WriterBee

According to data from G2, nearly 80% of workers choose to freelance to have more independence and supervise themselves. Typically, with that first taste of freedom comes confusion. Where do you start as a first-time freelance writer? This blog will provide resources as you navigate your journey into the world of freelance writing.

Where to start?

When I began my freelance journey, I had no idea where to begin. There are so many blogs, podcasts, and books claiming to be the “best” freelancing resource. While the goal of these resources is to help organize your newfound independence, the amount of self-help tools to sift through can be daunting. Narrow your list down to a few key tools you think work best for your learning style.

LinkedIn is a stepping stone

LinkedIn isn’t just for the corporate world. There are influential freelancers providing their professional insights and recommendations on the platform. For example, Alexandra Fasulo frequently posts resources for freelancers on her profile. After stumbling upon her profile, I connected with other freelancers in her network and found lots of great resources on her website.

Don’t be afraid to send a connection request or hit the follow button on a freelancer you admire. Networking is one of the biggest parts of attracting new clients.

Podcasts and webinars

Don’t have the budget for paid courses? People provide insightful freelance advice for free on platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify. I typed “freelance” into my podcast app and scrolled through the search results until I found one that I enjoyed. I recommend starting with The Freelance Podclass from Freelance University.

There are also free summits and webinars available for freelancers if you do your research. I stumbled upon a free one-hour session from The Freelance University after listening to the podcast listed above. You don’t have to spend money to find tools for your freelance business.

Networking is key

If you’re an introvert like me, reaching out to your network isn’t always a simple task. While writers typically prefer to sit at their desks with headphones on, a major part of finding clients is asking for referrals. Freelancing is a more independet career path, but the job requires collaboration to a certain degree.

For example, I recently reached out to a previous coworker for some freelancing advice, only to find out she needed contract work for her own business. What started as a social call turned into a freelancing gig. The worst thing your contact can say is no, right?

Use sites like Upwork

There are a lot of websites out there to assist first-time freelancers in booking gigs. I locked down my first official client through Upwork, a working marketplace to help companies find expert freelance talent. Creating a profile is free, and you can send proposals to various clients looking for creatives.

You set your own rates based on your experience level. The service helps freelancers find intro clients that could potentially turn into long-term gigs. It also acts as a decent teacher of a project lifecycle. While Upwork takes a small percentage of your earnings, it’s a great place to start when you have no idea where to find freelancing jobs on your own.

Summary

Your first time searching for freelancing jobs can be overwhelming. These tips are based on my own freelance journey as I navigate my new business. If you’re interested in reaching out to learn more about my experience, feel free to contact me via the button below.

Like I said above, networking is key!