Alright, let’s kick things off with one of the most popular and flexible ways to make money online: freelance writing. And guess what? You don’t need a website to get started!
If you love to write or even if you just have a knack for organizing thoughts and ideas into words, this could be a solid money-maker for you.
Freelance writing has been around forever, and the demand for writers is only growing as more businesses move online. Whether you’re writing blog posts, articles, product descriptions, or even ghostwriting entire books, there’s always someone out there looking for a wordsmith. And you?
You can be that person. Let’s walk through how to get started.
Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Start Freelance Writing Without a Website
1: Choose a Niche (Or Don’t, If You’re Just Getting Started)
First things first, it helps to figure out what kind of writing you want to do. Businesses and entrepreneurs need writers for all kinds of content—blog posts, website copy, technical writing, product reviews, email newsletters, and more.
You could specialize in a particular niche (like tech, health, travel, etc.) or start as a generalist to see what fits you best.
Here’s a pro tip: If you’re passionate about a certain subject, that’s a great place to start. It’s easier to write about something you’re genuinely interested in. But don’t feel boxed in! You can always explore multiple topics.
2: Sign Up for Freelance Platforms
You don’t need your own website to land freelance gigs. There are platforms that connect writers directly with clients looking for content. Here are a few you can sign up for today:
- Upwork: This is a massive freelancing platform with writing gigs in almost every industry. You’ll need to set up a profile and submit proposals to clients, but once you get the ball rolling, it can be a consistent source of work.
- Fiverr: Here, you create “gigs” (writing services) and clients come to you. It’s great for smaller, quick-turnaround projects, and you can start getting clients right away.
- ProBlogger Job Board: If blogging is your thing, ProBlogger has a dedicated job board filled with clients looking for freelance blog writers.
These platforms give you access to thousands of potential clients without needing to create and maintain your own website. Sweet, right?
3:Build a Simple Portfolio
Okay, so you don’t need a website, but you DO need to show potential clients that you can write. You’ll want a portfolio—essentially a collection of your best work—that showcases your skills.
If you don’t have any published writing yet, no problem. You can create sample pieces on Google Docs or even publish some articles on LinkedIn.
Your portfolio doesn’t have to be fancy. A PDF with a few writing samples or a public Google Drive folder with links works just fine. Just make sure your samples show the kind of writing you want to get hired for.
4: Pitch Clients and Create Personalized Proposals
When applying for jobs on Upwork or Fiverr, your pitch (or proposal) is super important. Clients are bombarded with applications, so you need to stand out. Here’s how you can do that:
- Personalize your pitch: Don’t copy and paste the same message for every client. Show that you’ve read their job post and explain how your skills can help them.
- Showcase your expertise: If you’ve written something similar to what they need, mention it. Even if you haven’t, show confidence in your ability to handle the project.
- Keep it short and sweet: Clients don’t have time to read long essays. Get to the point, offer value, and include a link to your portfolio.
Once you land a few gigs and start building relationships with clients, things can snowball from there. Many clients will come back for more work if they’re happy with what you provide.
Resources for Freelance Writers
Here’s a quick rundown of tools that will help you on your freelance writing journey:
- Upwork & Fiverr: Platforms to find clients.
- LinkedIn: A great place to network and showcase your writing skills. Plus, you can use it to publish articles as part of your portfolio.
- Google Docs: Perfect for writing and sharing sample pieces.
- Grammarly: A free tool to help you catch grammar and spelling mistakes.
- Hemingway Editor: This tool helps you simplify your writing, making it clearer and more concise.
Example: How a Freelance Writer Earned $3,000/Month on Upwork
Let’s talk about a real-world example for some inspiration. Meet Sarah. Sarah started freelance writing on Upwork without any prior experience in the field. She loved to write but wasn’t sure how to make money from it. So, she signed up for Upwork, built a simple portfolio with a few sample blog posts, and started applying for gigs.
Her first job? A $50 blog post for a small business. It wasn’t much, but it gave her a start. From there, Sarah kept applying for similar jobs, building up her reviews, and raising her rates as she gained more experience.
After six months, she was regularly landing $200-$300 writing gigs. Eventually, Sarah was making over $3,000 per month, writing from home, with no website of her own.
Her secret? Consistency and a willingness to start small. She didn’t try to skip steps or expect to get rich overnight. Instead, she focused on building relationships with clients and delivering great work. You can totally do the same.
Final Thoughts on Freelance Writing
Freelance writing is one of the easiest ways to dip your toes into the world of online income. You don’t need to be a master wordsmith to get started—just a willingness to learn, practice, and put yourself out there. The best part? You’re in control. You decide when you work, what type of writing you want to do, and how much you want to charge. And you can start TODAY without a website.
So, grab that laptop, sign up for one of the platforms mentioned, and start pitching your first freelance gig! You’ve got this.
Ready to explore more ways to earn online? Let’s dive into the next chapter where we’ll talk about selling digital products on Etsy. It’s another fantastic way to make money without needing a website!