How to Start Freelance Writing in the Philippines and Get Hired on Upwork

24 Comments / By / May 21, 2020

Updated May 16, 2020

Do you want to know how to start freelance writing and earn income from home as a content writer or copywriter without sacrificing your time or current career?

Have you tried applying to freelance writing jobs online but you don’t know why you are getting rejected by potential clients?

If this is the reason why you opened this blog post, you are in the right place.

Learn 5 Effective Ways to Get Hired as a Freelance Writer

These strategies have worked for me and I believe will do for you too but results vary such as how soon you’ll win your new client.

Some aspiring freelance writers win clients right away while others don’t and please know that this is NORMAL.

Remember, there’s a due time for everything and people have different level of skills and confidence. These can be factors to the speed of your success.

After reading this blog post, I recommend that you start executing what you learned. Don’t wait for the perfect time or when you’re ready because you will never be unless you take your first step.

In my blog post where I featured 7 Home-based Jobs in the Philippines, Content Writing/Copywriting is on my list. 

It is what I specialize in

Today, I am a Website Copywriter for Natural or Holistic Health Entrepreneurs in the US and UK.

But before I actually reached this point, I also struggled winning my first client.

Nahirapan din akong mag-position ng sarili ko sa harap ng mga prospect clients ko.

Nandun na, na-approve na ang account ko sa Upwork pero kahit anong dami ko nang na-submit na application, hindi pa rin ako pinapansin.

(Note: Today, sa Upwork, you can only send applications or proposals depende sa kaya ng no. of Connects mo. Newly approved accounts get only 20 connects which you can use to apply to an average of 4 job posts.)

Ang ginawa ko, paunti-unti kong inaral kung paano ko maattract ang mga potential clients ko. Then later on, na-discover ko na din kung paano sila mapa-oo sa proposals ko.

Hindi lang tatlo or sampong subok ang ginawa ko before ko na-discover ang mga ito.

Now, I don’t want you to go through all those hustles so I am sharing with you these 5 Ways or Steps on How to Start Freelance Writing and win clients as well.

Enjoy!

How to Start Freelance Writing [5 Proven Ways]

Step 1 - Create an Online Portfolio

Having an online portfolio is a MUST if you want to land better-paying freelance writing jobs online.

Why?

“First impressions last…” and I always believed in this in many situations in my life.

Imagine if you are a client looking for blog content writers online and you asked your applicants to submit a sample article they have written.

Will you choose

A – An applicant who sent a link to a published article on his/her blog; or

B – An applicant who has sent an attached document containing her sample arcticle?

Both applicants might have done well in their articles. However, the applicant who has a blog would stand out more since she has presented another skill which is the ability to manage a blog. Remember, you were looking for a blog content writer.

This is just one of the many reasons why an online portfolio is essential to a freelance writer.

How to Create an Online Portfolio

  • Find your Niche. What do you want to write about? What industries do you want to help? What types of written contents will you be comfortable to write?
  • Choose a host. It can be free-hosted on platforms like WordPress, Blogspot, or Hubpages or paid-hosted through your preferred provider.
  • Upload Samples. Publish or upload sample articles that are well-written and relevant to your niche.
  • Find a Mentor. Having a mentor (a friend, family member, or anybody you are comfortable with) to share your contents with is also very helpful. Ask her to read your contents and provide feedback.

Step 2 - Create and Optimize Your Online Profiles

An online profile is different from an online portfolio. It can be in a form of CV uploaded online or profiles in online platforms like Upwork, Onlinejobs.Ph, or Linkedin. You can do this first before creating your online portfolio.

Your profile should talk about who you are as a freelance writer and how you can help your clients solve their problems.

How to Optimize Your Online Profile?

  • Specific Job Title. Position yourself as an expert in your niche and specialization. Do not confuse your prospect clients by adding irrelevant keywords in your Job Title.
  • Profile Description. Make your profile description free of spelling and grammatical error because you are marketing yourself as a professional writer. Get ready with an elevator pitch.
  • Be prepared. Make sure that your credentials are on-hand when creating your online profiles in freelancing sites like Upwork or Freeeup. Getting approved in these platforms are tough but if you submit complete and concise details, you're way to go.
  • Go direct to the point. Do not go around the bush. The clients value their time so have a clear message in your title and description.

Step 3 - Write "Attractive" Cover Letters

No, I did not mean to say, “attractive” as in “flowery” or “glittery”, haha!

I remember when I was applying in corporate jobs, I would always start my application letters with the self-introduction (name, educational background, and work experiences).

Writing an application letter or a cover letter in the online freelance writing industry is different. It should not be talking all about you. Read on to understand why..

Here’s how to write a cover letter for freelance writing jobs online:
  • The address - You can start with "Hi [Name of Client]". Pay attention to the job posts because sometimes, clients will add something like, "Write 'I am your Content Writer' on the first line of your cover letter" when applying to this job. Do it!
  • The intro and body - You can be very creative in crafting your cover letter. If the job posting does not contain the information you need, you may ask questions to the potential client. (see example above)
  • Give Value Upfront - Get into a business conversation (strategy call) and share possible solutions to your potential client's problem. Just don't tell the specific "How" part.
  • Be Yourself - Everytime I apply to jobs, I will mention that I am a Work from Home Mom because I want the client to be aware of all the mommy distractions I may encounter.
How to Write a Winning Cover Letter + Samples

Step 4 - Follow Up

Na-mention ko na kanina how busy our potential clients are in their business. Of course, they’ll also go through how many applicants.

Let me share a story with you.

One day, while I was checking my e-mail, I almost jumped out of joy because I received a new contract – I won a new client! I remember, I sent my application to this person two or three weeks ago. After 3 days, I sent a follow up message pero wala pa rin akong natanggap na response. Akala ko, wala na iyon, so I moved on. But after a week, iyon na nga, nakareceive na ako ng contract.

Feeling proud naman ako nung sinabi niyang, “You are over a hundred applicants but we chose you. You are very thorough.” Tapos ni-remind ko na Work from Home mom ako and he said, “Yes, that’s one of the reasons why we chose you.” So, kilig to the max ako.

There’s always magic in following up because for me, it shows how interested you are in the job post. Just do it right not to seem so desperate.

freelance writing course

Step 5 - Level Up

“So you think you can write?”

Now that you are almost done reading our how to start freelance writing blog post, how do you feel?

Disappointed ba kayo kasi ang dami palang dapat gawin?

Oh well, hindi pa tayo tapos. 🙂

If after doing the 4 Steps above at hindi pa rin kayo nakakuha ng clients ninyo, don’t stop there.

Freelance writing is a continuous journey and you have to be aware that in the digital industry, walang permanent. Laging nagbabago ang mga marketing strategies. Bukas makalawa, meron na namang lalabas na bagong mga tools and guidelines.

If you want to be more successful in your online freelancing career, level up your skills.

Freelance Writing Jobs Online for Beginners

Hey, thanks for reaching up to this point. I have a gift for you below.

But before that, please know that freelance writing can be a wholesome career even for beginners.

There’s no better time to start your journey than now. The digital or online world has been growing massively and more and more businesses are needing writers.

Know your mission, know your big why, know your purpose, and align it to your freelance writing business and you will find yourself enjoying every single inch of it.

Do you still want to write contents for a living?

Join the Freelance Writing Side Gig Community where you get to be with like-minded people, learn more about the freelance writing industry, and find an accountability partner and mentor.

Tara na!

Join the FWSG Community

24 thoughts on “How to Start Freelance Writing in the Philippines and Get Hired on Upwork”

  11. theresa

    I will put all of these in mind. I have an Upwork for years now and I am still not getting any tasks. I have a full time job now but I wanted to try if homebased will work for me as I am thinking of staying at home because I’ll give birth soon!

    1. Charlyn June

      Go on mommy and check your account. Sayang din, you can use it to get Freelance Writing clients. 🙂 And, you can definitely do it from home even if you are babysitting.

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