So, you want to become a freelance writer? Here’s how to get started.

If you love writing and have ever wondered whether you can make money from it, the answer is yes. 

Even if you’re not an expert but need a side gig to earn extra money, freelance writing is a solid option. As long as you can put together engaging tweets, blog posts, or even catchy WhatsApp status updates, you already have a skill that people will pay for.

Freelance writing is one of the easiest ways to start making money online, and you don’t need a degree or fancy certificates to get started. What matters is having the right approach, a bit of patience, and a willingness to learn. 

If you’re interested in becoming a freelance writer, then this guide will help break down the process of starting and help you succeed in this career path.

What is Freelance writing?

If you got lost for a second about what freelance writing is (especially after I mentioned the WhatsApp status updates thingy), then I’m here to clear that up.

Freelance writing simply means getting paid to write content for clients without being tied to a full-time job or a single employer. 

The beauty of freelance writing is that you can work from anywhere (yes, even from your bed in pyjamas) with businesses, blogs, magazines, or even individuals who need written content (do you see where the WhatsApp status updates might come in handy now?).

You can also choose your own working hours and get paid per article, per word, or per project.

There are different types of freelance writing gigs that you can try out. Here are a few of them:

Types of Freelance Writing Jobs

1. Content writing: This involves writing blog posts, articles for websites, social media content, etc.
2. Copywriting: Writing sales pages, email marketing, website copy, ad copy, and product descriptions.
3. Technical writing: Writing manuals, white papers, and guides for tech companies. As a technical writer, you have to be skilled in breaking complex concepts into easy-to-read and understandable articles.
4. Ghostwriting: If you’d rather be behind the scenes as a writer, then you can try this out. Ghostwriting involves writing books, speeches, blog posts, or articles for someone else without credit.
5. SEO Writing: This is a lucrative form of writing that involves writing content that ranks on Google, attracting leads and customers for businesses.

You don’t need to know which freelance writing jobs to opt for at the onset. It’s okay to be unsure and figure out which type suits you best as you go. The most important thing is to start somewhere.

Just in case you’re wondering how lucrative freelance writing is in Nigeria, here’s a survey by Payoneer that has got you covered:

According to Payoneer, freelance writers earn an average of $22 per hour globally. In Nigeria, experienced writers can make anywhere from ₦350,000 to over ₦800,000 per month. 

So does this skill pay? Yes, it does. 

Now that we’re clear on that, let’s get you started as a beginner freelance writer.

How to Become a Freelance Writer As a Beginner

Step 1: Find Your Niche (a.k.a., What Should You Write About?)

Yes, I said you can start unsure, but then again, remember that I also mentioned starting somewhere, and that would definitely be finding a niche.

A niche is a specific area or topic you focus on. Choosing a niche helps you stand out and attract clients faster. 

Besides, think about this: if you had a skincare brand and needed someone to promote it, would you hire a generalist who knows a bit about everything or an expert who truly understands skincare?

That’s why you need a writing niche. Having a niche as a freelance writer helps to position you as an authority or expert in that field and gives you an edge to land well-paying clients.

Some profitable niches that you can try out include:

• Finance Writing: Personal finance, crypto, and investing. 
• Tech Writing: AI, gadgets, and software reviews. 
• Health & Wellness: Fitness, mental health, and nutrition.
• Business & Marketing: Startups, social media, and content marketing. 
• Lifestyle & Entertainment: Pop culture, movies, and travel.

Pro Tip: Don’t stress about picking the perfect niche right away. You can start by writing about what interests you and then narrow it down to what works best (interests you and pays you at the same time).

To learn more about choosing lucrative niches as a beginner freelance writer, check this out. 

Step 2: Gather the Needed Skills

Relax, you don’t need to be the next Chimamanda Adichie to make money from writing. 

But you do need to have some basic skills to help you pull this career off. 

Here’s what you’ll need for starters:

• Good Grammar & Spelling: No one will pay for work full of errors. Thankfully, you can use apps like Grammarly for this.
• Research Skills: As a freelance writer, Google should be your best friend. 
• SEO Basics: This helps your content rank on Google (we’ll talk more about this). 
• Creativity: You must know how to keep readers engaged. 
• Time Management: Freelancing is great, but the deadlines? Not quite. You need to have good time management skills to be able to meet up and deliver when due.

If you need to improve your writing skills, then you should try out our hands-on writing course at Hydra-Scola.

Step 3: Build a Portfolio (Even If You Have No Experience)

You don’t need to wait to become an expert before you build a portfolio.

Your portfolio shows proof of what you can do, and there’s no better time to start building one than right now. 

Clients won’t hire you just because you say you can write; you need to show proof. So, as you learn and gather experience, constantly document this process. 

But how do you build a portfolio when you’re just starting? Here’s how:

Ways to Create a Freelance Writing Portfolio:

• Start a free blog on Medium or WordPress.
• You can send pitches to Nigerian blogs in your chosen niche and offer to write for them for free or at a discounted price.
• Pick an article online and rewrite it in your own style.
• Create mock samples by writing a few articles as if you were already working for a client.

Your portfolio doesn’t need to be fancy. It just needs to show that you can write well.

Note: If you don’t want to start a blog, you can write on platforms like Substack, Vocal Media, or LinkedIn.

Step 4: Set Up Your Online Presence

If you want to be taken seriously as a freelance writer, you need to look professional and show up online.

Here’s how:

• Create a LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn reports that 70% of recruiters and clients check a freelancer’s LinkedIn profile before hiring.
• Set up a simple portfolio landing page using Notion or WordPress.
• Get a professional email. No more ‘[email protected]’ (Use your name instead).

Having an online presence makes it easier for clients to find and trust you.

Step 5: Learn the Basics of SEO and Writing Tools

Let’s come back to SEO (Search Engine Optimisation). 

Many freelance writing jobs require SEO knowledge. SEO helps articles rank on Google, making them more valuable and profitable.

To level up your writing, learn how to:

• Use relevant keywords in your article.
• Format content for easy reading (break it into headings and bullet points and use stock-free images).
• Write compelling meta descriptions.

Here’s a simple beginner-friendly SEO checklist to help you out:

1. Find relevant keywords using free tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest. Focus on long-tail keywords for better ranking.
2. Use your main keyword in the title and make it catchy to grab attention.
3. Organise your content with headings (H1, H2, H3) and short paragraphs for readability.
4. Include your keyword in the title, introduction, subheadings, and conclusion naturally. Avoid keyword stuffing.
5. Write a short, engaging summary/meta description (around 150 characters) with your main keyword.
6. Link to relevant pages on your site (internal) and authoritative sources (external) to boost credibility.
7. Use descriptive filenames and alt text for images to improve search visibility.
8. Ensure your content looks good on both desktop and mobile devices.
9. Compress images and avoid heavy elements that slow down the page.
10. Encourage readers to take action, like leaving a comment, sharing, subscribing, or even making a purchase.

Also, get comfortable with tools like: 

• Grammarly: For grammar and spelling checks
• Hemingway Editor: For making content clear and readable
• SurferSEO: For SEO-friendly content

Pro Tip: You don’t need fancy tools to start. A well-written Google Doc is enough for most clients.

How to Get Freelance Writing Jobs (Without Experience)

Now that you know how to become a freelance writer, the next problem is finding clients and getting jobs.

Here are some beginner-friendly ways to land freelance writing gigs:

1. Use Freelance Platforms

These are sites that connect writers with clients. Some freelance platforms include:

• Upwork
• Fiverr 
• PeoplePerHour
• ProBlogger
• FlexJobs 

Check out the top 20 freelance websites in Nigeria here (Insert link to “Top 20 freelance websites in Nigeria (2025)” article.)

2. Cold Pitching

You can send emails to businesses, blogs, and startups to offer your writing services.

A simple, effective pitch introduces yourself and explains why you’re the best writer for the job.

Here’s a simple template that you can rework for your pitches:

Subject: Let me help you with engaging [enter chosen niche] content

Hi [Client’s Name],

I came across your website and love what you’re doing with [mention something specific]. I’m a freelance writer who specialises in [their niche], and I’d love to help you create engaging content that drives traffic and conversion.

Here are some samples of my work: 

[Insert links]

Would you be open to a quick chat? No pressure. It’s okay if we don’t move forward. Having the relationship wouldn’t hurt at all. Looking forward to your response!

Best regards, [Your Name]

When sending out pitches, go straight to the point and put your best work out there.

Pro Tip: Personalise every pitch; nobody likes copy-paste messages. If you are looking to make money off a client as a freelance writer, you should at least be decent enough to invest a few hours into researching about them and sending a personalised pitch.

3. Social Media and Networking

Social media can connect you to various employers both within and outside Nigeria.

Start by optimising your LinkedIn profile and connecting with content managers.

You can also follow freelance writing hashtags on Twitter.

Join active groups on Facebook and WhatsApp dedicated to posting freelance jobs daily.

You can search for “freelance writing jobs” on Facebook to find these groups.

Remember to beware of scams and try to confirm the jobs from others who have previously applied to be sure that they’re legit.

How Much Should You Charge as a Beginner Freelance Writer? 

New freelance writers often grossly undercharge to attract clients. But don’t do that; remember, you’re providing value.

The truth is that a client who sees that you know your onions will not underpay you and will be willing to pay your rates.

So focus on getting very good, start with reasonable rates (don’t try to charge as high as experienced writers, but don’t grossly undervalue yourself) and keep reviewing your rates as you get better.

When deciding on how much you should charge, set your rates based on:

• Your experience level
• Niche demand (For example, tech & finance writers earn more)
• The client’s budget
• The demand/complexity of the job.

Here are sample rates that you can work with as a Freelance writer:

• Beginner Rates for Blog Posts (500 – 1,000 Words)

₦5 to ₦15 per word or ₦5,000 to ₦15,000 per article

• Beginner Rates for Website Copy:

₦20,000 to ₦30,000+

• Beginner Rates for Email Writing:

₦5,000 to ₦10,000+ per email

Depending on your level of experience, you can charge less or more than these. However, as you gain experience, review and increase your rates.

As a beginner writer, never work without an agreement. Always confirm payment terms before starting a project. 

Note: For payments, use platforms like Payoneer, Wise, or direct bank transfers (whether local or international)

How to Improve & Scale Up Your Freelance Writing Business

Freelance writing is competitive, so you have to never stop learning if you want to remain in demand. 

Invest in yourself by:

• Reading books or industry blogs on copywriting and SEO. Check out Neil Patel, Copyblogger, and HubSpot.
• Taking online courses (Hydra-Scola offers great writing courses).
• Practising daily (the more you write, the better you get).
• Following industry experts on Twitter & LinkedIn.

Final Thoughts: Is Freelance Writing Worth It?

Absolutely! Freelance writing can:

• Give you financial freedom
• Let you work from anywhere
• Help you turn your passion for writing into income

But remember, success won’t happen overnight. The key is to start. Write your first sample, create a portfolio, and start reaching out to clients. The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll land your first gig.

So, are you ready to become a freelance writer? Drop a comment below and share this with someone who needs it.