5 Simple Steps to Kickstart Your Freelance Writing Business

Starting a freelance writing business is easier than you think, but thriving as a freelance writer takes time, effort, and, I suppose, a little bit of luck.

I started a career in freelance writing amid the COVID-19 pandemic. If there is any possibility that you’ve read the story about how I quit my corporate job to write for a living, you might already know the reason why I decided to pursue this career. If not, then let me tell you now. I chose to be in this field out of passion and desire to live my life with more freedom.

It’s been almost a year since I began, and I can honestly say that life as a writer has been incredibly rewarding. In less than a year, I’ve already doubled my earning power! But wait, that did not happen immediately. It took me months of hard work, earning very little, to build a portfolio and gain experience. It was challenging, but I was determined to gain the skills to advance in this career. Luckily enough for me, clients started reaching out consistently.

You’re in the right place if you’re reading this to learn how to start your freelance writing business.

Still with me? Great.

Let’s get started then, shall we?

1. Find a niche

The first question you should ask yourself is, “What do you want to write about?” If you’re starting, it can be tempting to write about any chance you’re given, but like most things in life, you should have a strategic plan to become more successful. And that plan starts with you finding a niche you can focus on to grow as you gain experience.

While it’s good to be knowledgeable about many things, being an expert at something still pays off.

I know finding a niche when you’re just starting can be difficult. It’s the first struggle that I went through when I started. I tried writing fiction and non-fiction but found switching between them challenging. I aspire to be a novelist someday, but earning a reliable income as one isn’t guaranteed. It makes more sense to start my writing career as a freelancer, where I can build an income while honing my craft and working toward my end goal.

As a newbie without a college degree related to the craft, using my industry experience to my advantage was the wisest thing to do. Since I’m an engineer by profession and have seven years of experience as an IT Professional, I decided to narrow down and focus on writing content for engineering and technology companies.

When choosing a niche, consider your experiences and interests—finding a balance between what you already know and what you’re passionate about will set you up for long-term success.

2. Build your portfolio

Once you’ve chosen your niche, it’s time to build your portfolio. The simplest way to do this is by writing 1-3 sample pieces on topics relevant to your niche. These samples can be used later when pitching your services to potential clients, regardless of whether they’re published somewhere or just saved as a document.

You can also explore online publications that accept guest posts to showcase your writing to a broader audience. While having articles published with bylines isn’t necessary, it can be a valuable tool when pitching your services. It demonstrates credibility and shows prospects that you’re trusted enough to write for established platforms. However, it’s not a must—what matters most is your ability to demonstrate how your writing can add value to their business.

If you have the budget, I recommend setting up a website to publish your blog posts. A website not only provides a platform for your writing but also gives potential clients the impression that you’re serious about your writing career, as it shows you’re willing to invest in yourself as a professional.

There are countless ways to build your portfolio. Utilize all the platforms available to showcase your writing abilities.

3. Identify and package your services

Aside from building your portfolio, you must decide what services you’ll offer to potential clients. Writing comes in many forms, including content writing, copywriting, business writing, technical writing, and more. Do your research and list at least 10 writing activities that interest you the most. Rank them first by the level of difficulty, then by profitability. Take note of those activities that are easy to execute yet offer high returns.

Beyond writing, consider adding relevant skills you already have or ones you’re willing to learn. There are many activities that complement writing, so don’t limit your services solely to writing just because you’re starting a freelance writing business. While I still recommend niching down when choosing your writing focus, leveraging your other skills is key—they will help you stand out in a competitive market.

To get an idea of how you can package your services, you can check out my services here.

4. Pitch your services to prospects

Once you’ve defined your services and rates, it’s time to start pitching to potential clients. You can email your target customers directly or leverage online platforms to connect with your prospects.

You may encounter other writers sharing their negative experiences with job boards like Upwork and warning against starting there. While it’s true that some clients try to undercut rates, you can still find valuable opportunities on the platform—or, instead, the right clients may find you. However, it’s important to be cautious and smart when navigating these platforms. Take the time to carefully evaluate potential clients and look out for red flags to avoid scams before committing to any work.

5. Network and build your reputation

As a freelancer, you’re essentially a business owner, offering your skills as a service in exchange for payment. Unlike someone in a corporate setting, you’re in charge of your schedule, workload, and income. So, it’s just about right to see yourself as an entrepreneur. While there are technical distinctions between freelancing and traditional entrepreneurship, adopting an entrepreneurial mindset will give you the flexibility you need as you grow and scale your freelance writing business.

To be a successful entrepreneur, networking with others in your industry is important. It helps you stay informed about industry trends and opens up valuable opportunities. As a freelance writer, connecting with other writers is especially beneficial when starting. Many experienced writers often have extra work they cannot take on and may refer those opportunities to others, giving you a chance to gain new clients and expand your portfolio.

Contribute to established content platforms like Medium. These platforms have built-in audiences, which can boost your visibility and reputation. You can also join writing groups or forums (such as Reddit’s writing subreddits or writing-focused Facebook groups). Engaging with other writers and offering advice can help build your credibility within the community.

What’s next?

Once everything is laid out and the business is doing well, it’s time to think about scaling. This doesn’t always mean growing horizontally by taking on more clients or projects. You can also scale vertically by raising your rates, narrowing your niche, creating and selling digital products, and outsourcing work to other writers. You may also consider focusing on higher-value projects, expanding your skillset, or automating your workflow to improve productivity without overextending yourself.

Building a business requires time, effort, and luck. But remember—

Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.

Seneca