Freelance Writing for Beginners: Write Your Way to $500/Month

Starting a career in Freelance Writing can be daunting, especially if you don’t have any prior experience. So our Freelance Writing for Beginners Guide will explain everything that you need to now.

You might be thinking:

• “I don’t have a degree in writing or journalism. Will clients take me seriously?”
• “How do I find my first clients when I have no portfolio?”
• “What if my writing isn’t good enough?”

These are common concerns that many beginners face. However, the truth is that many successful Freelance writers started just like you—with no experience but a willingness to learn and work hard.

According to a survey by Upwork Upwork Freelancer Statistics, 36% of Freelancers are self-taught, and 43% have less than five years of experience. This means that you don’t need a formal education or years of experience to succeed in Freelance Writing. What you need is the right strategy and the drive to implement it.

Moreover, the demand for Freelance writers is on the rise. A report by Freelance Writing Market Size Freelance Writing Market Size suggests that the market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.3% from 2021 to 2026, reaching $9,192.9 million by 2026. This growth is driven by the increasing need for content in digital marketing, blogs, and websites.

So, despite the initial challenges, there’s a significant opportunity for beginners to enter this field and earn a good income.

How I Made $500/Month as a Freelance Writer

I remember when I first started Freelance Writing. I was a stay-at-home mom looking for a way to earn some extra money without leaving the house. I had basic writing skills, but no professional experience. I was nervous about putting myself out there, but I decided to take the plunge.

Here’s how I did it:

1. Join a Platform: I signed up on Fiverr Freelance Writing Jobs, a popular Freelance platform, because it’s free and easy to get started.
2. Offer Simple Services: I created a gig offering to write 250-word blog posts for $10. I kept the price low to attract my first clients.
3. Build a Quick Sample: I wrote a sample blog post about a topic I was familiar with, like “Why I Love Coffee,” and used it as my portfolio piece.
4. Pitch Clients: I started applying to jobs on Fiverr, sending personalized messages to potential clients, and within a few days, I landed my first gig for $20.
5. Stack Gigs: I continued to take on more jobs, and by the end of the first month, I had earned $200. As I gained experience and positive reviews, I raised my rates to $50 per post, and by the second month, I was earning $500.

It wasn’t easy, but it was doable. And if I can do it, so can you.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through each step in detail, providing tips and strategies to help you start and grow your Freelance Writing business.

Step-by-Step Guide: Freelance Writing for Beginners

Step 1: Join a Platform

The first step is to join a Freelance platform where you can find clients and offer your services. There are several platforms to choose from, such as:

• Upwork: A large platform with a wide range of jobs, including writing.
• Fiverr: Known for its “gigs” system, where you can offer specific services at set prices.
• Freelancer.com: Another comprehensive platform with a bidding system.
• Contently: Specializes in connecting brands with Freelance writers for content marketing.

For beginners, Fiverr might be the most straightforward option because it allows you to set your own prices and doesn’t require a lot of initial setup.

Tips:

• Choose a platform that aligns with your goals and the type of work you want to do.
• Read reviews and understand the platform’s fees and policies.
• Start with one platform and get comfortable before expanding to others.

Step 2: Offer Simple Services

When you’re starting out, it’s important to offer simple services that you can deliver quickly and effectively. This builds your confidence and helps you attract your first clients.

Examples of simple services:

• Writing short blog posts (200-500 words)
• Creating social media captions
• Writing product descriptions
• Editing and proofreading

Set competitive prices to attract clients. Remember, as a beginner, you might need to charge less to get your foot in the door, but you can increase your rates as you gain experience and positive reviews.

Tips:

• Research what others are charging for similar services on the platform.
• Start with a lower price to get your first few clients, then gradually increase your rates.
• Be clear about what you’re offering and the turnaround time.

Step 3: Build a Quick Sample

Having a sample of your work is crucial to show potential clients what you can do. Even if you don’t have paid work yet, you can create your own sample.

How to create a sample:

• Choose a topic that you’re interested in or that’s relevant to the type of writing you want to do.
• Write a short piece, like a 200-word blog post.
• Make sure it’s well-written, error-free, and engaging.
• You can also repurpose existing content you’ve written, like a personal blog or social media posts.

Tips:

• Make sure your sample is relevant to the services you’re offering.
• Keep it concise and to the point.
• Update your sample periodically as you improve your skills.

Step 4: Pitch Clients

Once you have your platform set up and a sample ready, it’s time to start pitching clients.

How to pitch effectively:

• Look for jobs that match your skills and the services you offer.
• Personalize your pitch by mentioning why you’re a good fit for the job.
• Be confident and professional in your communication.
• Follow up if you don’t hear back, but don’t be pushy.

Tips:

• Apply to multiple jobs daily to increase your chances.
• Keep track of the jobs you’ve applied to and their status.
• Learn from rejections and improve your pitch accordingly.

Step 5: Stack Gigs

As you start getting clients, it’s important to manage your time and workload effectively.

How to stack your calendar:

• Keep a calendar or schedule to track your deadlines.
• Prioritize jobs based on deadlines and client importance.
• Communicate clearly with clients about your availability and progress.
• Aim to complete jobs ahead of time to handle any unexpected tasks.

Tips:

• Start with a manageable number of jobs and increase as you get more comfortable.
• Don’t overcommit; it’s better to deliver high-quality work on time than to take on too much and disappoint clients.
• Use tools like Trello or Asana to organize your tasks.

Step 6: Raise Your Rates

Once you have some positive reviews and a track record of delivering quality work, you can start raising your rates.

When to raise rates:

• After completing several successful jobs.
• When you have good feedback from clients.
• As you gain more confidence in your skills.

How much to raise:

• Increase your rates gradually, say by 10-20% each time.
• Monitor client responses and adjust accordingly.

Tips:

• Communicate the reason for the rate increase to your existing clients.
• Offer a discount or special deal to loyal clients if you’re increasing rates.
• Make sure your new rates are still competitive in the market.

Step 7: Expand Your Services

As you become more experienced, consider expanding the types of services you offer to increase your earning potential.

New services to offer:

• Longer blog posts or articles
• White papers or e-books
• Copywriting for landing pages or advertisements
• Editing and proofreading for books or manuscripts

Tips:

• Start with services you’re confident about.
• Research the market to see what’s in demand.
• Update your platform profile to reflect your new services and rates.

AI Bonus: How to Speed This Up with AI

In today’s digital age, AI tools can be a game-changer for Freelance writers. One such tool is ChatGPT, which can help you generate ideas, draft content, and even edit your work.

Using ChatGPT for Freelance Writing:

1. Generate Ideas: If you’re stuck on a topic or need inspiration, you can ask ChatGPT for ideas. For example, “What are some trending topics in [niche] that I can write about?”
2. Draft Content: You can ask ChatGPT to write a draft of your blog post. For instance, “Write a 200-word blog post about [topic].”
3. Edit and Refine: Use ChatGPT to help you edit your work. You can ask for suggestions to improve readability, grammar, or to make the content more engaging.
4. Research Assistance: If you need to find information quickly, ChatGPT can provide summaries or point you in the right direction.

Example Prompt: “Write a 200-word blog post about the benefits of regular exercise for mental health.”

Tips:

• Always fact-check the information provided by AI, as it might not be entirely accurate.
• Use AI as a starting point and add your own touch to make the content unique and personalized.
• Ensure that your final work is original and meets the client’s requirements.

By leveraging AI tools, you can save time and increase your productivity, allowing you to take on more jobs and earn more money.

Polish with Grammarly

Once you start earning from your Freelance Writing, it’s important to maintain the quality of your work. One tool that can help you do that is Grammarly.

Grammarly is an AI-powered writing assistant that helps you catch grammar mistakes, improve your writing style, and ensure your content is error-free. It’s a must-have for any Freelance writer.

Why Use Grammarly:

• Grammar and Spell Check: It catches errors that you might miss.
• Style Suggestions: It provides suggestions to make your writing more engaging and clear.
• Plagiarism Checker: It helps ensure your content is original.
• Browser Extension: It integrates with your browser, so you can use it on any website.

Affiliate Link: [Grammarly Affiliate Link]

CTA: If you’re serious about improving your writing and delivering high-quality work to your clients, sign up for Grammarly today and take advantage of their premium features at a discounted price through my affiliate link.

FAQs: Your Questions Answered

These are just a few of the questions you might have as a beginner. Remember, learning is a continuous process, and you’ll get better with time and experience.

7-Day Action Plan to Start Freelance Writing

To get started with Freelance Writing, follow this step-by-step action plan over the next seven days:

Day 1:

• Research and choose a Freelance platform to join (e.g., Fiverr, Upwork).
• Create an account and set up your profile.

Day 2:

• Determine the services you want to offer as a beginner.
• Set competitive prices for these services.

Day 3:

• Write a sample piece for your portfolio.
• Make sure it’s well-written and error-free.

Day 4:

• Start applying to jobs on your chosen platform.
• Send personalized pitches to potential clients.

Day 5:

• Continue applying to jobs and follow up on any applications from Day 4.
• Start working on any jobs you’ve been hired for.

Day 6:

• Review and refine your profile and services based on feedback.
• Look for more jobs and apply.

Day 7:

• Reflect on your progress.
• Set goals for the next week, such as applying to a certain number of jobs or completing a certain number of tasks.

By following this plan, you’ll be well on your way to starting your Freelance Writing career and earning your first dollars. For more tips on side gig ideas, check out our post on Affiliate Marketing.