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Getting Started as a Freelance Writer

By Anne 8 Comments

Here is the big secret about how to go about getting started as a freelance writer. It's really simple, but makes all the difference in the world.

Ah, location independence!  The dream pursuit of many, and the ticket to cash for others.

Stay at home parents, school teachers, students and regular 9-5ers are all fans of the burgeoning freelance writing market.  You have the flexibility of working when it works for you (for the most part) and fitting in ways to earn a few dollars beyond your existing pay cheque.

The tricky part is figuring out where to start.  At least, it can really seem that way.

Guess what?  It doesn’t have to be tricky.  It might take awhile until you find your niche, efficient process and pick up some clients, but getting starting isn’t terribly hard.

In fact, the biggest, most important, can’t-skip-this step is to get started!

Look at Job Boards and Join Databases

There are a myriad of great freelance writing job boards and databases out there.  Just google and start applying!  For example, you can earn money as a freelance writer with thepensters, just one of many online databases of writing job offers.

Start Pitching

I have read this quote in several places, “No one is going to wake up in the morning and think, ‘I should hire so and so to write for me today.'”  They are especially not going to think that if no one even knows that you are looking!

Make a list of your internet-haunts that already have contributors and start contacting them with pitches.  Next, move on to places that you think might be in need of your services.  Pitch, pitch, pitch, pitch.  If you aren’t quite sure what to say, read our interview with Sarah, who earned $59,000 in her first year of freelance writing.

Execute Well

You landed a gig?  Even a one-shot gig?  Fantastic.

Execute it well.  Really, really well.  Make sure you wow your client.

Also be flexible at first.  There may be some back and forth.  Yes, it’s more work for you, but it is a part of the process, as you figure out how your client likes things and what they need out of you.

Ask for Referrals

So you landed one gig?  Awesome.  Use that to get more!  Ask if you client can provide you with a customer testimony and any constructive feedback (wear your thick skin that day, it’s a part of the job).

More importantly, ask them if they might have any other work that you could do for them.  If they say no, ask if it will be okay to follow up in 2 months, and if they can keep you in mind should anything come up.

Also ask if they know of anyone that might be in need of your services.  Reach out to all of those contacts.  Even if they don’t need you right now, you will plant a seed in their head

Build A Portfolio

Want to know something interesting?  You don’t necessarily need a portfolio to get a job as a freelance writer.

For a great many people, your blog is your main portfolio.  You will likely get jobs through your network of folks who know your site.  Remember this as you craft your own posts.

That said, it’s not necessary to have a blog.  That is especially true if you start by finding work on job boards and through databases.  Hustle.  Apply to things.  You can’t get the job you don’t ask to get!

Over time, your portfolio will build itself.

 

Of note, this is just how to go about getting started as a freelance writer.  The most important part is to get started.  Sure, it would be great to have a company name, a cute website and a rocking portfolio, but those are all “nice to haves”

Filed Under: Blogging, Career, Education Tagged With: earn money, freelance, writing

About Anne

Anne dreams of financial independence and is working her way towards it, whilst still enjoying life. She has a penchant for gift giving, which got her started with her first blog, Unique Gifter. She also loves money (who doesn't?) and needed an outlet to discuss it. Her likes? Seafood, figure skating, road cycling and skater shoes.

Comments

  1. Job at home says

    June 17, 2015 at 12:41

    It’s also really important to network and market yourself out there. Spreading the word about your services is not only going to make you more ”popular” but will also bring you more clients and therefore more money.

    Reply
  2. Chella says

    June 6, 2015 at 02:09

    These are the tips that i needed to start Anne! I now have the courage and will put these into use in my freelancing career. Thank you so much.
    Chella recently posted…Sub-Prime Car Loans, How to Buy a New Car With Bad CreditMy Profile

    Reply
  3. Kristin says

    June 2, 2015 at 10:49

    I am interested in getting started with freelancing, but I find it so intimidating! I think I’m just nervous to put myself out there. Great tips though! I think I’m just gonna go for it!
    Kristin recently posted…May Expense ReportMy Profile

    Reply
  4. Jayson @ Monster Piggy Bank says

    June 2, 2015 at 04:17

    Referral is really a great help. I myself started my career in freelance writing because of this and this made my start easier. Thanks to that friend of mine.
    Jayson @ Monster Piggy Bank recently posted…Have Your Online Business Activities Stalled?My Profile

    Reply
  5. diane @smartmoneysimplelife says

    June 1, 2015 at 16:27

    So true! And, getting started is definitely the toughest part of the process. I know! I’ve been talking about starting freelance writing/editing for a couple of months now but still haven’t bitten the bullet and started pitching for work. A lot of that is due to having a pretty full plate at the moment but, even to me, that’s beginning to sound more like an excuse than a reason.

    Time to throw caution to the wind and jump!
    diane @smartmoneysimplelife recently posted…June Goals – Simplify, Streamline and Sell StuffMy Profile

    Reply
  6. Anum says

    June 1, 2015 at 14:20

    I do agree that your blog could serve as a writing portfolio, but in my experience, I’ve found that having an online portfolio helped me seem more prepared and organized. I’ve only had one gig so far, but I feel like I should really embrace these tips and try to put myself out there. Thanks Anne!
    Anum recently posted…10 Amateur Investing Mistakes You Can AvoidMy Profile

    Reply
  7. Amanda @ My Life, I Guess says

    June 1, 2015 at 13:01

    Haha, how ironic is it that I just mentioned in our emails that I focus on the “nice to haves” instead of actually starting?
    In all this time I’ve been laid off, I’ve been focusing on the job boards within my city, applying for crap jobs I don’t even want. Why am I not looking at the online job boards? Why am I not applying to the jobs I might actually like?
    Amanda @ My Life, I Guess recently posted…No One Was There for My Job InterviewMy Profile

    Reply
    • Anne says

      June 1, 2015 at 13:52

      Everything is always easier said than done! My boss just told me to throw my name in the hat for a posting. It’s unlikely that I’ll get it, but at least it will show initiative.

      Reply

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The Bottom

You made it all the way to the bottom! Thanks so much for reading.
Did you know that The Bottom is the name of a town on the island of Saba, in the Caribbean? I went there on a trip once.
The other bottoms I think about are my own bottom, and the bottom of the champagne bottle. Often when I find the bottom of the champagne bottle, my own bottom grows. Funny, that.

Thanks for reading!

- Anne

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