How to Build a Writing Portfolio with No Experience in 1 Week

To be successful as a freelance writer, you must prove to prospective clients that you can do the job. Otherwise, it may be challenging to land freelance writing jobs without experience.

Clients need about three pieces of content to assess your writing skills. They may also require you to do a writing test before they go ahead if you are totally new and don’t have testimonials to showcase your work. So that’s why it’s important to have several writing pieces on the internet so the prospective client can find them.

But what if you are a beginner? How can you build a writing portfolio with no experience?

Do not freak out, as this article will give you a step by step guide on how to build a writing portfolio with no experience to get the jobs you want. Make sure to bookmark this page because you will get many valuable pointers. Let’s get started.

What is Freelance Writing?

Freelance writing is an entry level job where you are paid to write articles, social media posts, eBooks, and white papers. You get paid based on your work, but you can work from anywhere you want and determine your working hours.

As a freelance writer, you write on different topics depending on your interest or expertise and can charge hourly fixed rates. At first, you may have to charge low rates as you build your portfolio and client base, then increase your rate, and you gain more experience.

What Do You Need to Be a Freelance Writer?

You don’t need a degree in Communications, English, or marketing. You can get training online and become a well-paid freelance writer if you keep improving your skills.

The basics needed are a laptop, internet connection, and commitment to follow through with your dream of becoming a well paid writer.

You also need to find a quiet place to work with few distractions. You can create a home office or work in co-working spaces or coffee shops. Ensure you get noise-cancelling headphones to keep the noise off.

How to Build a Writing Portfolio With No Experience Step by Step

So, how do you get started as a freelancer? Here’s how to build a writing portfolio even if you don’t have experience.

1. Choose your niche

Specialists earn more than generalists. Picture this: you are a client looking for a writer for your fashion brand. You have sieved through different proposals and have closed down on two freelancers.

One is a beauty and fashion writer with samples on makeup, clothes, and fashion, while the other is just a content writer with samples on health, digital marketing, and cars. Who will you hire? The fashion writer, of course.

In fact, clients are willing to pay more for specialists in their niche because they believe they understand the subject matter and will get the job done.

So, choose one niche that will position you as an expert. Some highly sought niches include parenting, health, beauty and fashion, real estate, software, and travel.

Choose a subject you are passionate about or know and are willing to read more about. If you are not sure initially, just choose one and go with it. You can always change your niche later.

Figure out the characteristics of your ideal client so that you can tailor your portfolio to the client you want to attract. This helps you to show that you are the perfect fit for them.

2. Choose the type of writing

Another critical step is determining the type of writing you want to focus on. Do you want to be a creative writer and write short stories and novels, or do you want to be a copywriter and write persuasive ads, social media, and web copy, or a technical writer specializing in SEO articles, case studies, and eBooks?

Spend time researching the different types of writing and getting those you are interested in. Enroll in free or paid writing training to acquire the necessary skills.

3. Create 3 or 4 samples

You don’t need to have worked with a client before to build your portfolio. You also don’t have to have dozens of writing samples when you want to build a writing portfolio with no experience. Three or four writing pieces are a good way to get started.

Once you determine your niche and the type of writing you want to specialize in, create at least three pieces of content.

Do the best writing possible by doing extensive research on common topics in our niche. Make sure to proofread your work because grammar errors can make you disqualified.

4. Create your portfolio

Once you have the written samples, assemble them where your clients can find them. There are several options to consider.

Avoid sending samples as Word documents, as the format may be altered if your client does not have Word applications. Instead, convert the document as a PDF and send it as an attachment. 

Here are the best ways to create your writing portfolio with no experience:

I). Add them to a Google Docs folder. So, when applying for jobs, you’ll share the link with prospective clients.

ii). Publish them on publishing platforms such as LinkedIn or Medium. These two platforms are ideal for beginners because they are free and improve your visibility to clients.

iii). Create a writer’s website with a blog section. If you have some money, creating a writer’s website is a good way to set yourself apart from other freelancers.

Buy a domain and hosting from service providers such as Namecheap with a package for under $30 a year. It is easy to create a simple website with drag and drop templates, whether free or paid.

Publish your samples on your website’s blog or portfolio page and keep updating more content over time to boost your credibility. Having a blog is a good way to improve your writing. Keep adding more blogs in your niche, gain a following, and attract more clients while at it. You may even monetize your blog with ads.

iv). Write guest posts: The best way to build a writing portfolio with no experience is to pitch other websites in your niche to write posts for them, often for free. Clients are more impressed because you have shown that you’ve written for other websites and are more credible.

You may land paid guest post opportunities over time and get paid to write for publications and blogs. It also helps you learn cold emailing and outreach skills, which will help you get clients quickly.

Search for your niche+write for us to find blogs that accept guest posts is a good way to start. For example, if you have decided to write for the beauty niche, you will search beauty + write for us in Google search.

Where Can You Get Freelance Writing Jobs as a Beginner?

Now that you have a professional portfolio, as given above, you can use them to apply for writing jobs. Keep improving your samples to build your writing portfolio. Write often the platforms mentioned above, such as LinkedIn, Medium, guest blogs, or your writer’s website.

Here are some of the best places to look for paid writing gigs as a beginner with no experience

1. Approach people in your circles

Before you think of the global pool of clients, look around you. It is one of the easiest ways to get initial clients. You can offer to do the work for free or earn a small stipend as you improve your skills.

2. Join freelancing forums

Networking is a good way to connect with and learn more about writing. Some forums on Reddit or Facebook also have clients who post jobs or resources. You may also get feedback on your writing samples and portfolio.

3. Job boards

Numerous job boards showcase jobs from clients all over the world. Some include Upwork, Fiverr, Robert Half, and Problogger.

FAQs

• What should a writing portfolio look like?

A professional writing portfolio should include three or more writing samples to showcase your skills. Build your writing portfolio on your website with samples of your work in blog format or links, an about me section, and contact information.

• How do I start freelance writing with no portfolio?

You can build a writing portfolio with no experience by writing samples and posting them on LinkedIn, Medium, or your blog. Then, look for freelance writing gigs on job boards, freelance platforms, or social media.

• How many pages is a writing portfolio?

Your writing portfolio can be anywhere between 15 to 20 pages. It should include three to five samples written recently.

• How do I start a writing career with no experience?

You can break into freelance writing with no experience by learning online about the craft, creating a few samples, and publishing the samples on your blog or social media. Then, use the samples to apply for writing gigs.

Final Thoughts

To be a successful freelance writer, you need to adopt continuous improvement in your skills. You can only do that by writing regularly on social media or your blog.

Use the above tips to build your writing portfolio and begin your journey to making your first income as a freelance writer. With more experience, you can pitch bigger sites and publications and get higher rates in under one year.

For best results, follow the step by step guide above, and you’ll be on your way to earning as a writer with no experience.

Do you have any questions on how to build a writing portfolio with no experience? Let us know in the comment section below.

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