Tips for Landing Freelance Writing Gigs When Money is Tight

Are y’all alright out there?

To say that the freelance writing landscape has dramatically transformed in recent years would be an understatement. Lots of writers are saying it’s more difficult to find freelance writing gigs lately.

The revolution of artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT combined with what some are calling a silent recession in the United States has left many freelance writers facing big challenges.

Maybe this includes you.

When the bills pile up and no one’s biting, it’s easy to feel discouraged. While the freelance world is often characterized by a cycle of feast or famine, I truly believe in the abundance of work opportunities available.

As a business coach for freelance writers, I will always advocate for the importance of a solid marketing strategy and the implementation of regular marketing activities to keep your business pipeline robust. 

At the same time, let’s be real: life can be crazy unpredictable.

Despite our best efforts, circumstances beyond our control can leave us in need of immediate solutions. 

This blog post is dedicated to offering you actionable steps you can take today to find work quickly. While I’ll discuss long-term marketing plans and strategies in future posts—tactics that yield benefits over time—this piece focuses on immediate actions you can undertake to quickly bring business in the door.

Let’s get to it.

Expand Your Scope of Work With Your Current Freelance Clients

The lowest hanging fruit will always be your current clients. Look at your current client roster or projects that you recently wrapped up.

One powerful strategy to expand your services with current clients is to closely examine the work you’re already doing for them. 

Think deeply about their business goals, the projects you’ve completed, and where they might be heading next.

Are you writing blog content? Perhaps they also need social media posts to promote that content or an email newsletter to ensure it reaches a wider audience.

By anticipating your client’s needs and proactively offering solutions that seamlessly extend from your current work, you not only become an invaluable asset but also open up new revenue streams for yourself.

Don’t think of this as solely upselling. Yes, you need money and more freelance writing gigs. But it’s also important to recognize that you can really empower your clients to achieve more with your help.

Show them how your expanded offerings can solve problems they didn’t even know they had or enhance their projects in ways they hadn’t considered.

This proactive, solution-focused approach is not only empowering for you as a freelancer but also deeply inclusive, ensuring your clients feel heard, understood, and supported at every step of their journey.

Reconnect With Your Previous Freelance Clients

After thinking about your current clients, next it’s time to think about what you can offer your previous clients. Think about it – they already know you. You delivered work for them before and they are familiar with your skills and know what it’s like to work with you. 

Reaching out to previous clients can be a valuable strategy for generating new business opportunities and also allows you to rekindle professional relationships that may have grown dormant over time.

When it comes to re-engaging with previous clients, there are a few key strategies that can help you craft effective messages and reignite those professional relationships. 

Be friendly and personable.

Google your client to see what they have been up to. Visit their website. Check out their LinkedIn profile. When you create your message, don’t just launch into asking for what you need. Comment and congratulate them on their latest accomplishments (if it makes sense).

Reiterate how much you enjoyed working with them and that you appreciated their business. Mention specific projects or interactions you have had with them in the past.

This can be especially helpful if it has been a while since you last worked together. It can also serve as a reminder of your skills and capabilities, and communicates that you are proud of the work you have done together.

Fill them in on what you’ve been up to.

Include a sentence or two to update them on what you’ve been up to professionally. Have you learned a new skill since you last spoke? Won an award? Help a client achieve something special?

Offer something of value.

Since it might have been awhile since you have spoken with this client, it’s a good idea to offer something of value to your previous client as an act of goodwill.

Maybe it’s an helpful article you found about an industry trend, an opportunity you think they would be perfect for, or an offer to introduce them to someone relevant from your network.

By showing that you are invested in their success and willing to provide value, you can re-establish trust and potentially secure new work.

Ask about opportunities.

Now, it’s time to inquire about new opportunities.

You can express that you enjoyed working with them in the past, and now have a few openings in your schedule to offer freelance writing services to help them in their business. Offer ideas of things that may help their business.

For example,  if you know they are launching a new product, suggest creating a press release or social media campaign to help promote it.

You can also ask if they know anyone in their network who might need a freelance writer. Asking for referrals can be a powerful way to get new freelance writing gigs.

Tap Your Freelance Writer Network And Referral Partners

After speaking with your current and previous clients, it’s time to tap into your network. When you’re going through a slump, asking your fellow writers for freelance leads is a great way to drum up business quickly.

These writers may be able to refer you to clients that they can’t take on, or they may know of opportunities within their own network. Additionally, by building relationships with other writers, you are also creating a support system and potential collaborators for future projects.

As an aside – if you don’t know a lot of writers, I highly suggest scheduling time to make a plan to do so. The old saying goes, “Dig your well before you’re thirsty.” Nobody gets through life alone and nobody achieves anything truly alone.

Freelance writing can feel very solitary because most of us do not go into an office. We don’t really have coworkers that we can chat with and we do pretty much everything in our businesses.

That’s why it’s even more important that we generate friendships and relationships with fellow writers so that we can share ideas, info about rates, and help each other out when we need it — say when you need freelance writing gigs.

There’s been many times when I have outsourced things to fellow writers and when other writers have given me overflow work that they can’t get to.

I definitely believe in abundance and that there’s more than enough business for all of us.

When you establish your network, make sure to nurture it consistently, give more than you take, and look for ways to provide mutual value.

OK, stepping down from that soap box … 

In addition to consulting with your writer pals, I highly suggest contacting service providers who offer complimentary or adjacent services.

For freelance writers, this usually includes graphic designers, web developers, programmers, photographers. etc.

These professionals often have clients who may need your writing services, or they may be in a position to refer you to potential clients.

You can also consider other professionals in your network who aren’t in the creative  space, but know lots of people.

Similarly to your writer network, it’s important to build and maintain relationships with these partners as they can be valuable sources of ongoing work. You’ll want to follow the same hints I mentioned above.

Have a specific ask and make sure to always express gratitude – whether you get a lead or not.

Here are a few tips to consider when you are asking colleagues about work opportunities.

1. Be Specific With Your Ask: When the time comes to ask for leads, be clear and specific about the type of work you’re looking for and your areas of expertise. This makes it easier for your network to think of opportunities that are a good match for you. (If you are in a tight spot, I think it’s OK to consider any work that comes your way, but it’s still useful to be able to communicate the type of work you prefer.)
2. Express Gratitude: Always express your gratitude for any leads or advice that your colleagues provide. A simple thank you note, a shoutout on social media, or even offering to take them out for coffee can go a long way. Recognizing their effort reinforces your professional relationship.
3. Return the Favor: Later, if you learn of freelance writing gigs that aren’t a good fit for you or if you’re too busy to take on new work, remember to pass those leads on to your network. This act of goodwill ensures the flow of support continues and strengthens the overall foundation of your professional relationships.

Check Freelance Job Boards And Freelance Writing Newsletters

Connecting with your clients and network first is the quickest way to find out about unadvertised opportunities for work. Next, it’s time to look outward.

Freelance job boards, newsletters and email lists are great places to find freelance writing queries from clients looking to hire right away. You can find top job boards and newsletters through a Google search. 

I suggest creating a folder in your browser that you can use to bookmark top job boards and schedule time in your calendar daily to visit these boards to discover new freelance writing gigs.

Sometimes the organization will offer an email digest of the opportunities that you can subscribe to in order to get leads delivered to you so that you don’t have to remember to check the job board.

There are also stand alone freelance writing newsletters you can subscribe to that will include job leads.

Next, create a dedicated system for managing these job alerts and leads.

I create designated folders in Gmail and use filters to file email alerts to these designated folders and then schedule time to check these folders regularly. You can also “star” certain senders so that you notice their emails sooner. 

Using templates can also significantly streamline your response process. With most email providers, you can create email response templates that you can use to help you respond quicker to job leads.

Develop a set of email templates tailored to different niches or types of inquiries and go ahead and drop in links to relevant writing samples for these niches.

This way all you have to do is customize the template a bit for each recipient.

You can also store these templates as simple Google Docs. You can store your clips in organized folders on Google Drive.

Have a list of your writing samples including the title, client and a short description with a link available in a Google Doc.

Then make sure to install the Google Drive and Google Doc apps on your phone. This will make it easy to respond to opportunities while on the go.

Here is a sampling of freelance writing job boards and newsletters that provide freelance writing job leads.

ProBlogger Job Board – ProBlogger Jobs
A premier destination for bloggers and content writers, where top-tier opportunities from diverse niches are posted regularly. 

Freelance Writing Gigs – FreelanceWriting
This is a go-to source for daily freelance writing jobs. It’s a great place to find a variety of writing tasks that can help you build and diversify your portfolio.

Mediabistro – Mediabistro
Ideal for freelance writers specializing in media, marketing, and broadcasting. It not only offers a curated list of freelance gigs, but also resources for improving your skills and advancing your career.

JournalismJobs.com – JournalismJobs
For those with a passion for news and reporting, JournalismJobs.com provides listings for reporters, editors, and freelance journalists. 

Opportunities of the Week Newsletter – Sonia Weiser’s Opportunities 
This newsletter is a great resource for those eager to expand their writing careers and find unique gigs that may not be listed on traditional job boards. 

Kaitlyn Alford’s Freelance Writing Tips and Opportunities – Kaitlyn’s Newsletter
Every Friday, Kaitlyn Alford sends out a new list of 100 freelance opportunities. She also tweets opportunities on X regularly.

Search For Freelance Gigs On Social Media

X (formerly Twitter)

Speaking of X, social media platforms are often the first places where freelance opportunities are posted. 

Many of the newsletters and job boards I mentioned above also have accounts on X where they post opportunities throughout the day. You can follow their accounts and also relevant hashtags.

I suggest following hashtags like  #FreelanceWriting, #WritingGigs, #FreelanceJobs, and #ContentWriting. Monitor these tags regularly to catch the latest opportunities.

Consider using X’s notification feature to receive real-time updates when new tweets are posted under these hashtags.

Engage with the community by replying to tweets, retweeting opportunities to your network, and even connecting directly with potential clients to find possible freelance writing gigs.

Facebook

You can also find freelance writing leads on Facebook, specifically within Facebook groups.

By joining groups tailored to freelance writers, content creators, and specific niches, you gain access to a vibrant community sharing job opportunities, tips, and invaluable advice.

Search for groups using keywords like “Freelance Writing Jobs,” “Content Creators,” or more specific terms related to your expertise to find relevant groups. Two of my favorite groups are Female Freelance Writers and The Freelance Content Marketing Writer.

Certain writing associations also have Facebook Groups. The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) has a freelance group that’s open to non-members.

The American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) has a very active Facebook group, but it’s only open to members.

LinkedIn

Similarly, LinkedIn can be a goldmine for uncovering freelance writing gigs and creating valuable connections in your field. LinkedIn has lots of active writing groups like The Freelance Writers’ Connection and Content Marketing Institute.

I don’t necessarily see a lot of freelance writing jobs posted within these groups, BUT they are great places to connect with other writers. (See my rant above.)  

What I love most about LinkedIn is that it is a great place to research decision makers at media outlets, agencies and companies.

You can also search for terms related to freelance writers to find LinkedIn posts from members actively looking for writers.

Searching for keywords like “looking for a writer” or “hiring content writers” within the search bar can reveal these posts.

By monitoring these keywords regularly, you position yourself to respond quickly to fresh opportunities for freelance writing gigs.

You can also check out LinkedIn’s Jobs section and use “freelance” as a search term to find opportunities.

Tailor your job hunt with keywords that match your niche and expertise, such as “freelance writer,” “content creator,” or more specific terms related to your field of interest. 

Finally, you can (and should!) optimize your profile. Integrating keywords related to freelance writing into your profile, especially in the headline, summary, and experience sections, significantly enhances your visibility in search results.

Don’t have a portfolio?

You can easily include links to your writing samples and even showcase them in your Featured section.

In addition, you can list your services on your profile with samples and turn on the “request services” link on your profile.

Finally, taking just 15 minutes to request recommendations from previous clients and colleagues can profoundly impact your profile’s credibility and attractiveness. These recommendations serve as endorsements of your skills and work ethic.

Slack

In addition to some of the more traditional social media outlets, forums like Slack channels are good places to network with other writers. 

Slack, a hub for professional communication and networking, hosts lots of channels tailored to the needs of freelance writers, offering a dynamic platform to connect, share, and discover job postings.

Channels such as “#freelance”, “#writers-hangout”, and “#content-creators” are good communities to look for opportunities and advice. A few popular Slack channels include Writer Hangout,  Journalists of Color, and Peak Freelance.

Contact Branding Agencies, Marketing Firms And Companies For Freelance Writing Jobs

We’ve talked a lot about places to find advertised freelance writing gigs. But you can also pitch your services to branding agencies and marketing firms that need writers.

To find agencies, you can conduct a Google search with key terms like “marketing agency”, “public relations firm” and “branding agency” along with key terms for your niche.

Create a Google spreadsheet of agencies to reach out to. Identify decision makers and email addresses on the company websites or using LinkedIn.

There are also tools like Hunter.io you can use to find email addresses for people at different companies.

You can pitch yourself via email and offer your services as a subcontractor.

Talk about your relevant experience, mention previous agencies you have worked with, and include links to relevant clips.

Identifying Potential Direct Clients

Instead of going through agencies, you can also pitch your services directly to companies related to your niche.

You can find content managers, communications directors, PR managers, etc. of companies you wish to target using LinkedIn.

Pitch them via email with the same approach that described above. 

Do an internet search to find industry news to learn about companies receiving funding or launching new products or services related to your niche.

These companies are likely to have increased content needs. 

Pitch Development

Crafting a tailored pitch requires a deep understanding of your unique value proposition — what sets you apart from other freelance writers — and how it aligns with a potential client’s needs.

Start by highlighting your relevant experience and specific outcomes you’ve achieved in past projects.

Then, focus on how your skills and expertise can solve a current problem or fulfill a need for the prospective client.

It’s about positioning yourself as not just a service provider, but as a strategic partner who can contribute to their success.

Make your pitch concise, compelling, and personalized.

Pitching Plan

Establishing a routine for regular pitching is essential to ensure a steady flow of inquiries and job opportunities.

Set aside dedicated time each week for research, outreach, and follow-ups.

Create a tracking system, such as a Google spreadsheet, to monitor your pitches, responses, and the status of potential projects.

This organized approach allows you to follow up appropriately and keeps you engaged with prospects without missing any opportunities.

Additionally, always be refining your pitch based on response rates and feedback. The key is consistency; regular pitching not only increases your chances of securing gigs but also helps you refine your approach and sharpen your proposal skills.

With each pitch, you’re not only seeking new projects but also building relationships and expanding your network within the industry.

Pitching to Companies

Ready to pitch? Here’s how you can effectively make your mark:

1. Craft a Personalized Email: When initiating contact, ensure your email feels personalized. Research the agency or company you’re reaching out to, understand their brand voice, and align your message accordingly. Mention specific campaigns or projects they’ve done that impressed you, and articulate how your skills could add value to their future endeavors.
2. Showcase Your Best Work: Pick 2-3 of the most relevant writing samples that will be most interesting to the company you are targeting. Include links to these samples within the body of your email; avoid using attachments. If you have a portfolio, you can include that link as well. I highly suggest taking the extra step to pick out the most relevant clips and drawing the prospect’s attention to it. Sending only your portfolio link makes the prospect have to do the work of sifting through your clips and you want to make the experience as easy as possible for them. 
3. Highlight Your Unique Value Proposition: Clearly articulate how you can solve their problems. Offer your services not just as a freelance writer but as a solution provider for scenarios such as content overflow, tight deadlines, or unexpected project needs. Your readiness to jump in during their peak times or emergencies will stand out as a valuable asset.
4. Be Clear About Your Services: Offer a clear list of writing services you excel at – whether it’s SEO content, blog posts, whitepapers, social media content, or email marketing campaigns. This clarity helps agencies identify how you fit into their current or future projects.
5. Follow Up Respectfully: Don’t be discouraged if you don’t receive an immediate response. Agencies often have busy periods, and your email might arrive during one of these times. A respectful follow-up after a week or so can reaffirm your interest without seeming intrusive.
6. Adopt a Collaborative Mindset: Present yourself as someone eager to collaborate and grow with their team. Express your enthusiasm for feedback and learning, which portrays you as a team player committed to continual improvement.

Explore Freelance Marketplaces

Don’t skip this section. While I generally advise against relying solely on freelance marketplaces—due to their competitive nature and “race to the bottom” pricing—I completely understand that there are times when immediate financial needs take precedence. 

Life throws curveballs. During dry spells or when bills pile up, making ends meet is the top priority.

In such moments, taking freelance writing gigs that might not align with your usual standards is not just understandable, but necessary.

I want to emphasize that there’s no judgment here. We’re all navigating this freelance journey with resilience.

To anyone making it work under tough circumstances, you have my utmost respect and admiration.

That being said, here are a few of the most popular freelance writing marketplaces.

Each platform has its pros and cons, including a range of potential earnings, but they can be a viable option when you need to secure work quickly:

1. Upwork (Upwork.com): One of the largest freelance platforms, Upwork offers a wide array of writing gigs, from blog posts and web content to technical writing and copywriting. The platform operates on a bidding system, and while competition can be fierce, there’s a diverse range of opportunities. Earnings can vary widely depending on your niche, experience, and negotiation skills, ranging from $10 to $100+ per hour.
2. Fiverr (Fiverr.com): Fiverr flips the traditional freelance model, allowing freelancers to create “gigs” that offer specific services. Prices start at $5, but more experienced writers can charge significantly more for comprehensive packages or specialized content. Earnings can range from mere dollars to hundreds per project.
3. Contently (Contently.net): Contently aims to connect freelancers with often higher-paying assignments than many other platforms. The site is known for its quality clients, including major brands and publications. Compensation rates are generally higher, but securing gigs can be more challenging for newcomers. Earnings range widely but are typically higher than average freelance rates.
4. ClearVoice (Clearvoice.com): Another platform that caters to higher-paying clients, ClearVoice offers writers the opportunity to create a profile and pitch for assignments from top brands. Earnings are typically higher than average freelance rates.

Consider Other Freelance Services

The work we do as writers doesn’t simply start and end with typing on a laptop.

As part of our work, we help clients find clarity, brainstorm, research, offer solutions, conduct interviews, translate ideas, edit, proofread, format and so much more. 

Expanding your range of freelance services can be a game-changer, especially during times when writing assignments seem scarce.

Additional services can not only help you make it through tough financial times, but also enrich your professional experience.

Think about the skills adjacent to writing you might already have or can quickly acquire, such as social media management, where storytelling and engaging content creation are key.

Content strategy and freelance communications involve understanding and developing ways to communicate messages effectively, which is a natural extension of strong writing abilities.

Media relations, including crafting press releases or conducting outreach, capitalize on your ability to convey messages persuasively.

Ghostwriting and editing or proofreading services allow you to utilize your writing skills behind the scenes.

For those comfortable with organizational tasks or research, offering virtual assistant services or online research can appeal to clients needing administrative support or in-depth information gathering, areas where clear communication and attention to detail are invaluable.

Packaging these services can be done succinctly, focusing on the unique benefits you bring to each role.

By broadening the scope of services you offer, you not only increase your marketability but also showcase your adaptability and commitment to meeting clients’ varied needs.

This approach not only provides immediate financial relief, but also sets the stage for a richer, more diversified freelance career.

How To Manage Your Search For Freelance Jobs

So we have talked about A LOT in this post.

Balancing the search for freelance writing opportunities on so many different platforms can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be.

Using technology wisely can streamline the process, ensuring you don’t miss out on opportunities while maintaining your sanity.

Designate an email address for freelance jobs.

If you don’t already have a dedicated email for your freelance writing business, I highly suggest doing so.

Having a separate inbox helps you avoid the mix-up of personal and professional email and helps you manage your workload more effectively.

By channeling all your gig-related communications through one address, you simplify the tracking of job applications, client correspondences, and important deadlines.

This level of organization ensures that nothing slips through the cracks.

Use the right keywords for your freelance writing search alerts.

When it comes to managing job alerts and subscriptions, the best practices begin with precision.

Tailor your job alerts to match your skills and interests closely, using specific keywords and filters.

This customization can dramatically reduce the volume of irrelevant notifications, ensuring you focus only on the opportunities that truly fit your portfolio.

Additionally, subscribing to curated gig newsletters from trusted sources in the freelance writing community can provide a wealth of opportunities right to your inbox.

These curated lists often include opportunities that might not be advertised on larger job boards, giving you a competitive edge.

Just be selective with your subscriptions to avoid information overload. 

Use your freelance writing notifications to your advantage. 

There’s a lot of advice about turning off your notifications to help you focus more, but when you are trying to respond to queries quickly, notifications can be your friend.

Platforms like LinkedIn allow you to set custom alerts for job postings or updates from specific groups or hashtags related to freelance writing opportunities.

Adjust these notifications to match your schedule, ensuring you’re informed without being overwhelmed.

Additionally, subscribing to email digests from your favorite writing-related social media groups or platforms can consolidate updates into a single, manageable message.

This way, you can quickly scan through opportunities at a time that suits you, rather than constantly checking various platforms.

Some email management tools allow you to schedule these digests at specific times of the day.

This way you can stay on top of opportunities without disrupting your workflow.

Use templates to respond to freelance writing queries quickly. 

Creating templates for proposals, inquiries, and follow-up messages can also save you considerable time.

With templates, you’re not starting from scratch each time.

Just remember, the key to successful template use lies in personalization for each application; templates should be a starting point, not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Use your calendar and smart phone alarms to designate times to review your freelance writing emails.

Setting alarms or calendar reminders for deadlines for high-priority opportunities ensures you never miss a submission window.

Platforms like Google Calendar can sync across all your devices, providing reminders wherever you are.

Balancing the hunt for freelance gigs with technology’s help makes the process more manageable, letting you seize the best opportunities without feeling swamped. 

Develop An Ongoing Marketing Strategy

While the primary goal of this article was to offer immediate, actionable steps for securing freelance work swiftly, I wouldn’t be a good business coach if I didn’t encourage you to adopt a long-term strategy once you’ve navigated through pressing financial needs.

Experiencing slow seasons is an inherent part of the freelance landscape, but you can fortify your position against future uncertainties by dedicating time each week to marketing activities.

A consistent marketing strategy ensures a pipeline of potential freelance writing gigs and helps you prepare for lean times.

Joining writers’ organizations, marketing associations, and attending niche conferences not only enhances your skills and knowledge, but also embeds you within a community that can provide support, referrals, and direct opportunities. 

Consider the places where potential clients and referral partners congregate, and make your presence felt there.

Establish yourself as the go-to writer in untapped or niche markets by participating actively in trade associations and leveraging platforms like LinkedIn to position yourself as a thought leader in your field.

While securing immediate work is paramount, laying the groundwork for a strategic marketing plan, nurturing your network, and creating a versatile portfolio are steps that should not be overlooked.

This approach will not only provide financial stability but also lead to a more rewarding and sustainable freelance career. 

In upcoming blog posts, we will explore these tactics in greater detail, providing you with a comprehensive roadmap for thriving in the freelance marketplace.

Featured photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels 

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