21 Ways to Find Freelance Writing Jobs (Even as an Absolute Beginner)

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On January 3, 2022

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Do you want to get into freelance writing but have no idea where to start?

The good news is that it is a lot easier than most people realize. We will take you through the best 21 ways to find freelancing writing jobs. These sites can help you whether you’re a seasoned writer or an absolute beginner.

Have you been trying for some but making little to no progress?

The truth is that it isn’t simple. One has to put in hard work, effort, time, and dedication. However, if you are ready to do so, our top 21 ways will assist you on your path to finding a remote job that pays.

What to Do Before You Start

One should always do some preparation before embarking on a new project. If you are new to freelancing, there are a few things you should do before you start looking for and applying for paying gigs.

Hone your English skills (or the language you choose to write in). You do not have to be an expert but at least have a good grasp of the language you intend to write in so that your work looks professional. You can Google terms or rules if you are unsure. Using an online Thesaurus to spice up your vocabulary is also beneficial. Plenty of tools such as spellcheck, Grammarly, and others can help you pick up errors that you might miss. We strongly recommend them.

Decide on a niche. While it is tempting, especially at first, to write on any topic, it is always a good idea to choose a subject matter for a particular niche. It does not have to be a narrow niche at first, but find something of interest. The passion will allow you to focus and develop skills in this area while also benefiting from your existing knowledge and experience.

Learn a bit about writing skills and SEO. There are countless resources online that will give you tips and tricks to improve your writing skills. A quick Google or YouTube search will provide you with a wealth of information. However, if you want to get off on the right foot, invest some time learning the essential requirements and expectations of paying clients for freelance writing.

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is not relevant to all freelance writing, but it will help guide you and better understand most of your clients. In addition, online content accounts for most of what people consume, so following fundamental SEO principles will make the writing more suitable.

Develop a website and social media accounts. We will get to the specifics shortly, but it is always good to have a web presence and social media accounts. As your freelancing career grows, you’ll be able to showcase your services and samples while also giving potential clients a way to engage with you.
These will be invaluable tools in marketing yourself as a freelance writer as you grow.

Set up your writing environment. You want a decent workspace. It is preferable to have it somewhere relatively private and quiet, but you might have to compromise on this if it is not practical. It would be best if you had a decent internet connection and a reasonably fast computer or laptop.

Ok, now that we have covered that, let’s look at where to find work that pays.

21 Ways to Find Freelance Writing Jobs

Some you may have heard of, while others are only known to a few people. Here is a summary of the 21 ways to find freelancing writing jobs.

1. Local business and contacts

One of the first places an aspiring freelance writer should look is within their local community. Most people have contacts in various fields, and you also have the advantage of understanding the local environment.
Speak to small and medium businesses to see if they need any writing done. Given the importance of online communication, most companies understand the need to post blogs, develop websites, or produce other forms of communication. So it might be right under your nose.

2. LinkedIn

One of the first places an aspiring freelance writer should look is within their local community. Most people have contacts in various fields, and you also have the advantage of understanding the local environment. Speak to small and medium businesses to see if they need any writing done. Given the importance of online communication, most companies understand the need to post blogs, develop websites, or produce other forms of communication. So it might be right under your nose.

3. Your website & blog

We mentioned this above, but it is always a good idea to create your website. This communication channel adds to your credibility and allows you to share your achievements.
If you include a blog, it will give you excellent writing practice and demonstrate your writing skills. In addition, you can create a good following on your site/blog if you work it.
Your website is also a good home base for your brand. You can link all social media accounts and other posts back to the site to give you a solid foundation.

4. Medium

Medium is a fascinating platform. It is not the most accessible place for beginners to make money but a great place to improve your skills, get some exposure, learn, and grow. In addition, it allows for a wide range of writing styles and content. Many people make money on this platform, but it takes significant time and effort. It is, however, beneficial to be active on Medium. If you want to make money, you will have to find hot trending topics and write them well. Average or niche writing is not likely to get much traction. The best thing is that it allows you to “publish” your writing. In addition, you can link the article from your website or social media platforms for improved credibility. Remember, a lot of the work is building your name and reputation as a freelance writer.

5. Facebook

With more than 2.7 billion “monthly active users,” Facebook is a force that you can not ignore. It is a powerful and effective way to find and engage with potential clients, showcase your work, and drive your freelance writing business.

You can use your profile, a business profile, or groups to find freelance writing jobs. So stay active and involved, keep your eyes open, and you will find writing gigs on Facebook.

6. Twitter

Twitter is another effective way to find writing work if you find and follow the correct accounts. There is a big possibility to find one as many companies post freelance work on Twitter.

7. Direct pitching to clients

Pitching is relatively handwork but delivers good results when done correctly. Of course, you need to have established some credibility, or you need a damn good proposal, but pitching can lead to writing work that pays exceptionally well.
You are cutting out the content mills and agencies, so you are paid directly by the client. While some companies have in-house writers, many rely on freelancers.
It would help if you did your homework, found the right person to talk to, and pitched an idea to benefit their business. The rejection rate might be high initially, but you should discover exceptional results as you better target.

8. Upwork

We just spoke of content mills, and Upwork is probably the biggest. They have been around for some time (a merger of Elance and oDesk). Although highly competitive, the platform is a fantastic way for new and developing writers to get some paying gigs, create a portfolio, and build confidence.

9. iWriter

iWriter is another famous site to find freelance writing work. It has been around for a while and has a fair amount of work alluvial.
It is pretty easy to register and sign-up. Once you are on the platform, you will be required to complete a brief test. It is relatively quick and painless. You can then select articles that appeal to you and submit them.
You will need to write a few quality articles to get reviews to get better quality and higher-paying work. This approach works for most writing platforms.
iWriter offers work in a range of fields. Your income will depend on your writing level and the jobs you take on. You will not get wealthy on this platform, but it is a great way to get the ball rolling and get some money coming in. all of this while you gain experience and confidence.

10. Craigslist

If you are going to look at writing specific job boards, you may check out Craigslist. This well-established site is popular and updated regularly. You need to be quick, and you need to be careful. It has fewer regulations than some dedicated writing sites, so there are a few scams. Have your wits about you and be careful. There are, however, several fantastic possibilities on the site. First, you need to look in the correct categories, such as “Writing/Editing.” If you are looking for a full-time “freelance” position, this could be an excellent place to search.

11. BloggingPro

BloggingPro offers a fantastic range of jobs for writers at all levels, including absolute beginners. The great thing is that you can grow with the site as your writing skills develop. In addition, the site is free for freelancers looking for work.

12. FlexJobs

As the name suggests, this site is geared towards people looking for flexible work. FlexJobs offers freelance gigs in various categories, including copywriting, editing, and editing.

There are nominal membership fees, but the site has a good reputation and is well-established.

13. Freelance Writers Den

Freelance Writers Den is also a membership site but gets much value for a reasonable monthly payment. It will deliver freelance writing jobs and give you helpful advice. In addition, there is a forum to help with any challenges or questions you might have.

14. Who Pays Writers?

Source: Screenshot from Who Pays Writers

This site is crowd-sourced, so you will have access to opportunities that might otherwise be difficult or time-consuming to find.

Who Pays Writers? Offers a diverse range of exciting jobs with something for everyone. You can quickly scan a range of opportunities and see what each one pays.

15. ClearVoice

Another popular content mill is ClearVoice. It allows you to filter work according to your needs, narrowing the search to save time. In addition, the platform is user-friendly, and you are paid as soon as the client accepts the assignment – a big bonus.

16. Constant Content

There is always a decent amount of work on a range of topics on Constant Content. They will often match a writer’s skills with client requirements and email you with opportunities.

17. WriterBay

You will also want to take a look at WriterBay. Again, you will find an incredible variety of jobs, so you are sure to find something in your niche or interests.

18. Where to Pitch

A bit more effort is needed to find work on Where to Pitch, but if you are looking for a specific niche or style of writing, it is worth a look. Some of the work is specialized and unique. You will often find work on this site that you might not see anywhere else.

19. Contena

Contena is a subscription site, and it is not as affordable as many of the other options. However, it does come with a “30-day satisfaction guarantee,” so it is possible to get out of it if it does not look like it will work for you.

If the other sites are not working for you, it could be worth considering. They also offer training and a range of writing courses.

20. SolidGigs

Although also a subscription site, SolidGigs gives you a lot of bang for your buck. Apart from being a good source of writing jobs, it also functions as a tool to improve productivity. If you want to test it out, you can take a month’s trial at a mere $2.

21. The Freelance Writing Jobs

The Freelance Writing Jobs website helps connect freelancers with publishers who are looking to hire writers. The website also provides comprehensive guides for how the publishing process works, how to build your career as a freelancer, and exactly what publishers are looking for in freelancer applications.

22. Referrals

Last but not least, once you have done a bit of quality work and have some happy clients, ask for referrals. This standard business practice is highly effective. Don’t be too pushy. If the clients are impressed, they will happily refer you to business associates.

Final thoughts

Freelancers are fortunate in that there are many resources available. Some might suit your needs or your niche better, so it is worth investigating a few. While not exhaustive, this list of 21 ways to find freelance writing jobs is a perfect place to start, and even a complete newbie is sure to find quality work that pays.

21 Ways to Find Freelance Writing Jobs (Even as an Absolute Beginner)

What to Do Before You Start