How to Become a Freelance Writer
If you’re reading this blog, you’ve probably thought about how to become a freelance writer or make money online once or twice. It’s the financial freedom that sucks us all in. That, along with working on your own terms and exiting the matrix is what has got us millennials all strung up, let’s be honest.
Imagine never getting the Sunday scaries ever again or working from your favourite coffee shop, setting your own schedule, and getting paid to write about topics that you love. The best thing about this is that it is completely attainable. The most difficult part for most people is just knowing where to start.
First, let's clear up a huge myth: You do not need a journalism degree, decades of experience, or fancy industry connections to break into this field. Most clients won’t actually care about your education or your credentials; all they’ll want to know is that you’ll be able to get their tone of voice across when creating content for them. They’ll also want to be able to trust that you’ll hit your deadlines and solve their problems for them. Easy enough, right?
So, whether you’re looking to start a small side hustle for some extra money or start an online business that you can run from anywhere in the world, here’s what you need to do to become a successful freelance writer.
Quick reality check: Don't stress if you don't have a long list of past clients! All you need to land your very first paid gig is a small portfolio of "spec pieces" (which are just sample articles you write yourself to show off your skills).
Step 1: Pick Your Niche
The first basic step when looking at how to become a freelance writer is to pick your specific niche - the industry you want to write for and the topics you want to cover. Saying that you’ll write about anything makes it difficult to stand out or charge higher rates because you won’t be specialising in anything.
Which Niches Pay the Most?
Not all niches pay the same. Specialised industries that require a bit more research or technical know-how usually have bigger marketing budgets to throw around. Let’s look at some of the industries that pay the most.
Tech & Software
Examples: Apps, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Tools
Type of content: How-to guides, case studies, deep dives
(High 💰💰💰)
Finance & Business
Examples: Crypto, Investing, Personal Finance
Type of content: Industry news, product reviews, newsletters
(High 💰💰💰)
Health & Wellness
Examples: Healthcare, Fitness Tech, Supplements
Type of content: Reader-friendly guides, wellness overviews
(Medium–High 💰💰)
Lifestyle
Examples: Travel, Hobbies, Home Decor
Type of content: Fun listicles, product roundups, blogs
(Entry–Medium 💰)
How to Find Your Sweet Spot
Try to find a topic where these three things overlap:
Stuff you actually like: Topics you enjoy reading about anyway.
Things you already know: Your past jobs, hobbies, or education.
Paying markets: Industries where companies spend money on marketing (like tech, software, and finance).
Step 2: Build a Portfolio
The great thing about this part is that you don’t necessarily need past clients. All you need are a few spec samples when pitching to potential clients that will show off your writing skills. These are mock articles you write on your own to show prospective clients what you can do.
How to Make Great Samples
Write 3 or 4 targeted pieces that are relevant in your niche: These need to match the exact type of work you want to end up getting paid for.
Format for the web: Make sure that your spec pieces are clearly laid out with short paragraphs, clear subheadings and bullet points.
Put them online: Put your samples on free platforms that are user-friendly, like Medium or Substack.
Step 3: Figure Out What to Charge
Having a good idea of what to charge before landing your first client is important, even though it may feel awkward or strange at some point. Setting clear rates upfront, however, will protect your time and keep you from getting underpaid for your services.
Per-Word Rates: Some freelancers charge per word. For example, beginners could charge 4p to 12p per word, and when you start becoming more confident, this can change to 20p to 40p per word.
Flat Project Rates: This is great because you charge a single rate for the whole piece (like £250 per blog post). As you get faster and more efficient when it comes to your craft, your hourly earnings naturally go up!
Monthly Retainers: Once a client loves your work, you can offer them a set monthly package (like £1,000/month for 4 blog posts). This gives you a nice, predictable paycheck every month.
Step 4: Land Your Very First Paid Gig
The last step when looking at how to become a freelance writer is to reach out to potential clients. You don’t need to spend hours scrolling through low-paying gig sites. Here’s what you should do instead:
1. Check Quality Job Boards
Start with job boards that actually post good-quality remote work:
ProBlogger: A classic, reliable board filled with blogging and content jobs.
Superpath & BloggingPro: Great spots to find modern content marketing and writing gigs.
2. Send Warm "Cold Pitches"
Cold pitching can be daunting, but it is still an extremely effective way of getting clients. Cold emailing entails sending emails directly to marketing heads at specific companies that work in your chosen niche.
A Quick Pitch Formula That Works:
Catchy Subject Line: Keep it specific and helpful (e.g., "Quick question about [Company’s] blog").
Compliment Their Work: Mention a recent article they wrote so they know you aren't spamming them.
Show Your Value: Spot a topic gap on their site and suggest a helpful idea to fill it.
Show Your Samples: Drop links to 2 of your best sample articles.
Easy Next Step: Ask if they'd like to see 2 or 3 quick article ideas for their schedule.
3. Spruce Up Your Socials
Your social media platforms are like your online storefront. So, make sure your bios and main headlines are detailed and mention how you’ll be able to help businesses. For example:
"Freelance Writer helping [Your Niche] brands create great blog content."
Don't forget to feature your best sample links right at the top of your profile.
Step 5: Keep the Work Rolling In
Getting hired feels awesome, but delivering great work is what keeps the bills paid!
Hit your deadlines: Honestly, just being reliable and easy to communicate with will set you apart from half the competition. So make sure your clients view you as reliable and trustworthy-this will go a long way.
Edit your work: Run your drafts through free tools like Grammarly before handing them in to catch silly typos.
Ask for feedback and reviews: The moment a client says, "This looks great!", ask if you can quote them on your website.
Turn one-off gigs into long-term work: Once you finish a project smoothly, ask if they need help with next month's content. This way, you’ve automatically landed yourself a monthly retainer.
Ready to Give Becoming a Freelance Writer a Shot?
Becoming a freelance writer doesn't happen overnight, but it also isn't rocket science. It’s all about taking small, consistent steps. Pick a niche you like, write three solid samples, and send out a handful of friendly pitches this week.
If you’re looking for a reliable content creation service, you’re in the right place. Get in touch today for more information on how we can create your tailored content strategy.
