fair Pay:
Know your worth as a writer and don't settle for less. Do some research on
standard pay rates for the types of writing you want to do. It's perfectly
acceptable to ask questions about compensation, payment terms, and
opportunities for pay increases over time. Value yourself and your work, and
find clients who do the same.
With patience and persistence, you can land your first paid freelance
writing gigs and start making money from your words. Keep pitching, start
small, focus on clients you care about, and don't sell yourself short. You've
got this! Keep at it and soon you'll be signing contracts with your ideal
clients.
Managing Your
Finances as a New Freelancer:
As a new freelancer, managing your finances properly is key to success. Some
tips to keep in mind:
Set your rates:
Determine how much you need to earn hourly to support yourself. Factor in
costs of living as well as business expenses like a website, online services,
and office supplies. Check industry reports to see typical rates for your
services. It's better to start a bit lower to build up clients, then increase
over time as you gain more experience.
Bill regularly:
Send invoices as soon as you complete work for a client, whether it's
hourly, by project, or on a retainer. Waiting too long can make it easy to
forget and delay payment. Be professional but persistent in following up on any
late invoices. Non-payment is the quickest way for a freelance business to go
under.
Save for taxes:
As an independent contractor, you'll owe self-employment tax which covers
Social Security and Medicare. Save at least 30% of all income to pay quarterly
estimated taxes. You should also look into business deductions and write-offs
to help lower your tax burden.
Keep good records:
Maintain thorough records of all income and expenses. This includes
invoices, receipts, bank statements, and anything else related to your
freelance work. Come tax time, you'll need documentation of deductions and
income to report to the IRS. Strong records also help ensure you're billing
accurately and managing your money responsibly.
Consider a business
account:
Open a separate bank account for your freelance funds. A business account
makes it easy to track income and expenses for your freelance work. It also
adds an extra layer of professionalism with clients. Some free business banking
options are available through online banks if you want to keep fees low as
you're getting started.
Keeping close tabs on the financial side of freelancing may not be the most
exciting part of self-employment, but establishing good money management
practices early on will set you up for success and sustainability in the long
run. Staying on top of rates, billing, taxes, records, and budgeting gives you
insight into the health of your freelance business and confidence in your
ability to earn a living from what you do best.
Conclusion:
So there you have it, the basics of how to get started as a freelance writer
and land your first paying clients. The path to becoming your own boss and
earning a living from your laptop may not always be easy, but by building up
your skills, developing a professional online presence, pitching to the right
clients, and delivering amazing work, you can establish a thriving freelance
writing business. Before you know it, you'll be earning good money doing work
you genuinely care about on a schedule that suits your needs. The freelance
life isn't for everyone, but for those with the drive and discipline to make it
work, it can be an incredibly rewarding way to take control of your career and
finally get paid to write.