How to Become a Freelance Writer (Even with No Experience)

Alessa Hickman
Jun 22
5 min read

Updated: Oct 15

So, you want to become a freelance writer, but you’re not sure where to start, what to write about, or how to get anyone to actually pay you. I get it. Not that long ago, I was in the same spot, googling “how to become a freelance writer” and feeling overwhelmed by all the advice out there.

Now? I write freelance content for clients in education, remote work, and career development — and I get paid for it. I’ve written for companies, social media, and blogs, while learning and growing every day.

In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how I became a freelance writer, even with no published work, and how you can start too. You’ll learn:

How to figure out what kind of writing you should do
What to include in a beginner writing portfolio (even if you have no clients)
Where to find freelance writing jobs and leads
How to pitch editors (and what not to do)
What to expect when you're just starting out
Tools, mindset tips, and extra strategies that helped me stay consistent

Plus, I created a free pitch template to help you get started, and you can grab it at the end of this post.

Step 1: Look at What You Already Know

Before you jump into a niche or type of writing, take a minute to analyze yourself. Ask:

What experience do I already have?
What topics am I interested in?
What do I know more about than the average person?

That last one’s key — because your information advantage is what will help you stand out.

In my case, I was a teacher. I’d worked in education, taught online, and knew the ins and outs of working remotely. So naturally, I started by writing content in those spaces. If you have a background in sales? You might want to get into copywriting. If you’ve worked in healthcare, you could write health content. The possibilities are endless, but it helps to start with what you know.

Step 2: Choose What Kind of Writer You Want to Be

“Freelance writer” is a broad term. You could be a:

Content writer (blogs, SEO articles, thought leadership)
Copywriter (web copy, product descriptions, emails)
Technical writer (manuals, how-to guides)
Resume writer, grant writer, scriptwriter — the list goes on

The right path depends on what kind of work sounds most interesting and aligns with your skills and goals. Some types pay more, others have quicker turnarounds, and some are easier to break into. You don’t need to have it all figured out right away — just pick a direction that feels fun.

Step 3: Build a Portfolio (Even If You Don’t Have Clients Yet)

Before someone hires you, they need to see your writing. That means you need a portfolio.

Don’t overthink it! You can make your portfolio for free using:

Google Docs with shareable links
Canva (I used Canva Pro to create a mock website with a public view link)
A free site builder like Wix
Or ideally, a personal website with yourname.com (which is what I did later on)

But what if I don’t have anything published yet? Write sample pieces. Pick a few topics you want to write about and draft your own blog posts or articles. Write like you're writing for a client. These “fakes” are totally acceptable in the beginning and can land you work.

Step 4: Find People to Pitch

Now that you have something to show, it’s time to get your work out there. If you’ve worked with any companies, schools, or organizations before, start there. Maybe they have a blog you could contribute to, or you’ve noticed a few typos or missing content on their website that you could help with. For example, I took an ESL teaching course and ended up writing an article for them afterward.

If you already left a good impression somewhere, it’s way easier to say “hey, I noticed you might need help with X” and open that door.

But if not, no worries — here’s how to find places to pitch:

Google: “Write for us” + [your niche] (e.g. “write for us travel” or “write for us education”)
Check job boards like ProBlogger, Freelance Writing Jobs, or even LinkedIn and Indeed
Sign up for freelance job newsletters (I like All Things Freelance Writing and Freelance Framework)
Follow editors and publications on LinkedIn or X (Twitter)
Join Facebook groups or Reddit communities for freelance writers

Step 5: Create Your Pitch

This is where you can stand out. Don’t send the same generic message to every editor. Do a little research and make it personal.

Here’s what I include in every pitch:

A quick intro about who I am and what I do
A personalized note — maybe I really enjoy their work, or they’re missing a topic I can cover
A working headline + a short paragraph-style pitch that explains the angle, the value, and the story — but doesn’t give too much away

(P.S. I put together a free pitch template you can download here. It walks you through my exact pitch formula with examples.)

Step 6: Track Everything

Pitching can get messy fast. Keep a simple spreadsheet to track:

Who you pitched
When you sent it
What you pitched
Any responses
When to follow up

Tracking your pitches keeps you organized, helps you follow up at the right time, and ensures you’re not sending the same idea to multiple places without realizing it. If you're pitching a lot, it's easy to forget where an idea has already been sent. Staying on top of it all gives you a more professional edge.

Step 7: Expect Some Free Work in the Beginning (and That’s Okay)

You might not get paid right away. I didn’t.

Some of my first bylines were for free, but they helped me build credibility and gave me links to send to future clients. I treated every piece like it was paid because I knew it was an investment in my portfolio.

Over time, those free pieces led to paid work — and eventually, to recurring clients.

Step 8: Keep Going (Even When It Feels Like Nothing’s Working)

You’ll get rejected. Probably a lot. You might never even hear back. That’s not a sign you’re not cut out for this — it’s just part of the game.

The more you pitch, the better you get at it. You start figuring out what works, where to find the right clients, and what kind of writing you actually enjoy.

Extra Tips:

Read every day. The more you read, the better you write.
Write every day, even if it’s just in a journal or blog.
Use LinkedIn, Pinterest, or whatever platform you’re comfortable with to share your journey and attract people to your work.
Keep learning. Take writing courses, watch videos, study great writers, and be open to feedback.

Final Thoughts

Becoming a freelance writer isn’t about luck — it’s about building skills, showing up, and not giving up when it gets hard. If you’re serious about it and you’re willing to do the work, you can make it happen. I did, and I’m still figuring it out as I go.

Want to get started with your first pitch or portfolio?

Download my free freelance pitch template below to get started. And if you’re looking for a freelance writer to create blog content, articles, or copy for your brand, I’d love to connect! Check out my writing services here.