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How to get your very first freelance writing client—with no experience

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Obbaatt AngadiaFeb 28, 2023

Freelance writing can be a great way to supplement your income while you continue to search for a full-time job. However, if you're new to freelance writing, it can be difficult to land your first client.

In this post, we're going to teach you how to get your very first freelance writing client, even if you have no experience. We'll discuss tips on how to market yourself as a freelance writer, how to find writing samples that show your skills, and how to create a winning proposal.

By following these tips, you'll be on your way to landing your first writing client and expanding your freelance writing career. So, let's get started!

What experience does it take to be a freelance writer?

It doesn't matter if you have no experience. You can still get your very first freelance writing client if you know how to market yourself and your writing skills. When you're looking for your very first freelance writing client, don't overlook social media.

Many clients find freelance writers through social media, so it's important to have a presence there. Make sure you have a good portfolio and that your work shows off your skills.

A freelancer  working on his PCYou can also post samples of your work on sites like Upwork and Fiverr. If you're a good writer and your work is good, then your clients will find you. Just be sure to market yourself well and give yourself a chance.

The benefits of having experience

There are a few benefits to having experience when it comes to landing your first freelance writing client. The first is that you'll likely have a higher level of professionalism in your work. This means you'll be more likely to be accepted by clients who are looking for a reputable writer.

Second, if you have experience, you'll likely have a better understanding of the industry and what clients are looking for. This means you can better tailor your pitch and ensure you're meeting the needs of your potential client.

Finally, having experience will likely make you more confident when approaching a potential client. This means you won't be as worried about rejection and you'll be more likely to land a job.

How to find freelance writing opportunities

There are a lot of ways to find freelance writing opportunities. You can Google "freelance writing" or "writing for hire" and get a lot of results. However, the best way to find good freelance writing opportunities is to connect with people in your field.

LinkedIn is a great place to do this. You can search for "freelance writing" or "writing for hire" and then go to the "People" tab and type in the keywords you're looking for. You'll get a lot of good leads this way.

An illustration of a freelancer workingYou can also go to job boards and post a job listing. Be sure to include keywords in the job title and job description. You can also look for freelance writing groups on social media and attend their meetings to get more leads.

How to write a freelance pitching letter

When you're ready to start freelancing, the first step is to get your name out there. One of the best ways to do this is to pitch your services to people you know—your friends, family, and colleagues.

When you're pitching your services, make sure you present yourself in the best possible light. Start by describing your skills and experience, and then list the specific projects you've completed. Be sure to highlight how your skills and experience make you the perfect fit for the project.

Once you've pitched your services, it's important to follow up. Make sure to send a thank you letter after the project is completed, and keep in touch to see if there's any work you can do for them. Chances are, they'll be happy to hear from you and they'll be more likely to hire you based on your previous work.

The best way to approach a freelance writing project

There's no need to feel anxious or shy when approaching a freelance writing project. In fact, the best way to approach it is to be confident, passionate, and organized.

A man writing a blog on a WordPress websiteAt the beginning of your freelance writing project, take the time to thoroughly research your target audience. This will help you to better understand what they want and need.

Once you have a solid understanding of your audience, start to develop your messaging. Be sure to focus on the benefits of your product or service and how it can benefit your target audience.

Once you have your messaging down, start to draft your proposal. Be sure to include samples of your work to prove that you are the right person for the job.

Lastly, make sure to get in touch with your client and set up a time for them to review your proposal and samples. This will help to ensure that your project goes smoothly.

How to negotiate your freelance rates

There are a few things you can do to get your very first freelance writing client.
First, start by doing some market research. This will help you determine what the average freelance rate is for your skill set.
Once you have a ballpark idea of what the average rate is, you can start negotiating. Here are a few tips to help you get a good deal:

  • Be prepared to offer a lower rate if the client is a small business.

  • Offer a longer term agreement (e.g. 6 months).

  • Make sure to specify what the deliverables will be and how often they will be delivered.

  • Include a bonus if the project is completed on time and to the client's satisfaction.

How to manage your freelance workload

There's no need to feel overwhelmed when it comes to managing your freelance workload. You can start by setting realistic goals for the amount of work you want to do each month and then breaking that down into smaller tasks.

For example, you might want to write 500 words per day on average. This might look like writing 500 words every morning and evening, or 50 words at 3 p.m. on weekdays.
You can also break down your freelance work into specific tasks, such as social media posts, website copywriting, or even video creation.

Once you have a general idea of how much work you want to do each month and have broken that down into specific tasks, you can then find freelance writing clients that fit that bill.

The importance of self-promotion

If you're a freelancer who's looking for your very first writing client, then you're in luck! Freelancing is a growing trend and as more and more people become freelancers, the demand for freelance writing will continue to rise.

There are many ways to get your freelance writing business off the ground, but the most important thing you can do is promote yourself.

One of the best ways to promote yourself is to create a website. This will give you the opportunity to showcase your writing skills, portfolio, and contact information.

You can also use social media to promote your work. You should be sure to post about your latest projects and make sure to include a link to your website.

Remember, self-promotion is essential if you want to be successful as a freelancer. Don't be afraid to promote yourself, and be sure to create a website and social media profiles that showcase your best work.

The dos and don'ts of working with clients

When you're starting out as a freelance writer, it can be difficult to land your first writing client. There are a few things you can do to increase your odds of landing that first writing gig.

  • Start with quality work.

No one is going to hire you if your work is poor. Make sure you're always delivering high-quality, well-researched, and edited pieces.

  • Be proactive.

In order to show your clients that you're a go-getter and that you're always looking to improve your skills, be proactive in reaching out to them. Send them samples of your work, offer to proofread their work, and be willing to discuss writing projects in further detail.

  • Be patient.

Landing your first writing client isn't going to happen overnight. Be patient, keep your portfolio updated, and continue to work hard to improve your skills. Soon enough, you'll be landing writing gigs left and right!

The ultimate guide to becoming a successful freelance writer

If you're looking to get your very first freelance writing client, you're in luck! This guide will teach you the essential steps you need to take to land your first writing gig.

The first step is to get your portfolio together. This should include examples of your work in both traditional and digital formats, along with a brief bio.

Remote teams collaborating on CuboNext, identify your target market. This will help you determine the niche you should focus on, as well as the type of writing style that would be best for your portfolio.

Once you have a good understanding of your target market and the type of writing they are interested in, it's time to start building your portfolio. This means creating compelling, yet niche, content.

Once you have a strong portfolio and a following of engaged followers, it's time to start reaching out to potential clients. Start by sending out targeted email campaigns that include your portfolio and a brief overview of your services.

If you follow these steps, you'll be on your way to becoming a successful freelance writer!

Conclusion

As a freelancer, you can use Cubo for all your meetings with clients virtually. Try Cubo for free!

If you're looking for your very first freelance writing client, we have some good news for you! You don't have to have any experience to get started.

In fact, our tips in this blog post will help you land your very first writing client without even trying.

All you need to do is follow our tips, and you'll be on your way to a successful freelance writing career. Thanks for reading and we hope you find our tips helpful!