18 WAYS TO GET YOUR FIRST FREELANCE WRITING JOB IN 30 DAYS OR LESS.

How to Land Your First Freelance Writing Job in 30 Days or Less: A Practical and Actionable Guide

starting a career as a freelancer

Starting a career as a freelance writer can be a daunting task, especially if you don’t have any previous freelance writing experience or a portfolio to showcase your skills.

To be successful, I have put together 18 ways to get your first freelance job in 30 days or less.

This article is specifically for those looking for freelance writing jobs to make some money.

If you have an email list where you intend to turn subscribers into paying clients, it will be easier for you too.

With the right approach, a bit of hard work, and perseverance coupled with the information you will get here, it will be possible to land your first freelance writing job within 30 days or less.

Here are some practical and actionable tips to help you achieve this goal:

4 Initial steps to land your freelance job

1: Create a portfolio

One of the most important things you can do when looking for freelance writing jobs is to have a portfolio that showcases your best work. This can include

    • blog posts,
    • articles, and
    • any other writing samples you have.

This portfolio will be your calling card, and it will help potential clients see what you are capable of.

RESOURCE:

To create a portfolio, you can use website builders like WordPress, Squarespace, or Wix.

2: Start Networking

Networking is vital to finding freelance writing jobs. Reach out to friends, family, and colleagues to let them know that you are a freelance writer and that you are looking for work. You can also join online writing communities and forums to connect with other writers and potential clients.

RESOURCE: 

To network and connect with other writers and potential clients, you can join online writing communities and forums such as

3: Sign up for job boards

Many job boards are for freelance writers. Sign up for a few of these, and make sure to check them for new job listings. Some popular job boards include Upwork, Freelancer, and ProBlogger.

RESOURCE: 

Job boards like Upwork, Freelancer, and ProBlogger are great resources for finding freelance writing job listings

4: Cold-pitch

  1. One of the most effective ways to find freelance writing jobs is to cold-pitch potential clients. This means reaching out to companies and businesses that you would like to work with and offering your services. Make sure to research the company beforehand and tailor your pitch to their specific needs.

RESOURCE: 

For more information on cold pitching, visit The Balance Careers and see practical suggestions on how to write cold pitches, cover letters, and much more

4 things to do on your second week as a freelancer

5: Develop a Niche

Develop a niche: Having a specific area of expertise can make you stand out in the competitive world of freelance writing.

By developing a niche, you can attract clients who are looking for writers with specialized knowledge and skills.

For example, if you have a background in finance, you could focus on writing about personal finance or investing.

RESOURCE: 

Check out this Hubspot resource for more information on personal branding and developing a niche:

6: Build a website or blog

Build a website or a blog. Having your own website can be a powerful tool for promoting yourself as a freelance writer.

Use your website to showcase your portfolio, list your services, and provide a way for potential clients to contact you.

Make sure your website is professional and easy to navigate.

7: Create a social media presence

Social media is a great tool to promote yourself as a freelance writer and connect with potential clients. Create a professional profile on platforms like

  • LinkedIn and
  • Twitter

Use them to share your writing samples, industry news, and other relevant content. if you need help with this, reach out to us.

8: be prepared to negotiate

Be prepared to negotiate: When you do land a writing job, be prepared to negotiate the terms and pay.

This includes the scope of the project, the deadline, and the payment.

It’s important to have a clear understanding of what you are expected to deliver and when, as well as what you will be paid.

RESOURCE:

To learn more about negotiation and pricing, you can check out this guide from The Write Life

5 ways to sustain your success as a freelancer

9: Offer a free sample:

Offering a free sample of your writing is a way to showcase your skills and build trust with potential clients.

This can be a short blog post or article, or even a section of a longer piece.

By providing a free sample, you can show off your writing abilities and give clients a sense of what it would be like to work with you.

10: Be professional:

Always maintain a professional attitude and work ethic when dealing with clients. This means responding to emails and messages promptly, meeting deadlines, and delivering high-quality work.

Being professional will help you establish a good reputation and increase the chances of getting repeat business.

When you show how professional you are, almost every client you work with will like to recommend you to their network.

11: Keep learning:

As a freelance writer, it’s important to keep learning and growing your skills.

This can include taking writing courses, attending webinars, and reading books on the craft of writing.

The more you learn, the better equipped you’ll be to handle different types of writing projects and meet the needs of your clients.

12: Be adaptable:

Being adaptable is crucial to success as a freelance writer. You do not want to be stuck on only one way of doing things.

Be open to writing in different formats and styles and be willing to take on projects outside of your comfort zone.

This will help you build a diverse portfolio and increase your chances of finding steady work.

13: Stay organized:

Freelancing can be a bit chaotic, so it’s important to stay organized. Use tools like

  • calendars,
  • task lists, and
  • project management software to keep track of deadlines, invoices, and other important details.

By staying organized, you’ll be better able to manage your workload and meet your client’s needs.

Simply Google for tools for any of your repetitive tasks and you will see a lot of them.

RESOURCE:

To stay organized, you can use tools like

  • Trello,
  • Asana, and
  • Google Calendar.
organize your freelance writing job

3 things that will set you apart as a freelancer

14: Understand the client's needs

Understanding the client’s needs: Understanding the client’s needs is crucial to being a successful freelance writer.

Take the time to research the company or individual you’re pitching to and tailor your proposal to their specific needs.

This will help you stand out from other applicants and increase your chances of getting the job.

RESOURCE:

To understand and research a client’s needs, you can use tools like

  • Google,
  • Ahrefs,
  • SEMrush, and
  • Buzzsumo.

15: Be consistent

Be consistent. Consistency is key to building a successful freelance writing career.

This means delivering high-quality work on time, meeting deadlines, and providing excellent customer service.

By being consistent, you’ll build a positive reputation and increase your chances of getting repeat business.

16: Utilize SEO

Utilize SEO: Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is an important aspect of freelance writing.

By understanding how to optimize your writing for search engines, you can increase the visibility of your work and attract more clients.

Learn about keywords, meta tags, and other SEO techniques to enhance your writing and increase your chances of getting hired.

RESOURCE: 

You can learn more about SEO by visiting Moz at https://moz.com/beginners-guide-to-seo.

17: Follow up

Following up with potential clients is crucial to landing a freelance writing job.

After sending a pitch or applying for a job, follow up with the client to ensure that they received your application.

I usually make a follow-up attempt one or two times.

Then express your continued interest in the position.

18: Learn and Improve

Freelancing is a continuous learning process. Always be open to learning new writing styles and techniques.

You can leverage online courses, attend webinars, and read books on writing to improve your skills

RESOURCE: 

For learning more about writing and improving your skills, you can check out websites like

  • Coursera,
  • Udemy, and
  • Skillshare, which offers online writing courses.

resources to help you land your freelance job in less than 30 days

 

  1. To learn more about negotiation and pricing, you can check out this guide from The Write Life:https://thewritelife.com/negotiating-rates-freelance-writers/.
  2. For more information on SEO, visit Neil Patel’s blog at https://neilpatel.com/blog/seo-for-freelance-writers/.
  3. For more information on staying organized and managing your workload, you can check out this guide from The Freelancer:https://www.thefreelancer.co/advice/the-importance-of-staying-organized-as-a-freelancer/.
  4. For learning more about writing and improving your skills, you can check out websites like Coursera, Udemy, and Skillshare, which offer online writing courses.
  5. To learn more about how to create a website and build an online presence, you can check out website builders like Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress.
  6. To stay updated with the latest industry news and trends, you can follow blogs and publications such as Copyblogger, Problogger, and Content.
  7. To improve your social media presence and connect with potential clients, you can use platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
  8. To stay organized, you can use tools like Trello, Asana, and Google Calendar.
  9. To track your progress and set achievable goals, you can use tools like RescueTime and Toggl
let us do your writing for you

8 mistakes to avoid in freelance jobs

These mistakes are a compilation of what I have seen over the years. some of them I have made myself. I hope you will learn from them as they can keep you from landing your first freelance job.

  1. Not having a clear and professional portfolio. You must set up your portfolio as professionally as possible.
  2. Not having a well-written resume or CV. When you first start, it is good to have someone craft your resume for you. We can help you with that for a token, otherwise, head over to fiver and you will see a handful of native English-speaking people who can do it for you.
  3. Not having a professional website or online presence. You can make a good living without owning a website but owning one will increase your success rate.
  4. Not being able to communicate your skills and experience clearly. to counteract this, you may want to take courses on negotiation
  5. Not being able to provide clear and timely communication with clients.
  6. Not being able to deliver work on time and to a high standard.
  7. The inability to provide references or testimonials from previous clients can hamper your chances of getting a freelance job of your choice.
  8. Fear of criticism: when you are not able to handle criticism or feedback constructively you will find it difficult to land freelance jobs.

my personal advice to you for landing your freelance jobs

  1. Be willing to start small: When you’re first starting out as a freelance writer, it’s important to be willing to take on small jobs. These jobs may not pay as well as larger projects, but they will help you build a portfolio and gain experience.
  2. Be persistent. Landing your first freelance writing job can take time and effort. It’s important to be persistent and not give up if you don’t get a job right away. Keep applying for jobs and sending pitches, and don’t be discouraged if you don’t get a response right away.
  3. send at least 10 pitches a day.
  4. Be open to feedback. Feedback is an important part of the learning process. When you receive feedback on your writing, take it constructively and use it to improve your skills.
  5. Be proactive; don’t wait for jobs to come to you. Be proactive and seek out new opportunities. This can include cold-pitching to potential clients, applying for jobs on job boards, and networking with other writers and industry professionals.
  6. Be prepared for rejections. Rejection is a part of any job search, and freelance writing is no exception. Be prepared for rejections and don’t take them personally. Instead, use them as an opportunity to learn and improve.

Be consistent in your efforts. Consistency is the key to success in freelance writing. Make sure to put in the effort every day, whether it is networking, cold-pitching, or building your portfolio

Bonus Tip: Leverage Guest Blogging to Get Your Next freelance Job.

You want people to know what you have to offer. So, use guest blogging to reach out to a larger audience.

Send out pitches regularly to webmasters in your niche for opportunities to feature your content on their sites.

Your turn:

Let us hear you in the comment section, tell us what you think, and how we can support your online experience.

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