Being a freelance writer is an exciting adventure that gives you the flexibility to choose your working hours and spend more time with your family. But at times it can be overwhelming to find consistent work if you don’t have experience, especially in the age of AI.
Of course, the first step is to get the right training. But once you get the training and acquire the right skills what comes next? You need to bridge the gap between training and landing your first gig.
In between creating your writer’s website and building an online presence, there are more steps involved to become a well-paid writer. In this article we explore the best places to find freelance writing jobs for beginners and what you may need to get started.
What Do You Need Before Applying for Writing Jobs for Beginners?
Here are some of the tools and equipment you need to get started as a writer.
1. A laptop or computer
A smartphone or tablet is not the best to use for writing. You need a functioning laptop or computer to have a good working space.
2. Reliable internet
Internet access is a must-have when working as an online writer.
3. Fast typing skills
You can develop this skill with practice. The faster you can type the faster you will complete your tasks and meet deadlines.
4. Editing skills
It is important to have basic grammar, spelling, and punctuation skills so that you can edit your work before submission. As a writer, you need to have strong attention to detail so that you can find simple grammar or spelling mistakes you could have missed. You can use spell-checker tools like Grammarly to double-check your work.
5. SEO
This is not mandatory but having basic SEO skills is good for writers so that you can understand how to use keywords in research and when writing and optimizing articles.
6. Solid portfolio
You need to have a professional portfolio to showcase your skills to potential clients. You could store the samples in Google Docs or publish them on your website or Medium and share them as links.
9 Best Websites to Find Writing Jobs for Beginners
Now let’s look at the main places to find writing jobs. You can get jobs on freelance platforms, free or paid writing job boards, or websites that accept submissions from writers. Let’s look at some of them.
1. Upwork
Upwork is one of the largest freelance platforms that have different types of writing jobs from copywriting to email newsletters, or blog posts.
You are required to create a professional profile and add your portfolio. When applying for jobs you can filter and apply to entry-level jobs which pay less to gain experience and get testimonials from your clients. There are many potential clients on Upwork, so apply to as many jobs as possible and improve your professional profile.
2. LinkedIn
If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile then you are selling yourself short. LinkedIn is not only a platform to create a professional profile but it also has a robust job board with thousands of freelance writing jobs. Furthermore, you can use the platform to publish your articles if you don’t have a website. In addition, you can directly connect with companies and editors on the platform build a network with other professionals, and use that to find jobs,
3. Fiverr
Unlike other freelance marketplaces like Upwork where you have to bid for jobs, with Fiverr you create gigs of your offers and clients can choose the best rates for them and hire you. Often you have to set different rates with a sliding scale to give clients a choice according to what they want.
4. Indeed
Indeed is a leading job board where you can find freelance writing jobs from clients worldwide. You are required to create a professional profile because you will use it to apply for jobs on the platform. Indeed has a constant supply of part-time and full-time writing jobs for beginners and the best part is that it is free.
5. Problogger
Problogger is one of the best job boards you can use to find writing jobs for beginners. You can expect different types of writing jobs from different niches such as blog posts or YouTube scripts. The projects pay better than freelance platforms such as Upwork but they are competitive and you may need to apply to as many jobs as possible to increase your chances of getting hired.
6. BloggingPro
Just like Problogger, Blogging Pro is a job board that features multiple jobs for writers. You can filter jobs according to location and job categories. It is a straightforward job board where you can find your desired writing job fast.
7. Flexjobs
Flexjobs is a paid job board where you can find vetted remote writing jobs. You can find part-time, and full-time writing jobs. The site boasts of well-vetted clients and solid job postings for writers looking for reliable work. The paid platform has a monthly subscription cost to access reliable short-term or long-term jobs.
8. Freelance Writing Jobs
If you want to find long-term writing opportunities then look no further than the Freelance Writing Jobs platform. The jobs are well-vetted and are some of the best on the internet. You can also use the blog to get resources about writing life. What’s more, the job board is free.
9. We Work Remotely
We Work Remotely is a large online platform where you can find remote jobs for different skills such as writing, SEO, sales, or social media management. Use the search or filter buttons to find the latest content writing and copywriting jobs.
10. SolidGigs
The list of the best places to find writing jobs for beginners is not complete without SolidGigs. The platform has dozens of freelance blogging, copywriting, and social media content writing jobs. Because it is a paid platform you can expect high-quality freelancing opportunities. Also, they don’t take a percentage of your earnings. Solid Gigs has a free 7-day trial then you can pay the monthly subscription fees.
4 Success Tips to Find Writing Jobs for Freelancers
Working as a freelancer doesn’t end with your find writing gig. You need to build your business to profitable heights by retaining clients and getting better-paying jobs. Here are tips to potentially grow your freelance writing career into a booming business.
1. Have a dedicated workspace
Avoid the temptation to work from your couch or bed even if you can. Have a dedicated workspace even if it’s a small corner in your bedroom.
Working as a freelancer has a thin line between personal time and work time. It may be a struggle to stay focused and organized if you work from everywhere and anywhere. Therefore having a dedicated workspace makes it easier to focus on work and inform your brain that it’s time to work.
2. Manage your time
As a freelance writer, you get paid based on your output. Therefore you need to manage your time effectively to be more productive.
The best way to be productive is to limit distractions such as social media, focus on priority tasks, and use productivity techniques such as Pomodor to work better. As a result, you’ll be able to meet deadlines and retain your clients.
3. Choose a niche
When you specialize in the type of writing you increase your value to your clients because most prefer specialists. You can choose to specialize in one type of writing such as SEO content writing, long-form blog posts, resume writing, social media writing, email and newsletter writing, and product description writing.
4. Network with other freelancers
Networking is a must-skill for freelancers if you want to grow your business. Join networking platforms for freelancers on Facebook, Reddit, and LinkedIn to gain new insights and job leads.
FAQs
- How do I start writing with no experience?
The best way to start writing with no experience is to get the right training, choose your niche, create three or more sample articles, post them on your blog or Medium, and use them to apply for jobs on freelance job boards and websites that hire writers.
- How to get into entry-level writing jobs?
The easiest way to find entry-level jobs is to reach out to local marketing agencies or small businesses that have websites. The best thing about cold pitching is that it has less competition than applying for jobs posted on job boards.
- What type of freelance writing pays the most?
The type of freelance writing that pays the most is eBook writing, annual reports, advertorials, and articles for top magazines.
- How much do beginner writers make?
The amount of money you make as a beginner writer depends on the type of niche and your location. However, most entry-level writers earn between $5 and 20 per hour and get hire rates as they gain more experience.
Final Thoughts
Becoming successful as a freelance writer is easy but cannot happen overnight. You need to get the necessary skills and tools and be willing to start with entry-level jobs and find what niche works for you. With passion and hard work, you will achieve great success as a freelance writer and eventually grow it into a business.
Check out the 10 best places to find writing jobs as a beginner and apply to as many jobs as possible. Which freelance job board did you use to get your first writing job as a beginner? Let us know in the comments.
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