What is Freelance Writing and How To Start Your New Side Hustle

Freelance writing means getting paid to write for clients under contract instead of drawing a staff salary. SelfEmployed lists pay per assignment, word, hour, or retainer, and beginners usually start by pitching boards or familiar sites with a few clean samples.

• Why it matters: It is a flexible side hustle path if you can sell clarity and a niche voice.
• How it works: You set rates, pick assignments, and pitch job boards or sites you already read.
• By the numbers: BestWriting puts the 2025 freelance writing market at $7.6 billion.
• Reality check: Upwork writing projects fell 32% year over year as commodity briefs thinned out.
• The bottom line: Lead with niche samples and clear pitches; skip vague gigs that smell like free labor.

If you have a way with words, then becoming a freelance writer may be the perfect side hustle for you. 

But what is freelance writing and how do you get started?

We’ll answer all these questions and more to help you decide whether becoming a freelance writer is the path for you. 

Whether you’re looking to make a little extra cash on the side or thinking of turning freelance writing into a full-time career, we’ll go over all the essentials you need to know.

In exchange for a percentage of their fee, freelancers are allowed to select from a regular flow of assignments and set their own rates.

Pitch Yourself

Many freelancers also find work on freelance writing boards. There you’ll be able to pitch yourself to various clients looking to hire freelancers for gigs.

Some people start out convinced they need a perfect portfolio right off the bat, but honestly, even a handful of decent writing samples can go a long way. Clients often care more about clarity and tone than whether you’ve published work in some big magazine. If you’ve ever written a personal blog, even that’s often more helpful than you think. Might sound obvious, but just being clear and direct in your emails or pitches makes you stand out—most folks overthink that part.

Some of the more popular job boards for freelance writers include:

• Problogger
• Media Bistro
• Peak Freelance
• SuperPath

Navigating these job boards can be a bit of a mixed bag, too. Some postings are super clear, while others don’t say much at all about the client or expectations. It pays to do a bit of detective work before applying—a quick Google search can save you from a lot of head-scratching later on. Over time, you’ll develop a sixth sense for which gigs seem worth your effort and which ones might be someone fishing for free labor.

Some freelancers also seek out work on sites like FlexJobs and Upwork. 

Then, of course, there are direct pitches that you can make by simply reaching out to a site you enjoy and offering your services.

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to kickstart your freelance writing career. But it’s also important to know what not to do!

Check out some of the most common freelance no-nos with this article about 7 Freelance Mistakes to Avoid.