My First Month in Freelance Writing: Lessons Learned and Earnings Revealed

As someone who has been exploring different ways to make money online, I recently ventured into the world of freelance writing. Although I don’t have an extensive writing background, I’ve managed to create content that satisfied my clients. In this article, I’ll share my experiences with three popular freelancing platforms, the challenges I faced, the earnings I made during my first month, and my plans for the future.

Exploring Freelance Writing Platforms

I tried three main platforms for freelance writing: Fiverr, UpWork, and reaching out directly to clients. Here’s what I learned from each platform:

Fiverr: When most people think of freelancing, Fiverr probably comes to mind. However, due to its popularity, the platform is extremely competitive. With hundreds of writers in nearly every category, I found it difficult to stand out, especially when competing against more experienced and qualified writers.

UpWork: I had a better experience with UpWork, which allowed me to apply directly to companies seeking writers. Applying to multiple jobs daily, rather than waiting for them to come to me, increased my chances of finding work. However, I still faced stiff competition from writers with more reviews and larger portfolios. This sometimes meant sacrificing pay to secure those first few jobs.

Direct to Clients: My favorite approach was reaching out to companies directly. I visited various websites, looking for a freelance writing section, and emailed them expressing my interest. After a day of sending emails, I received a response from one company that allowed me to set my own price and customize my experience. Although I might have gotten lucky with this particular client, I believe this method offers a better chance of success.

Overcoming Challenges

During my first month, I encountered several challenges:

Building a Portfolio: As a new writer, I struggled to showcase my skills due to my limited portfolio. To overcome this, I focused on creating samples in my niche and sharing them with potential clients.

Balancing Time: Allocating time to find work, write articles, and manage other responsibilities was a challenge. I learned to prioritize tasks and set a schedule to optimize my productivity.

Dealing with Rejection: Facing rejection is an inevitable part of freelance writing. I learned to view rejections as opportunities to improve my skills and become more resilient.

Earnings and Insights

During my first month of freelance writing, I earned approximately $200. It’s worth noting that I spent a significant portion of my time searching for work and only completed a few articles. From my experience, I believe someone more dedicated could potentially earn at least five times that amount, especially considering that most of my earnings came from just one article for the direct-to-client approach.

Networking and Building Relationships

Throughout my journey, I discovered the importance of networking and building relationships with other writers and clients. By engaging with others in the freelance writing community, I gained valuable insights, encouragement, and potential collaboration opportunities.

Tips for Success and Growth

As you begin your freelance writing journey, consider the following tips for success:

Stay adaptable: Keep up with industry trends, technologies, and opportunities to stay relevant and competitive.

Embrace collaboration: Seek out partnerships and collaborations to learn from others and expand your network.

Pursue passion projects: Work on personal writing projects that align with your interests to keep your motivation high and improve your skills.

Future Plans

Although I haven’t yet tried making money through blogging and Vocal, I plan to explore these platforms in the future.

If you’re considering a career in freelance writing, I hope my experiences can provide some insights and inspiration to help you get started. Remember that perseverance, continuous learning, and a willingness to adapt are essential in this ever-evolving field.

Stay tuned for more updates on my writing adventures by following me and subscribing to my newsletter. Happy writing!