How can freelance writers find clients?

If you’ve been toying with the idea of starting a freelance writing business, you may first be wondering whether or not it’s a good move.

From personal experience, I can say making the move to freelance writing has been the best decision I’ve ever made. I can also say making money hasn’t been immediate, and there’s been a learning curve for sure.

To quantify whether or not it’s a viable business move, consider what a recent report from Upwork and the Freelancers Union Reports says. The study reports that the global freelance market is expected to reach $4.3 trillion by 2030. Whoa!

As you can see, there is a high demand for freelance writers, and there’s money to be made—even during a recession. In fact, I’m 14 years into freelance writing and 3Xed my income in 2022, referred work to other writers, brought on subcontractors, and still had an influx of work.

I also recognize I’ve spent time building a network, and most of my work comes from referrals. It can be challenging to find freelance gigs, but it’s not impossible, and there is plenty of work to go around. 

Let’s take a closer look at how and where freelancers find work.

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How do freelance writers find work?

74% of freelance writers said they found their most recent writing gig through personal connections or networking, while 21% found work through job boards or marketplaces, according to a survey by Contently.

And the Freelancers Union found that 63% of freelancers in the United States found their most recent gig through personal or professional connections, while 36% found work through online job boards or marketplaces. This suggests that networking and outreach can be effective strategies for finding freelance writing jobs.
My personal experience supports these findings. I find most of my work with the help of personal connections, but that doesn’t mean I never look at job boards or cold-pitch clients. Let’s dive deeper into how to build connections and what job boards are the best.

How can freelance writers connect with other industry professionals and start getting referrals?

I always say if people don’t know who you are, they can’t hire you. If you don’t have freelance writing friends and past clients, they can’t refer you to other clients. So the best thing to do to jump-start your freelance writing career is to start networking. 

Here are some ideas on networking properly in the freelance writing world.

1. Get active on social media (especially Twitter & LinkedIn)

Charles Miller on using social media for networking.

Social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram can be useful tools for connecting with other writers and potential clients. You can use these platforms to share your work, engage with others in your industry, and showcase your skills and expertise.

There are several ways for writers to connect with other writers on LinkedIn and Twitter. One strategy is to follow writing-related hashtags (e.g., #freelancechat, #amwriting), which can help you discover new content, resources, and writers to follow and engage with. 

Participating in Twitter chats or LinkedIn groups focused on writing is another way to connect with other writers and industry professionals. I already mentioned Freelance Chat. Freelance Chat is an event where freelancers meet every Thursday to discuss freelancing.

#FreelanceChat

Sharing your writing on social media can help you connect with other writers and potential clients, and engaging with other writers' content, whether through likes, comments, or shares, can be a good way to build relationships. I follow Erica Schnieder, Rob Lennon, and Kieren Drew on Twitter. These pros talk about how you can grow your social following through your writing.

By using these strategies and being active on social media, writers can build relationships that can lead to collaboration, support, and networking opportunities.

2. Attend writing conferences and events

Attending writing conferences and events can be a great way to connect with other writers, industry professionals, and potential clients. You can network with others, learn about new trends and opportunities, and showcase your work.

Consider checking out any of the following:

Creator events. CEX 2023 is an event where content creators from all over come together and learn from one another. And guess who will be speaking there in May? Yours Truly.

Writing conferences: Writing conferences can be a great way to learn about new trends, techniques, and resources in the writing industry. These conferences often feature workshops, panels, and keynote speakers, and can provide opportunities to network with other writers and industry professionals.

Content marketing conferences: Content marketing conferences can be useful for writers interested in learning about marketing strategies and tactics for creating and promoting content. These conferences often cover topics such as SEO, social media, email marketing, and analytics.

Industry-specific events: Depending on your niche or area of expertise, there may be industry-specific events that could be relevant to your writing career. For example, if you write about technology, attending a tech conference could be a good way to stay up-to-date on industry trends and connect with potential clients.

Join writing groups or communities

This is one of the best tips I can give you for building your network. Joining writing groups or communities, either online or in-person, can provide opportunities to connect with other writers and potential clients. These groups can also offer support, resources, and advice for navigating the freelance writing industry.

I suggest joining:

• Peak Freelance. “Are you a freelance writer who wants to work with bigger and better clients, build a personal brand, and scale from $250/post to upwards of $1k? You'll love it here.” - Peak Freelance

• Freelance Copywriters & Content Writers. This is one of the most active Facebook groups, and it's full of writers. This group isn’t your typical, run-of-the-mill spammy community. It has high standards and active moderation. You’ll get access to other professionals, opportunities, and killer advice.

• Superpath. Superpath is another awesome community. If you’re a freelancer and haven’t checked it out, the time is now. You will find tons of value in the Slack group.

*If you’re interested in Peak Freelance, send me a message. I can hook you up with a referral code and a discount.

Reach out to freelancers, potential clients, or industry professionals directly

If you have a specific area of expertise or niche, reaching out to clients or industry professionals directly can be a good way to find freelance writing work. There’s nothing wrong with connecting directly with people you want to work with.

I received a pitch from a potential subcontractor today, and I loved the way the writer introduced herself. Check it out:

---

Hi Ashley,

I am an Indian freelancer, working primarily as a content writer and strategist for my clients.

I recall starting to follow you on LinkedIn in late 2021 or early 2022. After digging more into your profile and it being close to a year now, all I can say is that I have enjoyed being a witness to the varied work you do and the insights you provide. 

Cutting to the chase- I want to work with you!

And not like many other people would. But in a way that required me to wait months to become confident in my work, follow what the players in the industry post, understand their needs, upskill myself, and prepare my portfolio while obsessing over each page, on whether it qualified to be presented to them.

Being an enthusiast about the many aspects of life (food, travel, beauty, health, human psychology, work, and people), I decided to quit my full-time position at the Go-MMT Group (a leading travel company in India) and have been working as a freelancer up to this point. Fortunately, I had enough opportunities to spend a lot of time practicing content in various niches.

I'm taking the liberty to send you my portfolio so you can have a look at the work I've been able to produce over the past year.

If you're open to a freelancing model, I would love to go into great detail about what I can provide if you think my work can benefit what you do.

Best,

(FREELANCE WRITER)

---

You can also send a targeted pitch showcasing your skills and portfolio or offer to write a (paid) sample article or piece of content.

The best advice I can give you is to do a ton of research on the company or editor you are pitching. You will want to tailor your pitch to their needs, requests, and submission guidelines.

If you’re struggling to get started, here’s a little template you can use to guide you. Remember, this is a starting point. You shouldn’t follow the template exactly.

---

Subject: Inquiry about writing opportunities

Dear [Client],

I hope this email finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I am a freelance writer with a background in [Your Niche or Area of Expertise]. I came across your company's website and was impressed by the [Insert Compliment About the Client's Business or Industry].

I am reaching out to inquire about any writing opportunities that may be available at your company. I have a strong track record of producing [Insert Examples of Your Writing Experience or Skills], and I believe that my skills and experience would be a valuable asset to your team.

I have attached a copy of my writing portfolio for your review. You can also find more examples of my work on my personal website at [Insert Your Website URL].

I would love the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to your company's content marketing efforts. Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to discuss further.

Thank you for considering my inquiry.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

---

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Again, this template is just a starting point and can be modified to fit your specific goals and needs. When crafting a cold pitch, it's important to be professional, concise, and tailored to the specific client or company you are reaching out to. 

Include examples of your writing experience or skills and a link to your writing portfolio or website, as this can help demonstrate your value and make your pitch more compelling.

What are the best job boards to find work?

While networking is the long game and will help you land freelance writing jobs, sometimes you don’t have time to wait. You have to get income and need to find new clients.

For this situation, I recommend checking out job boards. I’ve found awesome work on job boards throughout the years. 

Here are the best job boards:

1. Peak Freelance

2. Superpath

3. BloggingPro

4. ProBlogger

5. MediaBistro 

6. Flex Jobs 

7. Freelancewriting.com

8. Contena

9. LinkedIn Jobs

10. Content Writing Jobs 

1. Peak Freelance

Peak Freelance is the awesome freelance community I was talking about earlier. The team at Peak also scours the internet for fresh jobs and updates their board regularly. This is the perfect place to start.

2. Superpath

Superpath is also a community you should look into, and check out its job board while you’re at it. Superpath emails out new jobs every week. I’ve found a few cool gigs and great resources through this website.

3. BloggingPro

BloggingPro is a website that provides resources and tips for bloggers and freelance writers. According to its website, BloggingPro is "a blog about blogging for the pros." The site features articles on a range of topics related to blogging and content creation, including SEO, social media, productivity, and writing tips. 

It also has a job board that lists freelance writing and blogging opportunities. BloggingPro is a resource for bloggers and writers looking to improve their skills, stay up-to-date on industry trends, and find new opportunities.

4. ProBlogger

ProBlogger was founded by Darren Rowse, a well-known blogger, and digital media strategist. ProBlogger is a resource for bloggers and writers looking to improve their skills, grow their audience, and monetize their blogs. 

The site offers courses and ebooks to help bloggers and writers improve their skills and grow their businesses. And—you guessed it. The site also offers awesome job opportunities. Add ProBlogger to your list.

5. Media Bistro

MediaBistro is hit-and-miss for me, but it’s worth having on the list for sure, and it’s much better than Fiverr or Craigslist. It was founded in 1996 as a resource for journalists but has since expanded to cover a wide range of industries, including advertising, marketing, public relations, and digital media. 

MediaBistro offers various services, including job listings, full-time jobs, courses and workshops, and industry news and analysis. It is a resource for professionals looking to stay up-to-date on industry trends, find job opportunities, and improve their skills.

6. FlexJobs

FlexJobs is a job search platform focusing on flexible and remote work opportunities. To find jobs on FlexJobs, you can follow these steps:

1. Create a profile: First, create a profile on FlexJobs by providing your contact information, resume, and a list of your skills and experience. This will help you apply for jobs and be found by employers.

2. Search for jobs: Once you have a profile, you can use the search function on FlexJobs to find job openings that match your skills and interests. You can search by location, job type (e.g., freelance, part-time, full-time), or industry.

3. Apply for jobs: When you find a job you are interested in, you can apply by following the instructions in the job listing. This may involve submitting a resume, cover letter, and/or writing samples.

4. Follow up: After applying for a job, it's a good idea to follow up with the employer to express your interest and inquire about the status of your application.

7. Freelancewriting.com

This website has been around for a long time, and it’s an excellent place to find potential job opportunities. The job board lists freelance writing opportunities and has a directory of writing markets and publications.

The site also features articles on a range of topics related to freelance writing, including how to find work, improve your writing skills, and negotiate rates. 

8. Contenta

Contena is a platform that connects freelance writers with clients in various industries. It allows writers to create a profile, showcase their work, and apply for writing gigs. No matter what type of writing you do, you’ll want to check out Contenta.

Contena also offers a range of resources and tools to help writers improve their skills and find work, including writing courses, job listings, and a community forum. 

The platform is a resource for freelance writers looking to find work, improve their skills, and stay up-to-date on industry trends.

9. LinkedIn Jobs

LinkedIn is hot right now—for good reason. Everyone is getting more serious about networking on LinkedIn and finding good people to hire. This is especially true considering the platform chaos on Twitter.

LinkedIn is a professional networking platform that also has a job board called LinkedIn Jobs. Here are a few reasons why LinkedIn Jobs may be a good resource for finding job opportunities:

1. Professional focus: LinkedIn is a platform specifically designed for professionals, so the job listings on LinkedIn Jobs tend to be more focused on professional roles and industries.

2. Large user base: LinkedIn has a large user base, including professionals from various industries and companies. This means many job listings on LinkedIn Jobs and a good chance of finding opportunities that match your skills and interests.

3. Relevant job recommendations: LinkedIn uses data from your profile and activity on the platform to recommend job opportunities that may be relevant to you. This can make finding job openings that align with your skills and experience easier.

4. Networking opportunities: LinkedIn allows you to connect with other professionals and build relationships that can lead to job opportunities. By building a strong LinkedIn profile and networking with others in your field, you can increase your chances of finding job openings that may not be advertised publicly.

LinkedIn Jobs can be a useful resource for finding professional job opportunities, especially if you are looking for roles in specific industries or companies. It's also a good platform for networking and building relationships with other professionals.

10. Contentwritingjobs.com

ContentWritingJobs.com is one I found on the search engine but use often. It lists freelance writing (e.g., blogs, ebooks, white papers, etc.) and content creation opportunities on its job postings. According to its website, the platform is specifically designed for writers seeking work in the content marketing industry. 

ContentWritingJobs.com is one of the best freelance writing job boards. It features high-paying and high-quality job listings from various industries, start-ups, and companies, as well as resources and tips for writers looking to improve their skills and find work. The platform is a resource for freelance writers seeking content marketing-specific job opportunities from other business owners. You can also find technical writing jobs here sometimes.

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Networking and job boards are both great ways to find freelance writing gigs and show off your writing services. 

Do you know how else beginners can find great gigs and build a network? You can subscribe to Content Connect. I send weekly emails for writers and content marketers, and it’s full of goodies like pay rates, type of work you can get in the freelance writing industry, and step-by-step info on how to get started and grow.

Freelance writing research process 101

If you're a freelance writer, chances are you're always on the lookout for new and better ways to research and write articles. After all, efficiency is key when you're making a living off your writing.

This article will cover some of the best ways to research and write articles to help you maximize your time, and make more money.

Why should you have a research process when writing articles?

Writing a great article all starts with a stellar research process. If you don’t know your audience, dive deep enough, or consult experts, your content will fall flat.

Additionally, a research process will help you:

• Save time. When you have a process, you know exactly what needs to be done and in what order. This can help you avoid spending time on tasks that are not essential to writing a great article.

• Produce a better article. By taking the time to research your topic thoroughly, you will be able to produce an article that is more informative and accurate.

• Avoid plagiarism. When you have a process, you will glean your own insights, and you’re less likely to accidentally plagiarize another author's work.

• Stay organized. When you have a process, you can keep track of all of your research materials in one place. This can help you avoid losing important information or forgetting to include something in your article.

Now that you know the benefits of having a research process, let’s discuss the essential elements of a research process.

Hello, World!

Conduct audience research and discover your audience's problems

If you want to write a great article, you need to start by understanding your audience. Who are they? What do they care about? What are their pain points? What influencers do they follow? What products do they buy? What interests them on social media?

Audience research is the tool that will help you answer these questions. There are a lot of ways to conduct audience research, including using audience research tools like SparkToro and conducting surveys, interviews, and focus groups.

The best thing to do is to have ongoing and organic conversations with members of your audience. Engage with people on Twitter and LinkedIn, chat with customers IRL, and have an online community where your audience can provide ongoing feedback.

Sending your client a content brief

Sending your client a content brief is an important step in the research process. Most high-earning freelance writers won’t start an article without a content brief.

A content brief should include the following:

• A description of the target audience

• The problem that the target audience is facing

• The goal of the article

• Target keywords

• The main points that the article will cover

• The tone of the article

• The target word count

• Competitors

• Any relevant deadlines

A content brief will help to make sure that everyone is on the same page regarding the audience, purpose, and goals of the article.

It will also help to keep the writing process on track and guarantee that the final article meets the needs of the target audience.

Doing preliminary research on a topic

When you're ready to start preliminary research, there are a few strategies you can use to quickly gather information about your topic.

One effective way to get an overview of a topic is to do a search across social media, including Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok. Social media will give you accurate insight into what people are saying about your topic right now.

Another idea is to scour Google for new trends, recent data, and industry reports. A tool like Waldo (a Google Chrome Extension for enhanced research) will help speed up your research process by helping you identify the right resources with a few hotkeys.

You can also use Google News to get a sense of what's being written about currently in the news. If you're looking for more in-depth information, you can search for academic papers on Google Scholar. Make sure they have been published recently.

Finally, don't forget to check out the resources available on your client's website. They may have helpful blog posts, infographics, or even data sets that you can use in your article.

Creating an outline

Once you have a general understanding of your topic and what your audience wants to know, it's time to start creating an outline for your article. This will be a roadmap for your research and writing, and will help you keep your article focused and on-track.

There are a few different ways you can approach creating an outline. One method is to start with a general introduction to your topic, followed by the main points you want to make. Each of these main points can then be further divided into sub-points.

Alternatively, you can start with a list of questions your audience is likely to have about your topic, and then answer these questions in your article. This can be a helpful way to structure your article, and make sure you're covering all the relevant information.

Whichever approach you choose, make sure your outline is clear and concise. It should be a helpful tool for you during the research and writing process, not a hindrance.

Conducting expert outreach for quotes

When you're writing an article, it's important to get quotes from subject matter experts (SMEs) in the field to help support your argument. But how do you go about getting these quotes?

The best way to get quotes from experts is to reach out to them directly. This can be done through email, social media, or even in person if you're attending an event where they're speaking.

When you contact an expert, be sure to explain who you are, what you're writing about, and why you think their quote would be valuable. You should also provide them with any specific questions you have that they can address in their quote.

If you don’t have a relationship with the subject matter expert or don’t feel comfortable reaching out directly, you can put a request for a quote on HARO, Qwoted, or Terkel.

Reviewing new reports, recent statistics, and relevant data

As you're conducting your research, you'll likely come across new reports, statistics, and data sets that are relevant to your article topic. It's important to review this new information and integrate it into your article if it's relevant.

New reports can provide valuable insights that you didn't have before, and recent statistics can help to support your argument or provide new evidence for your claims. New data sets can also help to support your article and provide additional information for your readers.

When reviewing new information, be sure to critically evaluate it and determine if it's truly relevant to your article. Don't just add new information for the sake of adding more information; only include it if it will truly benefit your readers and add context to your article.

Engage in communities that are relevant to your article topic

When you're researching an article topic, it's important to engage with relevant communities in your niche. This will help you get a better understanding of the topic, and you may even find some new perspectives that you hadn't considered before.

You can engage with communities by participating in online forums, reading blogs and articles written by experts in the field, and attending conferences and events related to your topic.

If you can, try to meet people in person who are experts on your topic. This can be difficult if you're not based in the same city as the experts, but it's worth the effort if you can swing it. You can also reach out to experts via Zoom, social media, or email.

Now it’s time to start writing

Once you’ve conducted thorough research, you’re officially ready to start writing. Remember, your research provides context for the arguments you’re making in your articles.

State your case and then support it with insight from subject matter experts, recent data, community insight, and examples you’ve sourced in your research.

Should freelance writers charge $1 per word?

Yes, writers have to be good with words. But, producing an excellent piece of content requires A LOT more work and expertise than putting pen to paper.

Here is what you're REALLY charging for:

1. Content marketing - The purpose of writing content for a company doesn't start and end with entertainment. The purpose is to connect with an audience during some stage of the sales funnel. A good writer knows this and knows how to engage customers with the right messages.

2. Research - The research that goes into creating content is INTENSE. Writers learn everything about the company, topic, industry, trends, relevant reports, etc. Writing good content means bringing extremely detailed insights to light in a way that is accessible to all

3. Time & expertise - Let's get hypothetical. Say you take a smart industry expert (e.g., DTC business owner) that is NOT a writer and also an expert content writer in the DTC industry. You place them both in a cute she-shed and ask them to complete the same writing assignment.

Predicted results:

Writer - The content writer is going to get the job done faster. The article will be structured better, more fun to read, and it will rank on Google. Even though the writer is not a DTC business owner, the writer's article will be better in every way.

Non-writer expert - The expert clearly has all the industry knowledge (that's why writers interview experts). But, they don't have years of writing + marketing experience under their belts or the extra time. And that's okay. That's why writers exist.

Your clients hire you to write for the same reason you hire an accountant to do your taxes, go to a doctor to perform a colonoscopy, and employ a cake maker to bake your wedding cake.

These pros have the expertise, and going the DIY route ends in disaster. We've all seen Nailed It!

4. Processes - An excellent content writer knows how to hear an idea, and take that idea from inception all the way across the finish line. When someone hires me, I don't ask them what they need me to do. They tell me what they want, and I communicate to them exactly how and when I'm going to get it done.

5. Industry knowledge - Writers stay current on everything that is going on in the writing world, content marketing world, and in the world of their niche. It's not uncommon for me to spend an entire workday reading, learning, engaging, and ideating. I take this into account when I set my prices.

6. Style - Content writers know that people don't read the same way online that they do when they read a novel. Writers know how to style a piece so that it's engaging but also scannable and rankable. (Is rankable a word?)

7. 6th-grade reading level - Yes, good writers get paid big bucks to write at a 6th-grade reading level. There's a reason why the Young Adult genre is the most difficult genre to write and why it's so impressive when an author actually pulls it off well. It's hard to simplify complex ideas.

8. Interviewing - A large portion of writing is interviewing, and it's not easy. You have to know how to get right to the point and ask the right questions to the right people. It’s a true skill.

9. Network - Writers niche down and build a network with that niche. Access to this network is worth $$$.

There you have it! I encourage you to raise your prices by at least 10% for your next client.

Client intro email example for freelancers

Yay! A new client is knocking on your door (aka sent you an email to inquire about you and your awesome services). Now what?

What are you supposed to say to pique their interest, give them all the facts, and get them to hire you (or encourage them to move along if they aren't worth your time)?

I'm not sure there is a hard and fast rule of what to say to a client, but I like to cover all the important details in the first email. 

This way, clients know exactly what they get and what I need when they work with me.

Here's what I say. Feel free to use this first contact email to generate ideas, steal it outright, and/or tweak it for your audience.

________________________________________________________________

Hello [Client]!

Thank you for getting in touch. I look forward to chatting with you to learn about your content marketing needs.

Here's a little more about me and my processes for your reference:

• I have been writing blogs, ebooks, reports, and other assets for 10+ years for SaaS, ecomm, and marketing companies like Salesforce, Hashtag Paid Inc., Omnisend, HostGator, Campaign Monitor, and many more.

• If you would like to see my writing samples, please visit my site.

• Prices start at $1/word. This rate includes the time required for research, years of writing experience, extensive SEO knowledge, screenshots/examples, expert sources (which also helps with distribution), the highest quality of content, and one round of revisions. I do offer ghost-writing for a 20% additional fee.

• I require a $1000 minimum engagement rate, and a minimum monthly rate of $3000. I thoroughly onboard all of my clients, and dive head-first into the research to learn all about your company, competitors, and relevant industry data. I’m in this for the long haul and I am ready to produce content that generates results.

• My process is as follows:

1. You assign me a topic + any relevant keywords, and I will send you a content brief

2. I create an outline and send it to you in a Google Doc for your approval

3. I send you a draft (~5-7 business days for turnaround)

4. You leave edits in the draft (prices include one round of revisions)

5. I’ll address the revision requests and send you a polished, gorgeous final draft

6. I invoice at the end of the project (Net-0 payment terms)

If this sounds good, I'd love to move forward. If you want to chat, please schedule a meeting here when it's convenient for you.

I look forward to working with you.

Thank you,

________________________________________________________________

And that's how I roll.