If you’ve ever thought, “I’d love to get paid to write, but I have no experience,” you’re not alone. Many successful freelance writers started exactly where you are now—with nothing but a passion for words and a willingness to learn. The good news? You can start building a freelance writing career from scratch, even today.
In this guide, you’ll discover the exact steps to launch your writing career, land your first clients, and start earning—even if you’re starting at zero.
Step 1: Choose Your Niche (or Start Broad)
When you’re new, it’s tempting to write about anything and everything. That’s fine for getting practice, but eventually, you’ll want to focus on a niche—a specific topic or industry where you can build expertise.
Popular niches include:
- Personal finance
- Health and wellness
- Technology and software
- Travel and lifestyle
- Digital marketing
Tip: If you’re not sure yet, start broad. Experiment with different topics until you find one you enjoy and can write about confidently.
Step 2: Build a Simple Portfolio (Fast)
Clients want to see proof you can write. You don’t need a fancy website to get started—just 3–5 solid writing samples.
Here’s how to create them from scratch:
- Pick a topic you’re interested in.
- Write a blog-style article (800–1,000 words).
- Publish it for free on Medium, LinkedIn, or your own simple blog.
Pro tip: Your samples should be targeted to your desired niche. If you want to write for tech companies, create tech-related content.
Step 3: Learn the Basics of SEO and Formatting
Many online writing jobs involve creating content that ranks in search engines. You don’t need to become an SEO expert, but you should understand:
- How to use keywords naturally in a post
- Why headlines and subheadings matter
- How to make articles scannable with bullet points and short paragraphs
Free resources like Yoast’s SEO Blog or HubSpot Academy are great for beginners.
Step 4: Find Your First Clients
You don’t need to wait until you’re an “expert” to get paid work. Here are beginner-friendly ways to land clients:
- Freelance platforms: Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer
- Content agencies: Work for companies that connect you with clients (e.g., WriterAccess, Verblio)
- Direct outreach: Email small businesses in your niche offering your writing services
When starting, you might accept lower rates to gain experience, but avoid working for free unless it’s for portfolio building.
Step 5: Set Your Rates (Without Undervaluing Yourself)
Beginner freelance writers often start around $0.05–$0.10 per word or $25–$50 per article. As you gain experience, you can raise your rates significantly.
Rule of thumb:
- Start low enough to attract clients, but high enough to feel motivated to do quality work.
- Increase your rates every few months as your skills improve.
Step 6: Develop a Pitching Habit
Successful freelancers don’t just wait for work—they go after it.
- Create a short email introducing yourself, your niche, and linking to your best samples.
- Pitch to 3–5 new potential clients every day.
Consistency is the key to building a steady client base.
Step 7: Keep Learning and Growing
Freelance writing is a skill you can constantly improve. Invest time in:
- Reading books on writing and copywriting
- Taking courses in your niche
- Networking with other writers for tips and opportunities
The more you learn, the faster you’ll be able to raise your rates and attract high-quality clients.
Starting a freelance writing career from scratch may feel overwhelming, but remember—every experienced writer once had zero experience too. If you choose a niche, build a small portfolio, learn the basics of SEO, and start pitching consistently, you will find paying clients.
The first step is the hardest, so don’t overthink it—pick one action from this guide and start today. Your future freelance career could be just one pitch away.