How to get genuine clients for freelance content writing - Indy (2023)

If you've just started working as a freelance writer or already have freelance experience, you've probably realized that it's time to find clients that provide consistent work. There are tons of clients out there currently looking to hire freelancers for writing services. One of the hardest tricks of the trade is keeping a constant stream of clients and projects lined up. Fortunately, there are some tried-and-true marketing tips freelancers can utilize to generate more clients, get higher-paying projects and more consistent work.

1. Personalize Your Pitches

When reaching out to potential clients, your freelance writing pitch should not be the same cookie-cutter email that's sent to everyone whenever you're looking for work. Personalization is paramount. Before you send your pitch, do some research on the client. Is it a large company, a small agency, a startup, or a solopreneur looking for help?

When you take the time to do your due diligence on a client, it's easier to craft personalized sales pitches that are much more likely to resonate with them and help you secure the project. If it is an IT client, start by illustrating your expertise in the IT industry, provide samples, and also a few project ideas. By personalizing your approach, you are far more likely to secure a client and generate a sale.

2. Create A Freelance Website

Creating a website certainly takes time, but the long-term benefits are worth it. Using your website as a promotional tool showcases your writing skills, expertise, and ability to design engaging web pages. Your website should contain writing samples and project testimonials from clients if you have them. Likewise, you should illustrate the type of writing you prefer, such as blog posts, research articles, white papers, etc. You should also provide pricing, such as a fixed price or rate price.

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One of the main reasons behind a successful website is the landing page. Your landing page is meant to entice potential clients to reach out and learn more. The content should be engaging and optimized for a high SEO ranking. Likewise, the landing page must contain relevant contact information, so clients know exactly how to reach you. Never underestimate the importance of having your own website. If you are unsure how you can build your own website, there are plenty of online platforms available for beginners.

3. Utilize Social Media

Another great way to promote your work as a full-time freelancer is through social media. Having a social media strategyis paramount to the long-term success of being a freelance writer. There are tons of social media platforms available for you to utilize. Some of the more popular ones for business purposes include LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Each social media platform has its own strengths. For instance, LinkedIn is an amazing platform for building business connections and networking with potential clients. Facebook and Instagram are great for self-promotion and marketing. Regardless of which platform(s) you decide to use, make sure your profiles are updated with the most relevant information and optimized to expand your social reach, attracting more clients in the process. Although building your social media presence takes time, the effort will help you gain exposure and build a personalized community of clients.

4. Start A Blog

Starting a blog has its benefits, especially if you're looking for work as a blogger. When starting a blog, you want to create something that displays your particular set of writing skills. You need to find a niche. You will be writing a lot of topics about your niche, so it must be something you understand thoroughly. For instance, if you are an expert in music, you could create a blog about learning guitar, piano, etc.

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Your blog doesn't necessarily have to be aligned with your target market as a freelance writer. Ultimately, when potential clients come across your blog, they'll look for your ability to craft engaging headlines, having a related theme or topic, and your ability writing skills. You should include a link to your blog site on your freelance website, or just make it part of the website. Likewise, you should promote your blog on your social media accounts. Another important thing to note is that you could eventually start generating revenue from your blog if you can grow enough to get ads displayed.

5. Join a Freelance Writing Platform

In this day and age, there are a ton of freelance websites available for connecting freelance workers with clients, jobs, etc. Some of these online platforms are designed specifically for freelance writers, while others include freelance services for a plethora of other professions. There are numerous opportunities across dozens of internet-based platforms, each with their own payment structure and unique set of job requests. A little bit of virtual legwork can be well worth the effort, especially if you're a novice at securing your own clientele.

Regardless of which platform(s) you decide to use, you'll want to treat it the same way you would your website and social media accounts. You are trying to market yourself to potential clients to find work. You should optimize your accounts to contain relevant contact information, your expertise, and experience, as well as any useful samples you can provide. Although these platforms do not guarantee work, they certainly help you find clients and are great for networking.

How Indy Can Help Freelancers

When you work as a freelance writer, there are a lot of things on your plate at once. Whether it's reaching out to new clients, writing project proposals, finishing projects, or tracking billable hours, it can be difficult to manage the nuances of the profession by yourself. Fortunately, at Indy, we created a productivity suite designed specifically for freelancers.

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Through our web tool, you manage everything related to the job at hand in one convenient location. You can even pick and choose which features you want. If you want to know how Indy can make your life as a freelance writer easier, feel free to get started to learn more.

FAQs

How to get genuine clients for freelance content writing - Indy? ›

Thanks to word-of-mouth, one new client can easily lead to another. Finding clients as a freelancer isn't as hard as it seems, after all. You just have to be thorough and committed to hard work. Now you have some tips to better help you develop a strategy to win over clients.

How do freelance writers get clients? ›

Luckily, there are many ways to achieve a solid, reliable list of clients you can turn to.
  1. Join the ProBlogger Job Board. ...
  2. Attend Business Networking Events. ...
  3. Create Email Campaigns. ...
  4. Join FlexJobs. ...
  5. Partner With Other Freelancers. ...
  6. Jump on Twitter Opportunities. ...
  7. Build a Niche Blog. ...
  8. Volunteer Your Services Online.
Aug 5, 2022

How do I find US clients for content writing? ›

When you're ready to go the extra mile, here are some fresh ideas for how to find clients.
  1. Personalize your cold calls and emails. ...
  2. Partner with other freelancers. ...
  3. Volunteer your services. ...
  4. Book a speaking engagement. ...
  5. Get back in touch with former clients. ...
  6. Search for opportunities on Twitter. ...
  7. Use your skills in a different way.
Oct 29, 2020

How do I market myself as a freelance content writer? ›

10 ways to market yourself as a writer and win clients
  1. Choose a niche.
  2. Nail your author bio.
  3. Build a website.
  4. Use your email signature.
  5. Promote your portfolio.
  6. Optimize your LinkedIn profile.
  7. Start a blog.
  8. Get to know other writers.
Sep 18, 2021

Is it hard to find clients as a freelancer? ›

Thanks to word-of-mouth, one new client can easily lead to another. Finding clients as a freelancer isn't as hard as it seems, after all. You just have to be thorough and committed to hard work. Now you have some tips to better help you develop a strategy to win over clients.

How do I break into freelance writing? ›

How to Become a Freelance Writer: Step-by-Step Guide
  1. Build a portfolio. Small businesses hit just as many highs as they do lows in the beginning. ...
  2. Start pitching. ...
  3. Start your own blog. ...
  4. Scour job boards. ...
  5. Embrace the side hustle.
Aug 24, 2022

How do you pitch a company for content writing? ›

7 Pitching Tips for Freelance Writers
  1. Be focused and brief. ...
  2. Grab the editor's attention. ...
  3. Target your pitches carefully. ...
  4. Think about what you're a specialist in. ...
  5. Showcase your writing skills. ...
  6. Be respectful and build relationships. ...
  7. After a few weeks, follow up.
Dec 1, 2021

How do I get hired for content writing? ›

You can get content writing jobs a few different ways. It's best to reach out to companies directly or to apply for freelance content writing positions that are advertised on websites like Indeed.com. Applying to posted calls for freelance writers can be a good way to know which companies are looking for new writers.

What is the hourly rate for a content writer USA? ›

Content Writers on Upwork cost $15–$40/hr.

How do I start freelance content writing with no experience? ›

10 Ways to break into freelance writing without experience
  1. Write samples. ...
  2. Find a writing agency to support you. ...
  3. Launch a blog. ...
  4. Write for friends and family. ...
  5. Network with other freelance writers. ...
  6. Get your start with a content network. ...
  7. Revise and refresh your grammar. ...
  8. Learn about SEO.

How much should I charge as a freelance content writer? ›

Another major difference to consider is the amount of experience you have. Beginners tend to charge much less, like $. 08 per word or $20 per hour. Those with many years of experience, on the other hand, can charge upwards of $1.00 per word and $100 per hour.

How much can you realistically make as a freelance writer? ›

How Much Do Freelance Writer Jobs Pay per Hour?
Annual SalaryHourly Wage
Top Earners$156,000$75
75th Percentile$63,500$31
Average$60,985$29
25th Percentile$37,500$18

How do beginners get clients? ›

How to Find Your First Client: A Guide
  1. Educate yourself. The first key in getting clients is to know your market. ...
  2. Get an online presence. ...
  3. Leverage social media. ...
  4. Network. ...
  5. Use inbound marketing. ...
  6. Pet personal. ...
  7. Demonstrate value. ...
  8. Be consultative in your approach.
Aug 5, 2022

How do freelancers get noticed? ›

Promoting your freelance services on social media gives clients another way to find you. Some social media platforms, like LinkedIn, are designed for professional networking. On Instagram or Facebook, you can choose to use your personal profile or create a separate one for your freelance services.

Which website is best for freelancing? ›

Top Freelance Websites
  1. Fiverr. Clients come to you rather than you having to seek out and bid for job projects. ...
  2. Upwork. Easy access to a huge number of job opportunities in virtually every industry. ...
  3. TopTal. ...
  4. Freelancer. ...
  5. PeoplePerHour. ...
  6. FlexJobs. ...
  7. WeWorkRemotely. ...
  8. SimplyHired.
Mar 3, 2023

Why am I not getting freelance clients? ›

It's easy to assume that the reason you're not getting any clients or projects is that you're charging too much. And while that may be true at times, pricing is not always that simple. Alongside affordability, pricing incompatibility also results from a misfit between your services and a prospect's needs.

Why am I not getting clients? ›

More often than not, the reason you're struggling to find new clients is due to internal factors rather than external. The more honest you can be with yourself about your business, product, or service, the better. If you're stuck in a rut, switch to a new marketing campaign to try and actively pursue clients.

What is the success rate of freelancers? ›

Additionally, 84% of full-time freelancers self-report that they're satisfied with their current position. That's roughly the same as the US workforce, where 85% of workers claim to happy with their job.

Can I make $1000 a month freelance writing? ›

Even with little or no experience, you can make $1,000 or more per month as a freelance writer in a short period of time. But that's just the beginning! Some of the go getters I know earn as much as $100K- $200K a year from freelance copywriting jobs (more about that below)!

Can you live off of freelance writing? ›

To answer the question, can you make a living as a freelance writer? You most certainly can. I came from nothing, with no degree or connections, and have paid my bills with it since about 1995. And I am definitely not the only one who earns a living this way.

How much do beginner freelance writers make per article? ›

This series of Twitter polls also seem to prove that writers prefer per-project pricing. From our research, freelance writers charge anything from $50-$1500 per long-form article. For longer content like ebooks and case studies, costs typically average around $2000.

How do I land my first content writing job? ›

How to Find Entry-Level Freelance Writing Jobs for Beginners
  1. Rewrite local small-business websites.
  2. Find abandoned business blogs.
  3. Write business emails.
  4. Create a newsletter or brochure.
  5. Report articles for local news media.
  6. Write for local magazines.
  7. Turn your former employer into a client.
  8. Write for local marketing agencies.

How should I charge for content writing? ›

The price for writing website content generally varies from 2 INR to 6 INR per word.

How do I sell my content writing? ›

Let's dive in and examine each of these steps one by one.
  1. Choose a timely, relevant, and interesting topic. The most important aspect of writing a solid article is the topic. ...
  2. Find your keywords. ...
  3. Read what your competitors say. ...
  4. Research your topic. ...
  5. Create a catchy title. ...
  6. Have a hook. ...
  7. Create your own work. ...
  8. Check your facts.

Is there a demand for content writers? ›

The demand for content writers is high nowadays. SaaS content writing jobs, for example, are much needed as the SaaS industry grows. Before we get too far into some of the specific types of content writing, though, you'll need to know what content writers do.

How long does it take to become a freelance writer? ›

Probably a month or two to learn the basics and then another month or two to land your first writing job. While it might take you longer overall to build your own publishing powerhouse, it's easier to stay persistent when money is coming in each and every time you publish an article.

Is content writing a lucrative career? ›

Is Content Writing a Good Career? It definitely can be! Content writing is a competitive field, but the profit potential is high, and there are always opportunities available. Set yourself apart in any way that you can, especially when it comes to the quality of work that you produce for your clients.

How much should I charge for a 1000 word article? ›

The low end for a 1000-word research article is around $75, while an experienced writer may charge closer to $250 or more. Blog article. Less technical articles are often quicker to write, so you may want to charge less. A 1000-word blog article averages around $50 at the lower end and $175 at the higher end.

How much do freelance writers make per 1,000 words? ›

Another freelance writer uses a calculator to price projects and typically uses the following range for blog posts: 1000-1500 words: USD 600. 1500-2000 words: USD 700. 2000-2500 words: USD 800.

How much should a freelance writer charge per 1,000 words? ›

$15 to $20 for 1,000 Words Depending on the Topic and Deadline. It's challenging to set a fixed price for blog writing because the topics and tone vary greatly, based on the type of blog the client is running. Some are casual and not very technical if the client's website major's on simple topics.

How much do beginner content writers charge? ›

Clearvoice shows a similar relationship between experience and rates, with most beginner and intermediate writers charging between $0.01 to $0.50 per word, and “professional” and expert writers charging from $0.50 to more than $1.00. If you're just starting, I recommend starting with $0.10 per word.

Can I be a content creator with no experience? ›

Benefits of a Content Creation Career

It's also a great career option for many people as it does not require a specific degree or experience level. While some companies might prefer experience and portfolios, any individual can start creating content at home with relatively little training.

What is the rookie mistake that most freelancers make while sending their proposals? ›

Not Delivering the Proposal Quickly.

Can I trust Upwork? ›

Upwork itself is not a scam. The website is legitimate, and freelancers can find actual work on the platform. However, as with any business transaction, one must exercise caution when using the website. While Upwork itself can be useful, that doesn't stop scammers from infiltrating the network.

Is it profitable to be a freelance writer? ›

Because SaaS is a profitable business model, companies can afford to pay freelancer writers well to create this content. In fact, SaaS writers make an average of $69,700 per year! This is definitely a profitable freelance writing niche for 2023!

What is the demand for freelance writers? ›

Job Outlook

Employment of writers and authors is projected to grow 4 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 15,200 openings for writers and authors are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Do I need a business to be a freelance writer? ›

Most freelancers in creative industries like writing, designing, or programming, probably do not need a professional business license.

Are freelance writers in high demand? ›

In fact, the demand for blog writers increased by 55.2% during Q3 of 2022. However, some businesses and organizations may experience difficulty finding high-quality freelance writers who can deliver quality work on time and within budget.

How to get clients fast? ›

10 Ways to Get New Customers
  1. Ask for referrals. ...
  2. Network. ...
  3. Offer discounts and incentives for new customers only. ...
  4. Re-contact old customers. ...
  5. Improve your website. ...
  6. Partner with complementary businesses. ...
  7. Promote your expertise. ...
  8. Use online reviews to your advantage.
Apr 6, 2017

How do I get my first 10 clients? ›

How To Get Your First 10 Customers Onboard?
  1. Identify the need. ...
  2. Identify your market. ...
  3. Position your Product as the Answer. ...
  4. Identify your first customers. ...
  5. Use your Network for Acquiring First Customers. ...
  6. Founders do the marketing. ...
  7. Acquiring your first 10 customers through a Private Mailing List.
Feb 1, 2021

What is the easiest skill to learn for freelancing? ›

For starters, if you don't have any other skill besides knowing how computers work, then you can be a general or admin virtual assistant. It has the easiest tasks and is mostly about: Internet research. Email management.

How can a beginner start freelancing? ›

How to start freelancing (even when working full-time)
  1. Define your business goals.
  2. Find a perspective niche (and stick to it)
  3. Identify target clients.
  4. Set your freelance rates.
  5. Create a website (and portfolio)
  6. Find your first client.
  7. Expand your network.
  8. Balance your full-time job with your part-time freelancing side gigs.
6 days ago

What is the average income for a freelance writer? ›

Freelance Writer Salary
Annual SalaryMonthly Pay
Top Earners$156,000$13,000
75th Percentile$63,500$5,291
Average$60,985$5,082
25th Percentile$37,500$3,125

Do freelance writers actually make money? ›

Freelance writing can be a fantastic way to earn money and can even lead to full-time income if you can consistently produce quality work.

How do freelance writers get work? ›

The best entry-level freelance writing jobs for beginners
  1. Rewrite local small-business websites. ...
  2. Find abandoned business blogs. ...
  3. Write business emails. ...
  4. Create a newsletter or brochure. ...
  5. Report articles for local news media. ...
  6. Write for local magazines. ...
  7. Turn your former employer into a client. ...
  8. Write for local marketing agencies.

How much should I charge as a beginner freelance writer? ›

Beginners tend to charge much less, like $. 08 per word or $20 per hour. Those with many years of experience, on the other hand, can charge upwards of $1.00 per word and $100 per hour.

What type of freelance writing pays the most? ›

The healthcare and medical sector is one of the highest-paying niches in freelance writing. Content in this niche requires similar skill sets to technical writing—as well as extensive knowledge of the healthcare industry.

How many hours do freelance writers work? ›

According to a 2016 study, the average full-time freelancer works 36 hours per week, reported this article.

How do I find my niche as a content writer? ›

Here's how to start testing your niche to ensure that there's demand for your services and that you enjoy it:
  1. Read lots of content. If you think you might enjoy a specific topic or type of content, look for and read lots of examples. ...
  2. Look at job boards. ...
  3. Start a blog. ...
  4. Establish a social media presence. ...
  5. Write a guest post.
May 6, 2021

What type of content writing is in demand? ›

What Type of Content Writers Are in Demand? Some of the most in-demand content writer jobs out there right now are: Blog Writers: Professionals in this position take their research and turn it into easily digestible pieces of content for readers.

How much do you charge for 500 words? ›

How much should I charge for a 500-word article? All things considered, 500 words is a fairly short article length, appropriate for a short newsletter article or personal profile. A typical rate for this would be $75-$200, but it could range much lower or higher depending on the factors mentioned above.

Can I be a freelance writer with no experience? ›

What Do You Need to Be a Freelance Writer? The great thing about starting freelance writing is that you don't need any experience! 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.

How long does it take to start freelance writing? ›

Probably a month or two to learn the basics and then another month or two to land your first writing job. While it might take you longer overall to build your own publishing powerhouse, it's easier to stay persistent when money is coming in each and every time you publish an article.

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