Freelance Writing: How I Started My Journey (And How You Can Too!)

Hi, I’m Adrienne, and welcome to Sturyateller! If you’re curious about how to become a freelance writer or looking for freelance writing tips for beginners, you’re in the right place!

I created this blog to document my journey as a freelance writer and share my experiences with aspiring writers who want to try this industry. While every journey is unique, I believe that my stories can give you an idea of what the world of a freelance writer looks like.

Success didn’t happen to me overnight. It was rather a culmination of hard work, persistence, sleepless nights and heartaches (breaking up with a client can be heartbreaking, too). I’ve been in the industry for over five years, and I’m still grinding and getting the groove done as I also navigate my life as a first-time mom.

From Nurse to Writer

My transition from working as a nurse to becoming a freelance writer wasn’t straightforward. As a young girl who enjoyed reading the Archie Comics, magazines and novels, writing became second nature to me. My family and classmates knew I had a knack for writing, but little did I know this skill would lead me to a world of opportunities in the future.

I participated in numerous writing contests In grade school and high school, earning prizes and national awards. Initially, I wanted to pursue a degree in Mass Communication, however, I ended up pursuing nursing instead. Despite being in an entirely different path, I never lost touch with the art of writing.

In fact, after graduating college and passing the nursing board exam, I had my first brush with freelance writing in 2011. A friend recommended I try my luck on oDesk (now Upwork), and I dove in headfirst. I created my profile, added some details to my bio and began my journey into the world of online writing jobs. But getting online clients can be challenging for beginners. I submitted many proposals to different job posts and received rejection after rejection.  It was disheartening, but I persevered. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I landed my first few projects and started earning. Along the way, I also dabbled into data entry, which turned out to be surprisingly interesting. It not only diversified my skill set but also taught me valuable techniques for doing online research efficiently.

Unfortunately, about a year later, my account was suddenly suspended without a valid explanation. This suspension led me to put those freelancing dreams on hold and return to nursing full-time. I’ll share more about that experience in a future blog post – it’s quite a story!

After 7 years in the healthcare industry, I quit my job as a nurse and transitioned to a work-from-home setup in 2019. My re-entry into freelancing was humbling, to say the least. I reconnected with a former client I had from oDesk and found myself still writing 500-word articles for a mere $3 each–actually the same rate I had back in 2011. Yes, you read that right – $3! Ugh, please don’t give me that face; I know it was absolutely ridiculous. I was balancing this with my part-time gig as an online ESL teacher to make ends meet. 

The Boom of Online Freelancing

When the pandemic came, there was suddenly an explosion of online opportunities. I was still teaching online but it felt like it wasn’t for me. I didn’t enjoy being in front of the camera the whole time and had to keep up with the rules of the company. I wanted more freedom and flexibility, so I went on to explore my options.

Meanwhile, freelancing and other online gigs suddenly became a hit and almost everyone was doing it. Eager to join the trend and find an opportunity, I enrolled in an online course in April 2020 – a decision that would change the trajectory of my life. (I’ll dedicate a whole blog post to discuss why taking the right courses can be a great jumpstart for your freelancing career – stay tuned!)

The course paid off quickly and in June 2020, I landed my first client in graphic design and followed by a few more clients for social media management gigs. I was ecstatic! But after a few weeks, the excitement wore off, and I found myself burned out, struggling to keep up with this new venture. It was challenging for me to stay visually creative while also engaging on social media and meeting KPIs. Honestly, I didn’t even know what “KPI” stood for when I started!

Deep down, I always had that itch to return to writing and give it another try, despite my past setbacks. During my time in the online academy, I discovered that I could actually get paid per word—far more than the meager $3 I used to earn for short-form articles. I was skeptical, but curiosity got the better of me. While I was doing the remainder of my graphic design projects and social media management gigs, I started sending cold emails and applying for every writing opportunity I came across in Facebook groups.

And ta-da! Two months later, in August, I secured my first premium client in the writing industry—a partnership that would last for a couple of years. Fast forward to today, I’m juggling two project-based clients while also working as a senior content editor for a startup. Looking back, I’m proud of how much I’ve grown, especially after facing rejections, scams (yes, I still encounter those–more on that in a future post!), client breakups, and bouts of self-doubt I’ve faced along the way.

Is Freelancing for You?

As I continued to develop my freelance writing career, I’ve learned several valuable lessons that shaped me. First, I realized that my writing, which I once thought was flawless, still had room for improvement. Freelancing slapped me hard with this reality, forcing me to unlearn, learn, and relearn new ways of writing to evolve my skills. I’ve come to understand that learning is a continuous cycle–essential for growth in this field. It’s never too late to learn something new, and I’m living proof of that.

However, I want to be clear: freelancing isn’t for everyone. Like any career, it has its ups and downs, which I’ll explore in depth in future posts. What’s crucial is to always remember your ‘why’—why you started this journey and how far you’ve come since then. Reflecting on my progress from writing those $3 articles to where I am now, never fails to keep me motivated. 

Quick Tips for Newbies

Now that I’ve shared my story, let me offer some practical advice to help you start your own freelance writing journey. These are the strategies that helped me transition from $3 articles to a thriving freelance writing career:

• Create a portfolio

Having a portfolio to showcase your work is crucial. But what if you’re just starting out? Choose a topic you’re passionate about and create sample pieces. Publish your write-ups on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn to showcase your work. Want an in-depth guide on creating an awesome portfolio? Check it out here.

• Join forums, groups and communities

Networking is key in freelance writing. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals to help you stay motivated. Join writing-focused groups on Facebook, Reddit, or LinkedIn. These can be great sources for job leads and advice. 

• Follow writing personalities

Stay inspired and informed by following successful freelance writers on social media and subscribe to their newsletters. Engage with their content and learn from their experiences. They can provide inspiration, insights, and even tips that will help you grow. My favorites are Jason Feifer, Sahil Bloom, Elna Cain and Jasmine Alić.

• Find your niche 

While it’s okay to start as a generalist, finding a niche allows you to specialize, stand out and become known as an expert in a particular field. This can help you attract the right clients and set competitive rates. 

• Show up and be consistent 

Just like in any industry, hard work pays off with consistency. Whether it’s improving your skills, applying for jobs, or publishing content—keep showing up. It might take time, but consistent effort will eventually pay off. Set a writing schedule and stick to it. Regular practice will improve your skills and discipline.

Keep in mind that everyone’s freelance writing journey is unique. These tips are a starting point, but don’t be afraid to adapt and find what works best for you.

Excited to embark on your journey as an aspiring writer? I’d love to hear from you! Share your experiences, ask questions and join me in exploring the exciting, challenging and rewarding world of freelance writing. Whether you’re just starting out or aiming to level up your freelance game, my stories and insights are here to guide you along the way.

Stay tuned for upcoming posts, where we’ll dive into the nitty-gritty of freelance writing—from avoiding scams to balancing work and everything in between. Every writer’s journey is unique, but together we can learn, grow and support each other.

Welcome to Sturyateller—let’s write our success stories together!

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