Freelance Writing Jobs For Beginners: Why You Should Try Upwork

If there’s one thing I know people do, it’s complicate freelance writing. I know because there was once a time when I was a totally inexperienced when it came to finding any sort of freelance writing jobs for beginners. Seriously guys, when I started, I had no idea what I was doing.

And unfortunately, the further I looked into freelance writing, the more overwhelmed I got: build a fancy website, curate a portfolio, guest post on blogs, send cold emails….

Uhhh, no thanks. Not my jam. The idea of having to do any sort of freelance writing for free just didn’t make sense to me, and yet so many people do it when just starting as a freelance writer. 

Why?

Well, largely I think it’s because this is the path that is spelled out for you online. Or, at least in my experience, it seemed to be the most popular path, so I decided to try something a little different.

I came up with own simplified method to freelance writing. (you can learn more about this in my ebook on the subject!)

Curious? You’re probably thinking:

How is your method to freelance writing different than traditional methods to freelance writing?

Where do I find freelance writing jobs for beginners, then, if I’m not building a website or sending cold pitches? 

No worries, I’ve got your back, but really, the answer to these questions really boils down to one simple thing, and if you’ve been around for a while on Hustle and Hearts, you probably won’t be too surprised by my answer…

You find freelance writing jobs for beginners on Upwork, of course!

Let me give you a brief overview of what Upwork is for those of you who are unfamiliar with the platform.

What Is Upwork?

Upwork is a platform that allows freelancers and clients to connect. Clients post jobs, and then freelancers send proposals to these potential clients, “pitching” why they think they’re the ideal candidate for the job. The client then picks the freelancer they prefer, and a contract is put into place.

It’s really quite basic, and a platform that really anyone can get started on. If you want learn more about what Upwork is, you can check out this article:  What is Upwork? And How Can You Use It To Make Money Online Today? 

Right now, though, the main thing I want to make clear about Upwork is that any and all aspiring freelance writers, can (and should!) use this platform. Even if you’re an absolute beginner! Like I mentioned, I’ve been using Upwork successfully for two years now, and in my first month freelancing I was able to make $453, and $1005 in my second month. 

Of course this isn’t a full time income, but for being in my first month as a freelance writer, I definitely wasn’t complaining about these numbers.

And for the record, when I started, I had absolutely zero experience with previous client based work. Seriously, guys, this platform works. 

But hey, I totally get it. Some people hear about Upwork, and get totally freaked out by it. They assume that it’s a platform that is only for not-so-serious clients, and freelancers overseas who are willing to be paid a a lower amount.

So not the case!

Or, at least not always the case. (I’ll elaborate more on this in a moment)

So today I wanted to shed some light on Upwork, and show you exactly why I think all aspiring freelance writers should begin their writing career by starting off on Upwork. Because honestly, I would go so far as to say that freelance writing jobs for beginners is an Upwork speciality.

Let me explain.

Why Do I Consider Freelance Writing Jobs For Beginners An Upwork Speciality?

You’re just beginning your freelance writing career, and you’re understandably anxious about how exactly this writing gig is going to work out.

I get you, because, like I said, I once a beginner in this field as well.

So, why, then, do I recommend that you start your writing career on Upwork when so many people claim that you can’t make good money on Upwork?

Largely I suggest starting on Upwork because it is the easiest way to kickstart your career without any of the overwhelm.

In other words, instead of jumping into freelance writing and assuming that you’re going to be making great money right off the bat, you can start with entry level positions on Upwork and make some side income.

Because yes, while Upwork does have quite a few low pay jobs (i.e. $10 articles), these type of jobs are perfect for those of you who don’t have a lot of experience.

You can take on these entry level jobs, get experience, build your portfolio, and get great testimonials and feedback from the client.

From there, you’ll be able to grow, and eventually start charging more for your services.

This way, you’re not working for free (as most beginners do), and you’re still getting some experience so that you use to grow.

It’s really win-win, but if you’re still struggling with the idea of only making $10 from an article, think of it this way: it’s like you’re getting paid for your training. Sure, you’re not making thousand of dollars from this, but it isn’t it better than making no money, right?

I, for one, think so, and I think there are many of you who might agree with me.

You can always expand off of Upwork as your experience grows, if you wish.

But, when you’re looking for freelance writing jobs for beginners, there’s no better platform than Upwork.

I feel very certain about this, but let me try and convince you a little more.

If you’re on the hunt for freelance writing jobs for beginners, here’s 16 reasons why I always, always, always recommend Upwork:

1) You don’t waste time going from job board to job board seeking out jobs. Everything is on one convenient platform for you. You can easily scroll through all the writing jobs available, but you can also filter the search criteria down so that you’re able to find jobs that suit your unique skills. 

2) All your communication stays organized with the use of Upwork Messaging. No shuffling between emails, or lost emails that get filtered to your junk mail. You can keep all communication is one spot.

3) When you’re looking for freelance writing jobs for beginners, Upwork also provides categories outside of freelance writing that are perfect for beefing up your profile. Perhaps try getting a couple hours of V.A. work under your belt? Or maybe you can help someone build their Instagram account? The more testimonials and work experience you have, the better it is for building your Upwork profile, which will often lead to more job opportunities. If you’re strictly focusing on freelance writing, you’re not building up any skills outside of writing, but if you are focusing on other skills, you’re adding to your portfolio and differentiating yourself from all the other writers out there. (in my experience, this is one of the most important things you can do a freelance writer, especially a beginner) 

4) Receiving payment for the work you do is super easy with Upwork, making tracking your income a breeze (a real bonus when tax season comes along).

5) Clients indicate the level of experience they’re looking for when they create a job posting: entry, intermediate, or expert. This makes it super easy to spot the perfect freelance writing jobs for beginners! No applying to jobs that are way outside your level of expertise. 

6) It doesn’t cost anything to set up an Upwork profile. This is a 0 risk way to start a business, which is something that is so rarely discussed in the online business world. Trust me, you don’t always need to “invest” in order to run a successful business. I’ve never invested a penny into my freelance writing career, and I’ve never felt the need to.

7) Every single day there are new jobs posted on Upwork, making it almost impossible to ever run out of potential projects. Not to mention, you’ll constantly have the chance to work on new and exciting projects, which ensures that things never get boring or stale. 

8) Upwork keeps track of all your hours worked, projects completed, and client reviews, meaning all your experience is always tracked for you, without you having to lift a finger! This will allow you to avoid having to build a website, if you don’t want to. Essentially your Upwork profile is your website. And trust me, setting up an Upwork profile is much easier than having to set up an entire website. Hello serious time saver. 

9) Never worry about a contract falling through or a client refusing to pay. Upwork takes care of all that for you with their protection services. (Note: I’ve had two instances where I submitted work, and the client disappeared and didn’t pay me, but because I had a contract with Upwork, the funds were released to me and I was paid for my work)

10) You don’t need to waste time on outside marketing efforts, like building a website or creating a portfolio. There are new, high quality freelance writing jobs for beginners posted on the platform on a daily basis. 

11)  Remember, just because you start your writing career on Upwork doesn’t mean you’re tied to the platform forever. It’s a great starting point to build your experience, connections, testimonials, and portfolio. As mentioned, think of it as getting paid for your training.

12)  At the same time, you can absolutely stay on the platform for as long as you want. Plenty of successful freelancers use Upwork as their primary source of jobs long after the entry level phase, including me!

13) It’s a great place to form connections. I’ve received job recommendations from clients I initially connected with through Upwork. In fact, one of these job recommendations actually led me to my highest paying contract to date. Pretty ideal, I’d say. 

14) If you want to be a writer, but you don’t have a lot of experience, this is a great way to get paid for your writing as you develop your voice. Instead of posting on your own blog for free, you can write for someone else who only has the budget for a beginner. Believe me, finding your voice and developing your own unique writing tone takes time. It might be cliche, but when it comes to writing, practice makes perfect. 

15)  Freelancers are able to rate their experience working with a client, meaning other freelancers can review a client’s past experience with freelancers before entering into a contract with them, helping you to avoid working with difficult clients.

16) It’s a legit way you can start making money online today. And, if not today, then probably next week! 😉 Like I said, I brought in $453 in my first month, and that was as a complete beginner.

So, did I convince ‘ya?

Truly guys, I think this is absolutely, undeniably the best way to get freelance writing jobs for beginners. In fact, if I could go back and do everything over again, I know for certain I would still find myself on the Upwork platform.

I believe so strongly that Upwork is the best spot for finding freelance writing jobs for beginners, I actually wrote an entire ebook on the topic.

If you’re interested in freelance writing, and you want to avoid some of the mistakes that I made when starting out, this book is for you! It’ll help you get to where I am faster, and with a lot less bumps in the roads. (because yes, there were plenty)

Give it a peek, see what it’s about, and determine if it’s something that might be beneficial to you. I packed it with as much freelance writing info as I could without making the process seem overwhelming, because yup, I’m always all about simplifying strategies.

If you want a streamlined approach to freelance writing that won’t overwhelm, I really think this could be the book for you (biased, but true).

If you do determine that it’s for you, let me know what you think. Happy freelancing, all! xx