How To Become a Freelance Writer and Succeed

Introduction.

If you’ve ever thought about being a freelance writer, you’re not alone. Many people dream of leaving their 9-to-5 jobs behind to write on their terms.

Freelance writing offers the chance to be your boss, set your schedule, and choose the kind of work you want to do.

But it’s not all rainbows and butterflies. It takes work, persistence, and a little bit of know-how to turn writing into a career.

So, why does freelance writing matter so much right now? The internet has opened up a huge opportunity for people to work from home, share their ideas, and get paid for it.

Businesses need content — from blog posts and articles to social media captions and product descriptions — and they’re willing to pay skilled writers to create it.

According to a 2023 survey by Statista, the number of people working as freelance writers in the U.S. alone is steadily rising, with over 1.5 million freelance writers estimated to be working full-time. This is proof that it’s a growing field with lots of potential.

But how do you make the jump from thinking about it to becoming a successful freelance writer?

That’s what I’ll walk you through in this article. I’ll cover everything from getting started, finding clients, and managing your time, to handling the ups and downs of the freelance life.

Let’s break down the steps so you can confidently launch your freelance writing career and set yourself up for success.

1. Know Why You Want to Write

The first thing you need to do is ask yourself why you want to be a freelance writer. Are you passionate about writing?

Do you want to work from home? Or maybe you’re just looking for a side hustle to make extra money. Whatever your reason is, it’s essential to have a clear motivation behind your decision.

Being a freelancer is exciting but also challenging, and knowing your “why” will help keep you going when things get tough.

2. Find Your Niche.

When starting out as a freelance writer, one of the best things you can do is focus on a specific niche or area of expertise.

You might be a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to writing, but narrowing your focus makes it easier to stand out to potential clients. Some examples of niches for writers include:

Health & wellness
Tech and software
Finance
Travel and lifestyle
Education

By choosing a niche, you can develop your skills and build a reputation as an expert in that area. For instance, if you focus on writing blog posts for fitness businesses, over time, you’ll become known as a go-to writer for that type of content. This can lead to better-paying gigs and more steady work.

If you’re not sure what niche you’d like to focus on, think about topics you’re passionate about or have experience in.

You don’t have to be an expert from the get-go, but having an interest in the subject will make writing about it much easier and more enjoyable.

3. Build a Portfolio.

Before you even think about reaching out to clients, you’ll need to have something to show them. This is where your portfolio comes in.

A portfolio is simply a collection of writing samples that show off your skills and expertise. If you don’t have any paid writing experience yet, that’s okay. You can still create sample work based on your niche.

Here are some ideas for building a portfolio:

Write blog posts or articles about topics in your niche.
Start a personal blog where you can showcase your writing.
Guest post on other websites or blogs.
Rewrite product descriptions or create new content for local businesses.

The goal is to have a few well-crafted samples to share with potential clients. Don’t stress about having a ton of pieces — a handful of high-quality examples is much better than a huge collection of mediocre work.

4. Find Clients.

Finding clients is one of the biggest challenges when starting out as a freelance writer, but it’s not impossible. There are a few ways to land your first writing gigs:

Freelance platforms: Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com are great places to start looking for work. On these platforms, you’ll find companies and individuals posting jobs for writers. While it’s competitive, it’s a great place to gain experience and build your portfolio.
Cold pitching: This means reaching out to potential clients directly and offering your services. You can do this via email or social media. Be specific about the kind of writing you do and how you can help their business. For example, if you specialize in writing blog posts for tech companies, you might send a pitch to a software company offering to help them grow their blog.
Networking: Don’t underestimate the power of networking. Let people in your life know that you’re a freelance writer, and you’d be happy to help with their content needs. Join writing communities or Facebook groups where writers and businesses connect.

One tip: Be patient. It can take time to land your first few clients, but as long as you’re putting in the effort, the opportunities will come.

5. Set Your Rates.

When you’re just starting out, you might be tempted to set your rates lower to get clients, but this can hurt you in the long run. While it’s okay to offer a discount to your first few clients in exchange for testimonials or reviews, try not to undervalue your work.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when setting your rates:

Know the average rate for your niche. For example, blog post writers typically charge between $50 and $500 per post depending on experience and complexity.
Consider your experience. If you’re just starting out, your rates might be on the lower end, but as you build your portfolio, you can increase your rates.
Decide if you’ll charge per word, per hour, or per project. Charging per word is common for writers, but some prefer charging by the hour or project. Find what works best for you.

Remember, don’t sell yourself short. The more you practice and improve, the more you’ll be able to charge for your work.

6. Manage Your Time Effectively.

Freelancing offers flexibility, but it also means you’re responsible for managing your own time. One of the hardest things about being a freelance writer is staying motivated and organized without a boss overseeing your work. Here are some tips to stay on top of things:

Set deadlines for yourself. Even if you’re not working with a client yet, give yourself goals and deadlines to hit each day or week.
Use productivity tools like Trello, Asana, or Google Calendar to keep track of your projects.
Create a routine. Even if you’re not working 9-to-5, having a set schedule helps you stay on task.

Balancing multiple clients and projects can get overwhelming, but with practice, you’ll find what works for you.

7. Stay Consistent and Keep Learning.

The world of freelance writing is constantly changing, so it’s important to stay updated on trends, improve your skills, and keep growing. Consider taking online courses, reading industry blogs, or joining writing groups to continue learning.

And don’t forget to be consistent with your work. Building a career as a freelance writer doesn’t happen overnight, but by consistently producing quality work and improving your skills, you’ll start to see results.

FAQs

Q: How long does it take to become a successful freelance writer?

A: It varies! Some writers land steady clients within a few months, while others might take a year or more to build a full-time income. The key is persistence and always improving your skills.

Q: Can I be a freelance writer part-time?

A: Absolutely! Many writers start out part-time and transition to full-time once they’ve built up a steady flow of clients.

Q: How do I find clients for freelance writing?

A: You can start by using freelance platforms, cold-pitching businesses, and networking in writing communities. The more proactive you are, the better.