Starting a freelance writing side hustle can change your life. You get a skill you can grow, a flexible way to earn extra money, and a door into a career that can go full-time if you ever want it to. The problem is that most beginners don’t know where to start their freelance writer side hustle journey. They try random things, chase low-pay jobs, and get discouraged fast.
Let’s start with the most important idea: your path will not look like anyone else’s. But the steps below will give you a clear roadmap to follow.
Before Starting a Freelance Writer Side Hustle: Understand Why You Want This
Before you write your first sentence, take a moment to understand your reason for choosing freelance writing. This matters more than people think.
Freelance writing works best for people who:
- Truly enjoy writing
- Don’t mind writing about topics outside their comfort zone
- Are willing to learn new tools and styles
- Can market their services without fear
- Understand that it takes time and effort to succeed
If you only want a quick hack or a shortcut, this won’t work.
But if you’re ready to treat this like a real side hustle, you can build a strong foundation. Let’s begin to understand become a freelance writer in seven simple points.
Chapter 1: Evaluate Your Skills and Specialties
Every writing journey starts with an honest review of your skills. You don’t need to be perfect to start, but you should know what you can already do and what will need improvement.
Questions to Ask Yourself
- Am I a naturally good writer?
- Do I have any writing samples to prove my skills?
- Can I start earning now, or should I train first?
- Do I have topics I’m knowledgeable about?
- Am I willing to learn new writing styles?
Choose Your Niche the Smart Way
Your niche is the industry or topic you plan to write about. Picking a niche helps clients understand if you’re the right fit for them. Examples of the best freelance writing niches include:
- Healthcare
- Software
- Finance
- Real estate
- Education
You can also choose two or three niches instead of one. It keeps your options open while you build experience.
Why a Niche Matters
Clients don’t search for “freelance writer.” They search for:
- Healthcare blog writer
- Tech article writer
- Dallas real estate writer
A niche helps you stand out in a crowded market.
Chapter 2: Understand the Basics of Freelance Writing
If you’re new, take time to understand how freelance writing jobs from home actually work. This will prevent confusion later.
What Beginners Should Know
- Clients usually provide topics or keywords
- You must research, write, and structure the article yourself
- Articles are usually delivered through Google Docs or Word
- Revisions are normal, especially early in your career
- You may not be paid for revisions unless the contract says so
How Much Should You Charge?
Pricing is one of the biggest beginner fears. Start simple.
- New writers can aim for $25–$35 per hour
- As you grow, move to $50–$75+ per hour
- Project-based pricing is better than hourly pricing because you earn more as you get faster
What Writing Work Looks Like
Common beginner-friendly projects include:
- Blog posts
- How-to guides
- Product reviews
- Buying guides
- Local business website rewrites
- Guest posts
Learning the basics early gives you confidence and clarity as you start a blog and make money in no time.
Chapter 3: Collect or Create Writing Samples
Nobody hires a writer without seeing what they can do. Samples are proof of your skills, and they matter more than your degree or background.
Types of Writing Samples
Best samples:
- Published articles on reputable websites in your niche
Good samples:
- Published articles anywhere
Decent samples:
- Detailed Amazon reviews
- College papers
- Small business projects
Avoid:
- Personal stories
- High school papers
How to Get Samples When You’re Brand New
- Do a few pro bono posts for small local businesses
- Write guest posts for relevant websites
- Rewrite a friend’s or relative’s business page
- Use well-written articles on your blog as early samples
Aim for 4–6 solid samples to start getting clients.
Chapter 4: Find Your First Paid Gig
Finding a first gig is exciting, but keep your expectations realistic. Your dream client will not show up right away. The first job is simply a stepping stone.
Where to Find Good Opportunities
Quality job boards:
- FlexJobs
- ProBlogger Job Board
- Freelance Writer’s Den job board
- BloggingPro
- Reddit r/HireaWriter
- Reddit r/ForHire
Apply only to jobs that match your niche or writing style.
Where NOT to Focus
- Fiverr
- Upwork
- Content mills
These platforms pay very little, attract too much competition, and rarely help build a real career.
Smart Ways to Market Yourself
You need to reach out — not wait.
Try:
- Emailing local businesses
- Pitching magazines
- Pitching niche blogs
- Using the contacts on LinkedIn
- Cold emailing marketing managers
A good rule is 100 pieces of marketing per month. This includes pitches, emails, connection messages, and applications.
Always Use a Contract
A simple contract with deadlines, word count, and payment terms protects you and helps avoid unpaid work.
Chapter 5: Create Website and Online Presence Portfolio
When you have a couple of samples, create a simple portfolio site so that clients can locate you.
Why You Need a Website
- It shows professionalism
- It provides you with space where you can show your writing samples.
- Your website facilitates easy accessibility for the clients to contact you.
- It is able to rank on keywords that are associated with your niche.
Platforms That Work Well
- Squarespace (easiest for beginners)
- WordPress
- Wix
Your website only needs:
- A home page
- A portfolio page
- An about page
- A contact page
Enhance Your Internet Presence
LinkedIn is also among the most favorable freelance writers’ hubs. Keep your profile active with:
- Samples
- Posts
- Short case studies
- Writing wins
This will make you more visible and make clients find you by themselves.
Chapter 6: Improve Your Skills Over Time
Your first few months will feel overwhelming. That’s normal. Writing is a skill, and skills get sharper with practice.
Ways to Keep Growing
- Study articles in your niche
- Pay attention to tone, structure, and formatting
- Learn basic SEO writing
- Join writer communities
- Take affordable writing courses
- Get feedback from other writers
- Track your writing time and improve your speed
How to Handle Writing Fear
It’s normal to feel nervous before turning in a project. A simple fix is:
- Have a writing friend review your draft
- Re-read your piece once for structure, once for clarity
- Ask clients more questions upfront so you hit the target
Every writer improves with practice.
Chapter 7: Handle the Business Side of Freelancing
A freelance writer is not just a writer. You’re a business owner. This means you need to handle your operations like a real business.
Your “Housekeeping” Checklist
- Track income and expenses
- Send invoices on time
- Save money for taxes
- Follow up with old clients
- Keep adding new samples
- Keep updating your website
- Pitch new clients regularly
- Keep learning new skills
- Manage deadlines carefully
Do You Need to Register Your Business?
You don’t have to, but it’s a good idea once you earn regularly.
Also, always:
- Use a separate bank account
- Keep clean financial records
- Stay prepared for taxes
Remember: writing is the craft; freelancing is the business.
7 Terrible Reasons to Become a Freelance Writer
These reasons often lead to failure:
- Starting because of panic
- Thinking you have no other option
- Not liking writing
- Believing you can replace a full income with 5 hours a week
- Expecting to earn money writing poetry or short stories
- Hating business
- Wanting to write while taking care of kids full-time without childcare
Freelance writing requires attention, learning, and steady effort.
Final Thoughts
Freelance writing is a simple side hustle to start, but a serious one to maintain. If you follow this blueprint — evaluate your skills, learn the basics, build samples, find your first clients, create your website, improve your craft, and run your business properly — you’ll set yourself up for long-term success.
The next step is simple:
Start writing, start pitching, and start building your future.
If you want guidance along the way, you can follow NetIncomeZone, join training groups, or study successful freelance writers. But the most important thing is action.
Your writing career begins the moment you decide to take the first step.
FAQs
1. How can I start freelance writing with no experience?
You can start by building a few writing samples, choosing two or three topics you enjoy, and creating a simple portfolio. Then apply for beginner-friendly writing jobs and send pitches to blogs or small businesses. Even one or two strong samples can help you get your first paid gig.
2. What skills do you need to be a freelance writer?
You need clear writing skills, good research habits, basic grammar knowledge, and the ability to understand what a client wants. You don’t need a degree. Lastly, you also need consistency, a willingness to learn new styles, and the ability to meet deadlines without reminders.
3. How do freelance writers find clients?
Most writers find clients by pitching businesses, applying on job boards, writing guest posts, networking on LinkedIn, and reaching out directly to companies in their niche. The more you market yourself, the faster you get work. Sending consistent pitches each week makes the biggest difference.
4. How much do beginner freelance writers get paid?
Pay varies a lot. Many beginners earn around $25–$35 per hour or $30–$80 per article. As you gain experience and build samples in one niche, you can raise your rates over time. The key is starting small, improving your skills, and increasing prices as you grow.
5. Do I need a portfolio website to start freelance writing?
Not at the beginning. You can start with a few samples saved in Google Docs or shared through LinkedIn. A portfolio website helps you look more professional later, but it’s not required for your first few clients. Build it once you have enough samples to showcase.
Michael Adams is a professional finance writer with a focus on tax education, budgeting, and personal finance. His goal is to make income tax topics clear and practical for individuals and entrepreneurs.