Currently, more people than ever are thinking about starting a career in freelance writing. When I initially penned this article, I was flooded with inquiries from newcomers. The most common question was: “How can I find beginner freelance writing jobs?”
If you’re asking the same question, I understand your confusion! The freelance writing world is vast and complex, with various types of paid writing and a diverse range of clients.
Finding suitable freelance writing jobs for beginners can seem challenging, particularly if you’re only looking for large assignments like 1,500-word articles or $3,000 white papers.
While some writers manage to land big jobs right away, most of us have to start small and gradually work our way up.
I’ve been assisting writers in getting started for over a dozen years, and I understand how puzzling it can be. You might feel like there’s a hidden door you need to find, a person you need to meet, or a secret you need to uncover to become a freelance writer.
But in reality, the journey to finding freelance writing jobs for beginners is straightforward.
All you need to do is find someone who is willing to let you write for them. That’s the key.
The best place to start is with entry-level freelance writing jobs. There are many simple tasks that are easy to land and even easier to complete.
Once you’ve completed a few of these beginner writing jobs, you’ll have some samples to show off in your portfolio. And just like that, you’re on your way.
There are several basic writing tasks that beginners often land. I’ll outline them below.
But before that, there’s something I need to clarify…
Why This Isn’t About Writing Websites
You might have thought this post would be a list of beginner freelance writing jobs and suggestions for which content mills to join. Maybe a debate on whether Upwork is superior to Fiverr, or if Textbroker or Writer Access has more job listings. When you search “freelance writing jobs” on Google, these are the results that pop up first. Trust me, I’m aware.
However, my advice is to avoid signing up for ANY of these platforms.
Why? Because they’re a trap, and their pay rates are usually quite low.
That’s why I didn’t provide any links to those sites above. I generally advise against using them.
If your goal is to replace your regular job with income from writing, it’s statistically unlikely that you’ll achieve this by frequenting these platforms.
Here’s why:
- Overwhelming Competition: In today’s economy, mass-job platforms like these are swamped with newcomers. The same goes for responding to online job ads. When each listing receives 500 bids or applications, your chances of getting hired are slim.
- Minimal Pay: On platforms where thousands of writers congregate online, there’s a race to offer the lowest price.
- Passive Marketing: Surprise! When you start freelance writing, you’re launching a business! And businesses need to do their own proactive marketing. They don’t just sit around on a platform’s dashboard hoping for a job to come their way. This approach teaches bad habits that can hinder your chances of building a successful, bill-paying, remote-work business.
- It’s Disheartening: Constantly scanning writing job boards with $15 offers can be depressing. It can lead you to believe that freelance writing can’t pay your bills, when in reality, it can provide a six-figure income.
So, if these websites aren’t helping, what’s the solution? It’s learning how to search for and find your own clients. I have a simple guide for this in the last section below.
We also have a full four-week course that goes deeper into finding your first jobs as a freelance writer. I strongly suggest you check it out. By becoming a member of the Den, you can also access over 300 hours of other video and audio training.
Once you decide to look for work on your own, many opportunities will be available to you. You can find good-paying writing jobs, even if you’re just starting. Usually, you’ll be the only writer they’re thinking about hiring, which greatly increases your chances of success.
But what kind of work should you be looking for? Keep reading, and I’ll share what I believe are the best writing jobs for beginners with no experience.
Is it necessary to have qualifications to be a freelance writer?
Don’t let the absence of experience stop you from trying out freelancing. You don’t need any high-priced degrees or certifications to be a freelance writer, but you should be good at writing. What’s even more crucial is learning how to present your work and manage a business, so you can find jobs and earn money from writing.
Ideal beginner freelance writing jobs
Here’s some advice: Proposing a specific project gets more replies than a simple: “Hello, I’m a writer. Are you looking for a writer?” So, what should you offer to write for these initial clients? Here are some excellent beginner, entry-level writing tasks you can suggest to get started in the business, along with some ideas on how to price them:
- Revamp Websites of Local Small Businesses
Consider the local small businesses you frequent. Have a look at their websites. Yes, they’re often disorganized! Propose to revamp their content. Or to add fresh material. Maybe they could benefit from a media page, which could aid in securing free press coverage. Or they lack an ‘About Us’ page featuring team profiles and the company’s history. I’ve noticed these are typically the pages absent on small business sites. Examine the media pages or team profiles of large corporations, and then craft a similar page for the small business. Voila! If you have a passion for writing and have received positive feedback over the years, it’s certain you’ll be able to produce something more compelling than what Joe Businessowner managed to write on his own.
- Discover Neglected Business Blogs
A lot of small businesses initiate a blog, as leaders understand it can enhance their website’s search rankings, strengthen customer relationships, and establish their reputation as a trusted expert in their field. However, not many can maintain it. Understandably, they’re occupied with managing a business! It’s akin to fixing an airplane engine while the plane is in flight.
The blog swiftly becomes a low priority, and before long, it’s neglected. This neglect not only looks unfortunate but also negatively impacts their image.
There’s an abundance of neglected business blogs, where there hasn’t been a post for half a year or even longer. Choose an industry you’re familiar with, look up companies in your area, and inspect their blogs. This task is as easy as shooting fish in a barrel. A simple proposal: “Would you like assistance in reviving your blog?” You’ve read blogs. You’re reading one right now. You could write a blog post on your first day that’s likely superior to what that solo entrepreneur could produce.
Pricing: Begin at $50-$100 for brief blog posts (around 500-750 words) from small companies, if you need initial samples. Increase your rates from there. My mentees charge $500 a post and more, from larger companies, so there’s potential for advancement.
- Compose Business Emails
Have you ever bought something and didn’t receive a series of follow-up emails offering more products or building a relationship? A lot of businesses depend on email marketing. However, small businesses often lack automated email marketing sequences. They might not send emails to people who leave items in their shopping cart. You can sign up on potential clients’ websites to see what kind of emails you receive. Sending more emails equals more profit for businesses. So, this could be an easy task to sell. Ask if they need help with this. There are countless examples of effective marketing emails that you can learn from. Pricing: Think about starting at $100 per short email. Professionals can charge much more.
- Design a Newsletter or Brochure
You might believe that these are outdated marketing tools that aren’t used much today, but that’s not the case. Physical copies might not be in high demand currently due to Covid, but e-newsletters and digital brochures are plentiful. You’ve read newsletters, and you can write them too. Collaborate with a designer if your client requires it. Collect all the brochures from your local Chamber of Commerce’s members to examine. Most of them are poorly written, and it’s easy to make them better. Also, consider looking at nonprofits for these. They might not pay as well, but they can be a great source of attractive samples to start with. Pricing: It varies based on size and frequency of publication. But $750-$1,000 for a simple, tri-fold brochure isn’t unusual, and a regular monthly e-newsletter could easily be a steady $500-$1000 a month project, depending on the newsletter’s size.
5. Write Articles for Local News Media
Local news outlets are facing more challenges than ever in keeping the community informed and holding governments accountable. They could really use the help of freelance writers!
Take the example of Alastair Barnett. When he decided to try his hand at freelance writing, he proposed a personal essay idea to a local newspaper. The response he got was a game-changer for the budding writer.
“I was taken aback when the features editor asked me to write a 1,000-word article for the Sunday edition, along with a 250-word related piece. I was so surprised that my hands were shaking as I held the phone. The editor even apologized for only being able to pay $250.”
Alastair Barnett
Of course, there are times when budgets are tight and staff numbers have been reduced. This means you might have the opportunity to gain some excellent samples for your portfolio here, especially if you’re willing to go out and cover events like city council meetings or protests.
Even if the pay is low or non-existent, how is this better than writing for a content mill? Writing for newspapers gives you immediate credibility.
Business clients understand that you’ve successfully navigated an editorial process. Published articles are impressive.
Pricing: If they can pay, it will typically be between $50-$100. This writing job is all about building your portfolio and establishing your reputation as a writer.
6. Contribute to Local Magazines
Do you have a local or regional magazine in your neighborhood? The kind you often see at the entrance of your nearby grocery or convenience store? That’s an excellent place to begin your writing journey.
Freelance writer Carol J. Alexander advises beginners, “Start with what you’re already reading.”
“If I were starting from scratch, I’d begin with local businesses, family, or friends. Gather some samples, build up your portfolio, and then progress from there.”
Carol J. Alexander
7. Convert Your Previous Employer into a Client
Did your previous employer have a blog, a website, marketing materials, or a social media presence?
You might be the ideal candidate to manage those content marketing projects, making these fantastic freelance writing opportunities for novices.
Why? Because you’re already familiar with the business. Try reaching out to the marketing director or CEO at your former job and offer your freelance services.
“When my regular job decided to relocate, turning my daily commute into a 90-minute journey each way, I knew I had to make a change. So, I proposed the idea of contract work to the CEO, and it worked. If your old employer needs content, it makes sense for them to hire you because you’re already familiar with the business, provided you left on good terms.”
Evan Jensen
- Contribute to Local Marketing Agencies
Try searching for marketing agencies in your area of interest on Google. This search will yield a list of agencies that work with clients in your field. There’s a good chance some of them are looking for a writer urgently. These can be excellent starting points for beginner freelance writers as you’ll gain valuable experience writing for the agency’s clients. Freelance writer Amy Hardison White suggests, “I would recommend pitching to marketing agencies.” “My first freelance client was a marketing agency. The pay wasn’t as high as it could have been, but it allowed me to get used to handling a large volume of work and different types of tasks.” Amy Hardison White
- Report News for a Specialized Local Paper or Newsletter
We’ve already discussed writing for your local newspaper or community magazine, but there’s another type of local news publication that often gets overlooked—niche newspapers and newsletters. For example, I once wrote brief articles about what was new in my local library system. Our libraries published a nice quarterly newspaper, and it was a great way to get my name out there. I know another writer who started by writing for her condominium association’s newsletter.
- Write Reviews for Local Events
Most alternative newspapers have regular restaurant columns and frequently feature dining stories. Their staff reviewer can’t cover every new restaurant that opens, so why not pitch them the one you want to visit? Not into food? How about reviewing local plays or concerts? You could also suggest writing book or movie reviews to your local paper.
How to Start Freelance Writing with No Experience?
Now that you know where to find beginner-level writing jobs, let’s discuss how to actually secure your first freelance writing jobs. Here are some tips to start freelance writing with no experience:
- Use Google to your advantage. Search for startups or rapidly growing businesses in your target industry or city. The list you need already exists!
- Think about the businesses and nonprofits you’re familiar with. Where do you shop and volunteer? These are often the best places to start gathering your first writing samples.
- Check the Chamber of Commerce directory. Every city has one, and larger cities often have multiple. Look through the directory for local business names—then, check their websites for what you want to pitch. You’ll be surprised by how many companies operate in your town that you’ve never heard of.
- Take a walk around your local industrial park. These less glamorous businesses are rarely pitched, and their websites are often poorly designed. Write down the names of all the companies you see. Go home and look at their websites.
- Connect with marketing professionals in your field. Maybe you’re new to freelance writing, but you’re familiar with marketing, advertising, sales, and public relations from your day job. That’s another great network of people you can reach out to and ask a simple question: Know anyone who needs a freelance writer?
- Get new-business registrations. If your city has a business journal, they compile this data for you in a section of the paper each week. A Daily Journal of Commerce, if your town has one, would have these listings too. If not, call your city, county, or other local government’s business development department and ask how you access new-business registrations (they should be a public record you can view). Anyone starting a business right now needs marketing help—and often, doesn’t have the budget to hire an experienced professional. These are great opportunities for entry-level writing jobs.
That should give you plenty of leads to companies that could use a new writer. Hope this helps you get started and on your way! And don’t forget to check out even more resources on how to find freelance writing jobs.