It’s easier than ever to get caught up in the doom-and-gloom talk about how hard it is to land writing jobs right now. No one can deny that the market has changed a lot in the past few years.
But most of the so-called “rules” about finding freelance writing clients are just plain wrong.
The internet is an echo chamber of writers using poor or outdated strategies, then complaining when they can’t find jobs or they’re replaced with AI. It’s time to start tuning those voices out.
Truthfully, this is one of the best markets for top-notch writers I’ve ever seen.
Yet, many myths about client acquisition persist. If you’re still holding onto them, they might be the only thing standing between you and your next great client.
So, let’s bust some myths, baby!
Myth #1: Cold Pitching is Dead
If I had a dollar for every time I heard someone say that cold pitching doesn’t work anymore, I wouldn’t need to bother writing at all.
But alas.
Cold pitching does work, but only if you do it the right way—and most people don’t.
They send out generic emails that accomplish nothing but annoying their prospect. They focus more on their services than the client’s needs. They give up after sending 10 pitches.
Let me be real for a second… no one, and I mean no one, wants to read another “Hi, I’m a freelance writer. Are you looking for XYZ content?” email. It’s lazy, and lazy pitches get ignored.
Effective cold pitching looks vastly different. It’s landed me upwards of $20k worth of jobs in the past few months alone.
Here’s how I make cold pitching work:
✅ Discover their pain points – Clients don’t hire you for fun. They hire you because you can ease their pain. Identifying pain points is a skill that comes with time, but it’s worth every minute. I’ll talk more about how to do it in a future blog article.
✅ Start a conversation – Your email isn’t a sales page. It’s an introduction. Your goal should never be to sell your services right away (that rarely works). Instead, focus on starting a person-to-person conversation. That stands out big time.
✅ Offer a specific solution – There’s a powerful saying that goes “Sometimes, free is too expensive.” Your prospects are busy and don’t have time to spend on figuring out how your skills will help. Offer them a specific solution that takes work off their plate rather than adding to it.
✅ Always, always follow up – The majority of pitches get ignored. Mostly, it’s because people are busy (not because they hate you). Follow-ups are the lifeblood of successful cold pitches, and it’s how you’ll land most of your work. Always reconnect two or three times after each initial pitch.
Side Note: If you want to see the exact cold pitch templates I’m using to win jobs right now, check out our new 2025 State of Freelance Writing report. You’ll find plug-and-play templates and 120+ hours of market research on who’s actually hiring writers right now.
Myth #2: You Need a Huge Portfolio to Win Jobs
I hear this one all the time. Not having a portfolio stocked with premium samples scares away a lot of freelance writers before they even give themselves a chance.
Remember the part about how clients are busy?
They don’t want to read 20 samples on your website. They just want to see quality that aligns with their goals.
In fact, having too many samples can actually work against you because it forces your prospect to sift through the pile to find what they want to see.
Instead of worrying about how many samples you have, maintain a small, focused portfolio that does three things:
- Showcases your best work.
- Aligns with the style of the niche you want to write in.
- Demonstrates your expertise in that niche.
I landed my first $1.00/word gig with just three solid samples. You don’t need a massive portfolio. That’s the beauty of writing in a niche.
Myth #3: High-Paying Clients Only Hire Experienced Writers
This is another one that stops so many writers in their tracks. Yes, experience can help, but high-paying clients aren’t just throwing money at writers who have been in the game for years.
Above all, they want writers who can deliver results.
You don’t need 10 years of experience to do that. You just need to position yourself the right way.
The most effective way to do that? Pick a niche.
Generalist writers struggle to command high rates. But if you specialize (even loosely across a couple niches), you can position yourself as an expert right away.
Clients want writers who “get” their industry and can connect with their audience. So research your niche, stay up to date on trends, and showcase that knowledge when pitching.
Also don’t underestimate the power of confidence. If you act like a beginner, clients will treat you like one.
But if you present yourself as someone who knows their stuff, they’ll trust you—even if you don’t have years of experience to back it up.
I’ve met six-figure freelance writers who’ve only been doing this for a couple of years. Their secret? They own their expertise and focus on positioning, not just experience.
Don’t Let These Myths Hold You Back
Freelance writing looks different thanks to AI and SEO disruptions. But the fundamentals of getting clients hasn’t.
If you’ve been letting these myths hold you back, I challenge you to take action this week. Send a few personalized cold pitches. Revamp your portfolio. Start positioning yourself as an expert now—not someday.
