“But how do I find writing jobs?!”
If you’re a new or aspiring freelance writer, this question is probably at the front of your mind. You might have even tried sites like Fivver and Upwork, to little avail…
Though these job boards have become popular in the freelance writing world, they don’t offer new writers the chance to get paid a fair amount for their time and skills.
In fact, I tried job boards like these, and even a few content mills, when I first started out. And honestly, found that the low pay and intense competition was SOUL SUCKING. Let’s be real… $35 for a 1,000-word article isn’t going to keep the electricity running!
But once I shifted my job-hunting approach, I finally found consistent work (that actually paid well)! Here are the three best places I’ve turned to when looking for freelance writing jobs.
1. LinkedIn
I’ve mentioned it before, and I’ll continue to mention LinkedIn as a key resource for freelance writers. Because it’s that amazing.
LinkedIn has tens of thousands of jobs to choose from, with new listings posted every hour.
What I love about LinkedIn for finding writing jobs is that you can fine-tune your searches based on your experience, preferred location, and even salary range. Plus, you can also set job alerts, so you’ll receive notifications via the app (and email) whenever a new job with your preferences is posted.
Furthermore, you can direct recruiters and potential employers to you. LinkedIn’s “#opentowork” feature is an excellent way to indicate that you’re actively seeking jobs or freelance work. The recruiters and potential employers can contact you directly.
LinkedIn has helped me land two jobs — a previous contract role and my current full-time position — and has also connected me to freelance gigs. Check out my blog post on how to find writing jobs on LinkedIn for more tips on how to optimize your profile and job search process!
2. Opportunities of the Week newsletter
Imagine a way to receive a list of calls for pitches, full-time writing jobs, and even contracted positions straight to your inbox. Well, there is! And it’s journalist Sonia Weiser’s incredible Opportunities of the Week newsletter.
Every Tuesday and Thursday, Sonia sends out a list of calls for pitches from editors on Twitter, job listings from around the world, and other paid writing-related opportunities. These gigs range from $1/word written assignments for major outlets, editorial roles, and even internships.
The Opportunities of the Week newsletter is only $4 per month (aka a major bargain!), and in my experience, it provides massive value. In fact, I landed gigs with Business Insider, Byrdie, Verywell Mind, and Metro UK through this newsletter, essentially giving me my “big break” as a writer.
If you’ve been trying to get those prominent bylines, I can’t recommend this newsletter enough in helping you get there!
3. Your existing network (in-person and online)
Word-of-mouth marketing is not dead. I repeat: WORD-OF-MOUTH MARKETING IS NOT DEAD!
I know from my own experience that asking others for help can be daunting. But unless we speak up, we can’t get on other people’s radars. I’ve had several leads (and potential clients) pop up as a result of sharing my business cards with family friends and acquaintances, and reaching out to former clients.
Also, here’s another hot tip: don’t hesitate to ask other writers where they get jobs. I’ve had several fellow writers point me in the direction of their editors, and have also helped put fellow writers in touch with editors I’ve worked with. When we start viewing writing not as a competition, but as a collaborative space in which there’s room for us all to thrive, we begin to help others grow, and also grow as a result.
Finally, whether we like them or not, online networks are here to stay. When we aren’t using them to mindlessly scroll, they can be a huge asset to our professional goals. My biggest recommendations are LinkedIn and Facebook, as you can directly engage with people in your field on the former, and join writing-related groups on the latter.
LinkedIn and Facebook can be great for finding one-off writing projects, or even landing long-term work. They require time and consistency, but in the long run, they can potentially help reshape your career.
What’s the deal with Fiverr and Upwork?
Fiverr and Upwork have become all but synonymous with freelancing these days. Both sites allow writers to find work relatively easily, and have a low barrier to entry.
These sites might be great for those living in countries where the U.S. dollar goes far (i.e. India, The Philippines, Mexico). But for those of us from most western countries, these sites involve a whole lot of lowballing. Competition is intense, and when you’re first starting out, it can be overwhelming to compete with so many others on the site. Only a select few make it to the top ranks of these sites, and even then, I believe you can make much more money for the same amount of work through the methods listed above.
Plus, when you get paid through Fiverr and Upwork, the sites end up taking a small percentage of your overall pay.
The only caveat to this is if you’re in the early stages of your freelancing journey and need items to add to your portfolio. In this case, it’s can be beneficial to take on a low-paying project or two from Fiverr or Upwork. However, don’t include these two sites as part of your long-term job search strategy.
Key Takeaways
Many writers get trapped on job boards when they first begin freelancing because there’s a misconception that these are the only way to connect with clients. That couldn’t be further from the truth!
We can find better quality work (that also provides fairer compensation) through the following methods:
- Opportunities of the Week newsletter
- Our in-person and online networks
So, tell me… Have you used any of these methods to land writing gigs? Are there other methods that worked for you?
