How I Started Freelance Writing With Zero Experience

You never know what might come from it.

When I tell someone I am a Freelance Writer, I am almost always met with the same follow up question: how did you get into that? If you’ve ever considered Freelance Writing and are wondering how to get your foot in the door, my story could be helpful for you. This is not a step-by-step guide on how to get into Freelance Writing, but this is simply my story on how it all began for me.

I have always loved writing. As a child, I would write stories as gifts for family or just for fun in my own time. Sadly, I would eventually accept the cliche of the “struggling writer”, which deterred me from ever pursuing it professionally. I thought writing full-time was for the lucky few, and decided to pursue something else.

I told the long road there, but that “something else” ended up being a Certification in Holistic Nutrition, and I started my own Holistic Health Coaching business. Before I even graduated I was eager to share all of my newfound knowledge with the world. I communicated by that the best way I knew how, and I started blogging.

I had been writing on my blog for about 2 years when my partner and I decided we were going to take a road trip around North America. We’d saved up quite a bit, but I wanted additional work to do on the road to help with expenses — preferably something I could do in my own time.

It was then the idea to apply for a freelance writing job came to me. Yes, I’d never written before, but I thought I was okay at it — plus, what’s the worst that could happen? I could only get rejected, but that was the worst-case scenario. Knowing I had nothing to lose, I applied for a freelance writing job with a content company hiring writers specifically with health and wellness experience.

Most writing jobs will ask for a portfolio or some samples of your work, but I didn’t have any. All I could do was send them a link to my blog. I didn’t have previous professional experience and I didn’t hide it. I knew what I could do is show my passion for writing and practice in adding value through written content.