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Freelance Writing Without the LinkedIn Bragging: How to Start With $0

📌 TL;DR

You don’t need a writing degree, a niche, or even a tragic backstory to start freelance writing. What you do need: basic writing skills, the internet, a little boldness, and a willingness to send emails that feel like they might give you hives. This post breaks it all down — minus the LinkedIn performance art.

How to Start Freelance Writing

You’ve probably seen them.

The posts that go:
“In 2020, I was broke, broken, and barefoot. Then I discovered freelance writing. Now I make $10k a month from Bali.”

That’s great. Really. But this guide is not that.
This is for you if:

  • You don’t want to write a sob story to get clients.
  • You don’t want to pretend you “help 6-figure brands scale with powerful storytelling.”
  • You just want to make actual money writing words on the internet — preferably soon, preferably without spending anything upfront.

Let’s start where most people do: absolute zero. No niche, no website, no idea what the hell a “copy deck” is. Just the internet and your possibly-questionable decision to try this.

1. You’re Allowed to Be a Beginner

You don’t need a writing degree or experience to get started. What you need is proof that you can write sentences that don’t make people cry (unless that’s the goal).

If you’ve ever written a blog, a long Facebook post, or helped someone word a passive-aggressive email — you already have the bones. Now, you need to sharpen them.

What to do:

  • Google “freelance writing samples” to get a feel for what’s out there.
  • Write 2–3 short samples as if they were for a client: maybe a blog post, a product description, or a newsletter.
  • Save them as PDFs or publish them on Medium, Substack, or even a Google Drive link. Fancy portfolio optional.

2. Pick a Place to Pitch (No, Not LinkedIn)

Yes, LinkedIn is great if you enjoy the corporate cosplay and hashtag hustle. But if you’d rather not build a “thought leader” persona before you’ve even landed a gig, start with where the clients actually are:

Try these:

  • Facebook groups (Search: “freelance writing jobs,” “content writer gigs”)
  • Reddit (r/HireaWriter, r/freelanceWriters)
  • Job boards:

You don’t need to be everywhere. Just pick 2–3 platforms and check them daily like they owe you rent.

3. Send the Email Anyway

This is the part most people avoid: pitching.
It feels weird. It’s uncomfortable. You will doubt every sentence you write. Send it anyway.

Your pitch email does not need:

  • A full resume
  • A list of past clients (you don’t have any — that’s the point)
  • A fake sob story

It does need:

  • A real human intro
  • A clear offer (e.g., blog writing, product descriptions, etc.)
  • A sample or two
  • A call to action (e.g., “Would you like to see a draft idea?”)

Example pitch email (feel free to steal and tweak):

Hey [Name],

I came across your post looking for a content writer. I’m just getting started as a freelance writer but I’ve attached two writing samples so you can get a feel for my work. I’d love to help you with blog content that’s clear, useful, and doesn’t sound like it was written by a robot.

If you’re open to it, I’d be happy to send over a quick draft idea or work on a small test project.

Thanks either way!

– [Your Name]

Keep it short, keep it human, and remember: everyone starts somewhere.

4. Start Cheap — But Not Free

You’ll be tempted to write for exposure or a testimonial. That’s cute, but also no. Charge something — even if it’s $20 or $50 to start. You’re building momentum and confidence, not running a charity.

You can raise your rates quickly once you’ve got 2–3 projects under your belt.

I’d also stay away from clients asking you to write a test article of 500-800 words for free. Writing test articles is fine but make sure it’s a paid test.

5. Treat It Like Work (Even If You’re In Pajamas)

You don’t need a website or an LLC to start. But you do need some sort of structure.
Create a basic system:

  • Where to find leads
  • When to pitch
  • Where to track who you’ve emailed (a spreadsheet is fine)
  • How to invoice (try PayPal or Wave)

You’re not playing writer. You are a writer. Even if your desk is your bed and your “office” is a half-opened tab while Netflix plays.

Bonus: What to Do When Nothing’s Happening

Sometimes you’ll send 15 emails and hear nothing but digital crickets. That’s normal.
Keep going. Edit your pitch. Tweak your samples. But don’t assume you’re not cut out for this.

Half of freelance writing is persistence. The other half is snacks. Or maybe random web surfing in the guise of research.

Final Thoughts

You can start freelance writing with $0. No degree, no niche, no tragic backstory required. Just a keyboard, a few writing samples, and a mild-to-moderate tolerance for rejection.

Skip the LinkedIn self-mythologizing. Start where you are. Send the pitch. Write the thing. Get paid. Repeat.

Up Next: Transcription Jobs for People Who Can Type Fast and Hate Phone Calls

This post is part of the “Make Money Online” series — your no-fluff guide to finding real online income streams. Check out the rest here.

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