If you’re a working freelancer, then it comes as no surprise to hear that nothing is certain right now. In any industry. Work is shifting, clients are unpredictable, and sure-things are disappearing unexpectedly.
The solution? It may be time to introduce additional income streams to your freelance writing business.
If you’re looking to branch out as a freelance writer, it can mean shifting into a new niche, adding a service or finding better clients. The work itself isn’t the hard part, it’s the systems around it.
Once you build a little momentum, doors open faster than you expect. Yes, even in this economy. Here’s how to expand your freelance career with clarity and confidence.
Find (or refine) your niche without starting from scratch
You don’t need to be “the expert” on day one, you need a clear focus and proof you can deliver.
Do this
- Choose one or two topic areas you can speak to naturally (e.g. nonprofit fundraising, B2B SaaS, mental health)
- Create a mini portfolio sprint: three strong samples per niche (one blog/article, one case study, one landing page or email). Use past work when possible (if you don’t have it, write “spec” pieces)
- On your site and LinkedIn, make the niche obvious: a headline, three services, three samples and a short “who I help/how” paragraph
Why it works: Clients hire for familiarity. When they see themselves in your positioning and samples, they stop shopping.
Research with intention (not rabbit holes)
Rates and demand vary wildly online. Go to the source.
Do this
- Ask three working freelancers in or near your niche what they’re charging right now (ballpark is fine)
- Scan current job boards and calls for pitches in your niche. Save 10 real briefs and note budget, deliverables and tone
- Track it in a simple sheet: client type, deliverable, scope, budget. Patterns appear quickly
Rule of thumb: Real conversations beat internet averages every time.
Build authority that attracts the right work
Guest posts can help if they put you in front of the right readers. (By the way, AI is a great help but can chatgpt be detected? The answer is yes, so I recommend using it to help organize your calendar and draft follow-up emails rather than replace you as a writer. My two cents.)
Do this
- Pitch two or three outlets your ideal clients actually read (industry blogs, associations, trade publications). Negotiate a byline with a link to a service page or portfolio
- Publish one useful article a month on LinkedIn or your blog (problem–solution, before/after metrics, or a teardown of a great piece of content in your niche)
- Add one credibility asset: a simple case study (client, challenge, approach, outcome). Even one data point (opens, conversions, donations, leads) builds trust
Quick pitch template
Subject: Idea for [Outlet]: “WorkingTitleWorking TitleWorkingTitle”
2–3 lines on the angle + why their audience cares.
1–2 bullet points with takeaways.
One sentence bio + link.
Market yourself like a business (keep it light, but consistent)
You don’t need to be everywhere. You need to be findable and followed up with.
Choose two channels you’ll actually keep up with:
- LinkedIn (weekly post + monthly article + comments on three prospect posts)
- Simple newsletter (monthly roundup, one quick tip, one CTA)
- Targeted outreach (warm introductions, past clients, editors)
Weekly 60-minute routine
- 20 minutes: outreach to three people (past clients, warm leads, editors)
- 20 minutes: one useful post (tip, mini case study, “how I’d improve X”)
- 20 minutes: pipeline maintenance (log leads, send follow-ups, book a call)
Follow-up cadence: Day 0, Day 3, Day 10 (short, helpful, never needy).
Price with confidence (and fewer surprises)
Charging per word caps your value. Per-project pricing with clear scope is cleaner and more profitable.
Set a floor: What’s your minimum viable fee for a project to be worth it? What will you charge clients? If a request falls below that number, you can still say yes…if you reduce scope or offer a “lite” version of the package.
Mini rate card (example, adapt to your reality)
- Blog/article (1,000–1,200 words): $X, includes brief + outline + one round of edits
- Case study (800–1,000 words + interview): $X
- Email sequence (five emails): $X
- Website messaging (home + services): $X
Raising rates script (for returning clients)
“As of DateDateDate, my standard rate for deliverabledeliverabledeliverable is $X. For you, I’m happy to honour the previous rate for the next oneproject/30daysone project/30 daysoneproject/30days. After that, we’ll move to the new rate. Let me know what upcoming work you’d like me to reserve.”
Build stability (so slow weeks don’t sink you)
The hardest part of freelancing is unpredictability. Smooth it out.
Anchor client: Aim for one client who gives you predictable work monthly (a small retainer or recurring deliverable).
Simple retainer (example):
- Two articles/month up to 1,200 words
- One content planning call
- One round of edits per piece
- Priority turnaround
- Flat monthly fee
Financial cushion: Start with one month of expenses; build to three. Automatic transfers help.
3-2-1 pipeline rule (your goal for every month)
- Three new conversations
- Two active proposals
- One project closed
Handling dry spells (without panic)
Dry periods happen, even to pros. Diagnose, then act.
Check three things
- Pipeline: Do I have enough new conversations?
- Positioning: Am I clear about who I help and how?
- Pricing/scope: Are projects profitable, or am I working for too little?
Quick wins
- Email five past clients with a specific idea (“I noticed your X—want me to update it for goalgoalgoal?”)
- Publish one case study with a measurable result
- Offer a limited “audit” product (email/newsletter/landing page teardown) with a fast turnaround and clear deliverables
If you’re side-hustling
Your time is your constraint. Protect it.
Do this:
- Set a monthly capacity (e.g. two projects). When you’re full, you’re full
- Pick work that builds toward your long-term niche or portfolio
- Decide your transition milestones (e.g. “six months of expenses saved” or “two anchor clients”) before you go full-time
Your 7-day action plan
- Day 1–2: Choose one to two niches. Write/update your homepage headline + services
- Day 3: Build or refresh three samples per niche (pull from past work where possible)
- Day 4: Ask three freelancers for rate ballparks; log 10 live briefs with budgets
- Day 5: Pitch one guest post + publish one useful LinkedIn post
- Day 6: Email two past clients with a specific idea
- Day 7: Draft a mini rate card + set your “floor” price
Branching out isn’t a leap, it’s a series of small, deliberate steps. Pick what you’ll focus on, show your work, talk to people and follow up. That’s it. Keep it simple and keep going.
