How to Start a Freelance Writing Business and Make Money from Your Passion

How to start a freelance writing business is one of the most common questions among aspiring writers who want to turn their passion into a profitable career. Freelance writing is a flexible and rewarding way to make money from your writing skills, whether you want to do it as a side hustle or a full-time job.

But how do you get started as a freelance writer? What steps do you need to take to launch your freelance writing business and land your first clients? How do you set your rates, market your services, and manage your projects?

People’s needs for information, especially from social media or the internet are getting higher. This triggers the need for people to write articles as an information dissemination solution.

More and more people are plunging into writing the world of writing, by becoming an article writer or a content writer, either for blogs or online media.

In this ultimate guide, we will answer all these questions and more. We will show you how to start a freelance writing business from scratch, with no experience or degree required. We will also share some tips and best practices to help you succeed as a freelance writer in 2023 and beyond.

How to Start a Freelance Writing Business

1. Choose your freelance writing niche and service

The first step to start a freelance writing business is to decide what kind of writing you want to do and who you want to write for. This will help you narrow down your target market, showcase your expertise, and stand out from the competition.

There are many types of freelance writing, such as:

• Blogging
• Copywriting
• Content marketing
• Technical writing
• Ghostwriting
• Journalism
• Academic writing
• E-book writing
• Resume writing
• And more

Each type of writing has its own requirements, challenges, and opportunities. You need to choose the one that suits your skills, interests, and goals.

For example, if you enjoy writing informative and engaging articles for online audiences, you might want to become a blogger or a content marketer. If you have a knack for writing persuasive and catchy texts that sell, you might want to become a copywriter.

You also need to choose a niche or a specific topic that you want to write about. This will help you establish your authority and credibility in your field, attract your ideal clients, and charge higher rates. For example, if you want to write about health and wellness, you might want to specialize in a sub-niche like fitness, nutrition, or mental health.

To choose your freelance writing niche and service, you need to consider:

• Your passion and knowledge: What topics are you passionate and knowledgeable about? What kind of writing do you enjoy doing the most?
• Your experience and education: What is your background and qualifications? What kind of writing have you done before, either professionally or personally?
• Your market demand and profitability: What topics and types of writing are in high demand and pay well? What are the current trends and opportunities in your industry?
• Your competition and differentiation: How saturated and competitive is your niche and service? How can you differentiate yourself and offer something unique and valuable?

2. Create your freelance writing portfolio and website

The next step to start a freelance writing business is to create your freelance writing portfolio and website. Your portfolio is a collection of your best writing samples that showcase your skills, style, and expertise. Your website is your online presence and brand that tells potential clients who you are, what you do, and how you can help them.

Your freelance writing portfolio and website are essential tools to market your services, attract clients, and build trust and credibility. They are also a way to demonstrate your professionalism and quality of work.

To create your freelance writing portfolio and website, you need to:

Choose a platform

You can use a free or paid platform to host your portfolio and website, such as WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, or Contently. You can also create your own domain name and hosting service for more customization and control.

Select your samples

You need to choose your best and most relevant writing samples that match your niche and service. You can use your previous work, personal projects, or guest posts. If you don’t have any samples yet, you can create some by writing for yourself, volunteering for a non-profit, or pitching to a low-paying or free site.

Organize your samples

You need to organize your samples by category, topic, or type of writing. You can also add a brief introduction, a title, a link, and a screenshot for each sample. You can also include testimonials, ratings, or feedback from your clients or readers.

Design your website

You need to design your website to make it attractive, user-friendly, and professional. You can use a template or a theme, or hire a web designer to help you. You need to include the following elements on your website:

• A catchy headline and a clear value proposition
• A compelling and personal about me page
• A list of your services and rates
• A contact form or a call to action
• A blog or a newsletter (optional)

3. Set your freelance writing rates and terms

The third step to start a freelance writing business is to set your freelance writing rates and terms. Your rates are the amount of money you charge for your writing services. Your terms are the conditions and expectations you have for your clients and projects.

Setting your freelance writing rates and terms is one of the most challenging and important aspects of your freelance writing business. You need to find a balance between charging what you’re worth and what the market can afford. You also need to protect yourself and your work from potential issues and disputes.

To set your freelance writing rates and terms, you need to:

Choose a pricing model

You can charge for your writing services by the hour, by the word, by the project, or by the value. Each model has its pros and cons, depending on your experience, niche, and type of writing. You can also use a combination of models, depending on the client and the project.

Research the market

You need to research the market and see what other freelance writers in your niche and service are charging. You can use online tools, such as PayScale, Glassdoor, or Bonsai, to get an idea of the average rates. You can also ask other freelance writers, join online communities, or browse job boards and websites.

Calculate your expenses and income

You need to calculate your expenses and income to determine how much you need to charge to cover your costs and make a profit. You need to consider your personal and business expenses, such as taxes, insurance, software, equipment, etc. You also need to consider your desired income, based on your goals and lifestyle.

Negotiate with clients

You need to negotiate with clients and agree on a fair and reasonable rate for your writing services. You need to be confident and assertive, but also flexible and respectful. You need to highlight your value and benefits, but also listen to your client’s needs and budget. You need to be prepared to walk away if the deal is not worth it.

Create a contract

You need to create a contract or a written agreement that outlines your freelance writing rates and terms. You need to include the following details in your contract:

• The scope and deliverables of the project
• The deadline and milestones of the project
• The payment method and schedule of the project
• The revision and cancellation policy of the project
• The ownership and rights of the project
• The confidentiality and non-disclosure of the project

4. Find and pitch to freelance writing clients

The fourth step to start a freelance writing business is to find and pitch to freelance writing clients. Your clients are the people or businesses who hire you to write for them. Your pitch is your proposal or offer to write for them.

Finding and pitching to freelance writing clients is the most crucial and ongoing part of your freelance writing business. You need to constantly look for new and repeat clients, and convince them to hire you over other freelance writers.

To find and pitch to freelance writing clients, you need to:

Identify your target clients

You need to identify your target clients, based on your niche and service. You need to know who they are, what they do, what they need, and where they are. You can use online tools, such as Google, LinkedIn, or Twitter, to research and find your target clients.

Craft your pitch

You need to craft your pitch, based on your target client and project. You need to make your pitch personalized, relevant, and compelling. You need to include the following elements in your pitch:

• A catchy and clear subject line
• A friendly and professional greeting
• A brief introduction and background
• A statement of the problem and the solution
• A sample or a link to your portfolio
• A call to action and a follow-up

Send your pitch

You need to send your pitch, using the appropriate channel and format. You can use email, social media, or a contact form, depending on your target client and project. You need to follow the guidelines and etiquette of each channel and format. You need to avoid spamming, copying, or pestering your target clients.

Follow up and close the deal

You need to follow up and close the deal, using the appropriate timing and tone. You need to wait for a reasonable period of time, such as a week or two, before following up with your target clients. You need to be polite and persistent, but not pushy or desperate. You need to address any questions or objections, and confirm the details and terms of the project.

5. Manage and deliver your freelance writing projects

The fifth step to start a freelance writing business is to manage and deliver your freelance writing projects. Your projects are the specific tasks or assignments that you write for your clients. Your management and delivery are the processes and methods that you use to plan, execute, and complete your projects.

Managing and delivering your freelance writing projects are essential skills to manage and deliver your freelance writing projects successfully and efficiently. You need to ensure that you meet your client’s expectations, deadlines, and quality standards.

To manage and deliver your freelance writing projects, you need to:

Plan your project

You need to plan your project, based on your contract and terms. You need to define the scope, objectives, and requirements of the project. You need to break down the project into smaller tasks and milestones. You need to create a timeline and a schedule for the project. You need to communicate and confirm the plan with your client.

Execute your project

You need to execute your project, based on your plan and portfolio. You need to research and write your project, using the best practices and tools for your niche and service.

You need to proofread and edit your project, using the grammar and style guidelines for your client and audience. You need to check and optimize your project, using the SEO and readability metrics for your client and platform.

Deliver your project

You need to deliver your project, based on your deadline and format. You need to submit your project, using the preferred method and channel for your client. You need to include a brief summary and a feedback request for your project. You need to follow up and confirm the receipt and satisfaction of your project.

Revise your project

You need to revise your project, based on your revision and cancellation policy. You need to accept and address any comments or suggestions from your client. You need to make the necessary changes and improvements to your project. You need to resubmit and confirm the final version of your project.

Complete your project

You need to complete your project, based on your payment and ownership terms. You need to invoice and collect your payment, using the agreed method and schedule for your project.

You need to transfer and relinquish your rights, using the specified contract and license for your project. You need to thank and follow up with your client, and ask for a testimonial or a referral.

6. Grow and scale your freelance writing business

The sixth and final step to start a freelance writing business is to grow and scale your freelance writing business. Your growth and scale are the processes and strategies that you use to increase your income, clients, and reputation as a freelance writer.

Growing and scaling your freelance writing business is the ultimate goal and challenge of your freelance writing career. You need to constantly improve your skills, expand your network, and diversify your income streams.

To grow and scale your freelance writing business, you need to:

Increase your rates and value

You need to increase your rates and value, based on your experience, expertise, and results. You need to review and adjust your rates regularly, based on the market and your performance.

You need to demonstrate and communicate your value and benefits, based on your portfolio and testimonials. You need to justify and negotiate your rates and value, based on your niche and service.

Build your brand and reputation

You need to build your brand and reputation, based on your website and portfolio. You need to create and maintain a consistent and professional image and voice, based on your niche and service.

You need to showcase and promote your work and achievements, using your website, blog, newsletter, social media, etc. You need to establish and enhance your authority and credibility, using your testimonials, ratings, awards, etc.

Network and collaborate with others

You need to network and collaborate with others, based on your niche and service. You need to connect and engage with your clients, prospects, peers, mentors, and influencers, using online and offline platforms and events.

You need to provide and receive value and support, using referrals, recommendations, feedback, etc. You need to partner and work with others, using co-writing, guest posting, outsourcing, etc.

Diversify your income and opportunities

You need to diversify your income and opportunities, based on your niche and service. You need to explore and pursue different types of writing, clients, and projects, using your skills, interests, and goals.

You need to create and sell your own products and services, such as e-books, courses, coaching, etc. You need to monetize and leverage your website, blog, newsletter, social media, etc.

Tips For Business Article Writing Service

Here are The Tips For Starting Business Article Writing Service:

Hobby of Writing

Being a writer and providing services writing an article with a pay reward is not an arbitrary job. To be able to write an article essay, you are really required to have writing skills. With these writing skills, you can create an interesting article and be nice to read. Hobby of writing can be used as an easy tip to start becoming an online article writer.

Hobby of Reading

The next Tips For Starting Business Article Writing Service is hobby of reading.

Reading also includes tips that you should master before starting an online Business Article Writing Service that generates a lot of profits. A writer is required to have extensive insight and science. So when you get a writing offer for all kinds of topics like health, technology, education, and more, you can write the article well.

Continue to hone your writing skills

For those of you who like to write, but so far have never trained writing skills. Is it enough to run a freelance article writer business? Make sure the posts you produce are of mediocre quality, or even disappoint your readers.

Being a reliable writer is not difficult if you keep practicing. Familiarize yourself with reading to add to your vocabulary and practice writing continuously. Maybe initially your writing has not been so good, but if trained continuously for long-time your writing is much better.

If your current article still ugly, don’t feel inferior right away. Keep practicing writing, multiply your reading activity, and this will help you tremendously.

Join a Marketplace or a specific Website

The next Tips For Starting Business Article Writing Service isjoin a marketplace or a specific website.

To become a freelance writer on the Internet, you have to know the special marketplace of freelancers. The Marketplace is a place that hosts freelance seekers and client seekers. The client can get the author’s services on the site and the author can get the client.

But because there is a site on the Internet facilitate your income, then inevitably have to be cut from the site. Maybe the cut is not much, but if the article you are working on is quite a lot, then the funds are cut very much. From this little description, you certainly know what is the advantages and disadvantages if joining a marketplace site for freelancers.

The advantage is that you can get clients easily and if your writing is good, it likely gets a very large permanent client. While the disadvantage is that the funds you get is truncated and difficult to get clients who want to pay at a high price. Most of the clients who belong in it are looking for freelance writers at a cheap cost, so sometimes it doesn’t match what you’re working on.

All things do have their disadvantages and the advantage, right? Well, go discuss about joining a particular website. The website referred to here is a news website or a website that holds the writings of freelance writers. Is there a website like that? The answer is many, now many websites whose content rely on the writing of freelancers who are members in it.

From the explanation above, may be the case you can easily get the client or get the writing website fitting, but you need to know that it is not as easy as you can imagine. At the beginning, you will have trouble finding clients and writing, you can also be rejected by the website in question. So it needs extra effort. If this is hard enough, you can try this next way.

Open your own article writer service

This step may be the most difficult thing from the first because you have to take care of everything yourself. You also need capital to be able to establish your own writer services. If you don’t want to spend your capital, you can start offering posts on the marketplace that don’t cut the cost like a freelance marketplace. It’s not a direct client, but still an opportunity to get it.

The advantage of opening your own services is that you can offer a price that suits your ability, not too cheap as on a freelancer-specific site. You can also create separate terms related to the resulting article. So you can get a pretty big profit if you manage to get the right clients.

But there are also many disadvantages such as you need a capital. What capital for? Capital to create a website offering services and capital to conduct marketing. The clients will be more confident in the services you make if there is a special website that is certainly no frills.

The website display should be good for attracting many clients. If you are good at web programming, then this is not a problem, but if not, you have to spend money to pay for a Web service programmer.

Marketing also requires money. For a new website marketing via social media are being usually less guarantees, unlike paid marketing. So if you want a big client, you have to spend capital that is  big enough anyway. Another drawback is that you must have troops (writers).

The troops in question are the other writers who will help you. Clients typically book articles in bulk for the same niche so you need other writers, so that the article finishes on time and the discussion is not monotonous. 

Create your own Blog

The next Tips For Starting Business Article Writing Service is create your own blog.

For people to know about the quality of your writing, create your own blog. That way everyone else knows what the pattern of article writing is and the quality of your writing.

Many prospective consumers are noticing how to write an article writer before finally deciding whether to hire the service or not. From text flow, article content, capital letters, to punctuation.

Keeping the quality and uniqueness of your article will be a plus value because it will be a consideration of the customer whether to hire your service back or not. And never send a copy paste article to the consumer because in addition will make them disappointed, this will ruin your business’s good name.

Your Blog can also help your service marketing process easier. Creating a blog to market the article writing services business does not have to use paid services. In the beginning, you can take advantage of free blog platforms like WordPress.com or Blogger.com

Creating a Portfolio

Portfolios are not always a long-standing work, meaning it can also provide a new portfolio. An example of a work is a portfolio form that is needed by potential buyers of article content. So do not hesitate to show them.

Have a trusted social Media account

The next Tips For Starting Business Article Writing Service is havinf a trusted social media account.

Create a trusted social media account, characterized by a large list of friends and visible active communication within it. Attaching screenshots of testimonials is also an old way that is widely used by the sellers of article writing services.

How to write SEO articles

After knowing The Tips For Starting Business Article Writing Service, You must know how to write SEO articles.

Did you know that at the moment the article writing does not only convey the mere information, but also has to be supported by keywords or keyword that make it easier for people to search for the article on Google.

Another term for this type of article is SEO article. SEO (Search Engine Organization) is a term for search engines. In other words, SEO article is an article that is made according to SEO provisions, of course with keywords that make it easy for people to search.

For this type of article, not all article authors understand it. Therefore, it takes the service of article writers. However, if you want to learn how to write SEO articles, here is the characteristics of good and quality SEO articles, and it can appear on the first page in the Google search engine in a quick time.

Read also: 10 Secrets of How to Write Good Writing that Attracts a Lot of Readers

Define a Keyword and put it in the title

Before going further into the article writing, first, define the keywords that you will use. It is important that your articles are easily searchable. The keyword created is not too long, just 2 – 3 syllables only.

After defining the keyword, don’t forget to put the key word in the title. That way, when someone searches for that keyword, your article’s title will soon appear on the Google search engine. For SEO article writer business services, this is a mandatory thing that should not be missed and forgotten.

Also keep the titles you’re interested in, so even if your articles are not at the top of the first page of Google’s search engine, people are still interested in clicking on your article because of its compelling title.

Spread keywords in paragraphs

It’s important that you do a keyword deployment in the paragraphs that you create, not too much and don’t be spread across every paragraph. At least in every 2 paragraphs there are 1 keywords that you save. Bold the keyword for easy detection by search engines.

Article in 600 words

Another characteristic of good SEO articles is to have a minimum word count of 600 words. Because of this word count, it is judged to have a higher uniqueness, compared to articles less than 600 words. For the service of SEO article writers, the authors are more often required to be able to write articles in 600 words.

Read also: A Beginner Guide for Using Pro Writing Aid

FAQs About How to Start a Freelance Writing Business

Thank you very much for reading Tips For Business Article Writing Service and How to write SEO articles, hopefully useful.