4 Tips on Getting Entry-Level Freelance Writing Jobs

Freelance work is becoming more and more popular each year, and 2020 has seen it surge like no other. With the benefits of being able to work from wherever you like and be your own boss, freelancing makes a lot of sense. In fact, over 57 million Americans do freelance work, either full-time or part-time.

Being a freelance writer only requires a computer and an internet connection. You don’t need any fancy and expensive gear or software, you just need to have writing skills and a desire to be self-employed.

If you’re ready to dive into the freelance writing world and don’t know where to start, don’t fret! Read on to learn four tips for landing those entry-level freelance writing jobs without any experience.

When you start looking for entry-level freelance writing jobs, you’ll find a lot of different websites and job boards promising great writing gigs. When starting out you might not have the experience, you’re still worth more than you might think so don’t sell yourself short.

Sites like Upwork have many opportunities, but the pay is usually very low, and they are often one-off jobs. This means that the client only wants one article or project completed by you, so once it’s over, you’ll have to bid on another writing gig, woo another client, and go through the whole hiring process over again.

You’ll get burned out really fast if you freelance this way, and you’ll make very little money. Take the time to find jobs that promise ongoing work and have a rate you’re comfortable with.

This is not to say that using sites like Upwork is a bad idea to get started. In fact building up a portfolio, both on the site and off, and really honing in on your sales and writing skills can be of huge benefit down the road, but ideally, you want to find clients that need you time and time again.

If you’re just getting started applying for freelance writing jobs, you’ve probably noticed that all your potential clients request at least one writing sample, but usually more. You don’t have to have a whole portfolio, but creating a few samples could help you begin your freelancing journey.

Depending on what jobs you’re applying for and what your niche is, you’ll want to write samples that show what you can do. Writing a general non-fiction sample is a great way to start. Many clients just want to see that you can actually do what you say you can do.

Simply writing short articles that tell a story, compel someone to take action, and articulate your ability to clearly communicate to your audience is what most people are looking for. You will want these samples of your writing style to be in line with whatever style the prospect is looking for, so either niching down or having some diversity in your portfolio will be the best approach.

If you are just getting started feel free to explore different writing styles for different industries and audiences, but over time you will want to narrow your focus and hone in on your voice in a specific genre or niche.

Researching your clients can make the difference from either landing that writing job or not. Along with your writing samples, if you’re creating a pitch for a client, you’ll want a teaser sample that shows you can write exactly what that particular client wants.

They want to see that you did your research about them. Visit their website, google their business, see what other types of writing content they have, and produce that same quality for them.

This takes a little extra time, but developing a process for this approach can streamline things a bit so that over time you can add this extra touch will minimal effort.

Your prospects will notice the attention to detail and appreciate you going the extra mile, but don’t be discouraged if it does not work, just keep at it until you find the right client.

Freelance writers are everywhere these days and you need to do everything you can to stand out especially if you are just getting started and looking for entry-level writing gigs.

One of the greatest benefits of being a freelance writer is being able to write what you like to write! Of course, you’ll also probably have to write content that isn’t your favorite, but if you know you’re writing niche, you can lean into that.

Pinning down exactly what you want to write can help you find those particular gigs easier. This is especially true if your niche is tight-knit as there might not be as many writers going for these jobs, so you’re more likely to find them. You’ll also be more likely to love what you’re writing!

As an added bonus when you continue to write about similar subjects you will find that you are able to write much faster and quickly reference other content you have written in the past to add more depth to what you write.

If you find that you are growing tired of writing about the same things over and over, find similar niches that require a similar style but can perhaps allow you to explore new subject matter and expand your portfolio and area of expertise.

Don’t be afraid to venture out into other styles and niches, often some of the best writing styles and content comes from the author piecing together information from multiple categories to create new and interesting ideas.

Now that you know how to start your freelancing career, there are so many entry-level writing jobs are out there waiting for you. Though it may seem intimidating to start, you have everything you need to join the freelancing world today.

With some hard work and sharpening of your skills, you will be making money as a freelance writer in no time.