Last Updated on August 12, 2023 by Oluwajuwon Alvina
So you have an idea of what it’s like to be a content writer but don’t have any industry experience. No problem. Although this industry is competitive, there are plenty of opportunities for anyone willing to put in the time and effort–even for those with minimal work experience. Content writing is a field where college graduates can launch their careers quickly without previous experience, particularly if they are self-motivated, have good work habits, and devote the appropriate amount of time to learning the skills needed for this career path.
Accessing the right information on the internet might not be easy sometimes, that’s why we bring you in the article below, the best and latest information on freelance writing jobs for beginners with no experience, how to become a freelance editor with no experience. Read on to know more. The one place you can find all the information you need regarding your job search issues such as entry level freelance writing jobs, academic writing jobs for beginners is right here on Collegelearners. We recommend you save time and effort by visiting our catalog right here on Collegelearners as soon as possible for answers to academic writing jobs for beginners.
Do you want to become a content writer but don’t have any experience?
In this article, we’ll help you get started on the right track.
First things first: what is content writing?
Content writing is the process of creating content for websites and blogs, with the goal of engaging readers and driving them towards taking action. A content writer might write an article about how to use [product name], or they might write a blog post about [topic]. Content writers write for a variety of audiences—from CEOs to customers. They might write about anything from the latest news in their industry to the best way to clean your oven.
What does it take to become a content writer?
There are two things every content writer needs: passion and persistence. If you’re passionate about something, you’ll be able to write about it in an engaging way that will make people want to keep reading (and hopefully buy something). And if you’re persistent, then even when things get tough—like when no one seems interested in what you’re writing—you’ll keep going because you believe in what you’re doing.
Okay, now let’s talk about how to get started!
how to become an online writer
I was able to start as a new mom to twins and with no experience blogging, and I was able to land my first profitable gig in just a couple of months.
But, this doesn’t mean you can start with nothing! Here are some materials and personality traits you need to become a freelance writer.
- Laptop – you can get by with any laptop. My house is a Mac user house, and those are the laptops I do most of my writing. Just remember to type appropriately so you avoid hand issues over time.
- Proper seating – invest in a good computer chair. Don’t base your entire freelance writing business on the couch! Big no-no! (or even the kitchen counter).
- Paypal account – if you already have one, get a business account when you land clients.
- Email address – most of your negotiations will be made via email or….
- Skype address – some clients want to talk to you face-to-face, and Skype is a tool most know about.
Aside from the tools you need, here are some personality traits you need to succeed as a freelance writer.
- Motivation and Desire – I get a lot of emails from those wanting to start but have a hard time motivating themselves. Freelance writing is a solo job. You have to motivate YOURSELF to do the work and to pitch. You also need the desire to want to CHANGE your life since freelance writing means you can ultimately make money from home.
- Putting yourself out there – For a lot of newbies, the thought of putting yourself out there sends them to the hills! But, it’s 2021, and you can’t hide behind a cartoon avatar or without any social media profiles.
1. Get a website with some clips
The best way to write for someone else? Start writing for yourself. If you’re new to writing professionally, you need to prove you can write like a professional.
Before an editor hires you, she needs to make sure you can get the job done, and if you’re starting from scratch, the best way to prove yourself is with a website. Your website is an online writing portfolio that will serve as your resume as a writer. It should include a bio and some samples of your writing. Here are a few ways to go about it:
- Start a blog on a particular topic you want to write about, then build that blog as a brand. For example, if you want to write about travel, you might start a blog called “Traveling Solo” or something. I’m positive the URL is already taken, but you get the idea.
- Buy your actual name as a URL and blog from there.
- Blog on a free shared platform like Medium or Tumblr.
- Start a free newsletter using a service like Substack.
You don’t need a fancy, self-hosted WordPress blog or paid domain, although we recommend at least buying your name as a URL if it’s available (Bluehost is a great, affordable option). The most important thing is that you have a platform to showcase your work.
For anyone trying to figure out how to become a freelance writer with no experience, a blog is the best way to start.
2. Write for the job you want
You’ve heard the phrase “dress for the job you want, not the job you have,” right? Use that same logic for your writing. Most of us aren’t lucky enough to start writing for the New York Times from scratch. You have to work your way up from smaller gigs, but if you ever want a shot at the New York Times, you have to take those smaller gigs seriously.
For example, let’s say your goal is to write for Fortune magazine, but right now, you have a gig writing web content for the latest Fintech startup. Everyone knows writing for iCash or whatever isn’t your dream job, but if you ever want that dream job, you have to put your best writing out there. That doesn’t mean you need to write a 3,000-word narrative essay if you’re assigned a 600-word listicle, it just means you should write the best you can with the opportunities you’re given.
Also, when someone offers you a job, even if it’s not your dream gig, they are still paying you to write, so you owe it to them to give it all you’ve got. From a more selfish perspective, if Fortune magazine ever does consider hiring you, they’re going to want to make sure you can handle the job. The only way to prove that? Show them you can handle the job.
3. Keep reading
Read fiction, read essays, read nonfiction, read business books — read as much as you can, because reading is going to help with your writing. It will also give you a sense of the freelance writing niche or style you prefer.
There are so many good books about writing, too. Here are a few we recommend:
- Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott
- On Writing by Stephen King
- The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
Not only do these books ofter enough motivation and inspiration to keep you going, they’re also chock-full of useful, actionable tips to level up your writing skills.
4. Look for ways to leverage every gig
Similarly, another way you move forward is to leverage your opportunities. In figuring out how to become a freelance writer, many new writers expect to go from zero to sixty overnight. But you have to start small. Think of those first gigs as small puzzle pieces that will fit into your overall goal.
For example, when I (Kristin here) was a technical writer, my job seemingly had zilch to do with the kind of writing I actually wanted to do. But I leveraged the opportunity by:
- Writing copy: In my technical writing job, one of my projects was writing a brochure for a client. I leveraged that experience to apply for a job writing copy for a local business. They figured if I could write brochures, I could probably handle an “about” page on their website.
- Blogging for companies: I leveraged my experience writing “about” pages for that local business to apply for a blogging job at a local furniture store. They figured if I could write an “about” page for another business, I could probably handle writing blog posts for them.
- Writing for media: I leveraged my experience writing blog posts for that business to write short, 200-word reviews for a local magazine. They figured if I could blog, I could handle writing small columns on local art galleries.
In a few short steps, I took my technical writing 9-to-5 and turned it into a magazine writing gig. Even recently, I’ve cited my experience as a technical writer when interviewing with major clients.
I’m not special. Think of a way your current job can somehow, even indirectly, relate to the skills required for your dream job. Maybe you want to review resorts for Travel + Leisure and, right now, you’re a teacher. What is the link between your current job as a teacher and your dream job as a travel writer? Maybe it’s research. Chances are, teaching requires at least some research, whether it’s about specific topics you assign or just about childhood or adolescent behavior. Leverage that! Maybe apply for a gig as a research assistant for a travel writer. Or maybe a blogging job for a travel research firm.
With an industry like writing, there’s no one-size-fits-all blueprint to reach your goals. You have to be resourceful, and that means leveraging your current opportunities, even when they don’t feel like opportunities.
5. Don’t be afraid to network
Networking doesn’t have to be sleazy. It’s not about using people to get ahead. At its best, networking is simply a group of peers that support each other. Writers of all levels need some support from their peers, but it’s especially important when you’re starting off. Having other writers around you makes it easier to figure out where to look for jobs, how to set rates, and so on.
And networking does often lead to new opportunities. When many companies and publications are looking for freelance writers, they often ask for recommendations. This is much easier than posting a gig online or spending hours searching for the perfect writer. Overwhelmed freelancers often turn down clients and suggest someone else for the job, too. There are direct and indirect benefits to networking. If you’re new to it, here are some tips for getting started:
- Join a local meetup or writer’s group (we have one in the CWWU workshop)
- Start a writer’s mastermind group with 1-2 other beginner writers
- Search local writer’s conferences or events
6. Learn to embrace criticism
If you want to be a writer, you’ll have to get used to rejection. Most writers will tell you: For every accomplishment, there are ten rejections that were necessary for that accomplishment to happen. As a writer, it’s not enough to just be comfortable with rejection, you have to embrace it. This means applying for writing gigs, pitching editors, and submitting your work even after getting turned down.
People say if you want to write, you should learn to have thick skin. But that’s not the most effective way to deal with rejection. While you don’t want to be so sensitive to rejection and criticism that one nasty comment sends you into a fetal crying fit for days, you also don’t want to be so immune to rejection and criticism that you don’t take it seriously. Soak it in! If an editor says your topic idea is too broad, that’s free advice, and you should take it. Most writers send hundreds of editors the same pitch, get rejected, and give up. Instead, learn to take the criticism so you can use it to improve your odds.
Many writers are afraid of the worst criticism of all: that they’re not good writers. As a result, they fail to improve their weaknesses. The first step in becoming really good at anything is accepting that you might not already be really good at that thing. And that’s okay! You can get better, and accepting criticism is part of the learning experience. Embrace criticism and you’ll get you there even faster.
Do you want to know how to become a freelance writer with no experience?
Becoming a freelance writer when you have no experience can be tough.
Before I began my career as a freelance writer, it seemed that all the jobs advertised needed experience.
But the question I had was, how can I get experience if no one will hire me … because I don’t have experience ??
It’s like an infuriating chicken before the egg argument.
Well, I am here to help.
There are 10 things you can do if you want to know how to become a freelance writer with no experience.
But first things first, if you are looking for ways to help you earn an income online and pay your bills, while you are launching your freelance writing career, read these articles :
how do i become a content writer with no experience
1. Take a freelance writing course
I was in the same position, but hear me out.
When I began my freelance writing career, I googled lots of free training and tried to learn as much as I could for free. I was learning …but useful information was at different places and some weren’t useful at all!
I was leaning but slowly .. and my bills were racking up O_O
Then I stumbled upon Elna Cain’s ‘Write to 1k’ course. Elna Cain is a stay at home mom of twins who has managed to turn her love for writing into a lucrative full-time job. She has written for highly respectable websites like Huffington Post and Smart Blogger.
Initially, I didn’t do anything, I just thought about it for 3 weeks. But then I decided to sell some extra clothes and I used the money to buy the course.
It was the best professional decision I have ever made.
Within one week I had a fully-fledged writer’s website and 3 new clients.
Her Write to $1k course taught me how to pitch to new clients, where to find jobs and most importantly, it has a 30-day template you just need to follow to get to your first $1k.
If you are ever going to invest in one writing course – please let it be this one. It’s the most useful thing you can do if you want to know how to be a freelance writer with no experience.
There is no way you will finish the 30 days and not win a new client. Her training is THAT good. And I am not making this up, because I took the course myself.
2. Publish your work for free on Contently
Contently is great! You can create a few writing samples, add images and make your writing look professional.
It’s a great way of coming across as competent when you want to know how to become a freelance writer with no experience.
You can even save your work into different segments and categories and it’s all FREE
Here is an example of mine here:
Once you have a few samples, you can apply for jobs and include the Contently links for potential clients to review.
I have done that and have successfully secured a few jobs this way.
3. Publish your work for free on Medium
Medium is all the rage at the moment. Even top writers like Elna Cain are writing on it, because of the exposure you get.
It’s free and you can create a few writing samples and upload them on the site
If the readers like it, you might even be paid!
Medium has this ‘Partner Program’ which allows you to be paid for popular articles that their readers enjoyed.
So, start writing ASAP!
4. Create a writers website and display your samples
If you want to know how to become a freelance writer with no experience, it’s worth creating your own writer’s website.
Nothing screams professional like a writer with their own writer’s website.
Think about it this way … are you more likely to trust a gadget from a little stall at the side of the road or a shop with its own website and testimonials?
Having your own writer’s website demonstrates you are a professional and credible writer that has taken the time to invest in a website.
Clients are more likely to take you seriously.
‘But I’m no good at IT!’ you bleat.
Join the club. Technology makes me want to do violent things to my computer, but I have 2 solutions for you:
- Follow my FREE step by step guide.
You can read my Step-by- step Guide on How To Create A Writer’s Website and then set one up yourself if you follow the 8 steps!
- Take Elna Cain’s ‘Writer Website in a Weekend’ course
She will teach you how to set up a full-fledged professional website in 2 days.
At this moment it’s only $45!
Think about how much you spend on dinner and movies.
Maybe skip a few date nights and invest in the course and it will transform your writing career.
The Writer’s Website in a Weekend will help you set up
- Homepage
- Services/Hire Me Page
- Portfolio
- Contact Page
Here is the website Elna taught me to build from scratch:
5. Create writing samples for free on Google Docs
Good old google docs.
If you want a simple fuss-free way of writing and sharing your samples, you can just save them on Google Docs.
Then you can apply to jobs and when they ask for samples of your portfolio, you send them the Google Docs link.
It’s the easiest way to get started when want to know how to become a freelance writer with no experience.
6. Publish your work for free on Linkedin
Linkedin is great for networking and finding jobs.
It’s also great for showcasing your writing samples.
Go to your Linkedin homepage and click ‘ write an article’ and the below will come up.
Make sure you add images to add color and depth to your writing.
Lots of potential clients will be able to see your writing.
It’s a useful technique to use if you want to know how to become a freelance writer and get paid
7. Guestpost
Guest posting is essentially where you write for other websites for free. It helps you get your writing published, if you want to know how to become a freelance writer with no experience.
It is normally unpaid but some may pay! I have secured new clients that pay well this way.
A really easy way to find guest posts is to google your niche + guest posts.
So for example, if you like to write about vegan food:
Vegan food + guest posts
Write for us + vegan food
Here are some sites that accept guest posts :
Red Tricycle– Parenting niche
GoMadNomad– Travel niche (8
Buzzfeed-Entertainment and Viral content
TODAY– Parenting and Food niche
8. Publish your work for free on Journoportfolio
If you want to know how to become a freelance writer with no experience and you want a place to publish your writing samples for free, Journoporfolio is the perfect option for you.
Journoporfolio is a site that allows you to store your writing samples for FREE.
It looks professional and allows you to have a customizable online writing portfolio, which you can send to potential clients.
9. Publish your work for free on Clippings.me
Clippings.me is another online writing portfolio that allows you to upload your writing content for FREE.
It has a sleek, simple and fuss-free platform that makes it easy for you to use,
All you need to do is write and then upload your articles on the platform and send it to potential clients when they ask for samples.
10. Apply and write for content mills
Content mills are the brokers of the writing world.
They connect freelance writers with clients, however, they don’t pay very well.
But if you are just getting started and want to gain some writing experience, you could take on some writing work and get paid for it.
It creates opportunities and experience for a writer who wants to know how to become a freelance writer with no experience
The pay will be low but, its better than writing for free right?
My advice is not to spend too long on content mills, just enough to gain some samples so you can begin applying for other better-paying jobs.
Sometimes content mills will advertise, ‘freelance writing jobs no experience’
Here is a list of content mills you can apply to:
- iwriter
- Writer Access
- Online Writing Jobs
- Writer Bay
- Textbroker
- Verblio
- Constant Content
- Domainite
- Great Content
- Hire Writers
11. Join FB Groups
I never saw the value of FB until I responded to an advert in a writing group from an editor looking for finance writers.
I secured a recurring client who still pays me to write for them till today!
If you want to know how to get freelance writing jobs with no experience, Facebook is a useful tool that can help you.
If you need some experience you can offer to do it for free or for lower pay to ensure you get hired.
That way you will have published samples you can use to apply for high paying jobs or you can increase your rate with your existing client!
Here is a list of FB groups you can join
- The Write Life
- The Freelance Content Marketing Writer
- What’s your Plan B
- Writer’s Helping Writers
- Calls for Submissions
How to become a freelance writer with no experience shouldn’t be difficult. You just need to work hard, look for opportunities and follow the 11 tips above and you will be on your way to becoming a well-paid freelance writer.
If you want to become a content writer, but are worried about your lack of experience, don’t worry! You can do it.
You don’t need any formal training or specific qualifications to start writing for the web. Instead, all you need is enthusiasm, persistence and the willingness to learn from your mistakes.
The best way to get started is by writing about topics that interest you. If you don’t have any experience in digital marketing or copywriting, then start with something else that interests you: fashion or cars or travel or wine-tasting! Then build up your portfolio until people start asking if they can hire you as a writer.
If you’re looking for more information on how to become a content writer without any experience, check out this article: https://www.copyblogger.com/how-to-become-a-writer/
how to become a freelance content writer
It’s the most infuriating experience to go through.
You apply for a job. They want experience. You can’t get experience without a job. It’s the whole chicken-and-egg scenario. I understand it. Some freelancers say that they can do the job, but when it’s time to step up, they can’t. Employers now rely on people who can do the job based on experience. This scenario has left us stuck, waiting for years until it’s our turn. The same could be said for freelance work. Whether you’re a writer, editor, or designer, you may feel you can’t apply for that job online. You may think that you can’t reach out to your dream client. All because you haven’t had the experience like your competition. Is that going to stop you? I hope not. Because I’m here to say that you can indeed land consistent, high-paying clients with no experience, to do it, you’re going to need to get the basics down. More importantly, you’re going to have to take extra steps to stand out. Let’s get started!
