“But where do I even begin?!”
This is the BIG question at the onset of anyone’s freelance writing journey.
‘Cause let’s be real… there’s a super steep learning curve, and it’s overwhelming trying to figure out where to begin. Maybe you’ve already spent hours sending pitches, looking for jobs, and trying to learn from courses or blogs… To little avail.
I understand ALL of these struggles firsthand, my friend.
You see, when I decided to start freelance writing in 2021 (with no formal writing experience), I spent SO much time haphazardly trying to figure things out. I ended up taking on whichever random gigs I could find, which typically didn’t pay well.
I kept wondering what I was missing; why other freelance writers seemed to be thriving while I was stuck working on another iWriter article for a measly few cents per word. (Spoiler alert: that doesn’t come close to covering bills, especially in a pricey place like California!)
So, what finally moved the needle in my own freelance writing journey? And how can you use these same insights to kickstart your career? I share my step-by-step process in The Freelance Writing Roadmap, a free 11-page ebook you can grab at the link here.
Need a little more context? Don’t worry, that’s why I put together this blog post to answer any questions you might have. Let’s dive right in!
My Freelance Writing Journey
In hindsight, I realized I was missing a HUGE component when I first started freelancing. I didn’t have a clear strategy — a basic roadmap — to help me learn and grow professionally. For starters, I expected jobs to come to me (spoiler alert #2: they don’t, at least not in the beginning!). And I didn’t take the time to learn more about the craft and the business of freelance writing itself.
I spent much of 2021 fumbling around and trying to find my footing. This involved a lot of low-paying or unpaid work, and feeling as if I’d perhaps made the wrong decision by becoming a freelancer. Why did everyone else make it look so easy?!
In 2022, things finally changed. For one, I became more proactive about looking for quality writing gigs — not just ones that would fill up my time and give me a bit of extra cash. No, no! I searched for writing gigs that aligned with my interest and would allow me to build more skills. (In the guide, I share the resources that helped me in these areas!)
Also, I started to develop a strategy for sending pitches and improving my online presence. In other words, I began treating my freelance writing business as an actual business (shocker, right?!). And guess what happened? In 2022, I landed stories in Business Insider, Well+Good, Byrdie, and several other leading publications.
Plus, I had the chance to write content for several B2C companies… and eventually, I transitioned into my current full-time content writer role at Reframe, the #1 iOS alcohol reduction app.
I’m not going to say this was pure luck because it was a LOT of hard work. But I know that with the right resources and guidance in place, I could’ve saved a ton of unnecessary stress and earned more money early on.
How Can The Freelance Writing Roadmap Help You?
So, you’re ready to finally become a freelance writer? Congratulations on taking the first step toward a fulfilling and exciting career! Freelance writing can be a fantastic way to channel your creativity, help others spread their messages, and make a living doing what you love. But, as we just touched on, getting started is the hardest part.
When I first started my freelance writing career, I had no idea where to begin. I spent hours scouring the internet for advice, sending poorly written pitches, and looking for writing jobs in all the wrong places. It was overwhelming, frustrating, and at times, demotivating.
But, after months of trial and error, I finally figured out a system that worked for me. And now, I want to share those lessons with you through my FREE guide, The Freelance Writing Roadmap.
This 5-step guide will help you navigate your freelance writing journey, whether you’re looking to make it a full-time career or a side hustle. It includes all the tips and tricks that had the biggest impact on my own career, and I’m confident they’ll help you, too.
Here’s what you can expect from the guide:
Step 1: Determine Your Niche(s) & Service(s)
Ahh, the niche. It’s a common debate in the freelancing and marketing world: Do you have to niche down?! To start out, yes! And even if you currently have no clue what your niche would be, don’t worry. I have a few helpful tips on how to help you figure yours out.
Step 2: Build a Portfolio (From Scratch!)
No portfolio? No problem. Figuring out a way to prove your writing abilities can be challenging, especially if you don’t have any formal writing experience. But thankfully, there are a few ways to go about this. I’ll share straightforward portfolio-building hacks that’ll help you showcase your amazing talents.
Step 3: Search for Jobs
Content mills can be a tempting way to break into freelance writing since the barrier to entry is pretty low, but they’re not the only option out there. In fact, I’d encourage you to avoid them because they don’t pay a fair wage for the amount of work required. In this section, I share my favorite places to find writing jobs that pay well and offer a variety of projects.
Another one of the hardest parts of being a freelance writer is figuring out how to land those coveted bylines. There are so many publications and media outlets, and it can be challenging to know which ones commission stories from freelancers. That’s why I also share a list of outlets that pay writers for their work, so you don’t have to spend hours down a Google rabbit hole.
Step 4: Pitch Editors (Includes a pitching template & a successful Business Insider pitch)
Pitching editors can be nerve-wracking, but it’s a necessary part of the job. I’ll spill all the deets for crafting a pitch that communicates your story idea in a clear and compelling manner. Plus, you’ll also receive a pitching template and a sample pitch that helped me land my first ever Business Insider byline in 2022.
Step 5: Sharpen Your Skills
Learning the essentials can really help skyrocket your career and give you extra confidence as you pitch clients and promote your skills. In the last section of the guide, I share a list of free and paid (but well worth it!) resources to help you dive deeper into your craft.
By following these five steps, you’ll be well on your way to a successful and meaningful freelance writing career. Say goodbye to confusion and overwhelm, and say hello to the impactful career that awaits you!
Here’s What Others Are Saying About the Freelance Writing Roadmap
Download The Freelance Writing Roadmap Today!
So, to help you along your own freelance writing path — whether you’re looking to go full-time or make it a side gig — grab your Freelance Writing Roadmap now!
It’ll give you a solid foundation for kickstarting your writing career and sharing your words with the world.
To recap, this guide includes:
- Tips for honing in on your niche
- Ways to create a portfolio with ZERO experience
- The BEST places to find writing jobs
- A list of outlets that PAY writers
- Tips for pitching editors + a PITCHING TEMPLATE
- Super useful CRAFT-BUILDING resources
- PLUS an actual pitch that helped me land a story in Business Insider
All of these steps helped my writing career take off, and I want them to do the same for YOU! So, are you ready to take the first step in a fulfilling freelancing journey? Then head to the link here to grab your free guide!