Freelance Writing 101—Your Essential Guide to Getting Started

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Candace Osmond

Candace Osmond studied Advanced Writing & Editing Essentials at MHC. She’s been an International and USA TODAY Bestselling Author for over a decade. And she’s worked as an Editor for several mid-sized publications. Candace has a keen eye for content editing and a high degree of expertise in Fiction.

Freelance writing is a viable career choice in which you are your own boss and offer your writing services to clients from all over the world. Becoming a freelance writer involves crafting blog posts and articles, developing e-books and marketing copy, and everything in between.  

Do you fantasize about working from warm locations or having the ability to set your own schedule around family commitments? Then, freelance writing can turn those dreams into reality. This self-employment career appeals to so many people, especially nowadays, for its flexibility, independence, and the potential for creative fulfillment.

I’ve been freelancing for well over a decade, and I’ve seen all that this industry has to offer—the good and the bad. My guide will explain what freelance writing is and cover details about traits and necessary skills, how to get started, and where to find freelance clients.

If you’re ready to learn what it takes to become a successful freelance writer, then let’s not waste another minute!

Is Freelance Writing Right for You?

Freelance writing can be rewarding if you enjoy autonomy and flexibility and have strong writing skills. It’s ideal for self-starters willing to navigate income variability and manage work-life balance effectively.

Considering freelance writing? Explore the traits and skills of successful writers, along with realistic insights into income and work-life balance.

Traits and Skills of Successful Freelance Writers

Over the years, I’ve learned that the best freelancers are self-motivated and disciplined and possess a knack for adapting their tone and style to a bunch of different niches. Also, they have to have strong communication skills. 

There may be language barriers, a difference in organization and process, a need for negotiations, questions about briefs, and more. Being able to effectively communicate your thoughts, questions, and input is going to make or break everything.

Realistic Expectations Regarding Income and Work-Life Balance

Yes, freelance writing offers financial freedom and flexibility. However, it usually requires juggling multiple projects and maintaining a steady workflow to achieve a stable income.

As you grow and hone your craft, you will better understand what you’re worth and the going rates that clients are willing to pay for it. Always scale your rates accordingly.

However, if you’re just starting out with little to no experience, set your wage expectations low. You have to prove your worth first.

What Are Essential Skills for Freelance Writers?

The essential skills for freelance writers include strong writing and grammar foundations, adaptability in research and topics, and the ability to meet deadlines while maintaining effective client communication.

Strong Writing and Grammar Foundations

Gosh, I cannot stress this one enough. You can’t call yourself a writer if you don’t know the difference between there, their, and they’re. Clarity, coherence, and grammatical precision are non-negotiable in producing quality content. A lack of discipline in this area will deter potential clients from reading to the end of your pitch.

Get familiar with idioms, contractions, nouns, verbs, adjectives, proper punctuation, regional spellings, style guides, and everything else you can find. Our site has a plethora of free resources, so spend some time checking them out.

Research and Topic Adaptability

The ability to research and write confidently about various topics is invaluable, especially when starting out. Some clients might provide a detailed brief with clear instructions. But other clients might just give you a topic and tell you to run with it. 

Understanding how to do proper research, where to find the best sources, what users want to know about the topic, etc. will set you apart from other freelancers.

Meeting Deadlines and Client Communication

This is pretty obvious, but just because you’re the boss doesn’t mean you get to miss deadlines. The client sets those, and your job is to meet their requirements. Timeliness and clear communication with clients make sure your projects run smoothly and usually lead to repeat business.

How Do You Get Started as a Freelance Writer?

To get started as a freelance writer, begin by building a portfolio showcasing your work, identifying your niche or specialties, and establishing your online presence through platforms like a professional website or social media profiles.

Building a Basic Portfolio

You can’t go any farther without some sort of proof of work, an example of what you can do. If you don’t have a portfolio of work, that’s okay! Start by creating a few samples in your areas of interest and expertise.

Post these on social media and your personal blog, or submit them as guest posts to other sites, etc. Guest posting on blogs or writing on platforms like Medium can also help you build up some valuable experience that you can show off in your portfolio.

Finding Your Niche

Once upon a time, generalist writers were all the rage. Clients often ran dozens of websites that spanned across multiple niches. They wanted writers who could adapt and flow across each website and create content for them.

But now, with the dawn of AI and market saturation, specializing in specific industries or types of writing can make you more attractive to certain clients and allow you to command higher rates.

What jobs have you done in the past? What did you study in school? What hobby do you have and are completely obsessed with? These are your subjects to leverage so that you can make yourself known as an SME (subject matter expert). This is what clients are looking for nowadays.

For example, I’m a former Interior Designer, mom of two, published author, and major nerd. My areas of expertise are writing, publishing, design, parenting, and nerd culture. Figure out what you’re good at and what you know the most about, and go from there.

Setting Up Your Online Presence

A professional website or LinkedIn profile can showcase your portfolio and make it easier for clients to find and hire you. Leverage social media to make a name for yourself and network with other writers.

This will help you grow and can lead to amazing new gigs. I can’t tell you how many jobs I’ve landed by clients finding my LinkedIn page and reaching out. It makes me think of the old saying, “If you build it, they will come.” Sometimes, the work just comes to you!

Where Do You Find Freelance Writing Clients?

You can find freelance writing clients through various channels, including job boards and content mills, networking and direct pitching to potential clients, and utilizing marketplaces and platforms specifically designed for connecting freelancers with clients.

Job Boards and Content Mills

There are hundreds of job boards online. These are forums where clients can go and post a job they need a writer for. Writers like you come along, sift through the listing, and bid on gigs they like.

Content mills take us back to my earlier comment about generalist writers. If you’re just starting out and have little to no experience but have a good grasp of the English language, then a content mill is a great way to dip your toes in the freelance waters and gain some experience that you can later leverage to get better jobs.

The downside to job boards and content mills is lower pay. They usually focus less on quality and more on quantity.

Networking and Direct Pitching

Try reaching out to local businesses, attending some industry events (even virtually), or even pitching to local and online magazines to help uncover opportunities that may not be advertised on job boards. You never know what you’ll find!

I once pitched a guest blog to my favorite design magazine. It was a long shot, but they accepted it as a free contribution. I didn’t get paid, but I did get a byline and credit, which led to future gigs in that niche. You miss 100% of the chances you don’t take.

Marketplaces and Platforms

Marketplaces and platforms update every day with new gigs that you can pick and choose from. I recommend checking them out at least once a week if you’re actively job hunting.

Upwork, Contently, Mediabistro, People Per Hour, ProBlogger, and Freelancer are all great job sites to check out. Most ask you to create an account and set up a profile which you can also use as a portfolio. The competition can be stiff, so spend the necessary time perfecting your profile and your pitch.

What Are Some Tips for Navigating the Business Side of Freelance Writing?

Being your own boss also means managing all the non-fun stuff like contracts, invoicing, and taxes. Here are some tips to help with that.

Setting Rates and Negotiating Contracts

You have to understand the value of your work and be prepared to negotiate rates that reflect your expertise and the project’s complexity. Don’t bid low just to get the gig. Most clients move past any pitches with low rates because they usually assume low pay equals low quality.

Newer freelance writers are usually safe to offer a rate of $0.02–0.03 cents per word or $20/hour. As you gain experience and scale up, slowly increase your rates to $0.05–$0.10 cents per word or $40–$60 per hour. These numbers aren’t the gospel, but they’re a good meter for you to gauge your worth.

Invoicing and Managing Finances

This can be cumbersome, especially if you’re like me. I write words. I don’t crunch numbers! But I’ve learned that keeping track of projects, payments, and expenses is so important for financial stability.

Consider using accounting software designed for freelancers or even Excel to create spreadsheets to manage all the details. Personally, I use Excel to track and organize and PayPal for invoicing. It keeps everything simple and neat.

Taxes for Freelance Writers

Pssst… No one likes taxes, but freelancers especially hate them because the guidelines on what to do aren’t always clear. All you need to know is that you have to report what you earn and claim what you spend.

The tricky part is understanding what you can and cannot claim as an expense. And this usually differs depending on where you live. Head to your government website and look for info on taxes and freelancing in your province or state.

Ready to Become a Freelance Writer?

Freelance writing can give you endless opportunities if you’re willing to put in the effort and work through the challenges of self-employment. With a bit of discipline, a natural flair for the written word, and a bit of business savvy, you can build a super rewarding freelance writing career. I promise! If I can do it, anyone can!

Just remind yourself that success in freelance writing doesn’t happen overnight. With persistence and continuous learning, the possibilities are there for the taking. If you want more info and tips for managing a freelance writing career, have a look at my other helpful guides on our website.