Freelancing 101: How to Get Started as a Freelance Writer
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After hitting the $300,000 mark on Upwork as a freelancer, I’ve wanted to write this post to share how I got started as a freelance writer and all my best tips and resources.
So, I put together this master blog post with how to get into freelancing, and I’ve linked to the current resources I have on my blog to help you! I’ll keep adding to this list as I make more content, so check back here if you’re looking for more support, and be sure to subscribe to my newsletter for subscriber-only freelancing tips and storytelling tricks.
If you want a more in-depth guide to getting started, you can also pick up a copy of my book Six-Figure Freelance Writer.
This book…
Helps both experts and beginning freelance writers build and level up their career
Lays out tried-and-true strategies to work with high-quality clients and earn more for every project — without working crazy hours!
Includes free access to some of the digital downloads in my shop
I’ve also been seeing my students find success on Upwork with my course on how I made over $300k on the freelance platform Upwork, so I’ve got a lot of materials developed for you!
Okay, here’s the guide!
Step One: Define Your Niche: Follow Your Excitement
People like to hire experts: they don’t want a writer who can do a bunch of things well, they want the best writer for their project. I’ve seen writers specialize in things as specific as “construction copywriting” and get a ton of work, so pick a niche and get to it.
My niche is memoir ghostwriting. When I got started, I focused more on blogging and copywriting as I had a larger portfolio in those areas, so know that it’s okay to shift around a bit as long as you’re developing a strong portfolio in your areas of interest.
Your niche should be an area you LOVE writing in. It should be something you’re curious about and want to hone your skills and learn more about! The goal here is to pick a type of work that feels like play. Even though there may be days when you’re burned out or tired, you should feel a flutter of excitement when you’re thinking about your chosen niche.
Keep looking until you find it, and don’t be afraid to learn new skills if you need to spend some time exploring!
Resources:
Blog Post: How to Write a Memoir: Be a Detective in Your Own Life
Blog Post: 5 Ways to Quit Your Day Job and Become a Full-Time Freelancer
One-On-One Coaching: 30 Days to Freelancing Success with Amy Suto
Step Two: Pick a Freelancing Platform and Set Your Rates
When you’re getting started, I recommend beginning on a freelance platform like Upwork or Fiverr. I’ve found a ton of success on Upwork, but Fiverr is kind of a cheap marketplace and I don’t recommend it unless you’re OK with starting with very low-priced services. I recently released my first course on how I made $300,000+ on Upwork and how to optimize your profile, avoid being scammed by clients, and work with amazing people you adore while being paid really well to write! I also include some free digital downloads like my hourly rate calculator and my Upwork cover letter templates in the course. (Those are also available in my shop as well!)
If you’re not working on a freelance platform, you’ll need to develop your own freelance contracts, billing system, and client portal. You’ll eventually need to do this, but when you’re just getting started I recommend you begin on a freelancing platform to keep it simple. Once you build momentum, you can dive into setting up your own entity, getting an accountant, having a lawyer make your freelancing contracts and all that jazz — but for beginners it’s worth the 10% fee to work on a freelancing platform.
The other nice thing about freelance platforms is that the algorithm will over time bring you more and more inbound leads, AKA clients you didn’t have to submit a proposal to or find yourself! I’ve had days where three or four clients would invite me to interview for awesome jobs, and I didn’t have to lift a finger. This saves your precious time so you can focus on writing instead of finding clients.
Resources:
Course: How I Made $300,000+ on Upwork (includes hourly rate tracker + cover letter templates!)
Blog Post: How I Make $20,000-$30,000 Per Month as a Freelancer
Blog Post: Getting Started: How I Made My First $10,000 as a Freelancer
Step Three: How to Build a Freelancing Portfolio
Building a killer freelancing portfolio is key to landing awesome clients. Here’s a blog post I wrote for you about how to do just that specifically geared towards freelance writing, but with some tips no matter what you do as a freelancer.
Step Four: Create a Daily Success Routine
We are what we do every day, so if you want to be set up for success, take a look at your habits and routines! My favorite book on the literal planet is James Clear’s book Atomic Habits. It dives into how if you want to change your life, you need to start by changing your daily habits.
Small things add up: if you’re spending a few hours every day submitting proposals on Upwork, writing on your blog, learning new skills, and doing great work for clients, that will compound over time. You’ll start to see your work pay off in exciting and awesome ways — but that can’t happen if you don’t start and apply consistent effort!
Learning should be a big part of your daily success routine. You are what you consume, so try and read some of the best work in your content niche.
Resources:
Step Five: Marketing: Why Blogging is Key to Generating Leads
One of the most exhausting parts of being a freelancer when you’re starting off is doing the work of finding clients. I found most of my clients on Upwork — and then they started finding me on this blog! Now, I don’t need to look for clients at all because I’m on the front page of Google for “memoir ghostwriter” and a few other keywords my clients are searching. I have more work than I have time for, all because I put a lot of energy into building this blog and thinking about my ideal clients and how they would find me.
By optimizing your website for search engines now, you’re building a long-term pipeline for clients forever. That means no time spent finding clients, which will allow you to do more of what you love.
Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter for more tips on blogging and building a newsletter to attract clients.
Resources:
Step Six: Become Recession-Proof and Create Need-to-Have Offerings
Everyone likes to say that freelancing is “unstable,” but in reality I have way more job security as a freelancer. If you build your systems and personal branding right, you’ll always be booked and busy — no matter what the economy is doing.
Resources:
Step Seven: Travel the World and Work Remotely
One of the best perks of working remotely? Travel! You can live and work anywhere, whether that’s Prague or Rome or just in your living room while wearing PJs all day.
There’s a lot of cities that are super accessible and budget-friendly to digital nomads, such as Prague and Budapest, where the food and lodging is very cheap, especially when you factor in the conversion rate.
Below are some of my top resources and travel tips for striking the perfect work-life balance!
Resources:
Step Eight: Never Give Up: Put in the Work and Practice Self-Care
Self-care is so important to weathering the ups and downs of freelancing. You’ll have bad days and bad client experiences or days where you are overwhelmed and stressed by how much there is to do. Or, you’ll feel like you frustrated in your creative life and not knowing how to get un-stuck.
Below are some of my blog posts about mindset and approaching freelancing from a more holistic perspective.
Resources:
Blog Post: Writers’ Life: How Your Examined Life Informs The Stories You Tell
Blog Post: Stress Relief for Writers: Staying Creative Through Busy Schedules
Blog Post: How to Get Organized and Motivated After a Setback
Blog Post: Writer’s Life: Finding Creativity & Maslow’s Hierarchy
Course: How to Make $300,000+ on Upwork as a Freelancer
Check out my course on how I made $300,000+ on Upwork, which has over two hours of video content walking you through all of the lessons I’ve learned freelancing on the platform. It answers pretty much every major question I get asked, which is why I recommend it to y’all, because I don’t want you to make the same mistakes I did on it! There are some clients out there who will unfortunately try to take advantage of you, which is why you have to use Upwork carefully.
Offering: Book a One-On-One Coaching Program with Me
Most of my work is done creating resources here on the blog for you. From courses to my book to digital downloads, I’ve got a ton of free and paid resources for you depending where you are on your freelancing journey.
I’ve realized I can help people in a more customized way that’s tailored to their goals through one-on-one virtual coaching sessions, which is why I have a coaching offering for you!
Join my 30 Days to Freelancing Foundations Coaching Program where I help you create a detailed action plan — and then help you execute your plan! — in order to start your journey as a freelancer (or supercharge your existing freelance career) and head down the path to financial freedom. This program includes free resources, weekly meetings for 4 weeks in a row, and a customized action plan to help you get to the next stage in your journey.
I’m so passionate about helping others discover the freedom of freelancing, and I’m so happy you’re here.
Questions? Comments? Let me know what topics you’d like me to cover in future blog posts here!
