Content writing is probably one of the underrated jobs in the market. But, day by day, the industry is getting bigger, and the demand for freelance SEO writers is upward. Though experienced writers get jobs easily in most cases, beginners need to struggle in the very first.
So, it’s challenging to get the first freelance writing jobs for beginners. But, if you are knacky and determined for success, you have got to go.
By the way, in simple words, you have to good at,
- English language
- Writing and Editing
- On-page SEO and basic designs
- Communication and common sense
- Research, grammar, content management and formatting, niches, and so on for being a good content writer.
The market is 412.88 billion dollars, so you need market understanding. The potential is tremendous, and you’re on fire.
So, no more ado. Let’s talk about skills, content writing job availability, how to find a job, and the marketplaces- everything you need to know to start your freelance writing.
Skills Required for Freelance Writing
As a freelance writer, you must have some basic skills that will push you to advancement. Here are some of the most basic skills you need to go with.
Grammar and English Linguistic Skills
Count on the English linguistic and grammatical knowledge on top of skills to become a writer. Basically, content writers write in English for websites. You also might write in different languages as well, like your mother tongue. But English is the main language for websites, no doubt.
You must master the language and grammatical sense to write proper English content.
SEO Writing
SEO writing is the foremost skill for a content writer if you want to write for websites. SEO means search engine optimization. To reach people, you must write coping up with the search engine’s rules.
In simple words, SEO writing is the process and strategy to write for ranking on Google’s first page.
For SEO writing, you have to learn the following basic concepts-
- Proper use of headings and subheadings
- Internal links and external backlinks
- Proper use of keywords
- Writing for humans
- Using alter tags for images, and so on.
If you follow the rules for search engine optimization, the search engine (e.g., Google) will give your writing rank to be on the first page. In this case, people who search for the keyword you write based on will find your writing easily.
It’s not possible to make you understand with some brief words. Rather you check the guide on SEO Writing by AgentWriting, which will give you a real insight into SEO writing.
Research
If you want to tailor your writing with unique content and content ideas, you must know how to research. Note on my words, without proper research, writing is the summation of garbage.
You have to learn how to search for something on the search engine. Also, you must develop a common sense to learn what to search for.
For example, if you write in Google’s search box with “allintitle: what is content writing,” everything with the words “What is content writing” in the title of content will be shown.
Check out some more tips on how to search on Google.
Basic Graphic Design Knowledge
Okay, you might think, what is the use of graphics in writing since it’s one of the biggest skills itself? Though the graphic design is not directly part of writing, you will see its use nowadays.
Let me explain. As the job market is getting competitive, you must also have some additional skills. Basic graphic design knowledge is one of them. Clients nowadays demand feature images, infographics, charts, graphs, etc., for their written content from writers.
If you are able to do basic image creation, it will add value to your career. Otherwise, clients have options to switch to other writers who might have both skills.
So, don’t deny the importance of basic graphics. There are many tools that allow you to use their easy-to-use interface and make eye-catching graphical production. For example, Canva.
Content Management
Your writing must be published on the Internet. For this, they must be controlled, organized, and published through content management tools. The content management system allows you to create websites without coding and manage all content here, like publishing, editing, drafting, and so on.
You should learn the content management system for content. Currently, the most popular Content Management System(CMS) is WordPress. Master WordPress CMS, which will add additional value to your portfolio.
Learn more about the content management system from WPBeginner, one of the world’s WP experts.
Editing and Proofreading
As a freelance writer, knowing to proofread is a must. You have to be able to find out your own mistakes in the content you write. Because when you write, there are a lot of mistakes.
You can avoid them when you proofread. Aside from this, learning editing is another big shot. You have to know how to check the content and edit if needed with additional writing or deduct wrong information.
Use of Writing Tools
As a freelance writer, you have to know the use of writing tools like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, etc. Currently, these two are the most popular ones in the industry.
Aside from these, there are several alternatives like ClickUp docs, LibreOffice Writer, WPS Office Free Writer, FocusWriter, Zoho Docs, etc.
By the way, Microsoft Docs and Google Docs are enough. You have to master them with the basics to write and edit your content. Aside from this, also learned the basics of Excel and Google Sheets too for other basic tasks.
Content Formatting
You might write a hundred lines in a paragraph. The writing might be in a top-notch linguistic state. But you know, readers will not read this. Because whoever wants to get the hassle of reading?
Make your content easy to read. Learn how to format writing for easy reading and access by the readers. Organize the texts, paragraphs, lines, etc., in the docs in a well-mannered format. Use headings and subheadings properly. Make sure they make sense.
You might take this content as an example of well-formatted content.
This will enhance your writing’s effectiveness and attract people to read the content.
Some More Skills to Master
- Expand your networking
- Develop your communication skill
- Learn basic digital marketing, as writing is a part of it
- Learn time management, and so on.
What types of writing jobs are available in the market for Beginners?
There are a bunch of niches on the market to write about. I wouldn’t suggest you master all of them. But yes, if you are good at any of them or multiple niches, you have many jobs on the job boards.
There are some suggestions for freelance writing jobs online for beginners.
Blog Writing
Blog writing is one of the most common and popular online freelance writing jobs for beginners. The tone of blog writing is mainly casual. Sometimes it could be educational as well.
But, the goal of blog writing is mainly to entertain people by providing the information they need. The short form of blog writing ranges from 800 to 1500 words. On the other hand, the long form could reach up to 6000 words or more, as low as 2000 words.
Social Media Writing
Nowadays, social media writing is becoming the top-most demandable writing sector. It is because of people are vastly connected to social media and influenced by them.
Businesses have the biggest lead-generation opportunities from social media. That is why businesses need persuasive content targeting the social media environment.
You can write social media content online. But, to become a social media content writing specialist, you must master some all-around skills like writing, designing, a little bit of video editing, etc.
Copywriting
To be honest, copywriting is the most creative department of writing. It needs great imagination, power, thinking, and research. Copywriting is mainly written for advertising agencies and businesses for marketing.
Copywriters must have an advanced level of respective linguistic proficiency. Their creativity and persuasive power help the companies attract people to purchase their services or products. It’s all about convincing the audience.
Copywriters are also good social media writers as well. They can charge more than typical SEO writers.
Email Writing
Probably, email writing is the most hectic freelance writing job for beginners with no experience. It is one of the most crucial writing aspects you need to master for success.
You have greater obligations as an email writer to turn leads into sales. It’s actually difficult. You must produce persuasive emails for business campaigns, sales funnels, alert services, and other purposes.
By the way, the email marketing sector is a sizable one, worth more than $4 billion right now. There are several opportunities here.
B2B Writing
B2b or business-to-business writing is a type of writing that business companies write for other businesses. You have to write for the marketing authorization of the business to convince them to pursue the service from your clients, which will add value to their business.
For example, you might be writing for a PCB manufacturing company so that electronics companies purchase their PCBs for making consumer-level electronics.
Business Writing
Business writing includes blog writing, content for landing pages, white paper, press release, sales copies, business planning, documentation, etc. You have to be an expert on business niches and strategies to write for business.
Technical Writing
It is writing about technical niches. It could be both digital products and physical products. It needs a high-level understanding of the technical things that you are writing about.
If you need to write about computer parts, you must have knacky knowledge about them. Also, you must know about circuits, a few psychics, software architecture, and many niches when you want to write on respective niches.
Basically, the audiences of technical niches are professionals. So, you have to be that much skilled and experienced to convince professionals who already know things more than you.
Review Writing
Nowadays, review writing for different products is among the top demandable writing jobs on the internet. You have to write reviews on a particular product with from a user perspective.
Review writing plays a crucial role because it’s all about selling products. You must pretend to be a real user of the products or services you write about. Also, there are a bunch of rules to follow imposed by Google when you write product reviews.
Video Script Writing
You might be aware that YouTube is by far the most popular video platform, where users spend more than one billion hours every day. You probably already know this, but every video needs a script in order to be made.
You will have the chance to produce video scripts for a variety of different channels, including professional channels, vlogs, instructive videos, news channels, and many more.
If we talk, we can mention hundreds of sectors where content writing is one of the most important aspects nowadays. You need to search for them dedicatedly to learning.
Here are some more opportunities for freelance writing jobs for beginners online.
- Academic writing
- Ghostwriting
- Book Writing
- Product Description
- Journalism and news writing
- Sports writing
- Proposal writing
- Report writing
- Resume writing, and much more.
Steps that Help Freelance writer get First Jobs
Now you know what skills you should have and what the opportunities are. But do you know how to get your first freelance writing job for beginners? Actually, it’s sometimes pretty crucial and sometimes easy.
I am just talking about the facts, don’t be upset. You have a lot of ways to get your first job. By the way, here I am sharing some tips for you. I am not telling you that they are the only ultimate ways.
Aside from these, you might find a more effective way to grab your first writing job.
Make a Clean Portfolio
It’s certain that you have to show your strength to potential clients. That is why, after learning the basics of writing, write some blogs, guides, technical writing, and others. Make a clean portfolio that shows your work in an organized way.
You can use free portfolio sites like Contently, Writer’s Residence, Writefolio, WordPress, etc. You also can use Bloggers by Google.
Expand Your Network
Networking is one of the key factors that help you to get evaluated. Expand your network among professionals. You can use professional social media like LinkedIn, Quora, Twitter, Meetup, Xing, Medium, Instagram, Reddit, and more.
Try to Reach Out to the Employment Source Directly
You might find a lot of writing circulars on social media or different job sites. All of them have huge competition, no doubt. Sometimes, this disappoints our hopes when employers do not notice us.
You can directly approach different sites where they recruit freelance writers besides the top ones. For example, you can try out HudStuff, Indeed, Scripted, Content Grow, etc., instead of Upwork, Fiverr, and so on.
Find Small Businesses to Write for
Don’t hesitate to write for small businesses. You might find many local websites that don’t have great content on them. Email them a proposal to rewrite their content to add value to their sites and business.
It has too many possibilities to convince someone. Also, check for the local newspapers. Apply there to write for them.
Search Local Writing Agencies
As I mentioned before, try to reach out for easy opportunities first. Check on the local content writing or marketing agencies that hire writers. Try to approach them in the right manner so they consider you and give you a chance.
Prove yourself with your best if you get the chance. Also, try ghostwriting. It will not give you credit first, but you can work with different clients.
Freelance Writing Jobs for Beginners (Inside the Marketplace)
Here are some online marketplaces where you will find freelance writing jobs for beginners and professionals. No matter what you know, approach with the right manner, and you will succeed in getting your first job soon.
Upwork
Upwork is the topmost online marketplace for freelancers. It is not only for freelance writers but also one of the biggest marketplaces for any type of freelancing job. You have to open an account here to bid.
You will find hundreds of writing jobs by category. You have to bid on the job on your own. Upwork features categories for freelancers like Rising Talent, Top Rated, Top Rated Plus, etc.
The more you get jobs done successfully, the more will you get the badges for the next levels.
Fiverr
Fiverr is another big marketplace where there are thousands of outsourcers looking for freelance writers. Here you have to create your gig. Organic and reliable gigs get ranked here. Also, top freelancers with the most positive reviews get the projects easily.
If any of the outsourcers find your gig reliable and suitable, they will contact you through the gig.
Indeed
Indeed is a marketplace where they work for freelance and office-based writers. You can sign up with proper information and apply for the advertised jobs regarding the employers’ requirements.
PeoplePerHour
If you are passionate about your writing and want to get your first job, PeoplePerHour could be a great marketplace. PeoplePerHour connects their potential clients to potential freelance writers with the right match.
Aside from the above-mentioned marketplaces, you could check many more too. Here are some of them for your convenience.
- Contently
- Hubstaff
- Content Grow
- Scripted
- Freelancer
- ProBlogger
- Blogging Pro, and many more.
Freelance Writing Jobs for Beginners (Outside of Marketplace)
Aside from the online marketplaces, you can search the freelance writing jobs for beginners locally. Check for local writing agencies that hire writers on a full-time basis. No matter if you are not in the marketplace, you can get the best jobs as well.
Also, look for freelance writing jobs in forums, Facebook groups, Twitter, and LinkedIn among your network. Keep your eyes on the local job posting sites for writing job circulars.
Nowadays, there are a bunch of Facebook communities that work especially with freelance writers to connect them with local clients.
There are some tips on how to find freelance writing jobs locally.
- Try to write for local businesses. Propose to them your writing service at the most affordable prices.
- Trying and writing for local magazines, regional communities, and local news agencies would be a good approach.
- You might approach any of your known people who has a website for blogging, affiliate, or other. Try to convince them to write for their sites.
You
How Did I start Freelance writing with no experience?
You can start freelancing with no previous experience in writing. But you should have the ability to write the content. Here and some of my team members will share our views on the writing sector.
Most of us have started our writing journey without high experience. Let’s know the words from them.
Al Jovayer Khandakar
English is my second language, but I am more comfortable writing in this language. Do you know why?
English is a compulsory language in my education journey. In my country, there are mainly two versions of the education system. One is the Bengali version, and the other is the English version.
I completed my education in the Bengali version until higher education. I have completed my higher education( BBA and MBA) in English version.
In 2016, I felt curious about online earning because I felt I would enjoy the freedom of time, place, and money through online work. I have taken an SEO course from an IT firm near my university.
Then curiosity rose to its peak. I would study a lot day and night to know more about it. Before this time, I had a computer, but I was not a good user of computers and the Internet.
After some months, one of the people who took training with us from an IT firm got success in freelancing. He would share his ideas and income with me. He was 4-5 years younger. Then my curiosity rose more, and I started to find more scope.
After completing my MBA in January 2022, I joined a marketing firm as a content writer. I had no experience in professional writing. I just wrote in a health-related website on as partnership basis. Only that website was my portfolio.
In this job, I have increased my speed of writing, patience, and professionalism in my writing career. Because of Covid, the termination of my job happened.
I was totally disappointed at that time. I failed to concentrate on any career. So, I have searched for a lot of sources of income. I started making videos on youtube, preparing for govt jobs, and so on.
As I worked as a content writer in my first job, I created a profile on Upwork as a freelancer. I started bidding to get a job. One day, by the grace of Almighty, I applied for a job, and the client agreed to give me the job. I felt very happy in my first job.
Shahana Akhter: Top Rated Freelance Content Writer (Upwork)
It wasn’t easy, but I did it.
I started my career as a Lecturer in English. But for personal reasons, I had to quit it. So what did I do? Become depressed? Nope!
Instead, I started writing. And then something amazing happened: people started paying me to write! So now, instead of just doing it for fun or as a hobby (which is how most freelancers start out), it’s my full-time career!
I’ve been writing for two years now, and I can say that it’s my dream job now—and not just because it allows me to work from home while taking care of my kids! I love turning my creativity into something tangible that people will read, use, or enjoy. And getting paid for it? Well, that’s just icing on the cake.
I want to focus my country on the world. That’s why I have written a travel book, “Times to travel Bangladesh,” and it has been published in Canada. Our country is so beautiful that we should tell everyone about it!
I always believe in Frost’s line: “Miles to go before I sleep.” It helps me keep the focus on what really matters: taking care of myself and my family while doing what makes me happy (writing).
My future plans include writing more books about Bangladesh and building websites that help women and girls build home-based careers.
Shoumik Annoy
What if I ask you, can you survive without oxygen? The answer would surely be negative. However, it may sound ridiculous and a bit melodramatic, but writing is close to oxygen to me. Because writing helps me to escape from all the stress and anxiety of life. It doesn’t only help me to survive but to thrive. But how did it all start?
Well, to be frank, it had a bumpy start. During my college days, I looked forward to becoming a tutor to support my pocket money. So, I contacted a few of my seniors. But months passed by without getting any students.
Then out of nowhere, one of my seniors told me to translate a video and write an article out of it. So, I completed it and sent it to him. After a few days, he told me that his editor in Daily Bangladesh liked my piece, and I got a job as a web content writer at Daily Bangladesh!
Before starting my first job, I had no idea that people could earn money by writing. No experience either. But after that, there was no going back. After 2 years, in 2018, I left my job at Daily Bangladesh and tried my luck at Upwork.
It was a success, but I learned quickly that freelancing platforms were not for me as I prefer to work when I feel like it. So, maintaining deadlines and getting good reviews was kinda tough for me. As a result, I decided to leave UpWork for good.
After leaving UpWork, I contacted 3 of my trusted clients and started working with them directly. Until January 2022, I worked with some of them. However, currently, I am completely focused on my personal finance blog.
This is just a small overview of my writing journey. I have much more accomplishments in this sector. We will talk about it another day.
To conclude, I must say, I might not have any educational background in this sector. But I always had a thing for attention to detail, creative thinking, and a never-ending curiosity to understand the reader’s psychology. That can be why most of my articles get good feedback from readers and are constantly ranked on Google. Never mind, who knows?
Tanvir Islam
I am not who you believe I am.
The tone of my posts could lead you to believe that I make my living as a writer. Clearly, this is not the case.
Honestly, I never considered myself a writer.
Many writers have said that writing was their lifelong calling. When they were younger, they would write poetry. They chronicled their lives in diaries over the years. They want to see their work in print.
I am not like that.
I never received good grades in English essays in school due to my terrible writing. I didn’t like memorizing stuff and was not at all excellent at writing.
If I discuss poetry, I cannot explain why I dislike them so much. I am just not the type of guy.
My journey to the writing world began in Covid Pandemic in 2020. Everyone had to stay inside. Indeed, so was I. My university was forced to shut down. I was hoping to improve my skills, but I do not feel like I am being encouraged to do so.
I once believed that graphic design was my thing, but eventually, the desire subsided. So I sought out things I liked. But it is hard to find what you love to do.
But then, an idea struck me.
I was, am, and will continue to be a tech geek. Since 2014, when I was in grade 10, I have been interested in how technology works and have been reading product reviews and buying guides.
Once, a neighbor of mine asked me to recommend some good earbuds. I compiled a list of earphones in Microsoft Word and provided brief reviews of each. After reading, he asked me if I write regularly or in some kind of writing profession. However, I wasn’t.
This encouraged me heavily, and I tried to improve my writing by following the internet and proper formatting. I put in around seven months of prep work.
In June of 2021, I decided to try my hand at writing with a company. I tried a few firms, but they all rejected my work. I will not sugarcoat it; I was really hurt by it.
And yet, I did not just GIVE UP.
I searched for a few more companies while I was also writing more to improve the tone of my writing. Soon after, I discovered Agent Writing on Facebook. I talked with Jovayer Vai on WhatsApp, and he told me to send some samples.
I had some of the samples already, so I sent them. After evaluating me, he told me to take a test and train later. I spent three days on the exam and received a confirmation from Jovayer Vai two days later. The joy I felt was beyond description.
After that, I started working with Agent writing and eventually met with Rumon Vai. Quality is everything in Agent Writing, and my writing was far from it. I got a lot of feedback and personalized instruction from Rumon Vai when working on my first article during our one-on-one sessions.
My first real project went online after just 18 days of training. With each passing day, I added to my article tally and read blogs of different genres in an effort to hone my craft.
I always try to do too much. Whenever there is a new project, I make it a point to take part in it. I have always tried to write in a variety of fields.
I worked with Agent writing for nearly a year and wrote several technical and non-technical blogs. I have worked in PCB, Motor projects, and many countless blogs.
I have several contents that top the Google search list. How do I do it?
If you are new in the writing profession, do not lose hope. It is only a matter of time. Have patience and stay at it. In writing, you can’t take anything for granted. Every day, new methods emerge. If you want to write for a variety of audiences and topics, you need to stay current by reading blogs and journals on a regular basis.
Before I write anything, I do a lot of research. The secret, as always, is patience. I try to understand the topic well and write on my own. I also read a lot of blogs about the project I am working on, which helps me get into the right mood to write.
Currently, I am enrolled in the Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology to get my bachelor’s degree in Engineering. Writing is where I feel most at home. Therefore, I want to keep doing it in the future. Since being an engineer is my ultimate career objective, I may not be as prolific a writer in the future as I am today. Since writing brings me peace, I might do it again now and then.
Adina
I had never realized when writing journals turned into commercial writing, and I started getting paid for my hobby. I still remember how astonished I was when I first heard I would be paid for my words.
Why wouldn’t I? I have always enjoyed writing and won multiple essay writing competitions during my academic years. But to my surprise, writing for money and writing for myself had some big differences.
I worked for a National Newspaper as a creative writer. I don’t know if it was “working” because I was not doing that for money. I was writing voluntarily every week for their comic edition, and whenever I saw my name in the column, it would make my day.
However, the first company I worked for commercially was a startup by a student of one of the most reputed universities in Dhaka. I was reluctant to join as I had no experience working in this sector, and trusting someone online seemed risky.
But I thought it was a risk worth taking, so without being too pessimistic. I went for it. Initially, I worked part-time with them, and they paid me for each article I was writing. Without long, they hired me permanently as one of the in-house writers.
I was getting a decent amount of money being utterly new to the sector. Unfortunately, after Covid hit the world in 2019, our company faced huge losses and was forced to close all operations as all of our clients revoked the contracts.
With that, I lost my first-ever writing job. During Covid, I applied to many places and worked on a contractual basis for several companies. I accepted whatever little I got and never took any job lightly.
Writing several company brochures, portfolios, content for various websites, and Amazon reviews was my main work post-Covid. The writing was always my passion, and I have always given my 100% no matter what I was doing and for what amount of money.
I have never associated my work with monetary value. I have always respected my clients and proved my dedication with my work.
For me, my attitude toward my work has earned me a substantial amount of experience and respect in the field, which helped me reach the position where I am today.
Cut to June 2021, and I started working for an amazing and talented team of writers. As a cherry on top, I got a boss who was no less than an elder brother. I evolved as a writer and learned so many things that words can’t suffice.
Here, I am facing new challenges every day and meeting tight deadlines for international clients. We, as a team, have started working on internal projects, and most importantly, we are all synchronized via the Internet.
If anyone told me back in the days when I first started commercial writing that I would be working full-time from home in this capacity, I would laugh it off. But today’s reality is no less than a dream come true.
I am thankful to the Almighty for blessing me with a career where I can earn, build myself as a person, and spend time with my family. Being able to write about various topics, the ability to research, perseverance, and professionalism have the capacity to move mountains.
It has been over a year since I have been with this agency, and I have never felt that I am not valued. I had to go through a lot and work immensely hard to reach this point. Experience talks a lot, and you can only achieve that by working.
Final words
To succeed in any type of job, there is no alternative to hard work and trying. As with others, freelance writing jobs for beginners also need the peak of hard work as well.
But you also need to work wisely in order to succeed. Don’t be dissatisfied and irritated. Keep giving it your hardest. After landing your first gig as a freelance writer, you’ll feel more confident when applying for well-paying positions.
Also, it’s your luck most of the time. But you know what? Luck favors the Braves!
