One of the hardest things about being a freelance writer is figuring out the daily activities that will help you get ahead. It’s easy to find ways to work all the time, but never make the kind of money you want to make.

Or worse, you’re always “getting ready” to launch your freelancing business, but never seem to get an actual client to hire you.

This inaction usually happens because new writers become overwhelmed by all of the things they think they “have” to do.

But here’s the thing -- most of the activities you’re engaging in are probably unnecessary or a giant waste of time. You’re doing things that feel productive but don’t actually move the needle in your business.

So what are the daily activities freelance writers need to take to find clients and make money? Well, here are four places you can start.

1. Send proposals every day

When I first started freelance writing, I made it my job to find a job.

I figured that if I continued to send proposals every day, then it was only a matter of time before someone would hire.

And that effort paid off because I got my first writing job within a matter of days.

Before doing anything else, I recommend you start by sending proposals.

The only way you will be successful as a freelance writer is by contacting potential clients and asking them to hire you.

I know you might be nervous, but don’t be timid about taking this first step! Start sending proposals and make it your job to start finding writing work.

Listed below are a few places you can start looking for work and sending pitches.

Upwork

Not everyone is a fan of Upwork, but I recommend it for new freelance writers. I find that many job boards have a limited number of postings, but you can find dozens of jobs to apply for on Upwork.

One thing that is different about Upwork from when I first signed up is that new freelancers have to get their profile approved.

To get your profile approved, you need to be as specific as possible about what you do and your experience. List the maximum number of skills and include any relevant job history.

Once your profile is approved, you can start applying for jobs. I will say that you need to stay strong and refuse to settle for low-paying gigs.

A common complaint about Upwork is that it’s a race to the bottom. Well, that’s only true if you’re willing to race to the bottom! I never was, and it paid off because I’ve earned over $100,000 on Upwork.

ProBlogger

ProBlogger is a popular job board for freelance writers. Anyone who wants to post a job on ProBlogger has to pay $70, which weeds out clients who aren’t serious.

The key to being successful with ProBlogger is that you need to check it often. It’s incredibly popular, and most job postings get flooded with applicants.

I recommend checking ProBlogger first thing in the morning, and at the end of the day, so you don’t miss any job postings.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a professional networking site, so it’s a great way to find high-paying writing clients. I have found many clients through LinkedIn, and some that I still work with to this day.

There are several ways to look for jobs on LinkedIn. First, you should set up your LinkedIn profile and start connecting with people you know.

When you do this, you’re letting your network know what you’re doing and that you’re looking for freelance writing work.

You can also sign up for ProFinder, which is LinkedIn’s paid job board. Your first 10 proposals are free, and after that, it costs $59.99 per month.

But this can be hard to justify if you’re making little to no money as a writer. That’s why I recommend LinkedIn’s free job board, which is where I’ve found most of my work from LinkedIn.

There are many postings for full-time jobs, so you’ll need to specify what you’re looking for in the search bar. For instance, I usually search for “freelance writer” or “finance writer.”

2. Set up your freelance writing portfolio

Once you’ve started finding freelance writing work, the next step is to step up your portfolio. A writing portfolio will be where you showcase your work for potential clients.

There are a couple of different ways you can set up your portfolio. I recommend either setting up a blog on your website or creating a portfolio on Contently.

There are many advantages to setting up a blog. First, you can showcase your best writing, and you don’t have to wait until someone hires you. Plus, blogging will make you a better writer.

However, the downside is that blogging is very time-consuming, which is why I didn’t blog regularly in the beginning. And many freelancers become so consumed with the process of setting up their website that they stop focusing on finding new work.

Personally, I didn’t set up a blog until I was already earning six-figures as a freelance writer. All I focused on for three years was sending proposals and getting hired. So it’s possible to find freelance writing success without a blog.

If starting a blog seems too overwhelming, you can set up a free portfolio through a site like Contently. And one of the advantages of Contently is that the company might eventually reach out to you for writing work.

3. Start networking with other freelance writers

If you want to earn more money and be well-known in your niche, you need to start networking with other freelance writers. Other writers will become your friends, a source of inspiration, and possibly even pass on work to you.

They aren’t your competition so don’t see them that way!

The best way to start networking with other freelance writers is by joining and becoming active in Facebook groups. I recommend joining groups for other freelance writers or groups for individuals in your niche.

Start by focusing on being active within the group and responding to other people’s questions and comments. Regularly contributing will help other members start to recognize your name and remember you.

When someone does need a freelance writer or posts about a job opportunity, you’ll stand out as a solid choice.

4. Learn from other freelance writers

At some point, you will stall a little in your freelance writing business.

Maybe you’ll lose a client or realize you can’t grow your income past a certain point.

When this happens, it can be beneficial to invest in a coach or sign up for a course. By working with a more experienced freelance writer, you get to learn the proven strategies that worked for them.

You’ll learn how to find high-paying clients, how to manage your time effectively, and how to earn more money. I promise you that you will never regret the money you invest in yourself!

But beyond just learning strategies, you’ll find out what’s possible for you. In my experience, most freelance writers fail because they don’t believe it’s possible for them to earn serious money as a writer.

Guys, I can’t even tell you how many emails I’ve received that say something along these lines:

“Earning six-figures as a freelance writer sounds nice, but seems unlikely. I would be happy if I could just get to $50K.”

We all have to start where we are, but believe me when I tell you that earning six-figures as a freelancer is not only possible but very, very doable. And if you don’t believe that, you need to start surrounding yourself with people who do.

My final thoughts

At the end of the day, you don’t need a fancy website or logo to get hired as a freelance writer. You need to send proposals, set up your portfolio, start building your network and continue growing and learning.

But maybe you’ve been stuck in the same place for a while and are wondering why nothing seems to be working. If so, what are the biggest roadblocks you’re running into? Send me an email at jamie@jamiejohnsonwrites.com and let me know!