OMG, I need more freelance writing work.
Whether you’re just starting your freelance writing career, or if business is a little slow, you might feel the above sentiment.
I’ve said it before, but freelancing is generally a stressful career choice.
One minute you’re swamped with work, the next you’re thinking—I’m not busy…something is wrong.
But finding freelance writing gigs is actually easier than you might think. In today’s post, we’ll look at places you should explore to help keep your queue of writing projects full.
Use Your Existing Connections
As humans, we all have our little spiderwebs of personal connections. You know people. People you went to school with. Family friends. Former co-workers. Internet friends.
And even though it may have been a while since you last spoke to all of those different people, you should check in with your connections to do two things:
Tell them that you’re available for freelance writing opportunities
See if they need help in that department, or if they know someone who does
Why? Because it’s far more likely to land a gig based on a personal referral than almost any other medium. Do I get work through my website and social media? Sure. But 9 times out of 10, the freelance writing jobs that pan out are the ones that come through past and current clients.
Touch base with your people and re-introduce yourself in this new capacity. It’s not desperate. It’s part of being a responsible businessperson.
Join a Group of Fellow Freelancers
There are so many different Facebook groups, Twitter chats, Slack groups, etc. that bring groups of freelancers, writers, and content marketers together. These groups are places where you can build relationships with like-minded individuals (that can eventually turn into referral sources.) I wrote more in-depth about using Slack this way for Entrepreneur.
Participating in these groups can help you build up a network of connections—and freelancers are known for being huge generators of referrals. In fact, FreelancersUnion found that as many as 81% of freelancers refer work to each other, while 52% partner up on projects. I can personally vouch for this, too. I have a small group of fellow writers I work closely with for overflow projects and partnerships, and they do the same.
Bottom line: Be deliberate about making friends with fellow freelance writers. Don’t ask for something right away—build rapport, be kind, have real conversations—and this part will happen naturally.
Browse Job Boards and Matching Sites
There are a few job boards out there that are worth checking out—but this is the last place I’d suggest looking for freelance writing gigs. You can waste a lot of time applying for jobs here, and without an existing personal connection, it can be tough to know what you’re getting into.
A few relevant job boards for freelance writers:
ProBlogger
UpWork
WritersJobBoard
WeWorkRemotely (often looking for long-term roles to be filled)
Also consider SelectFew: a new kind of marketing company that empowers freelancers to work with quality clients in a completely transparent, honest system without white-labeling and mark-ups. SelectFew is always looking for talented and knowledgable writers to pair with clients, ranging from startups and venture-backed, to Fortune 500.
To save time, be sure you have a standard resume and cover letter you can quickly edit and customize, as well as a web-based portfolio you can reference.
Freelance Writing Gigs: People at the Core
The one thing you should remember about finding freelance writing gigs: It’s all about people, no matter which way you look at it.
P.S. Need to prove that writing is an essential skill? Check out the article I wrote about a study that shows businesses are spending billions on remedial writing training.
This article originally appeared in my newsletter, A Cup of Copy. Sign up and get these free tips sent right to your inbox every other Wednesday.