As a freelance writer, you’ve done it all.
You’ve published your best work, cold-pitched a handful of companies, and created your website. But you’re still having trouble getting more clients.
What gives?
It’s not always what you do, but how you do it. With that, I asked 11 business owners to share what they look for when hiring a freelance writer.
In this post, you’ll learn how to optimize your site, portfolio, and brand to get clients as a freelance writer.
Let’s get started!
The Do’s and Don’ts of getting clients as a freelance writer
After interviewing 11 marketers and business owners, I found the most important do’s and don’ts for us writers. Hop over to what sounds interesting, or start from the top.
Table of contents:
- Do:Build your portfolio with relevant work
- Don’t: Build your writing website in 10 minutes and call it “good”
- Do: Triple-check your web copy
- Don’t: Hide your personality
- Do: Join social media and writing communities
- Don’t: Get discouraged if you’re a new writer
- Do: Walk the walk
- Don’t: Underestimate the art of a referral
Do: Build your portfolio with relevant work
Building a portfolio is obvious. What matters is it’s design and quality.
Let’s start with the design.
Your published work is an extension of your writing talent. It’s easy to assume your portfolio must be professionally-designed.
Sure, a well-designed portfolio is beneficial. But do you want to know what’s even MORE important?
I’ll give you a hint. Take a look at Nikolas’s two cents below:
“I’ve seen some really slick freelancers’ sites with graphics, smooth UX, endless scrolling, etc., but if I can’t easily find examples of your work, I can’t do my due diligence to hire this person.“
Nikolas Wright, Local SEO Guide
That’s right! Clients put accessibility first. If they can’t find your work, they’ll leave your site and look elsewhere.
“… If you make it difficult for me to understand what kind of work you do, your writing style, and the overall breadth and quality of your work, I’m not interested in spending time wading through your site when I could just contact a different writer who’s made it easier to see if they’d be a good fit.”
Scott Stransky, Full Funnel Content
So does this mean it’s pointless to design your portfolio?
If you have the tools and talent, then design away! But focus on accessibility first: How can you make your portfolio as visible as possible?
First, simply add your portfolio to your menu and front page.
This way, a web visitor can go straight to your published work.
But what about the portfolio itself? Let’s look at a couple of examples.
This SaaS writer lays out her writing with a simple bulleted list. Her work is organized into categories, and each post is properly linked.
You might be thinking… This isn’t a ‘wow-worthy’ design. Where are the colors and cool font?
A basic portfolio design felt counterintuitive to me, too. But remember—you’re a writer, not a web designer. They’re looking for your work, not a sleek interface.
But you can also display images along with your work, like below.
Notice how this writer adds an image next to each piece of content. And she organizes her work by the niche at the top.
Now let’s talk about your portfolio’s quality. Is your work:
Focused on your niche? If you claim a writing niche like “Ecommerce copywriter” or “Landing page expert,” then showcase your experience in that industry.
“The #1 thing we judge before reaching out to a freelance writer to do some trial work together is a solid portfolio and them having demonstrated that they’re comfortable to work in the industry that I’d like them to produce content in. If their portfolio is unrelated to what we’re hiring for, then in most cases, we won’t even reach out since it is unlikely to be a good fit.”
Alex Panagis, ScaleMath
You might be thinking, But I’m a brand new writer. I don’t have professional experience yet!
You can always write a few samples on Medium to show your potential. While you’re at it, submit some guest posts to credible blogs.
Your best work? A year ago, I thought I had to publish every article I wrote on my portfolio. My thought process was, The more, the better!
I quickly realized how untrue this is. Clients don’t have time to sift through every post you write. And a list of 20+ articles will take away from your best work.
So don’t showcase every piece on your portfolio. Instead, post the work you’re most proud of.
Most clients will click on the first few links, so place your favorite articles first. You can also add a “My Best Work” section to make it easy.
All in all, accessibility and quality are the foundation of your portfolio.Make sure it’s easy to find, and fill it with content that makes you say, My client needs to see this piece. You’ll make more money freelance writing in the long-run.
“It’s not just about error-free content. The content needs to be well formatted, insightful, and compelling. The full package, you could say.”
Adam Connell, Blogging Wizard
Don’t: Make your writing website in 10 minutes and call it “good”
A common question I hear from freelance writers is, “Does your website design matter?”
Here’s what the experts say about it:
“I take notice of how well-designed their site is. I feel like how much pride they take in their own site tells me a lot about their attention to detail which is important to us. Poorly designed websites are a turn-off.”
Josh Haynam, Interact
“How a website is presented in general is sometimes a factor in my decision whether to reach out to a new writer.”
Adam Connell, Blogging Wizard
Many of us aren’t professional web designers (I’m sure not!). So don’t waste your time on the nitty-gritty.
Focus on the important stuff, like:
Your brand colors – Brand colors keep your site clean and organized. I found my brand colors with a color generator like Coolers.
After choosing a color you like, Coolers will generate a brand color scheme based on your first color.
Exciting font – Sure, you should choose an easy-to-read font. But you don’t have to use the standard Times New Roman.Head to Google Fonts and pick something different.
Captivating images – It’s easy to find images with stock photo sites. I love Pixabay because I can download photos and illustrations.
An awesome headshot – Bring your fancy smartphone out to town and take a few headshots of yourself.
And no, you don’t have to wear an itchy tie. Dress how YOU want to present yourself. You can keep it simple, like B2B writer, Sarah Greesonbach.
To tie it all together, below is an excellent example of a simple yet interesting website.
Along with the essential elements—Michael’s name, niche, and about—he added a vibrant background and personable headshot. That’s it!
“I think of a writer’s website as the digital version of the best self they want to put out there for the world, which doesn’t mean it needs to be fancy or super-designed. But it needs to be clean, clear, and easy to read, and absolutely must be free of typos.”
Andrea Drugay, Slack
Follow Andrea’s advice and stick to a clean, clear, and easy-to-read website. With systems like WordPress, it’s easy to design your site without a developer.
Do: Triple-check your web copy
Here’s a fun story: As I collected quotes for this article, one of my interviewees politely pointed out a typo on my homepage. Talk about embarrassing.
“I would say having obvious errors/mistakes is the biggest no-no.”
Eric Hoppe, Crowd Content
Please, learn from me and proofread your site one, two, or even three times! For most clients, a typo is an automatic no-no.
“The biggest no-no is typos on their website. Not being able to sell yourself is one thing (we’ve all been there!), but a poor grasp of basic English and lack of attention to detail is something that you can’t overcome.”
Andie Coupland, Couzo
Along with proofreading, double-check your links. Clients won’t spend time finding the correct link themselves.
“Broken links are a real momentum killer for me. For example, if you had a blog that got moved or redirected, make sure your links in your portfolio are up to date. If I get 404’d on your portfolio page, that’s a bad look. I’m not going to seek out your intended link on my own.“
Nikolas Wright, Local SEO Guide
So how can you double-check your web copy?
1. Read your copy out loud. Does it make sense? Is it something your clients would find compelling?
2. Copy and paste your copy into an editing tool, like Grammarly. You can also send your site to other writers for another set of eyes.
3. Read your copy out loud AGAIN. There’s no harm in checking one more time.
4. Check every link on your site, including your portfolio. Is everything loading correctly?
Your future self will thank you for enduring this tedious process. Trust me.
Don’t: Hide your personality
When we think of the word professional, we think of the guy who wears a suit and tie to work. He’s serious, well-mannered, and knows the art of a firm handshake.
Professionalism isn’t like young Michael Scott anymore. You don’t have to wear a fancy skirt, or anything fancy, for that matter (work from home perks, am I right?).
And best of all, you don’t have to hide your personality from the workspace. In fact, some business owners use personality to find a writer.
“A big no-no for us would be a lack of differentiation. In the freelance writing space, it’s tremendously hard to stand out. Showcasing why you’re unique, whether it’s through personality and copy, or just a different writing style and framework, standing out will be advantageous.”
Jason Berkowitz, Break the Web
“At first glance, I notice whether their own copy grabs my attention.”
Steven Van Vessum, ContentKing
You’re in charge of your freelance writing business. So show off your personality, loud and proud.
Clients, like Jason, will appreciate the authenticity, “We’re weird and kooky, so if the writer can showcase some personality, that helps tremendously in our decision.”
Something else to keep in mind: It’s okay if your personality doesn’t please everyone. Your authenticity will attract the right clients for you.
A good example is Cole Schaefer’s copywriting business.
Cole uses his witty humor to sell copywriting services. His tone turns some off while others LOVE it.
Along with your web copy, you can also add a “random facts” section.
Random facts are an easy way to show your personality. When a client finds something in common with you, they’re more likely to reach out.
True story—A client of mine reached out to me because I shared my love for personality quizzes in my random fact section. His content is related to personality quizzes, so he thought I’d be a good fit (and I was!).
Do: Join social media and writing communities
Social media isn’t your best friend. But rather a tool. It can attract opportunities with high-quality clients.
In fact, many clients use LinkedIn and Twitter to find freelance writers.
“I browse LinkedIn like it’s a catalog sometimes. Twitter can be useful if people have their LinkedIn or portfolio linked in their profile.”
Andrea Drugay, Slack
“I find them via LinkedIn & Twitter, and/or writing communities.”
Andie Coupland, Couzo
“I’ll do a LinkedIn search for freelancers and use keyword filters to get a list of those who might be good candidates.”
Scott Stransky, Full Funnel Content
I know what you’re thinking, Does this mean I should become active on LinkedIn and Twitter?
Yes and no. You don’t need both social channels. If anything, create a LinkedIn profile and optimize it to your writing niche (read more about LinkedIn optimization here). It’s the spot to connect with prospects and share your insights.
Chima Mmeje is a six-figure writer. Almost daily, she shares compelling posts about her experience in SEO. Her level of consistency is why she gets 50+ likes every post.
So what about Twitter?
Twitter is more casual than LinkedIn. It’s an excellent spot to befriend people in your industry and find work along the way.
Lizzie Davey recently created the hashtag #FreelanceTwitter. It’s now easier than ever to ask fellow freelancers for quotes, advice, and recommendations.
Another way to get on your client’s radar is with our good friend, Google.
“We tend to find new freelance writers in various ways. These include plain ol’ Google searching (shows us they’ve spent the time to build out a visible portfolio).”
Jason Berkowitz, Break the Web
Showing up on Google means optimizing your site with what your clients search for. An example is your writing niche. When you search “Finance Copywriter for hire,” Cassidy’s site appears on the first page.
Other words clients might look for in finance is “finance freelance writer” or “Copywriting services in finance.”
And last, find more clients with writing communities.
Join a couple of Slack channels, like Superpath Content Marketing and Peak Freelance. Or, subscribe to Freelance to Fortune’s newsletter and join our community of writers!
Clients won’t always find you first. Put yourself out there and build relationships with people you find interesting, and you’ll snag a few writing gigs along the way.
Don’t: Get discouraged if you’re a new writer
Here’s the truth: It’s harder to find clients as a beginner. But hard doesn’t mean impossible.
It doesn’t matter what stage of freelance writing you’re in; there are awesome clients out there who will pay you good money as a freelance writer. Plus, some clients would rather hire a less established writer.
“I search through Google and sort by more recent sites, meaning less established writers who are on the up and up.”
Josh Haynam, Interact
Well-known writers are booked with client work. This is why business owners like Josh look for beginners. He needs an ongoing writer with potential.
Something else you might be thinking is, I’ve only written for small businesses and blogs. How can I land a quality writing gig?
Big brands get people’s attention. But so do results. It doesn’t matter if you’ve only written for small brands. What matters is your impact.
“Even if you wrote for some no-name blog or small business, but it showcases your work, post it! If you’re confident and proud of your work, not just your prestige, I’m inclined to work with you. Many of my clients are obscure, niche companies that need a specialized writer.”
Nikolas Wright, Local SEO Guide
Did you generate 1500 new subscribers for a small business? Show it off! As Nikolas said, be confident in your work.
And speaking of showing results…
Do: Walk the walk
Writing for the web isn’t about composing a metaphor. Online content is a marketing tool—it measures success with results, like converting more sales.
“I need writers who understand how to craft a story in any format and relate the challenges/solutions, etc. to a business problem or outcome.”
Scott Stransky, Full Funnel Content(Video) How to Find a Great Freelance Writers and Experts: Answering All Your Questions
A mistake writers make is telling prospects their results without showing them. They talk the talk.
“Show, don’t tell. That is, don’t say you’ve written for Fortune 500 company blogs without offering up some clips or some payoff if I’m clicking through to your portfolio page.”
Nikolas Wright, Local SEO Guide
High-paying writing gigs mean walking the walk. Don’t fill your website with fluff; professionals will see right through it.
Some examples of fluff include:
- Talking about yourself instead of focusing on the client
- Using big words like “transformed” and “revolutionized” without proof
- Fake social proof (yes, people do this)
“A big no-no is when writers come across as being very arrogant, and on top of that to have little to show for it.”
Steven Van Vessum, ContentKing
Instead, show results. There are a couple of ways to go about this.
The first is with data.
This writer shows her talent with a graph. It’s easy to believe that she helped a client receive 13,000+ organic search visits because data doesn’t lie.
You can also show results with a testimonial.
According to TrustPilot, nine out of ten customers read reviews before purchasing.
Your writing services are similar to selling a product. Your audience wants to know if you offer the best content writing in your industry. Testimonials tell your visitors, My past clients are happy with the results I produced, and you can be, too!
Head over to my testimonial template and learn how to ask past clients for a raving review.
The last way to show results is with a blog. Many writers, including myself, practice marketing skills with a blog. It’s how I raised my monthly income by almost $2000.
All in all, showing results isn’t the hard part. It’s doing the actual work. Keep this in mind the next time you write for a client. Ask yourself, What results do I need to achieve for this business?
Once you reach those goals, post them on your website and call it a day.
Don’t: Underestimate the art of a referral
How you treat clients can go a long way. Almost every person I interviewed mentioned referrals as a method of finding writers.
“Referrals & networking in the industry over the years have made finding the right writer significantly easier.”
Alex Panagis, ScaleMath
“To make sure there’s a good pipeline of candidates, I’ll ask industry peers for referrals.”
Steven Van Vessum, ContentKing
“I’d say 50% of the writers I hire come from referrals (writers referring other writers, colleagues at other companies recommending writers, etc.)”
Nikolas Wright, Local SEO Guide
“Referrals are always great to get writers and I keep a running list of referrals I’ve gotten.”
Andrea Drugay, Slack
You know what they say: What goes around comes back around. The better you treat clients, the more work you’ll get in the long-term.
There are two ways to become the go-to writer. The first (and more obvious) way is to show respect. This means:
- Delivering your work on-time (or early)
- Responding to emails promptly
- Communicating when you’ll be out of town
- Adding a quick “Thanks!” in your invoice notes
- Meeting your end of the writing gig
And send them a thank you note every once in a while, just because you want to.
So what’s the second way to attract more clients to your inbox?
It’s simple: Just ask!
When you’re open to more work, email your client and ask if they know anyone in need of a writer. The email can look something like below:
An email like this will put you on your client’s radar the next time someone asks for a referral.But overall, continue writing your best work, and business owners will come to you. It’s that simple.
What’s next?
See how important your website, portfolio, relationships are to your business? When you have a spare moment, ask yourself the following questions.
- Is my portfolio relevant and easy to find?
- Does my website show off my personality?
- Is my web copy free or errors?
- Am I doing all that I can to find clients? (Social media and writing communities)
- Am I showing results on my portfolio?
Fix what needs fixing, and you’ll be on your way to finding more clients and reaching $10k a month in no time!
If you found this post helpful, you also might find Freelance writing tips told by 15 epic writers, and This is what happens when you don’t listen to your gut worthwhile.
And don’t forget to subscribe to the newsletter!
FAQs
How to get your first client as a freelance content writer? ›
Ask friends and family — Let people know that you're looking for work. You might even ask if they know anyone that needs writing services. Post on social media — If you're active on social media sites like LinkedIn or Facebook, share your services with your audience. Share articles you're writing, blog posts, etc.
How do I get more clients as a freelancer? ›- Tip #1 : Build a portfolio that showcases your skills.
- Tip #2 : Personalize your search.
- Tip #3 : Respond to listings.
- Tip #4 : Sign up on freelancing platforms.
- Tip #5 : Develop your professional network and build your reputation.
- Choose a niche.
- Communicate with your clients.
- Network with other writers.
- Be active online.
- Write well-crafted pitches.
- Study negotiation and acquire a contract for every job.
- Learn how to edit.
- Master time management and organization skills.
Recommendations are among the most valuable tools in your arsenal as you go about getting your first client as a freelancer. Asking people to send you comments that can go on your website, or leave you a LinkedIn recommendation are great ways to get that all-important number one client.
How do freelancers get noticed? ›Whether you reach out to family and friends, go to in-person networking events, join a freelance website, or try your hand at cold-calling, think about how you can best demonstrate your skills and expertise, and show potential clients how you can solve problems and help them reach their goals.
How do I make my first $1000 as a content writer? ›...
How to Build from the First $1,000
- Set up retainer deals.
- Ask what else they need help with.
- Post your work as samples on your website.
- Reach out to other prospects.
- Announce your work on LinkedIn.
- Tell everyone you know what services you offer.
If you search for “How much do freelance writers make per hour?” you'll find a range that's so broad, it's barely useful. Payscale reports a pay range of $10.31 to $53.79 per hour for freelance writers. ZipRecruiter has an even broader range: $5.29 to $193.03 per hour.
How do freelance writers get hired with no experience? ›- Rewrite local small-business websites. ...
- Find abandoned business blogs. ...
- Write business emails. ...
- Create a newsletter or brochure. ...
- Report articles for local news media. ...
- Write for local magazines. ...
- Turn your former employer into a client. ...
- Write for local marketing agencies.
- Actively participate in Facebook groups. ...
- Create blog content that is written with your ideal client in mind. ...
- Perfect your current client process to receive more referrals. ...
- Answer questions on Twitter. ...
- Work with clients who have a large, engaged audience. ...
- Build an active social media presence.
You Don't Have a Good Portfolio
Your portfolio is the first and perhaps the most powerful marketing tool that you have in your arsenal as a freelancer. Prospective clients use it to judge your competence, style, work ethic, and caliber.
How much I bid I can on freelancer? ›
Your exact bid limit depends on your membership type: Free Members get 6 bids per month. Basic Members get 50 bids per month. Plus Members get 100 bids per month.
What do freelancers need most? ›Freelancing has very particular requirements like great time-management, client networking and financial planning (just to name a few). So even though you are pretty good in your creative field, you'll quickly see you have to acquire additional skills to become successful.
What are the 5 guiding principles freelancers? ›The 5 Guiding Principles are fair pay, inclusion, transparency, representation and sustainability. The principles are a framework designed to encourage better practices when organisations and freelancers work together.
How many clients should a freelance writer have? ›Sixty-three percent of freelance writers have anywhere between 1-3 clients at the same time. This is an important number to know when pricing freelance writing projects.
How do I sell myself as a freelancer? ›- Build a professional social media presence. ...
- Blog to enhance your freelance business's brand. ...
- Develop your portfolio. ...
- Request reviews and referrals. ...
- Take the time to tailor your pitches. ...
- Seize opportunities on Upwork. ...
- Put yourself on the world's best platform.
All you need to do is register for a Freelancer.com account and sign up for free. Just as easily, you can also post your first projects for free and bid out the rest for a minimal fee.
How do freelancers get leads? ›Directories and freelancing platforms are an excellent way to generate leads. A great way to generate leads is through Quora. My brother, who is also a freelancer, generates a lot of leads from Quora each month. All he does is he responds to relevant business questions, and business owners then reach out to him.
What do freelancers struggle with? ›- Finding clients.
- Increasing pay rates.
- Maintaining productivity.
- Meeting unrealistic demands.
- Getting paid on time.
- Working alone.
But freelancing is not without its drawbacks. For example, freelancing can be challenging because, oftentimes, you need to build up your portfolio for working with bigger clients. Also, if you're not extremely disciplined, you might have a hard time organizing your time.
Why being a freelancer is hard? ›Self-employment income can be inconsistent and unpredictable. Getting clients as a new freelancer can be difficult. Freelancers are responsible for their business expenses out of pocket. Freelancing means running a business alone, without much socializing.
Which type of content writing pays the most? ›
- Long-form Blog Posts or Ultimate Guides. ...
- E-Books. ...
- White Papers. ...
- Case Studies. ...
- Email Writing. ...
- Sales Pages or Landing Pages. ...
- Video Script Writing. ...
- Online or E-Learning Courses.
While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $81,500 and as low as $21,000, the majority of Entry Level Creative Writer salaries currently range between $38,000 (25th percentile) to $53,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $66,000 annually across the United States.
How much do beginner script writers get paid? ›As of Mar 2, 2023, the average annual pay for an Entry Level Script Writer in the United States is $51,566 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $24.79 an hour.
Can I make $1000 a month freelance writing? ›Even with little or no experience, you can make $1,000 or more per month as a freelance writer in a short period of time. But that's just the beginning! Some of the go getters I know earn as much as $100K- $200K a year from freelance copywriting jobs (more about that below)!
How many hours a week do freelance writers work? ›Believe it or not, most of the six-figure freelancers I know work less than 30 hours a week, usually closer to 20 billable hours. (If you're ready to earn $100 an hour or more freelancing, check out my online course.)
How much should I charge for a 1000 word article? ›The low end for a 1000-word research article is around $75, while an experienced writer may charge closer to $250 or more. Blog article. Less technical articles are often quicker to write, so you may want to charge less. A 1000-word blog article averages around $50 at the lower end and $175 at the higher end.
Is there a shortage of freelance writers? ›There is no shortage of marketplaces and platforms open to freelance writers today. Not surprising, given that it's an industry every business needs from time to time. Yet writing has experienced plenty of disruption during the 2020s. Meaning creatives need to know the best freelance writing platforms to join.
How do I sell myself as a freelance writer? ›- Choose a Freelance Writing Niche. ...
- Create a Freelance Writer's Website and Writing Portfolio. ...
- Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile. ...
- Start a Blog. ...
- Form an Online Presence. ...
- Create an Author Bio. ...
- Set Up a Google My Business Account. ...
- Start Networking.
Having a niche helps you build a profitable freelance writing business faster. Having a niche helps you focus, and focus leads to sustainable profit. With an established niche you'll be able to market yourself with confidence, build domain authority, and get quality client referrals.
How to get 10 clients a month? ›...
Take Action
- Send outreach emails.
- Send follow-up emails.
- Get on the phone with potential clients.
- Respond to inbound inquiries.
- Research local business meetups.
- Attend local meetups.
- Interact in social media groups.
- Send hand-written mail.
How do I get my first 100 customers? ›
- Ask friends. And their friends. ...
- Blog away. ✍️ ...
- Find your internet tribe. Blend in. ...
- Email in the cold. ❄️ ...
- Give stuff for free 🆓 People love getting free stuff. ...
- Affiliate marketing: pay your influencers 🤑
...
- Results.
- Reliability. ...
- Ease. ...
- Affordability. ...
- Professionalism. As freelancers, we often have to present an easy-going personality to our potential clients. ...
Clients: Freelancers often work with several clients simultaneously, while contractors tend to work with one client for a long-term period or with multiple consecutive clients over a year. A contract might demand full-time hours for several months, making it harder to work with multiple clients at once.
How much can a beginner freelancer earn? ›Average starting Salary for Freelancer in India is around ₹1.2 Lakhs per year (₹10.0k per month).
How do freelancers bid on beginners? ›A bid in Freelancer is not much different. Simply put, clients post a description of their jobs on Freelancer.com. This posting creates an “auction” for skilled help to complete those projects. Each project requires specific skills, so freelancers with those skills “bid” on the project.
What is the highest paying freelance skill? ›- Copywriter. The copywriting field is one of the most viable options for freelancers. ...
- Web designer. Web designers help clients create websites to suit specific requirements. ...
- Digital marketing consultant. ...
- Social media manager. ...
- Editor. ...
- Web developer. ...
- Media buyer. ...
- Photographer.
...
Written content has many forms, with the most popular ones being:
- Articles.
- Blog posts.
- Video scripts.
- Podcasts scripts.
- Social media content.
Losing Focus & Productivity. It's so easy to get distracted when you're working from home or from a wonderful city you've yet to explore. Part of running a successful business is staying focused and consistent during work hours. So whatever helps you stay on task, whether that be an app or routine, is vital.
What are 3 characteristics of a competent freelancer? ›Showing good communication skills. Fulfilling your promises. Completing your work in a timely manner. Maintaining high standards of work quality.
What is the right mindset for freelancing? ›Freelancers with a growth mindset believe that working hard to develop their talent and abilities will lead to success. They believe that they can learn new things—including how to get the high-paying clients they deserve and build a stable, successful freelance business.
How do I get my first client freelance writing? ›
- Personalize your cold calls and emails. ...
- Partner with other freelancers. ...
- Volunteer your services. ...
- Book a speaking engagement. ...
- Get back in touch with former clients. ...
- Search for opportunities on Twitter. ...
- Use your skills in a different way. ...
- Write a niche blog.
Thanks to word-of-mouth, one new client can easily lead to another. Finding clients as a freelancer isn't as hard as it seems, after all. You just have to be thorough and committed to hard work. Now you have some tips to better help you develop a strategy to win over clients.
How do I market myself as a freelance writer? ›- Have Examples of Your Work. ...
- Know What Niches You're Comfortable With. ...
- Use Social Media and Websites to Your Advantage. ...
- Maintain Your Portfolio. ...
- Learn How to Market Yourself as a Writer. ...
- Keep Up With Trends. ...
- Keep Sharpening Your Skills.
Some of the best ways to market yourself as a freelance writer are: Choose a freelance writing niche. Create a freelance writer's website and writing portfolio. Optimize your LinkedIn profile to attract potential clients.
Do freelancers pay the clients? ›How to Get Paid on Time as a Freelancer in India. There are a few ways to get paid as a freelancer. The most common way is to invoice your client for the work you have done. You can also ask your client to pay you through a third-party payment service like Razorpay, Paypal, and PayU.
How do I price myself as a freelancer? ›- By the Hour. The first pricing model is by the hour. ...
- By the Day. The next method is to charge by the day. ...
- By the Word. ...
- By the Project. ...
- By the Client (Retainer Packages) ...
- By the Added Value You Bring. ...
- Start from Your Desired Salary. ...
- Don't Work for Free.
While ZipRecruiter is seeing hourly wages as high as $79.33 and as low as $5.29, the majority of Freelance Writer wages currently range between $18.03 (25th percentile) to $37.50 (75th percentile) across the United States.
What is the average income for a freelance writer? ›As of Feb 7, 2023, the average annual pay for a Freelance Writer in the United States is $68,690 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $33.02 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,320/week or $5,724/month.
How do I get my writing noticed? ›- Start a blog. If you don't already have a blog, now is the time to start one. ...
- Guest post on other blogs. ...
- Comment. ...
- Get social. ...
- Get testimonials. ...
- Show off your portfolio. ...
- Just ask.
No. You don't need to form an LLC to work as a freelancer, but keep in mind that operating as a sole proprietorship or general partnership means you're personally liable should anything happen. An LLC can prevent this by separating your personal assets from your business assets.
How many hours do freelance writers work? ›
Believe it or not, most of the six-figure freelancers I know work less than 30 hours a week, usually closer to 20 billable hours. (If you're ready to earn $100 an hour or more freelancing, check out my online course.)
Are freelancers millionaires? ›You pick your own hours, you are your own boss, and you get to choose the type of work that you do each day. Plus, if you find a good niche, you can make large amounts of money in short amounts of time. That means it's possible to become a millionaire.
Are there fake clients on freelancer? ›It's rare to come across fraud or scams on our platform as a client but it's still important to know how to read the warning signs and red flags before they're successful.
Who are the highest paid freelancers? ›- Editor. National average salary: $46,635 per year. ...
- Marketing specialist. National average salary: $49,788 per year. ...
- Tutor. National average salary: $51,742 per year. ...
- Web designer. National average salary: $52,806 per year. ...
- Copywriter. ...
- Accountant. ...
- Social media specialist. ...
- Writer.