I started really freelancing and looking for clients in December of 2022 due to concerns about the economy and potential company layoffs. The desire to spend more time with my new baby girl motivated me to pursue freelance work. The flexible schedule and ability to work from home appealed to me, so I began freelancing part-time while figuring out my niche. With my marketing background, I offered writing, editing, and social media services, using my previous experience to build my business.
What is freelancing?
The term “freelancing” refers to self-employed individuals who do not work for an employer in a long-term capacity. Freelancers work in various fields, such as writing, proofreading, editing, graphic designing, and photography. To become a freelancer, it is essential to identify your skills and interests. Once you have established your expertise, you can build your clientele and generate income.
I excel in freelancing services such as writing, editing, content marketing, and social media. My focus will mainly be discussing my experience as a writer, editor, and content marketer, as these are my areas of expertise and passion.
What Does a Freelance Writer Do?
You can provide general content writing services for various websites and publications as a freelance writer. Many freelance writers specialize in a particular niche to stand out.
Fiverr vs. Upwork
Through extensive research on freelancing, I discovered popular sites such as Fiverr and Upwork. Despite joining Fiverr during the pandemic, my attempts at freelancing were unsuccessful, and my account was eventually closed without explanation.
As a result, I turned to Upwork and landed my first client with whom I continue to work today within two weeks of signing up. I am grateful for the opportunity Upwork provided me with. Although Upwork has been helpful, I have encountered several scammers who have attempted to swindle me into paying for equipment, cashing a check, or paying them before any work or contract has been established.
While I have yet to achieve success on Fiverr, it is highly recommended by Google and business sites as one of the best tools for finding freelance jobs. I suggest considering Fiverr and other areas depending on your goals as a freelancer. Although the $5 fixed rate may not seem worth it for beginners on Fiverr, gaining experience on the platform is crucial as those small payments can accumulate over time.
Fiverr
On Fiverr, you can either be a buyer or a seller. As a freelancer, you are referred to as a “seller” and can offer pre-packaged services, also known as “gigs.” An example of a gig could be a proposal writing template that the buyer can customize in style, color, and formatting. The clients are called “buyers” on Fiverr and can browse through different gigs. It is worth noting that all gigs on Fiverr have flat-rate pricing.
Price: Fiverr has a free tier, and then the next level is $18 per month, with a 25% discount if you pay annually.
Upwork
Upwork operates as a conventional job board aimed at freelancers. Clients post job openings on Upwork Talent Marketplace, and freelancers respond by submitting proposals for the positions that interest them. Proposals include a cover letter, estimated delivery timeline, pay expectations (hourly or per milestone), and a sample of their portfolio optionally.
Price: Upwork offers a free plan; the next project costs $14.99 monthly.
Word-of-Mouth Marketing
As a freelancer, the most challenging aspect of my job is finding new clients. I’ve learned that word-of-mouth is essential for any business, and I can attest to its effectiveness. My second client was someone I had worked with previously and had a good working relationship with. When he learned I was freelancing, he asked me to work on several projects from January to April 2023. I’m grateful for this ongoing relationship, and I’m always happy to offer advice or assistance whenever he needs it. Treating everyone with respect and professionalism is crucial, even if I don’t always agree with them. In the past, I’ve burned bridges with people I don’t respect. Still, I understand that it’s essential to maintain good relationships because you never know what opportunities may arise in the future.
Best Freelance Websites
In my quest for new clients, I extensively searched the internet and experimented with websites catering to writers and editors. From my experience, I have curated a list of my preferred freelance websites based on criteria such as face-to-face video interviews, sincere communication, prompt email responses, and genuine companies seeking freelancers. Are you ready to explore these websites?
Let’s begin!
FlexJobs
Since 2019, I have been a member of FlexJobs in search of remote work. Joining FlexJobs meant security because every job posted on the site has been vetted and is legitimate. Although it is a paid job board, it is worth the investment for accurate results. Despite the financial commitment, I have found that the benefits outweigh the cost. My third client was found through FlexJobs, and the monthly paycheck I receive is far greater than the annual fee I pay to access the site.
Price: $9.95 a week, $24.95 a month, three months for $39.95, or 1 year for $59.95. Depending on your budget and your freelance goals, you have the flexibility to choose whichever plan that works best for you.
Indeed
Indeed is simple and easy to use, with a user-friendly interface. So far, I have received one email and a request for a sample article from a potential client through the site.
Price: Free
SmartBlogger
I admire the principles and concepts behind SmartBlogger’s website and the job board. I have applied to multiple job opportunities on their site, received prompt email responses, and arranged video interviews. The job descriptions have been consistently precise and reliable.
Price: Free
Patreon Write Jobs Plus+
Patreon is a website that offers payment for writing opportunities, such as publications, non-pitch jobs, high-paying jobs, and worldwide options. I recently started using the site and have been pleasantly surprised by the unique job listings I wouldn’t have found on other job boards. While it’s too early to see any financial benefits, I remain optimistic about finding a client and reaching a point where the monthly payments balance out. I will share an update on my progress soon!
Price: Their plan starts at $3 per month (for those affected by the pandemic). Their standard plan is $5 per month.
Beware of Scammers
I want to remind everyone to stay alert and cautious of their surroundings, especially during these tough economic times when scammers are prevalent. I have encountered many scams on LinkedIn and Upwork, which has been frustrating. This led me to report false leads to both platforms and advised others to do the same. It’s disheartening to think people are willing to exploit hard-working individuals. Let’s all protect ourselves from these scammers and trust that karma will eventually catch up with them.
Best Freelancer Websites (Final Thoughts)
As a freelancer writer, many websites are available to find work on. Some may require taking assessments and submitting a writing sample for review. However, whether these websites are beneficial is still being determined as I have yet to receive any assignments. Once I’ve completed a task, I’ll share my experience.
Freelancing is a challenging career path that requires persistence. While some freelancers may boast about making $10,000 a month, it’s not a realistic expectation for beginners. If you’re a successful freelancer making $10,000 a month, please share your secret with us!
My advice is to never give up, even during the tough times. Most business owners and freelancers give up when faced with obstacles. While I may not make $10,000 a month, I remain dedicated to my career and strive toward success. Though there may be more struggles than victories, knowing success is within reach is all the motivation I need to keep pushing forward.