Leap into the World of Freelancing: 23 Writing Opportunities for Novices to Kickstart Their Career!
If you’re intrigued by the idea of a flexible schedule, or perhaps you’d like to work from home to balance other commitments, you probably have thought about freelance writing. This is a great side job and can even evolve into a full-time profession. But, how do you begin, especially if you have zero experience? Here, we’ll discuss the basics of starting as a freelance writer and highlight some platforms that welcome beginners.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need countless qualifications to become a freelance writer. While a degree in writing or journalism might be advantageous for certain clients, it’s not mandatory for all. What really counts is a genuine interest in writing and a willingness to read extensively. Good knowledge of grammar is also critical, even if your clients might prefer an informal writing style.
To commence your freelance writing journey, you first need to select your writing topics. It’s virtually impossible to be an expert in everything, so focus on two or three areas that interest you or where you have some real-world experience. Starting your own blog is a good way to illustrate your writing style and produce samples that potential clients can review.
Writing guest posts for other blogs is another excellent way to showcase your work and attract new clients. Once you’ve selected your topics and collected some samples, start applying to beginner-friendly freelance writing platforms. After securing your first gig, continue to build your portfolio and seek out more writing assignments.
Here are some online platforms that can be ideal for surfacing beginner freelance writing opportunities: Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, Guru, Twine, and PeoplePerHour. Other notable resources include FreelanceWriting.com’s Morning Coffee Newsletter, Freelance Writing Gigs, Scripted.com, Constant Content, DotWriter and Writers Domain. Platforms like WriterAccess, Textbroker, Hire Writers, and Content Authority can also provide income-generating opportunities for novices.
Job boards, such as Remote Co, Working Nomads, Flexjobs, Blogging Pro Job Board, ProBlogger Job Board, Media Bistro, and LinkedIn Jobs, frequently update their listings and can offer a good mix of entry-level and expert writing opportunities.
How much do newbie freelance writers make? It significantly varies, but beginners can expect to find gigs that pay anywhere from $0.02 per word, and sometimes even higher.
Do you need a degree for freelance writing? Generally, no. Certain clients in more technical fields may require specific qualifications, but a degree is usually not mandatory.
Freelance writing for beginners is certainly within reach and can be an ideal way to start working from home on a flexible schedule. Try out these beginner-friendly platforms, gain experience, and gradually dig deeper into more rewarding and demanding projects. And if you’re looking for more guidance on starting your freelance venture, Brad Merrill’s course, Freelance Writing 101: Build a Successful Writing Career, available on Skillshare, is a good learning resource.
