You really can learn how to start freelance writing with no experience – for when you want to actually sleep at night, but you also want to start a new career.
The Great Leap: Your First Step Towards Freelance Writing
You’re standing at the edge of a cliff, your toes curled over the edge, a vast expanse of possibility spread out before you. You’re terrified, exhilarated, and utterly convinced you’re not ready.
What are you doing?
Well, you’re zonked out and dreaming/having a nightmare – but you’re also subconsciously trying to figure out how to start freelance writing with no experience – what.so.ever.
How can you possibly make the leap from dreamy dreamy to really really?
First things first, let me dispel your unwavering doubts. Everyone starts somewhere. Every successful freelance writer you admire, every author whose words move you, every blogger whose posts you devour (like mine, right? 😊)—they all started with zero experience.
They all faced that cliff and made the leap. And you can, too.
So, how do you do it?
How do you inch your way off the dreamworld cliff and not cry every step of the way?
Simply shifting the way you talk to yourself can definitely help. Stop telling yourself, “What the H-E-Double Hockey Sticks am I thinking!” Instead, tell yourself, ” I’m Good Enough, I’m Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me! (Thank you Stuart Smalley (SNL reference from too long ago.)
Corny, but it does actually kinda work.
You see, the key to starting a freelance writing career isn’t a hefty resume or a degree in English literature. It’s the belief in your skills and the courage to put them to the test. It’s the understanding that your words have power—the power to inform, to inspire, to persuade, to sell.
And it’s about time you started harnessing that power.
So, let’s talk practicalities.
This post may contain affiliate links. This means I could earn a commission if you purchase through my links, however, there is no cost to you. Rest assured, I only promote products that I use or think are great. Thanks for reading!!
You want to be a writer, right? So, you’re gonna have to start to write.
This is the part where it doesn’t matter. You can write about an epic alien invasion or your favorite hobby of underwater basketweaving.
Once you’ve got the juices flowing, you can start to focus. Start to write useful articles that some imaginary client might actually want, or that someone perusing the internet might want to read.
Next – read, read, read. Read all the books you have and then read everything of interest on the internet.
Try to discern what is good and what is bad to you. What do you like about certain writers, and what don’t you? Pay attention and certain characteristics will start to hit you in the face for how you want your writing to look in comparison.
Then, get people to tell you what they think – a.k.a. feedback. Frightening, I know.
Share your writing with anyone who will take the time to sit down and do you a favor. Try to keep your inner rage in control, because for the first few go arounds with this, your feelings will get bruised.
Finally, start putting yourself out there. Look for writing opportunities, no matter how small. Write guest posts for blogs, contribute to community newsletters, volunteer to write for non-profit organizations. Every piece of writing you publish, every byline you earn, is a feather in your cap—a sign that you’re a writer in action, not just in aspiration mode.
II. The Treasure Hunt: Unearth Your Writing Niche
A niche is like the golden goose of the freelance writing world.
The heavens open up when you find the right one.
Why can’t you just write about whatever you are feeling that day or whatever conversation you had with your neighbor last week?
Well, you absolutely can, but it’s like spinning too many tops at the same time. It’s hard to be focused on just one, or even a few of them. If you have too many things going, you can’t keep them all going.
Bottom line, it gets confusing to you, and your potential audience.
So, where do you find this magical niche?
Look within. Ugh, I know, that sounds cheesy.
But, the more you are into a certain subject matter, the better you can write about it. It will also make your life a lot easier. If you are starting at the bottom of the bottom, trust me, you want to make your life as easy as possible.
Also, you can claim to be an expert in your chosen niche a lot sooner. That attracts clients who seek out the real experts – and that’s you now.
Don’t worry if you’re not sure about your niche right away. It’s not always love at first write. Experiment, explore different subjects, and see what resonates with you and your readers. And remember, just as no two writers are the same, no two niches need to be the same. Your niche is as unique as you are.
III. Go Back To School: Brush Up on Your Writing Skills
Contrary to the nightmares of your high school English class, you don’t need to be the next Shakespeare to make it in freelance writing.
However, before you sigh in relief, there are a few essentials you cannot escape. Knowing your “their” from “there”, and “your” from “you’re” isn’t just grammar snobbery—it’s about clear, effective communication. And in the world of freelance writing, clear communication is the name of the game.
Grammar, punctuation, and syntax aren’t just dusty rules from old textbooks—they’re the traffic signals of language. They tell your reader when to pause, what’s important, and how ideas relate to one another. Imagine trying to navigate a busy intersection with no traffic lights. Chaos, right? That’s what your writing is like without proper grammar and punctuation.
Websites like Grammarly and Hemingway Editor can help catch those pesky grammar and punctuation mistakes. For more detailed guidance, the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) is a fantastic resource for all things writing-related. Websites like Coursera and Khan Academy offer free or low-cost courses on everything from basic grammar to advanced writing techniques.
IV. Build Your Dream Arsenal: Creating a Stellar Writing Portfolio
Ah, the portfolio. That tricky, seemingly paradoxical hurdle that every newbie freelancer must face.
You need a portfolio to get jobs, but you need jobs to create a portfolio. Chicken and the egg situation here.
It’s enough to make anyone want to pull their hair out. But don’t reach for the clippers just yet. Even if you’re trying to figure out how to start freelance writing with no experience, building a respectable portfolio is more doable than you might think.
So, how do you conjure up a writing portfolio from particles of nothing?
Remember that writing you did earlier to get going? Yep, use that stuff and refine it for particular audiences that you think might like your writing. This is the raw material you’ll use to create your portfolio.
Yes, Really – Blog
But don’t just hoard your writing in the basement closet. Let it out into the rest of the house and beyond. One of the most uncreative ways to do this is by starting a blog.
Before you roll your eyes and huff at me, here me out.
A blog is a great platform to showcase your writing skills, knowledge, and personal style. It’s also a fantastic way to show potential clients that you’re committed and passionate about writing. Plus, having a blog gives you a URL to share, making your work easily accessible to anyone, anywhere in the world.
I double dog promise starting a blog is not hard. Read Believe the Hype: How to Start a Blog and Make Money to get going. Or, if you just want to skip all my ramblings, jump on over to Bluehost and get yourself a domain name and hosting account. I use them. They are the cheapest and have wonderful customer service for newbies.
Invite Guests Over
Another great way to populate your portfolio is to write guest posts for other blogs or websites.
Many sites accept guest posts and it’s a win-win situation. They get free content and you get exposure, experience, and a published sample for your portfolio. Try reaching out to bloggers in your niche, or look for websites that accept guest submissions.
Sample Sale
You can also create sample articles. These are pieces that you write specifically for your portfolio.
They’re not published anywhere, but they serve as examples of your work. Try to create samples that showcase a range of styles and topics. For instance, you might write a how-to article, a listicle, an op-ed, and a product review. This shows potential clients that you’re versatile and capable of handling different types of writing assignments.
And, you most certainly are.
Put Your Name On It
While you’re building your portfolio, remember that quality trumps quantity. It’s better to have a few excellent pieces than dozens of mediocre ones. So, take your time, polish your work, and make sure each piece is something you’re proud of.
At least proud enough to put your real name on it.
Lastly, don’t forget to showcase your portfolio in a professional and organized way. Websites like Contently, Journo Portfolio, and Clippings.me offer easy-to-use platforms for displaying your work.
V. Stepping into the Dream Maker Spotlight: How to Find Clients
So, you’ve got your shiny new portfolio, your writing skills are sharper than a samurai’s sword, and you’re ready to dive into the world of freelance writing.
But where do you find clients?
It can feel a bit like standing on the edge of a vast, uncharted wilderness with nothing but a compass and a vague sense of direction. But fear not, intrepid explorer.
Here are some tried-and-true paths to finding freelance writing gigs.
The Boards
First off, let’s talk about freelance job boards and platforms. These are like the bustling marketplaces of the freelance world, where clients post jobs and freelancers bid for them. These sites are the easiest if you’re learning how to start freelance writing with no experience. I personally would start here.
Some of the more popular ones include:
These platforms can be competitive, but they’re a good place to start, especially for niche writers.
The Mills
Next up, we have content mills.
While they don’t have the best reputation due to low pay rates, sites like Textbroker and iWriter can be a decent starting point for new freelance writers. They offer a steady stream of work and can be a good way to build up your portfolio and gain experience.
Social Club
Then there’s the social media club.
LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and even Instagram can be treasure troves of freelance writing opportunities. On LinkedIn, you can connect with businesses and individuals who might need your services.
For instance, many freelance writers have found success by creating a professional Facebook page and joining freelance writing groups. They share their blog posts, engage with their audience, and often find clients through these platforms.
Direct Caller
Another effective strategy is to go direct.
Identify businesses or blogs that you’d like to write for, and reach out to them directly with a pitch. This approach requires a bit more effort, as you’ll need to research each potential client and tailor your pitch to their needs, but it can also yield higher-quality jobs.
This is a lot easier now that everything is online. No one has to hear your voice or see your face, so there is way less embarrassment if you get a no. Not that you will though….
Remember, the key to finding clients is to be proactive and persistent. Pitch regularly, follow up, and don’t get discouraged by rejections. Keep refining your approach, learning from your experiences, and moving forward.
And above all, present yourself professionally. This means having a well-written, error-free profile on job boards, a professional social media presence, and polished, customized pitches. Your professionalism will set you apart and show potential clients that you’re serious about your craft.
VI. The Price is Right: Setting Your Freelance Rates
If there’s one thing that sends a shiver down the spine of every budding freelance writer, it’s the question of rates.
How do you put a price tag on YOUR words, YOUR creativity, YOUR time?
It is indeed a delicate dance, a tightrope walk maybe between valuing your worth and remaining accessible to potential clients. But don’t worry, setting your freelance rates isn’t an insurmountable challenge, it’s more of a calculated strategy.
First and foremost, know this: your work has value. Yep, even your work.
Even if you’re just starting out and figuring out how to start freelance writing with no experience, your words, your perspective, and your time are worth something. Do not sell yourself short – even if you’re short like me.
How do you translate that worth into a real-life number?
One way to start is by doing some market research – figure out what the other guy is charging.
There are various ways to do this. You can check out freelance job boards to see what clients are offering for similar jobs. You can also look at the rates other freelancers in your niche and experience level are charging.
For example, if you’re a fabulous techie writer just getting going, you might look around and see that rates for similar jobs on FlexJobs go for $0.05 to $0.15 per word. This can all vary a lot, but at least you can get a basic understanding of where you want to jump off from.
Another approach is to calculate your rates based on how much you want to make vs. how much you want to work. Let’s say you want to make $50,000 a year working full time as a freelancer. That breaks down to about $25 an hour, assuming a 40-hour workweek and 50 weeks of work per year. So, if it takes you 2 hours to write a 500-word blog post, you might charge $50 for that post.
Remember, these are just starting points. As you gain experience and build your portfolio, you’ll be able to command higher rates. This is where your niche can really pay off. Specialists often charge more than generalists. So, if you’re a tech writer who specializes in blockchain technology, you might be able to charge more than a general tech writer.
Adjusting your prices can be scary, but it’s a necessary part of growing as a freelancer. As you evolve, so should your rates. A regular review of your pricing strategy – say, every six months or so – can help ensure you’re keeping pace with your value and the market.
Setting your freelance rates is an art, not a science. It involves a bit of research, a bit of math, and a lot of self-belief. So, step onto that tightrope with confidence. You’ve got this.
VII. The Long Haul: Making a Sustainable Freelance Writing Career
So, you’ve learned how to start freelance writing with no experience, built a portfolio, set your rates, and landed your first few gig-a-jigs.
Congratulations, you’re now officially a real-life freelance writer! Yay for you!
But, there are times when you’ll want to throw your computer at the wall (don’t do it) or when a client will make you head for the wine, but on the flip side, freelance writing can also be incredibly validating and rewarding.
Just think about it.
You can be free from the jail cell of a cubicle wall and decide where and when you want to work. I don’t know if there is anything as liberating. I’m sure there is, but not for the purposes of this article.
And yes, it can also give you enough money to pay your mortgage and possibly send your kid to college – if they so choose (not the fancy dancy ones though, but you know they will want to).
The Strategy
Now, onto some strategies. One key to a sustainable freelance writing career is diversification. You’ve heard that line before, I know.
Relying on a single client or type of work is risky. What happens if that client stops needing your services or the market for that type of work dries up? By diversifying your client base and the types of writing you do, you can cushion yourself against such risks.
For example, you might write blog posts for a tech company, product descriptions for an e-commerce site, and articles for a travel magazine. This not only spreads your income sources but also keeps your work interesting and helps you develop a range of writing skills.
Another strategy is to keep learning – expanding your noggin. With new technologies constantly popping up, the freelance writing world will continue to change. Take some courses (online or not), attend a workshop, read, join a group, etc…
(If you think you have enough knowledge on a subject, consider starting your own course to double your side hustle income. Read my post How to Create Online Course Income: 5 Side Hustles That’ll Make You Say, “Why Didn’t I Think of That?” for more info or jump on over to Teachable and get started.)
The Biz
Finally, don’t neglect the business side of freelancing. This includes things like marketing your services, networking, managing your finances, and setting aside time for administrative tasks. For example, regularly updating your LinkedIn profile, attending industry events (even virtually), and keeping track of your income and expenses can go a long way in sustaining your freelance writing career.
You’ll thank yourself later when you have to do your first solo taxes. Ugh.
You Can Learn How To Start Freelance Writing With No Experience
Does learning how to start freelance writing with no experience need to be the fear inducing nightmare that our brains are surely manifesting it to be?
Nope, it doesn’t.
This is definitely doable.
Just put one keyboard tip tap in front of the other and do a little bit every day and it will work itself out.
Things like this usually do.
Don’t cry yourself to sleep over any of this.
I promise, if you just grit your teeth and keep going, you will wake up with a smile on your face Every. Single. Day.
😊
If you are looking for other online jobs that might pique your interest, check out my posts: Life-Changing Online Jobs That Pay Well and Your Fingers Are Not Just For Insults: Legit Online Typing Jobs.
Or, go passive here: Get off the 9 to 5 Hamster Wheel: Passive Online Side Hustles from Home
