As many of you know, I am an advocate of making money online through freelance writing. As far as I am concerned, the barriers of entry are relatively low and the opportunities are numerous.
Plenty of Leaving Work Behind readers have contacted me asking how to find freelance writing jobs. Some people don’t know where to look, what to look for, how to apply for jobs, and so on.
And this comes as no surprise — taking those first few steps can be rather intimidating. I say that from personal experience. When you have certain freelance writing websites telling you that you should be commanding rates of $100 per hour and up, taking that first step can be a paralyzing experience. However, in this post I want to show how the process can in fact be relatively simple.
How To Find Freelance Writing Jobs: Don’t Be Afraid To Start Small
Whilst you can make upwards of $100 per hour doing freelance writing jobs, there is absolutely nothing wrong with starting at a lower level. Don’t be intimidated into thinking that you should be aiming for “jackpot jobs.”
My hourly rate was $20 when I started. These days it’s more like $150 per hour. And it’s not just me; my friend Gina was able to go from $50 to $150 per hour in a matter of months.
My equivalent hourly rate at the moment is well under $100 per hour, but I have no problem with that. I have regular work, I don’t have to look for jobs, and I have prospective clients coming to me (rather than vice versa). Edit 27/10/14: my equivalent hourly rate is now around $150, which aptly demonstrates what is possible with freelance writing!
The fact is, you can’t walk straight into $100 per hour jobs as a beginner freelance writer. You need to build up your skill set and portfolio. There is nothing wrong with taking on a $20 per hour job and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. If you had two regular clients paying you $20 per hour, eight hours per day, you’d be earning upwards of $40,000 per annum — that’s nothing to sniff at. It may not pay the bills, but it can be your start point.
Besides, there are other benefits to starting out modestly:
- You can bulk out your portfolio
- It is an opportunity to increase your network
- It can increase exposure to your blog (if you have an author byline)
- It’s good practice!
And remember: you can always ask for a raise once you have proven yourself. If a client is unwilling to increase your pay, you can always walk away (on good terms, of course). Working for a below-ideal rate does not have to be permanent, but it is nothing to be afraid of in the short term.
Avoid Content Farms
Let me get something straight: when I say you should be ready to start on modest pay, I am not suggesting that you work on so-called “content farms” (such as Text Broker, Elance and oDesk). Quite the opposite in fact. There is no reason that a reasonably competent writer can’t work on something real; something rewarding; something that you will be able to display in your portfolio with pride.
I am talking about finding work where you will be valued — where you will be able to further your skills and connections. I have never worked for a content farm and I never will. It’s just not necessary.
Browsing Freelance Writing Job Listings
For the purposes of this article I am going to be referring to the ProBlogger Job Board as a means of sourcing work. It features a number of online writing opportunities; most typically related to blogging. It’s also where I found my first two freelance blogging jobs.
The first thing to bear in mind is that when it comes to finding work, you have to throw a lot against the wall in order to find something that sticks. I submitted quite a few applications to get my first couple of writing jobs. Once you have a good template pitch set up it only takes a few minutes to submit an application, so don’t be afraid to get stuck in and send out a whole bunch. What’s the worst that can happen?
What To Look For:
- Something that interests you
- Reputable sites/companies
- Clients who have worked with writers before
- Permanent/semi permanent freelance writing jobs (you don’t want to constantly be looking for new work)
- $ per hour or per article
What To Avoid:
- People asking for free trials — if they’re serious about finding someone, they’ll offer paid trials
- “The rates aren’t good, but…”
- Incentive-based pay
- Nonexistent / private sites
- Blog networks / SEO / mass article writing work
Freelance Writing Job Opportunities Are Plentiful
Multiple Leaving Work Behind readers have gotten in touch with me, voicing their frustration that they can’t find viable freelance writing job opportunities online. But take it from me as someone who researches freelance blogging job opportunities every single day for Paid to Blog Jobs: there are plenty of opportunities out there.
On average, I list around 70 new freelance writing job listings on Paid to Blog Jobs every week. That’s over 300 listings per month, or over 3,500 a year. That’s a lot of opportunities!
Bemoaning a lack of opportunities is a poor excuse; succeeding as a freelance writer is simply a case of hard graft. Find as many job sources as you can (or sign up to Paid to Blog Jobs and I’ll do it for you) and apply to any opportunities that interest you. Be sure to check your sources every day to check up on what’s new; although you can get a job on a listing that is days or even weeks old, it is always good to get your pitch in early.
Your Pitch
It is absolutely vital that you make a good first impression with any prospective client. They will be receiving multiple applications; you should try your best to stick out from the crowd.
By far the best piece of advice I can give you is to follow their instructions. If they request specific information, make sure that you give it to them. Nothing demonstrates a lack of professionalism more than an inability to follow simple instructions in a job listing. It is a really easy way of filtering out potential candidates.
The makeup of your email will of course vary depending upon the type of client you are targeting and the existing portfolio you have to show off. Here is a copy of the application I submitted for my first client, WPMU DEV:
Hello,
I came across your available writing position and would like to apply for the role.
I am confident that I tick all of your boxes in terms of what you are looking for. I am very proud of my blog (Leaving Work Behind). There are of course plenty of articles available to read on the blog, but I would suggest that the following posts demonstrate my writing style and capabilities:
- https://www.leavingworkbehind.com/what-i-have-learnt-from-my-first-niche-site/
- https://www.leavingworkbehind.com/what-playground-politics-can-teach-you-about-search-engine-optimization/
- https://www.leavingworkbehind.com/your-return-on-investment-a-fundamental-of-business/
- https://www.leavingworkbehind.com/how-to-succeed/
I would consider myself pretty savvy with WordPress. I also have a good understanding of CSS and HTML (I used to build websites manually back in the day), and a passing familiarity with PHP.
A little bit about me – I am a 26 year old male living in the UK. I currently have a full-time and very flexible job in property development (it is a family business). I am looking to resign from that role as soon as possible and become self-employed. The role that you are offering may be an ideal opportunity for me to do that. Initially I would be available to work say 16 hours a week, although we could work on that. Rest assured, I am an extremely efficient worker, so you get a lot of bang for your buck!
I’d love to become part of what is already an established and popular blog, and would be very keen to help you take it to the next level!
Thank for your time – I look forward to your response.
Kind regards,
Tom Ewer
There are a few things to note here:
- Brevity. The application is well formatted, gets to the point, and is packed with information — no fluff. Don’t waste their time.
- Examples of your work. This is essential. If you have nothing to show them, consider writing up a few example pieces.
- Background of your (relevant) experience. It shows that you have actually considered their listing — you are not just submitting applications at random.
- A little about yourself, your situation, and what you can do for them.
Here is the email I sent when applying for my second job at ManageWP:
Hello,
I noticed your job listing over at ProBlogger and would like to apply for the position.
I consider myself a highly competent WordPress user. I am currently a staff writer at WPMU. You can find examples of my work here: http://wpmu.org/author/tom/
I also have my own blog (https://www.leavingworkbehind.com/) which showcases to an extent my ability to customize WordPress themes.
If my services are of interest, please note that I cannot start work until mid-January 2012.
Thank you for your consideration.
Kind regards,
Tom Ewer
As you can see, this application was much more brief than the first. It was in fact rather speculative; I submitted a bunch of applications in November 2011 in the hope of attracting advance work in January 2012. Fortunately, Vladimir Prelovac (the CEO of ManageWP) decided to overlook my claimed availability, and I started writing for the blog shortly thereafter!
Despite my application being brief, it was still successful. I believe my involvement with WPMU was a big plus; one job can easily lead to another.
What Next?
So what do you do if an application is successful? Being a successful freelance writer is an ongoing process: once you have the job, you need to do good work!
With that in mind, I have a few tips that should elevate you above the norm:
- Respond to emails and messages promptly
- If at all possible, never miss a deadline; be careful not to overextend yourself
- Always try to exceed your clients’ expectations
The fact is, your clients probably have to put up with a lot of crap in the process of running their business. Do your job well, exercise initiative and ensure that you are an asset rather than a burden and you will be progressing in no time at all.
Photo Credit: mpclemens
ok great post on finding freelance jobs. Thanks for the example application ideas…I have always found my application never spills all the beans about myself..but I do think having a place the employer can refer to ..via..your own website is a good idea.
Glad to be of help Aleshia! 🙂
Thank you so much for writing an article detailed and brief at the same time. This was exactly what I needed to read because I have been having a rough time trying to pick up even the smallest jobs. Do you have any recomendations for brand new freelancers (without a portfolio to provide prospective clients) getting a starter job?
Yep – get some guest posts under your belt! That, combined with samples on your own blog, can form a great base Charles 🙂
What do I do if someone I asked previously tells me to use elance/Upwork? My cousin is pretty tech savvy and writing savvy… No wonder I haven’t gotten anything.
i was referred to this by a friend
http://766afar71g0w7omms4-a-0t8ok.hop.clickbank.net/
How to get online writting jobs.????
You literally read my mind on the answers to questions I was looking for again, Tom! I had a freelance writing position before, but it fizzled out and I haven’t really been trying to find a new once since.
Thanks for the great advice, especially the email scripts. I’ve been looking over the ProBlogger job board, and it does seem a bit limited at times. But I think you’re right when you say you need to send out a lot of applications to get things going.
Hey Jeff,
Glad I could be of help! I personally think it is just a case of persistence over time – I am confident there are good opportunities available. People aren’t paying $50 to post listings for nothing.
Cheers,
Tom
This is a great post! One of the things that I’ve found to be priceless when looking for a freelance job on Elance is the necessity to look like I’m serious about the job in the first place. Usually, I’ll have a template in the back of my head, but jump off of it almost immediately as I show the reader the enthusiasm that I’ve got for their position.
When I first started getting serious, I got my first job the next day after completing some of the tests and giving them what they wanted. It’s led to some long-term gigs. The best part about it is that when I do get rejected, it’s not out of hand anymore – mostly it’s for things like ‘you don’t match my style’ which to me is a lot better than ‘no reasons specified.’ Keep it up!
Hey Emily,
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with “personalizing” your template email – quite the opposite in fact! Sounds like you’re doing great 🙂
Cheers,
Tom
Here’s the thing Tom – it is VERY hard to raise your rates (particularly with existing clients) once your set them.
My rate is $125/hour and more than 80% of my clients provide repeat business.
I stay away from all job boards, including ProBlogger. Instead, I reach out directly to the VP Marketing reps at large companies and point out that I can extend their internal resources and provide copywriting support so that their team can be focussed on strategy and bigger picture stuff.
Another great strategy for me is to approach companies seeking to hire permanent, full time copywriters or social media strategists. In those cases, even with an hour rate of more than $80, it is CHEAPER for the company to outsource the work – so even as a stop gap measure (until someone is hired), companies often respond favourably.
Certainly nobody she feel badly about taking on lower paid gigs. They should just be realistic about how much money they are going to make, and if it fits within their model (and helps them to realize their goals) then they should go for it.
At the end of the day, we are selling our time. It’s a question of how much you think your time is worth.
Hey Ruth,
For the most part, I agree with you. I don’t agree with your assertion that it hard to raise your rates with new clients (or even existing ones, to an extent). If it’s a word of mouth recommendation then that might be tough, but at the end of the day, I am a believer in supply and demand. If your rate reflects your value against comparable writers, you shouldn’t have problems in the long run (in my opinion).
Having said that, you are working at a higher echelon than the people I am writing this article for. They are not likely to be able to adapt your marketing approach and land high-paying clients straight away, because they do not yet have the experience or a strong enough portfolio.
I honestly believe that it can be intimidating and overwhelming for people who are new to freelance writing to read “you can earn $125 approaching marketing reps and cold calling companies”, etc. I know that kind of stuff intimidated me a few months ago – I felt like it was expected that you should earn that much – like “only” earning say $25 per hour (which full time is comfortably above the US salary average) represents a failure.
Getting a few modest-paying jobs with regular clients is a great start to a freelance career – and can in itself provide you with a livable income. It can give you confidence and bulk out your portfolio. Once you’re on the ladder, you can then look to take the step up (which will likely involve finding new clients).
Thanks for sharing your thoughts 🙂
Tom
If you are REALLY comfortable working for $25/hour then I have a proposition – work for me! I need to start outsourcing some of my copywriting work, and I think that your writing, at $25, would be a bargain.
Wanna chat?
I’m not comfortable with working for $25 per hour now 😉 although I started off being paid less than that. However, maybe we can work something out (depending on your budget) – fire me off an email if you’re interested!
If it would get me out of my current job a bit faster, I know a certain writer who might be willing to write at that rate for a period of time. 🙂
Blogging:
http://mike-long.com/24/on-failure-and-bouncing-back/
Copywriting:
http://articlebully.com
Hi Ruth! I would love to work for you, if you need an extra set of hands. Please let me know! And if not, I’d love to know what your portfolio includes. I could use some start-up advice. All the best!
You may be a little late to the party Nivea; this posts (and the related comments) are over a year old! You can find Ruth over at http://www.marketingwise.ca/.
I am okay with $25 per hour! Although your post is quite old, yet I would like to try! Check out my blog attyguideblog.wordpress.com
I have an experience of over 6 years in the field of freelance writing.
The post is old but as valid as it was the day I wrote it 🙂
Hi Ruth. I am a professional pianist and and an excellent writer. I have written for many companies, mostly in advertising. Sadly, I developed a horrible spine problem and now am bed ridden for months and cannot help my wife income wise which is killing me. If you truly have an opportunity for me, I will work as well and as hard as I can for you. Thank you so much. I hope to hear from you soon. The best e-mail for me is
pianomn128@aol.com….. My name is Al
Hi Al,
I may have something for you — get in touch: tom [at] leavingworkbehind [dot] com.
Cheers,
Tom
Reading through this blogg, I ran across yours…I am just starting out…but can write…got a topic and and a focus, I can do it for you. Been writing for a long time, just not for a job…Im a teacher, so I spend a ton of time editing and writing myself. Can we chat to see if I am a viable consideration?
Hi Brian,
If you’re interested in joining my team then you can apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1SO4Kham-er9Oojwm-eFvv4dWO89RImLqXl2wYElxyPw/viewform
Cheers,
Tom
Hi Ruth
I have been reading your comments on “leavingworkbehind.com”, and am prepared to work for $25 per hour to build up experience in this domain. I have vast writing experience as I have been writing monthly newsletters for my clients for the last 12 years but am now retired, with a lot of free time. I love writing and researching topics and am quick and accurate. I would love to hear from you.
Hi Marie,
If you’re interested in work then please add yourself to my writer’s list: http://forms.aweber.com/form/45/386114645.htm.
I email this list whenever an opportunity arises.
Cheers,
Tom
Hello Ruth,
I have been looking for freelance writing work and came upon this blog with your comments regarding a need for copywriters. I have writing experience as I have been the editor for a neighborhood magazine. In the magazine I have written restaurant reviews. Other experience includes interviewing business owners to glean information, building biographies and writing content, contributing to the building of their websites. I love writing and researching topics. My favorite areas of interest include children, health, travel and business. I am quick and accurate.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Victoria Christenson
248-345-0253
C_victoria37@yahoo.com
Would you like to work for me?
Am OK with the $25 you can get to me if am needed @ vroland101@gmail.com
I am comfortable working for $25.00 per hour, as I am new to the freelance writing market. It has been my dream to have a career as a professional writer, all of my life. I would be happy to discuss the opportunity of helping you with some of your work!
Hey Robin,
Thanks for your interest but I’m not currently looking for writers. When I do have opportunities they are posted on Paid to Blog Jobs, but they are relatively few and far between at the moment.
Cheers,
Tom
Dear Ruth,
Hi, I’m new to writing. But I’d be interested in doing some of your ‘outsourcing’ at $25 and hour! My present employer is an ESL publisher and his ‘school’ is in trouble although he seems to have found another one in the Philippines? I’ve been writing for him for about 18 months but he can’t pay me hardly anything. My age is advanced so I applied for Social Security, however they won’t even send me the ‘card’ for 2 more months and I need to eat now! My cat is hungry too!
Anyway, let me know what you think? GBU
Robert in South Korea
Hi Robert,
This article is nearly three years old so I doubt Ruth will read your message I’m afraid. Having said that, there are loads of free resources here on the blog (check out the archives), so you might benefit from looking around 🙂
Cheers,
Tom
Hey i can work for you at that rate.
How do you reach out to these VP Marketing reps? I have purchased the RedBooks, but I am not necessarily sure how to use it. Also, I found a great opportunity on ProBlogger, and wont the job with my writing sample. However, when asked for my fee on a 2000 + words article, I did some research, and went middle of the road at $100. The client kindly thanked me, and said she would be in touch in the future because her budget was only $30. It is a little discouraging….do you have any more specific advice?
In terms of reaching out to “VP marketing reps”, that’s not really the kind of client I tend to deal with, so I couldn’t advise you I’m afraid. I work with very small firms (perhaps 1–30 employees).
Hey Tom, thanks for the Tweet message about your post – yeah – super article! Very informative!
I started my writing career earning 5 bucks per 500 word article. And yeah – used to take me almost an hour for each article because I crafted them “with delicacy”. Probably needless to say that I burned out after about 3 weeks of being chained to my laptop for 14 hours every day of the week just trying to make a living.
Do you intend to continue with your writing career, Tom? I can see the benefits are substantial – $125 per hour. Hmmm… seems I’m in the wrong job these days then 🙂
Thanks for sharing your experiences Tom!
Joseph
Hey Jo,
Wow – that sounds like it was a whole lot of work! I wrote this article in part for your past self – people who just don’t realize that there is a better way than just working for content farms.
I’m certainly going to be continuing with my writing for the foreseeable future – it is a fairly “safe” income, it seems pretty easy to find new work, I can do as little or as much as I want, and it can be fun. The only downside is that it’s not scalable.
Cheers,
To
The way things are going right now Tom, I may have to consider getting back into the “safety” of writing for clients all over again. What I thought was going to be safe income, actually turned out to be something otherwise – income from a blog I always thought would be safe and sound, but nope – my blog income got clobbered with the downfall of BMR, along with a few of my money making sites which were rankings nicely in Goog.
I s’pose you could say that this type of work is scalable in some regards – Ruth Zive who’s commented here – she’s obviously intent on employing you, thus in essence she’s “scaling up”.
No business is without risk, and websites are no exception. That’s life!
I’m not sure about Ruth being “intent” on employing me 😉
However, it certainly is scalable in theory, but not to the extent of certain internet marketing business models (and it would be highly employee skill dependent too).
I learned the hard way that $20 per hour, even if you can get it for 40 hours a week (which is unlikely,) is in no way comparable to a $40,000 W-2 job. The self-employment taxes are significant. Another secret: $20 per hour jobs are different jobs than $100 per hour jobs, and they do not represent a progression. The client that pays you $20 will never pay you $100. Those two clients are also probably not in the same market and don’t refer to each other.
Hi Tom,
I noticed in your first email above that you were still employed when you were applying for freelance jobs. My question is, did you have a notice period for your f/t job, and if so did you put the freelance work on hold before you worked your notice period, or start the freelance job in your spare time to begin with?
Only reason I ask would be that I have one month’s notice at my current place, and when I get to the point where I decide to go freelance, I’m considering whether to start applying for freelance jobs before I hand in my notice to be safe?
Great article by the way!
Charlotte
Hey Charlotte,
First of all, thanks 🙂
I quit my job at the end of December. I started writing for clients in October. So I was essentially working two jobs at once (although the writing was only about 2-3 hours per day to start). At the time I wasn’t prepared to quit without the foundations of new income in place. That’s how I played it!
If I were you, I’d start applying for work now – get some clients, and take the short term lengthy hours. It’ll save you some sleepless nights compared to starting with nothing!
Cheers,
Tom
Hey Tom,
I’ve applied for lots of jobs so far at the job board mentioned and have zero replies from anybody. Thanks for giving us the template and more to work with regarding what we want to show.
~Brendan
No problem Brendan – keep plugging away! The response rate I got was probably only 10-20% or something – that’s the way it goes.
THANK YOU
You are welcome 🙂
Thank you 🙂
Hey Tom,
I’m going whole hog at this freelance thing and I’ve finally got a bite. But I’m a little concerned about what they are asking. I wonder if I just have overly sensitive ethics or if I’m right.
This is the ad: http://jobs.problogger.net/view/6409
I applied and they responded that they would like me to do a paid trial. I’m cool with that. The two things that concern me are these:
1. I have to do the legwork to find the sites to guest post on (seems mostly okay, but is that going to be a whole lot more work that I think?)
2. They want me to write under a pen name. But I’m still supposed to create a “bio” for this pen-person, including links to the client site.
Is it okay to write under a fake name? These people say they are white hat, but that seems a bit shady to me.
Am I right or just paranoid?
Thanks!
Hey Bon,
To be honest I don’t like this at all. They may be legit, but it’s just not the type of client I like working with. Far better to find a real blog to work for (in my opinion).
One question — what if your post doesn’t get accepted by a site? Will you still get paid?
Cheers,
Tom
Tom, thank you for your candor in sharing those figures, and for all the great information you provide on “Leaving work behind”.
It’s my pleasure Isabelle — thanks for reading and commenting!
I think I may be looking in the wrong places. I enjoyed this article.
I have done some freelance ghostwriting and blogging but don’t seem to be able to find the steady work. I use my writing as a way to maintain my humanitarian work so it is frustrating when I constantly need to look for more work. I keep enough of my earnings to feed myself and cover the basic necessities, the rest goes to those who in crisis.
How do you find the steady work? An even bigger question for me is how do you weed out the good from the bad?
Hey Vicky,
First question: if you are working for blogs, why is the work only occasional? By their very nature blogs require consistent updating — the key to getting regular clients is to work with blogs that produce content consistently.
As for weeding out good and bad clients, you’ll find some tips here: http://www.leavingworkbehind.com/viable-freelance-writing-opportunities-job-boards/.
Cheers,
Tom
Tom – Thank you for sharing the templates you used to get blogging jobs. I was worried that I would add too much info or not enough info when applying.
Thanks for steering me in the right direction and also proving that it is OK to use your own blog posts as examples of work.
This is what I have done on my site.
It’s my pleasure Victoria 🙂
I have been actively scouring the ‘net searching for freelance jobs and as you can imagine, I have applied to some “content farms” as you mentioned above, unaware that they were indeed referred to as such for a good reason. I to have submitted proposals and applications only to have no one respond to them as well.
Your words, responses, advice, resources etc is an astounding bit of information available for free and put “out there” to truly help others, which is not often seen in today’s world. Thank You! I am searching for freelance work right now, hoping to supplement my unemployment income and eventually earn even a part-time income from the writing I do.
I have booked marked this page and starting tomorrow, I am going to be altering the way I look for writing positions.
You are more than welcome Traci! Just let me know if I can be of any further help 🙂
I have been freelancing for a while, but only recently left my day job to pursue it full-time. I thought this was a great article. 🙂 http://www.writerliz.com
Thanks Liz!
Really effective way to get first freelance writing jobs and improve it in right way. I will apply same method for my freelancing business improvement. Thanks.
No problem Avnish 🙂
Hey Tom,
Great guide here, I’ve been blogging now for a year and tend to jump from one shiny object to the next. I’ve had some success with guest blogging and just found your blog today, it was enlightening to see that someone is doing so well with freelance blog writing.
I tried looking into Elance and ODesk but it seems they are over run with some fierce competition for most gigs. I am going to check out the Pro Blogger job board and see if I can land some gigs to bring in some side income.
Great article Tom.
I believe your description of getting started is very honest and accurate. Your bold blog participant that makes 125 dollars an hour sounds bogus. Why would someone so well paid be scanning the getting started articles unless they are looking for newbies who are easy to dupe as subcontractors. If the work pays so well, why invite competition at her party? For a professional, her spelling and editing are not very good.
Thanks again for your encouragement and insight.
Hey Mike,
If you’re referring to Ruth I can assure you that back when she made that comment she was making $125 per hour minimum. I know she earns a lot more now. She was commenting because she’s a friend of mine 🙂
Cheers,
Tom
I am finding it hard to believe any of the rates displayed in the article or the comments. I have been doing some freelance writing for a few months now during the few free periods at work and i get paid $3 for 1000. Forget $50, even $5 per 500 words seems hard to believe.
Hey Michael,
It is of course your prerogative not to believe that it is possible to earn $150+ with freelance blogging, but being more open minded might make it easier for you to boost your rates.
Cheers,
Tom
This is great advice, bud. I’m on the ProBlogger board now. Thank you.
No problem Anthony 🙂
Hey Tom,
This post was extremely helpful for me and made me an big fan of your site. I read this 3 months ago when I decided to finally take freelance writing seriously rather than the usual content mills. To be quite honest, I still come back to it. Because if anyone made an awesome beginners post for freelance writers seeking jobs; It’s this one.
Thanks,
Christopher Cuna
Glad it’s been helpful for you Christopher!
Thank you for the wonderful post, Tom. The resources you’ve included (the job posting board and a sample letter) are invaluable. After reading this article, I feel more confident in embarking on a freelance writing journey.
I am working on taking my skill set to a new level, trying to learn HTML and other coding. Off the top of your head, do you know any good websites that teach these?
Thank you, and I am looking forward to reading more of your articles.
Cayleigh Stickler
To be honest, Google is your friend. I wouldn’t say there’s one great resource — you have to do a bit of digging.
Hi there,
I really like your blog and am desperate to leave work. I am a very fast typist and hold a MA degree.
1) Where can I earn around $150/ hour
2) Is hiring your services to do job application forms for CEO and Execs a good angle for freelancing, is there a lot of work out there for people hiring freelancers to do their job applications?
3) I have tried a few things on line and none of it seems to come to fruition, it can be frustrating.
Your advice and guidance is much appreciated.
Thanks
Ahmed
1. You can earn $150 per hour by working efficiently for clients who pay good rates. There’s no shortcut I’m afraid.
2. I have no idea I’m afraid — it’s not something I have any experience in.
3. Yeah it sucks; all you can do is keep on trying…
Hi! I really loved the post! I’m currently working for someone who is paying me 1.5$ per article of 500 words. I spend a lot of time on the articles I write but I don’t get paid enough. It is “apparently” because of where I live.
You look like someone who offers great advice. Do you think I should continue working with her? I don’t want to leave because I might not find some other job. I’m a student and I have to pay for my expenses. I would really appreciate it if you could guide me.
Thanks for the amazing post! Waiting for your response.
Hey Nimra,
If you need the money then don’t quit. Find a better paying client and quit when you’re in a position to do so.
A client who tells you that you’re not worth more because of where you’re from is not someone you should be working with. As far as I’m concerned, you’re either good enough or you’re not — regardless of whether you’re from.
Cheers,
Tom
This is a great post! Very helpful.
Thank you Ashlee 🙂
I am grateful of the encouragement. I used to be smart and I feel am not utilizing this talent. I am an agriculturalist and wish to get a place and do writing.
Thank you
Dickson
My pleasure Dickson 🙂
I have found the posts interesting to read and great that you are approachable. I am a beginner in all facets of writing and may be taking on more than I can bite as I have no idea about the writing industry.
Even though I have never wrote a thing in my life, I like the idea of being able to write and get paid. Do you have some start out advice or know of a reliable website for total beginners?
Work your way through these: http://leavingworkbehind.com/tag/freelance-writing/ and email me if you have any questions!
Hi Tom,i got fascinated with your blog,though i’m a first timer on this site but yet i learned more than i could bargain.I really appreciate you for sharing your experiences of the past with everyone here. Do you have an advice for beginners .my email;ibraheem.adewale@gmail.com
I’ve got lots of advice here on the blog Ramon – let me know if you have a specific question!
Hi Tom!
I have a true passion for writing and decided to look into freelance writing. I’m also considering copywriting. I’m hitting a wall when it comes to getting started. Would you happen to know of anyone that would be interested in working with a “new to the business” writer? I have tons of time on my hands right now as I am not employed full time therefore giving me time to dedicate to writing. I would greatly appreciate your feedback.
Thanks,
Deb 🙂
I’m afraid not Deb, sorry!
Tom, this article was beyond helpful.
I decided recently that I want to work for myself through writing, but I’ve struggled with finding someone to write for! It’s true that I don’t have a portfolio and I imagine that’s the reason for the lackluster response… I think blogging for a while is a great idea…
Preferably, I want to write in lifestyle, health and entertainment. I’m studying copywriting as well.
I started a blog and I’d like to create some example posts. But I’m uncertain of what types of blogging styles to avoid. Should I simply emulate articles from publications that I can see myself writing for? Is there anything I should avoid (or strive for) specifically?
I’d really appreciate your advice. Thank you!
Hey Lauren,
Primarily I’d advise that you simply start writing and see where it takes you!
Having said that, there’s certainly no harm in emulating the style of publications that you would like to write for. Of course, it’s good to inject your own personality too…
Cheers,
Tom
Hi Tom,
First I wanted to express my thanks for an awesome article for getting started!
I am actually just trying to get started in this field, even though I have a Bachelors in Technical writing and wrote a user manual that was nationally published for a video card manufacture.
I have also done extensive computer hardware reviews, which of course requires a pretty good writing knowledge.
Until I actually found this article I really had no idea where to start looking for a writing job at.
Any further tips you can send my way would be dearly appreciated.
Hey Daniel,
If you can write technical how-to articles for WordPress, I may have a job for you! Shoot me an email if it sounds interesting 🙂
Cheers,
Tom
That would be great Tom!
Email incoming. 🙂
I would like to thank you for this very informative blog post!
About a year ago, early December, 2013 to be precise I began freelance writing for my first time. It’s quite funny, because my first gig earned me 1$ per 500 words; the reason I did this was to gain a positive review on a freelancer site that I am registered with. But lo and behold, after a year of freelancing the highest pay per 500 words that I got (after about 70 to 80 projects) was about 35$ to 40$, but it was quite rare.
Currently my average pay rate is 6.50$ to 10$ per 500 words, but from reading your blog post it encouraged me to open my mind to the possibilities of earning an average of 30-50$+ per 500 words; that’s certainly a livable income for me if it’s a large, ongoing project. Also, now I’m going to consider offering my writing services directly to companies, which was exactly what you had recommended.
Anyways, after a year of freelance writing, I’m beginning to open my mind to the possibilities.
Thanks again for sharing this blog post!
Shawn.
My pleasure Shawn 🙂
Your website is very informative. it is really helpful for all new freelancers. In your writing, you are honest and generous. This quality in online writing, on webpages is rare. By reading your article, I am embarrassed. It is awesome. Thank you for this good article.
I usually use arivatoday.com for writing gigs and translation jobs and so far I get about 300 dollars a week on average from these. I am also a translator so I get tonnes of work sometimes.
Hello, Tom
I am a newbie freelancer and haven’t gotten paid doing any yet. So far I have blogs on WordPress.com, Hubpages (which your payment is based on ads), and Guru but I believe I should not be posting on these sites. I’ve seen some where the writer is being paid pennies for a 500-page article. I believe these clients are ripping us quality writers off and I can see this just by being a new freelancer. When I say, “new”, it isn’t that I haven’t written before, but I haven’t got experience based on having a degree or going to a college. My experience is simply from me naturally writing, as I feel that a writer, I put a little piece of my heart in whatever it is I write. Because I don’t have the whole, “degree” of writing, clients may feel I do not qualify. I assure you I am a true writer and just need the chance. Anyway, can you please advise me. Thank you, so kindly.
Hey Tamika,
You do not need a degree to succeed as a freelance blogger. We’ve been having a great discussion about content mills on the blog recently: http://leavingworkbehind.com/content-mills/. I recommend you check that post out.
Cheers,
Tom
Hey Tom,
I’m very new and inexperienced to the whole idea of freelance writing. By that I mean I’ve never had any written work published anywhere nor been paid for any work. In fact, I’m still a high school student working in a fast-food joint. I am, however, very interested in becoming a freelance writer. It’s actually one of my biggest career goals. I just have no idea where to start! Your example email definitely helped me a lot with the idea of how to reach out to someone. But other than that, where do I start? How do I gain the ability to be compensated for my writing?
Thanks a ton, Tom!
Dylan
Big question Dylan! The potential avenues are myriad. You may want to read through my archives to start with: http://leavingworkbehind.com/category/how-to-freelance/. Get back in touch with me if you’re still not sure how to proceed once you’ve gone through those posts!
You definitely make it seem fairly simple. Though of course there is obviously some work and practice involved.
But just to make sure I’ve got the basic idea down, starting out would just require some examples of written works for an application to someone looking for a job?
Per usual, I appreciate your time, Tom.
Dylan
Hi Dylan,
You’ve got it about right there: it is pretty simple, but requires hard work and persistence.
And yes, you have got the basic ideas down. It certainly helps to have your own blog and already-published online articles too (guest posts are a good way to get these).
Cheers,
Tom
Thanks for your time and help! I look forward to reading more of your articles and gaining more knowledge through them.
hi,
I am passionate about writing.Please informme if there any articles or how to start on?
I’m afraid I don’t understand your question.
What you have written is very inspiring to me .It has reassured me quite much , thanks.
You’re welcome GINWI 🙂
Hi Tom,
The information you have share for the writers who have desires to become freelancers is really precious. You have explained it unlike some exaggerating websites and it, surely will assist me in future. I am English literature postgraduate from India and looking forward to enter in freelance writing field and what I wanted to know whether the blogs and clients you have shared do hire writers for any country and what kind of writing genre I should prefer to do freelance writing? Expecting your precious guidence.
leena.
Hi Leena,
Most clients I’ve worked with would happily hire from any country; what’s important is the quality of writing, not the nationality of the writer.
To answer your second question, you can write in many fields. Either choosing something you’re familiar with, or picking a field that you think could be lucrative and building your knowledge base in that area is a good option.
Cheers,
Tom
hey,
I would like apologize for few grammatic errors as the comment I did on my android phone.
hi Tom.
I works in turn as a teacher. from 8am to 11am. is there any regulations on the hours one can work online?
however am in Kenya. is the freelance writing open to all despite the originality?
an eager to make a try.
You can work on the Internet at any time and for as long as you’d like. It is typically tough for Kenyans to land well-paying jobs, but it certainly is possible: http://youngprepro.com/ (this guy is Nigerian, but I think the same applies).
Thank u so much for your guidance, I’ll be taking steps in that direction.
You’re welcome Leena 🙂
Thank you for taking the time to write this post. I am very new to freelance writing and just now starting to apply jobs. You’re advice helped a lot.
Thanks a lot!
You’re welcome Amanda 🙂
Hi, although I’m much older than most of the people commenting on this site I just want to add that I’m eager to find some real work instead of being ‘milked’ for pennies an hour. I’ve been writing for a former employer who I worked for when I was an ESL teacher and had visa troubles in Korea. He had a school in Mongolia and is in the Philippines now looking at another school, but his school in Korea is in real trouble as most of his teachers have quit. After working for him twice, I understand why they ‘quit’. Anyway I just wanted to thank you for being so open and honest. Open and honest people are very difficult to come by these days. I really, really, really appreciate this site and I’ll be back!!! GBU
Robert in Korea
You’re welcome Robert in Korea 🙂
This is a really useful article for me. I’m just starting out and want to see if I really can change my career – from data analyst to writer! I’ve been writing for years but kept a lot of it to myself because I just didn’t know how or where to pitch my writing (nor ideas). This has given me a good start. Thanks Tom.
You’re welcome Sophie 🙂
I wanted to be sure to say, thank you. This may be the first time ever, certainly the first time I can recall, that I actually felt like I gained knowledge without all the other junk and get rich schemed hidden agenda stuff. You are very straightforward and your writing conveys that you genuinely are there to be helpful and that you care. The fact that you displayed your actual applications as an example gave me a lot of confidence. It’s so intimidating trying to start in unfamiliar territory. Keep up the really great work!
Thank you Trista, that’s very kind of you to say! 🙂
kinda late on the $25 per hour deal but hopeful i can get something closer to that. presently i am an essay/academic writer. the writing companies pay peanuts so i am wondering how best i can get direct customers. as of present anyone paying $10 per page is a good rate i can work with. any help? 🙂
I’m 32 w/ a dead end job who’s miserable doing anything but write. I’ve never attended schools or classes for writing but friends who’ve reached out to me promise I was born to do just that: write. Problem is I don’t have ANY clientele or i have never been paid to write. I accel with everything and anything Addiction/substance abuse, well- because I’m a recovering addict myself (4 1/2yrs) and i always write about what I know or have learned through my experience, strength, and hope. I can’t seem to land a single job-even at a low startup hourly pay ($20ph). I have a free WordPress blog but that’s it. How can I further show my talent writing but continue to help other addicts and their families? I have a story to be told. Please email me personally or- because of your popularity, you cant- please help point me in a realistic direction. Thanks!!!
Hi Jake,
There are loads of posts here on Leaving Work Behind that can help you. I’d recommend that you work your way through the archives: http://leavingworkbehind.com/archives/.
Cheers,
Tom
Hi Tom,
I just want to say thank you for all the valuable info you have thrown out here.
So far, it has built up my confidence, got me to start my own blog and now, I am fishing for my first client.
I got a bite today, so here is my question: What do you think about a noob like me hiring on with a “Virtual Assistant Leasing Service”? Is this something that would be good in the long run for learning the ropes or should I stay away from these types of things?
Thanks again for all the wisdom! Cheers!
– Chris
Hi Chris,
I’m not sure what a “Virtual Assistant Leasing Service” is, but the key questions are: how much will you be paid and will you be credited?
Cheers,
Tom
I’m not sure either, but your point is well taken. I sent back my rates, now I’ll see where this goes. Thanks for the help. Chris
Hi Tom,
Your article was really helpful and inspiring. I have a few questions though. I’m 18 years old and looking to acquire a few freelance writing jobs, and I wanted to know if starting a blog is an important/ necessary step in making a name for myself. I published a brief skit in a newspaper a few months ago, but I have very little experience or credentials. What can I submit to an employer to convince he/she that my writing is good and I am worth hiring?
Having a blog is definitely a plus point, but not an absolute necessity. Samples are a necessity though. If you don’t want to start your own blog, you should have some guest posts published at the least.
What if this is something new I am trying? I have no website to speak of. I am very proficient on the computer and an excellent office worker in the past. I am now working with children but about to retire and would like a stay at home job. I love to read and write fairly well. I speak English. Is this the route I should be looking at? Are there possible typing or editing positions to get my feet wet so to speak?
That’s a lot of questions Connie! There are lots more posts on this topic in the archives, I’d recommend you check them out: http://leavingworkbehind.com/archives/.
CONNIE, IF YOU LOVE READING & WRITING TRY FREELANCE.COM OR WordPress.com WHERE YOU CAN PUBLISH, FREELANCE OR BLOG?
Hi Tom,
Thank you for such an informative article! I’m just starting out on freelance writing and I guess I should have read your post earlier because I did sign up on oDesk and found myself working for a content farm. Now, I want to focus on finding real work and was wondering if it’s worth using my previous work from oDesk in my portfolio. It’s all click-bait style article-writing and I don’t have a byline but at least the topics are relevant to my interests and I did put a darn good amount of time into making them readable. Would you say it’s worth including this material in my portfolio even if I didn’t get a byline or should I stick to content I received acknowledgement for?
I don’t see why not; as long as the content is good quality!
Thanks Tom!
Hi Tom,
I enjoyed your article, and this is exactly what I need to break into doing something I love to do. I’m a customer service manager that wants to be self employed. What other tips can you give me? I’m so lost, I don’t know where to start!
There are lots of tips on blog David – get exploring!
Thanks for the helpful article, Tom! I love how you “gave permission” to newbies to be thankful for smaller gigs at first. It’s encouraging to hear that everybody has to start somewhere. We know that, but hearing it helps.
I am one who has succumbed to the ease of content farms, I admit. I was thrilled with my first payout of fifteen bucks, and I have been even more thrilled as I’ve gained regular clients who pay as much as $60/article on a consistent basis.
My only problem with the content farm approach is the inability to use my hundreds of articles in any sort of portfolio. With no byline or right to claim my work, I feel bound by a great opportunity that doesn’t allow me to market my abilities outside the system.
Do you have any words of motivation that might inspire me to climb out of safe, lucrative waters of content mills onto the roller coaster of freelancing where half the time is spent marketing myself?
God bless,
Rebekah
That’s a great question! I’m also interested in the reply to this.
I’ve slowly started working my way into the UpWork world, and now am having people around me say it’s not a good idea. I’m in the same boat as you.
Gosh Rebekah, nothing more really than the tends of thousands of words I’ve written here on the blog! I’d like to think there are plenty of words of motivation in the archives 🙂
Hi Tom,
How many post sample I should have in order to get writing job? I’m a newbie blogger, don’t have much work record. But I am really interested in freelance writing job.
Thanks!
Depends upon the role, but you might only need one (very good) sample to get your foot in the door.
Hi Tom,
Thank you so much for your post and I appreciate the honesty that you’ve shared, it is very refreshing!
Like your other readers, I am also wanting to be a freelance writer, however, it is a little intimidating to say the least….especially for a newbie.
I do have a blog that has been in progress since October of 2014 and finally got it up and running early 2015.
I love to write and have done so from childhood but not professionally.
Do you have any advice on how to take that first step into the world of freelance?
I have to admit….I am being a big chicken but trying not to let my feathers show (lol).
Thanks again and kind regards,
Tammy
I have lots of advice Tammy; just check out the archives 😉
Hey Tom,
thank you so much for a really helpful and motivating article! (and comments) i have a question which may sound odd… i come from republic of Georgia (yes, it is country… no, i don’t mean state…yes, i’m sure…. ok, now you have to feel bad that you haven’t heard of it before…searched on google map yet?… no,no it is not Russia!! ) and i’m also living here. which of course means that i’m not a native English speaker (or writer 🙂 _) and i’m sure you won’t be surprised to know that there are very(!) unimportant opportunities to become a freelance writer as you write in Georgian. (to be honest there are none, but i’m just trying to sound optimistic) So, i automatically think of writing in English, even thought my English writing skills are far from being perfect, but i feel like i have no other choice, because writing is what i love to do and what i can do and i certainly can not live with writing in Georgian. (unless i write something so big that it will be noticed even by the Georgian publishers and then it will be translated in many different languages. which of course can also happen 🙂 ) thing is, that i realize that for me it’s almost impossible to survive in this industry, because even if i do my best, i will never write as good as native. so, most of the time i find it hard to concentrate on improving my English, because i doubt that there’s no point anyways. but, other times i feel like that in the world of endless possibilities there’s a real chance that i come up with something, where my bad English becomes “special” and it will opposite of disadvantage. or am i being too optimistic?
so, yea… i’m just asking for your opinion. what do you think of my situation? do you know anyone who made it with the similar case? do you think there’s a real chance for me to become a freelance writer? and what steps do you think i can take to pave the way? or do you think i should concentrate on something more real, till there’s time left. ( because i’m 26 and i need to leave my parents house already!!!)
thank you so much in advance!
p.s. this comment had not been translated by google translate. because even google translate does not know Georgian 🙂
Cheers,
Ketevan (it’s a girl’s name)
Hi Ketevan,
It’s probably best not to assume ignorance by default; I’m perfectly aware that Georgia is a country 😉
For what it’s worth, you already write better English than some native speakers. If you want to succeed as a freelance writer, keep working hard on your written English – read lots, write lots and try to get feedback from solid writers.
There’s no reason why non-native English writers can’t succeed as freelance writers. I’ve worked with them in the past and continue to do so. Is it more difficult? Yes. Is it impossible? Absolutely not.
Cheers,
Tom
Hey,
You seem really knowledgeable and experienced, so I wanted to ask a question. I was looking at ProBlogger job listings, and saw most of them required published articles (usually around five). Where can I go to get some writing published? I’m willing to work for free in order to build up a portfolio. If you don’t know of any place I can write, what should I write a sample for my portfolio on?
Dig deeper into the archives and you’ll find answers to your questions Roshan 🙂
Good day Tom,
I don’t have my own PC,I don’t have any smart phones to use and I used to play at an internet cafe.I happen to build my own blog which is democratideas.blogspot.com and even tried working on a book. I love writing and expressing ideas,however,I am not an experienced writer and a blogger,are there any options that I could choose from without spending dollars since I am having a problem with it at the first place ?
Hello,
Can you be more specific please? I don’t really understand what you’re asking.
Cheers,
Tom
About the “investment” part to get a into some jobs available for “writers”.
I would like to get connected to anybody who can give me some online jobs.Thank you
tom thanks a lot.
Hello Tom,
Great article pointing to resources and email etiquette but what is one to do if looking for freelance work with no prior experience than a recent personal blog? I believe my content to be good but also lack html and blog proficiency would you consider these skills key in finding free lance work? My blog is politikthink.wordpress.com if you’re interested in looking at my work. Thanks for the content keep it coming!
hey everyone please guide me about freelancing job i’ve never started before. so tell me how and from i am gonna take my start i am graphic designer.
I need people to direct me in applyng freelance job.i neva applied it before bt its realy my hobby to become a journalist and its my dream too.i completed my secondary education recently and still expectng mi result too…need ur assistance…thnkzz
Thanks You’ Am Freelancer- but Right now am Gonna, Get More Idea to get Freelancer Journalist ,
Nice! Thanks for sharing your experience 😉
Hi, This is really a helpful post. I am planning to start my career as freelance writer. This will prove to be as a great resource.
Hello
I am an experienced freelance writer with years of experience. I can handle product descriptions, SEO, blog, articles, technical articles and several other types of content requirement.
I am looking for writing jobs at fair rates. I would be willing to handle short samples to prove my writing skills.
Looking forward to serious clients
Thanks
Leno
…great article by the way!!
Hi Tom,
First of all, Thanks for such a nice post where you have highlighted the real picture of a struggling freelancer. It is really helpful and informative as well.
Actually I am very much interested in freelancing writing jobs. For that it took almost one year for me to search for a genuine site. Even I faced a financial loss. However I end up with getting some online assignment writing works. They are good and informative but are not fulfilling my expectations in terms of work satisfaction and money.
It’s my sincere request to you to help me in getting some of the work you are connected with. I would be really thankful to you for your favor.
Regards,
Smita
Hi Tom,
I am new to the blogging community, but have been considering blogging for some time. I spent several days now reading through your blogs and have learned a great deal! I signed up to receive your emails and have also decided to purchase your training course.
I am trying to define my niche and will be starting to build out my site in the next week or so (hopefully).
I recently lost my job and decided, why not? I am just going to go for it. I have been looking into this for a while, but have not done anything about it.
I really like the information that you, and others, have been sharing on your web site. Thanks!
Best of luck on your journey William!
Hi Tom!
Just wanted to say thank you for this article! I realize it’s (years) old, but your tips and advice are certainly timeless. I’m a full-time copywriter at the moment, but looking into going freelance instead for various reasons. Thanks again for the brilliant site!
You’re welcome Lynn 🙂
Tom,
Yes it has been years since you wrote this post, do you think it’s possible that I’ve missed the boat and will never have the opportunity to succeed as you have?
Categorically, no. I think the market for freelance bloggers is only getting bigger Andrew.
Hey Tom thank you so much. Your site is very inquisitive. I am just starting out into this field. Actually, this is my first week! I am transitioning over from a screenplay writer and ghost writer to being a freelance writer and blogger (to be home with the kids). You have been the most help online thus far. Hope to stay in contact and I look forward to your future post.
Best of luck Manny!
I’m very excited I discovered your blog! I’ve been researching freelance writing for a couple weeks as I’m pursuing it as a career, and this post provides great resources and a solid way of thinking about the subject. I’m definitely feeling the confidence to reach out and obtain my first freelance job/client! I will be reading your blog regularly.
I’m glad to hear it, Hannah! Thanks for sticking around 🙂
I’ve always been decent with words, but I had never considered writing as a career.
I started by doing product reviews to pass the time. One day early this year, I looked at all the junk I received for free and realized I’d much rather have cash. That same day, I found my first paying client.
As my confidence has grown, so has my workload. Things couldn’t be going better. I’ve been learning as I go, and posts like this are invaluable.
It’s also interesting to look at these older posts and see how your career has changed over the years. The possibilities are endless and it’s so much fun.
Thanks for a great blog.
That’s inspiring, Kris! Keep up the good work, and thanks for your kind words about the blog!
Nice article. I still find it very hard to find freelance writing jobs over here, in Brazil. There are freelance platforms, but I am not sure if it is worth it.
In that case you can look for an international freelance resource such as https://2polyglot.com/copywriting-services
Hi Tom
I’m not very good with WordPress – I find Blogger is much easier. Is it OK to use in your opinion or should I get a freelancer to create and optimize a WordPress site?
Honestly Eric, you don’t want to use Blogger if you want to be taken seriously as a freelancer. WordPress isn’t difficult once you get over the initial learning curve – I’d recommend a resource like https://www.wp101.com/ 🙂
That’s a lot of opportunities! SERIOUSLY????
You are a writer and you use phrases like this??
THOSE ARE a lot of opportunities!
Hey Tom, this was a very informative and helpful read. I enjoy writing it seems to be relaxing for me especially if I am writing from passion. I have used blogger and WP before however I am not proficient at it. What advise can you offer me if I do not have any examples to show and this would be my very first freelance writing job?
Hi, I’m a young writer who is aspiring to become a professional, and I have a few questions. Are there certain freelance writing jobs that would help someone who’s in the creative writing field? Are there specific jobs that would help advance your reputation if you want to be am author?
Hi Tom!
I’m a complete beginner in the freelancing business. I am a teenager that is trying to start a career for herself, so I don’t exactly have the experience my competitors do. However, if the applicators would even give me the time of day, I could prove that age does not dictate my writing/creative ability.
I have always been a strong writer and editor. When I was still in public school, I had students that would send me their papers, even in college, in order for me to edit their papers. I do quite miss my little side job, but it doesn’t quite put the food on the table when you are living on your own.
I ultimately want to be an editorial journalist as well as a photographer, but right now things are put on hold until I can get a portfolio behind me. I started submitting my articles to an unpaid magazine for teens and tweens for some kind of a background but the edition that I am featured in won’t be out until October.
How can i prove myself to be an educated and applicable writer when being compared to professional scholars and experienced writers?
Sincerely,
Bethanie
I started with a dollar an hour, lol. I hope to get to $100 per hour. I didn’t think it was possible until I read this post
This was such an awesome article to read. I’ve only recently discovered just how low of rates I’ve been accepting as a freelance writer, and seeing the potential of what I could earn is enlightening and inspiring.
My two friends started on Upwork and convinced me to hop over to it, and it worked for a little while. Getting experience and hearing praise about my writing only fueled my need to make this a career, even if it is a side career for myself while I am in college. But when I saw how low of an offer I received for a three book series, I was…really disheartened. I felt like I should earn more in terms of working this hard and writing this much, but trying to negotiate terms and conditions on a content mill site is so difficult and people would rather hire a person for $5 who writes mediocre than dish out a $35 pay for someone who writes excellently. I recently stopped going to Upwork to apply for work, and I’m trying to find ways to find jobs online that I can do well and be appreciated for. Being able to display my work in my portfolio would also be a plus, I never understood that part of the agreement.
Anyway, now that I’ve rambled on, I have a question for you.
In terms of creating example pieces to send with my application to a job listing, it would be best to write an example piece that is catered to the kind of writing the client is working for, right? Until I have some substantial, ‘real’ work from the jobs I accept and complete that I can display. Also, do you have any sorts of resources or advice for writing applications? Am I allowed to be enthusiastic (to a point) about the writing I might do with the client? Can I be enthusiastic about writing in general? Is that offputting in any way for a potential client?
Thank you for your time and for writing this article. It’s already helped me not feel quite so helpless and depressed about the freelance writing career I want to start and work on.
Hi Tom,
Thank you so much for the article, I really like it! It’s imnensely helpful for me.
I was just starting my career as a freelance writer. But currently, I don’t have any clients, I work at content farms. Even though the pay is horrible, but the thought of reaching out to clients terrifies me. Not to mention I don’t have a portofolio ready at the moment.
Quick question, I’m not a native english speaker, do you think I can still make it as a freelance writer? Sometimes I’m doubtful if I can even land a client or not ????
Thank you si much for the article. Have a nice day!
I don’t have a college degree or money i love writing since young but i msy mot be a scholor but my mind is free to think and write anthing i don’t know how to go about getting a job with any company so i can make real money i work ends meet i want to make something out of my srlf please help thanks
hi
i am a pharmacist from pakistan. is there any oppertunity for me to be a freeance writer? where to apply? thanks
Thanks for info! 🙂
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