Get Amazing Freelance Writing Tips for Beginners

Did you know that 59 million Americans did freelance work in 2022? That’s over a third of the workforce! When I started my freelance writing journey five years ago, I had no idea I’d be part of this massive movement.

I still remember staring at my laptop screen, wondering if anyone would actually pay me to write. Spoiler alert: they did, but not before I made every rookie mistake in the book!

If you’re thinking about becoming a freelance writer but don’t know where to start, you’re in the right place. I’m gonna share everything I wish someone had told me when I was starting out.

Finding Your Writing Niche (Don’t Skip This Part!)

Here’s where I messed up big time. I thought being a “jack of all trades” writer would get me more gigs. Wrong!

For six months, I was writing about everything from pet care to cryptocurrency. The result? Burnt out and barely making $500 a month.

Then I discovered the power of niching down. Once I focused on writing about personal finance and side hustles (topics I actually enjoyed), my income tripled within three months. Clients started seeing me as an expert, not just another writer.

To find your niche, ask yourself:

• What topics do you already know about?
• What do you love reading or learning about?
• What industries are you familiar with from past jobs?

Trust me, there’s a niche for everything. I’ve met writers who specialize in topics like sustainable fashion, B2B software, and even chicken farming!

Building Your Portfolio When You Have Zero Experience

This was my biggest catch-22. Clients wanted to see samples, but I needed clients to create samples!

Here’s what actually worked for me:

First, I created my own blog on WordPress (the free version works fine). I wrote five killer articles in my chosen niche, treating them like they were for paying clients.

Then I did something that felt crazy at the time – I offered to write three free articles for local businesses. Yeah, working for free sucks, but those samples landed me my first paying gig two weeks later.

Another trick? I rewrote existing articles from major publications in my own voice. Never published them anywhere, but they made great portfolio pieces to show my writing style.

Where to Find Your First Freelance Writing Jobs

Okay, real talk – finding those first few clients is tough. I probably sent 50 pitches before landing my first gig.

Start with these platforms:

• Upwork – Yeah, it’s competitive, but I still get steady work here
• Contently – Higher-paying gigs once you build your portfolio
• ProBlogger Job Board – Quality listings, less spam
• Facebook groups for writers (search “[your niche] writers” and you’ll find tons)

But here’s the secret sauce – cold pitching. I know, I know, it sounds terrifying. But directly emailing businesses in your niche gets way better results than competing with 100 other writers on job boards.

Setting Your Rates (Without Selling Yourself Short)

My first article? I wrote 1,000 words for $10. Yep, one cent per word. It still makes me cringe!

Don’t be like past-me. Even as a beginner, you should charge at least $0.05 per word, or $50 for a 1,000-word article. Once you have some experience, bump it up to $0.10-$0.15 per word.

Some writers prefer hourly rates, which typically range from $25-$50 for beginners. Personally, I like per-word pricing because fast writers can earn more, but choose what works for you.

Essential Tools Every Freelance Writer Needs

You don’t need fancy equipment to start. Here’s my bare-bones toolkit that got me through the first year:

• Grammarly – Catches those embarrassing typos
• Google Docs – Free and clients love it
• Hemingway Editor – Makes your writing cleaner
• A simple invoice template (I used Google Sheets)

As you grow, you might want tools like Ahrefs for SEO writing or Jasper for AI assistance. But honestly? You can make good money with just the basics.

Time to Take That Leap!

Looking back, I can’t believe I almost didn’t start freelance writing because I was scared. Those fears – “I’m not good enough,” “No one will hire me,” “I don’t know where to begin” – they’re normal!

The difference between successful freelance writers and everyone else? We started anyway. We sent that first pitch, wrote that first sample, and slowly built our businesses one word at a time.

You’ve got the roadmap now. Pick your niche, create some samples, and start pitching. In six months, you could be writing this same kind of article about your own journey!

Ready to explore more ways to boost your income? Check out other money-making strategies and side hustle ideas at The Extra Coin. Who knows? Freelance writing might just be the beginning of your entrepreneurial adventure!