Wondering How to Be a Freelance Writer With No Experience? Here are 7 Tips for You

Author: Team WH

Published On: 14-03-23

Last Updated on: 19-04-24

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Are you looking to make a mark in the world of freelance writing but unsure where to begin? It can be overwhelming if you are just starting, especially due to the difficulty in finding and retaining clients and distinguishing yourself from your peers.

However, there are plenty of opportunities for freelance writers to work, progress, and become established in the field. The benefits of becoming an established freelance writer include flexible working hours and great pay. The only thing to hold you back is your willingness to work.

But, the question is, how to get a job as content writer?

If you’re a newbie freelance writer, then you know how challenging it is to find the right writing opportunities. Relax, we’ve got you covered.

This blog will offer useful tips and tricks for you to begin an exciting and lucrative freelance writing career. Stay with us as we explore how to be a freelance writer with no experience in depth.

7 Tips for Starting Your Freelance Writing Career

Better work-life balance, flexible work hours, new and exciting projects, and so on!

These are only some of the advantages you can enjoy as an established freelance writer. Once you enter the industry, you have the freedom to choose a specific domain to build expertise in or cater to multiple sectors.

However, the initial steps involve proving your mettle. Here are some tips on how to be a freelance writer with no experience.

Scout the Industry

Transitioning into a new field requires dedicated research. Before you start building your content writing career, it is vital to analyse the opportunities available and expectations from content writers.

The easiest way to get started is to make a list of freelance writers with years of experience in different content formats. Connect with them through LinkedIn and get industry-related insights from their posts. In most cases, you will also observe that many of them have their own resource repository in the form of blogs, videos and other media, where they discuss several elements of content writing.

For example, Neil Patel is one of the well-known faces in the content writing and marketing industry. He owns a marketing blog, hosts a podcast, and releases informational videos on his Youtube channel, talking about his experiences.

Following established freelancers like him can assist you in answering several critical questions about the industry, including the average pay per gig and the variations in B2B and B2C content writing.

Leverage a Freelance Writing Platform

If you’re wondering how to start content writing as a freelancer, signing up on a freelancing platform should be on your to-do list.

Freelance writers websites like WHub, Upwork, or Fiverr comprise thousands of listings from a diverse array of clients. The opportunities listed on these platforms range across various domains, from technology to marketing.

The more you apply for relevant roles, the higher your chances of receiving a positive response for the opportunities you’re interested in. The learning experiences you gain from these work opportunities help you build a solid portfolio, which benefits you in the long run.

Once you find freelance writing jobs and work on different projects, you can showcase and share these work experiences on relevant networking platforms. An endorsement from a client can also make it easier to secure diverse writing roles and land clients, provided you apply actively.

Secure a Role with a Writing Agency

It is easy to grow as a content writer if you have the appropriate mentorship and assistance in the initial years. But how to get freelance writing experience that ensures this and more?

Joining an established content writing agency like WrittenlyHub can help you understand the workings of the content industry. Here are a few reasons why it’s a good idea:

• You can collaborate with a team of editors and content specialists and learn more about the industry.
• You can work on different forms of content for multiple industries. Eventually, you will realise your inclination to specialise in a specific sector.
• You can get consistent feedback and tips to help you improve your research and writing skills.

The exposure you gain as a new content writer is unmatched if you associate with an agency with a diverse client roster. With this experience, you can also choose to start your freelance writing business in the future.

Start your Blog

Did you know that 77% of the content penned by freelance writers are blog posts?

The rise of content marketing has pushed organisations to showcase their value through well-curated blog posts highlighting their expertise in the domain. Hence, they are in constant need of content writers who understand the technicalities of writing a blog post that ranks high on search engine result pages.

Penning your blog helps you achieve credibility in the market. You can choose to indulge in several domains or stick to a niche in your freelance writing career to assure brands of your expertise. Enhance the blogs with interactive elements to catch the reader’s attention and focus on essential elements like meta description and relevant keyword placement to improve the ranking of your blogs.

The more writing samples you create, the higher your chances of impressing a potential client.

Capitalise on Content Networks

Simply put, a content network is a series of websites that offer text, audio or video content and enable advertisers to run ads. Given the plethora of advertisements that are run through content networks, these platforms are in constant need of written content.

The advertisements that run along the content are the primary source of revenue for these networks, mandating the need for high quality short-form or long-form content. You can reach out to the brands managing this network and offer your services to fulfil their requirements.

Content networks are tools that offer consistent opportunities for freelance writers. These are also great platforms to connect with different brands and showcase your skills in catering to diverse content forms.

Constantly Upskill Yourself

Although you don’t require a specific degree to flourish in the world of content writing, there is a need for a specific skill set. Most of these skills can be acquired from online courses or other free resources available on the internet. Before you start freelance writing, commit to these courses to gain a working knowledge of the technicalities of digital content creation.

For instance, search engine optimization (SEO) is one of the most sought-after skills in budding content writers. It helps brands stay assured that they can capitalise on SEO-friendly content to achieve high organic rankings on popular search engines like Google.

Improving your writing skills can help you distinguish yourself as a professional with a firm grasp of the fine nuances of developing impactful pieces.

Network, Network, and Network!

If the question of how to be a freelance writer with no experience had to be answered in one word, we would choose networking!

The freelance writing industry is based on credibility and referrals. Clients are more likely to trust you if you are endorsed or recommended by your peers in the industry. Additionally, connecting with brands allows them to evaluate your expertise and check your previous works to assess if you are the right fit for their requirements.

You can periodically reach out to writers in your networks to gain their insights on various topics and take notes from their experiences. Making your presence known also has long-term advantages. For instance, if a writer is overwhelmed with work and might not be able to take a task coming their way, there is a chance they might refer you for the job.

Final Thoughts

So, now you know how to become a content writer with no experience. The world of freelance writing requires a lot of conscious effort. The initial hustle requires you to venture beyond your comfort zone.

However, once you establish yourself in the profession, you enjoy several perks, ranging from flexible working hours to scaling income. While freelance writing might pose several challenges, if your long-term goal is to stay in charge of your hours and work style, it is the perfect route for you!

FAQs

Q) How do I start freelance writing?

If you plan to get into freelance writing, the first step is to research and explore the field by interacting with seasoned writers and browsing through online resources. Once you get an idea of the expectations, it’s time to network and look for paid opportunities through sites like WHub, Fiverr, or Upwork.

Q) How do freelance writers get paid?

The payment structure depends on the client. Some of the most common structures include the following:

• A pre-decided amount per word written.
• An hourly rate
• A flat rate for the entire content piece

Brands may also put you on a retainer to work on upcoming projects.

Q) Is it hard to get into freelance writing?

It can be challenging to enter freelance writing without connections and experience, and making a mark as a trusted writer requires patience. But, once you decide on your target domains after a few projects, you can confidently find relevant clients and offer your services.