Where to Find Your First Freelance Writing Clients

Starting a freelance writing career is exciting — but also full of unknowns. One of the biggest questions for beginners is: “Where do I find my first clients?”

You’ve built a portfolio (even if small), you’ve set your intentions, and you’re ready to work. But how do you go from “I’m available” to “I’m hired”?

The good news is that today, there are more places than ever to find writing work online. But that abundance can also feel overwhelming. This article will give you a detailed, practical roadmap with proven methods for finding your first freelance writing clients, even with no experience. You’ll also learn what to avoid, how to present yourself, and how to turn first gigs into long-term success.

Let’s dive in.

Understand What Clients Are Looking For

Before you start searching, it helps to understand what most clients want from a beginner freelance writer. They’re not expecting you to be a best-selling author or a marketing expert — but they are looking for:

• Clear, error-free writing
• Basic understanding of their industry or topic
• Professional communication
• Reliability with deadlines
• Willingness to learn and adapt

When you present yourself with those qualities — even without experience — you already stand out more than you think.

Strategy 1: Use Freelance Marketplaces

Freelance marketplaces are platforms where clients post jobs and freelancers apply. They are a popular entry point for beginners because they don’t require personal connections or prior reputation.

Best platforms to get started:

1. Workana
Very popular in Latin America, including Brazil. Offers writing gigs in both Portuguese and English. Great for blog posts, product descriptions, and translation jobs.

2. 99Freelas
A Brazilian platform with lots of entry-level content opportunities. Many small business owners look for writers here.

3. Fiverr
Instead of applying to jobs, you create a “gig” offering your writing services (e.g., “I will write a 1000-word blog post about health”). Fiverr works well if you build a good profile and use SEO in your gig titles.

4. Upwork
Global platform with a broader range of writing jobs. It’s more competitive, but some clients are willing to hire beginners at reasonable rates.

5. Freelancer.com
Another large platform where you can bid on jobs, mostly in English.

How to stand out on freelance platforms:

• Create a professional profile photo and description
• Be clear about what type of writing you offer
• Add your portfolio links (Google Docs, Notion, or Medium)
• Keep your rates fair — not too low, not too high
• Send personalized proposals, not copy-paste templates
• Always respond quickly and respectfully

These platforms can be competitive, but they’re a great training ground to understand what clients expect and how to manage multiple projects.

Strategy 2: Look for Jobs on Specialized Job Boards

Freelance job boards are websites where clients post writing jobs and freelancers can apply directly, often without a platform in the middle.

Great job boards to explore:

1. ProBlogger Job Board
Focused on content writing, especially blog articles. Jobs are usually in English and pay decently — many remote opportunities.

2. Freelance Writing Jobs (freelancewriting.com)
Aggregates writing job listings from multiple sources. Check daily for new posts.

3. BloggingPro
A board with regular blogging jobs. Good for long-form content in marketing, lifestyle, tech, and business.

4. RemoteOK & We Work Remotely
Although not writing-specific, they have a content section with freelance gigs from startups and tech companies.

5. Conteúdo sob Demanda
For Brazilian writers, this is a lesser-known space where clients sometimes publish requests for blog and site content.

Tips to use job boards effectively:

• Apply quickly when a new job is posted
• Tailor your application to the specific client (mention their site, audience, or brand tone)
• Keep a Google Doc with reusable proposal elements
• Follow up once if you don’t hear back after 4–5 days
• Track your applications in a spreadsheet to stay organized

Unlike platforms, job boards often lead to direct relationships with clients, which means higher earnings and long-term work.

Strategy 3: Use LinkedIn as a Client Magnet

LinkedIn is one of the most underrated ways to find freelance writing work — especially in the early stages of your career.

How to turn LinkedIn into a client-getting machine:

1. Optimize your headline
   Instead of “Student” or “Freelancer,” use:

“Freelance Writer | Blog Posts | Email Copy | Helping Brands Communicate with Clarity”

2. Add a profile banner
   Use Canva to design a banner that shows you’re available for hire and what you do.
3. Post valuable content regularly
   Share writing tips, talk about your learning journey, or post short samples. Consistency builds visibility.
4. Connect with people in your niche
   Look for marketers, content managers, startup founders — and start conversations without selling immediately.
5. Send simple DMs
   Example:

“Hi [Name], I’m a freelance writer specializing in blog content. I admire what your brand does in [topic]. If you ever need writing support, I’d love to help!”

LinkedIn is powerful because many clients check your profile before hiring — especially for recurring or long-term work.

Strategy 4: Network in Facebook and WhatsApp Groups

Many clients (especially small businesses and creators) post writing opportunities in niche communities. Joining the right groups can expose you to hidden job offers that never make it to platforms.

Where to look:

• Facebook groups like Freelance Writing Jobs – Work from Home
• Niche-specific groups (e.g., “Marketing para Infoprodutores”)
• WhatsApp groups for freelancers (ask fellow writers to invite you)
• Digital nomad or remote work communities

In these groups:

• Introduce yourself briefly (without spamming)
• Help others when you can — it builds trust
• Watch out for daily job postings or announcements
• Respond quickly and professionally to leads

These communities often offer first-come, first-serve jobs — so being active matters.

Strategy 5: Reach Out Directly (Cold Pitching)

If you want to be bold (and get ahead of the crowd), try cold pitching — contacting a business or website directly to offer your services.

It sounds scary, but it works — especially with small businesses that may not know how to find good writers.

How to cold pitch effectively:

1. Find a business with a website/blog that could use better content
2. Research their niche and recent posts
3. Send a short, polite email like:

“Hi [Name],

I came across your website and really liked your product. I noticed your blog hasn’t been updated recently — I’d love to help you with content that connects with your audience and boosts traffic.

I’m a freelance writer with experience in [topic]. Here are 2 samples of my work:

[link 1]

[link 2]

Let me know if you’re open to a quick chat!

Best,
[Your Name]”

Send 5–10 pitches per week and track the results. Cold pitching is a long-term skill — but the payoff can be excellent.

What to Avoid When Looking for Clients

As a beginner, it’s easy to fall into traps or waste time. Here’s what to avoid:

• Content mills that pay $1 per 500 words
• Jobs that don’t list clear payment terms
• Clients asking for “free trials” (unless you offer a sample by choice)
• Over-promising — stay honest about your skill level
• Scams — never pay to apply for a job

Protect your time and energy. A few quality clients are better than ten poor ones.

Turning First Clients Into Long-Term Relationships

Getting the client is just the start. What matters next is keeping them.

Here’s how:

• Deliver on time (or early)
• Communicate proactively
• Ask thoughtful questions
• Accept feedback professionally
• Suggest improvements or ideas
• Keep their brand voice and audience in mind

When clients feel you’re invested in their success, they’ll return to you — and refer you to others.

Final Thoughts: Be Proactive, Not Just Present

Finding your first freelance writing clients isn’t about luck. It’s about strategy, persistence, and showing up consistently.

You don’t need to try every method at once. Choose 2 or 3 strategies from this guide, apply them consistently for a few weeks, and track your results. Keep adjusting until you find what works best for you.

There are clients out there looking for beginner writers — as long as you show up with value, clarity, and confidence. So build your samples, polish your profile, and start reaching out.

The sooner you begin, the faster the “no experience” phase will be behind you — and the real journey as a professional writer will begin.