How to Stay Motivated as a Freelance Writer (Even When It’s Tough)

Thinking about becoming a freelance writer but worried about staying motivated? You're not alone. The freelance writing world (and the job market in general) is competitive, AI is reshaping the industry, and getting your first clients can feel overwhelming. But every writer starts here, and once you push through those first hurdles, you find yourself building momentum, discovering new opportunities, and growing into your writing career.

When I left my job in education to write full-time, I quickly learned that the hardest part of freelancing wasn’t the writing itself — it was pushing through rejection, slow growth, and self-doubt.

Despite the challenges, there are practical ways to keep your momentum going. In this post, I'll share 8 tips for staying motivated as a freelance writer, based on what’s helped me build my writing career.

1. Celebrate the Small Writing Wins

I hate to break it to you, but you won’t land every pitch. Sometimes you’ll send dozens and get all “no’s.” Or worse, you won't hear anything at all. This was one of my biggest initial struggles.

When I first started as a freelance writer, when I didn't get responses to pitches or faced rejection, I felt such imposter syndrome. "Maybe I'm not meant to be a writer." "Maybe I should've stayed a college instructor." "I'm never going to find clients." Sound familiar?

It's really easy to fall into the trap of thinking you're not good enough or not qualified enough. But that's exactly what it is — a trap.

Over time, and through consistent effort, one client might respond to a pitch, or maybe someone checks out your portfolio, or you get into a conversation that could lead to future work. Those small wins matter. They’re proof that your effort is working, even if the results are gradual. Celebrate them.

How to track and celebrate your progress:

• Keep a pitch spreadsheet. Track every pitch you send, the date, and the response (even if it’s “no reply”). Seeing the numbers grow reminds you that your effort matters, and patterns can help you improve future pitches.

• Create a “wins” document or folder where you save screenshots of positive replies, encouraging notes, or published work.

• Set mini-milestones (e.g., “send 10 pitches this week”) and reward yourself when you hit them.

• Do a weekly review where you look back and highlight progress: pitches sent, rejections you survived, and new connections made. This builds momentum and rewires your brain to notice wins instead of losses.

2. Be Open to Writing for Free (At First)

Yes, it’s true — you might not get paid right away as a beginner. I didn't. But what you do get is credibility and bylines.

Every free guest post or small project adds to your portfolio, and that’s an investment in your future. Think of it as laying the foundation that will make it easier to land paid work later.

How I used free work to grow as a writer

When I first started writing, I focused on education. My background was in teaching, so it felt natural. Eventually, though, I wanted to write about and explore my other interests — travel, career, lifestyle, etc. But when it came time to pitch or apply for work, I was missing the bylines that showed my experience. That’s where free work came in.

After sending out a few pitches, I was able to write some free travel articles to add to my portfolio. Not only did those pieces help establish me as a travel writer, but I also made connections that led to paid work down the line.

Bonus tip: Even if you write a post for free, a future client might find you as a reader. With a well-written bio and call-to-action (CTA), you can easily lead people right to your website (and client list).

3. Create a Writing Schedule You’ll Actually Stick To

Motivation comes and goes, but structure keeps you moving. Create a daily schedule that you can refer to throughout your day so you know exactly what you need to do and when. Mine's right above my desk!

I like to block off my time: for example, Mondays from 11–2 are for planning content for the blog or my Pinterest. Even if I don’t feel inspired, the set schedule keeps me accountable and productive. If I don't use that time to plan the content, it'll never come out.

How to manage your time as a writer:

• Start small. Don’t try to do an 8-hour writing day right away (unless that's your style). Begin with focused 1–2 hour blocks of work with breaks in between.

• Batch similar tasks (pitching, researching, writing, editing) so you’re not constantly switching gears.

• Treat freelancing like a traditional job. Show up at the same time every day, even if you’re working from home in your PJs.

• Leave buffer time for admin, emails, and unexpected opportunities.

4. Switch Things Up in Your Writing

If you’ve been posting on one platform and it’s not getting traction, try another. Or test new types of content. Sometimes a small shift in where or how you share your work can spark new energy (and reach new audiences).

Another option? Try writing in new areas. We’re all multifaceted, and you might not want to write about one niche forever. Exploring multiple avenues can help you naturally discover both your audience and what you really love to write about.

This doesn’t just mean switching topics — it could also mean shifting from blog posts to scripts, email newsletters, copywriting, or even ghostwriting. A change in format can unlock new inspiration and new income streams.

5. Leverage Your Other Skills

Most writers aren’t just writers. Some might be, but many freelancers also offer editing, search engine optimization (SEO), or consulting services alongside their writing.

For example, I design resume templates, digital resources, and posts for social media, but I also write resumes. These skills help me stay creative, diversify my income, and keep me motivated when writing feels slow.

Think about what else you can offer alongside writing. That way, you won't burn out when things feel tough.

6. Keep Learning and Seeking Inspiration

Whenever I read or see something that teaches me a new skill or inspires me, I feel such a creative boost in my own work. Read blogs, study other writers, follow creators you enjoy on social media, or take a course to upskill.

Other ways to keep growing as a writer:

• Join writing groups or online communities where you can learn from peers.

• Read outside your niche — sometimes the best ideas come from unexpected sources.

• Follow industry trends so your writing stays relevant.

• Analyze successful content and break down why it works.

Just don’t get stuck in learning mode forever. Balance input with output — for every article you read, write something of your own.

The trick is staying curious. Curiosity fuels creativity, and it’s one of the best ways to keep your writing motivation alive.

7. Capture Content Ideas Whenever They Strike

Inspiration doesn’t always follow your schedule. Always keep a notepad or your notes app handy, because when an idea for a blog, article, or pitch pops up, you’ll want to capture it before it's gone.

Where content ideas often show up:

• In the shower

• On the train or during your commute

• In conversations with friends or colleagues

• While reading something completely unrelated

Some of my favourite content ideas came to me in these random moments. The difference is, I wrote them down instead of assuming I’d remember later (spoiler alert: I wouldn’t have).

Another tip: Keep a “brain dump” doc, notebook, or whiteboard where you add all your ideas — even the rough ones. Later, when you feel stuck, you’ll have a bank of starting points and inspiration to draw from.

8. Adopt a Growth Mindset

Freelance writing is as much about mindset as skill. There have been many times when I’ve set aside time to pitch, only to open my email and see the first response is a rejection.

Instead of giving up there, though, I can choose to see it as a redirection and trust that there are other opportunities out there. Maybe that story you pitched is actually a much better fit for a more aligned publication. Or maybe that client would've paid you less than what your future client will for the same work.

How mindset builds momentum

If you only see the negatives — the rejections, the lack of views, the dwindling bank account (been there) — it’s easy to give up. But if you keep writing, keep pitching, and count every small win, you’ll build momentum. That positive mindset creates more opportunities over time.

Here’s how that momentum actually works:

• Each pitch you send improves your skills and confidence.

• Each piece you publish strengthens your portfolio.

• Each connection you make expands your network.

• Each “no” gets you closer to a “yes.”

Final Thoughts on Writer Motivation

Freelance writing has its challenges, but it also comes with incredible freedom and opportunity. If you stay consistent, celebrate your wins, and keep learning, you’ll find your confidence and clients over time, even when motivation feels tough.

The most important thing? Don’t quit when it feels hard. Your breakthrough could be one pitch, one connection, or one published piece away.

If you want to take the next step, start with my guide on how to become a freelance writer (comes with a free pitch template!) or read why I left my college teaching job to freelance full-time for the behind-the-scenes story.

Keep pitching, keep writing, and keep learning — the clients, bylines, and career you’re building will follow.