How To Write a Freelance Writing Resume

Creating a strong freelance writing resume is essential if you want to showcase your skills, land clients, and build a thriving writing career. In this post, we’ll cover:

• Why a resume matters for freelance writers
• What to include in a freelance writing resume
• A realistic freelance resume example to customize
• How Knowadays can help you launch your writing career

Read on to learn what makes a great freelance writing resume.

Why Do You Need a Resume as a Freelance Writer?

Whether you’re an established freelance writer looking to find new clients or a beginner interested in starting a writing career, having an up-to-date resume is essential. It gives potential clients a clear overview of your background, skills, and experience, helping them quickly assess whether you’re a good fit.

A strong freelance writing resume shows:

• What industries or niches you understand
• What types of content you create
• Whether you can deliver quality work on time and to spec

In short, it makes it easier for clients to say “yes.”

To get started, create a general freelance writing resume that outlines your key strengths, experience, and qualifications. You can then tailor this version to suit specific roles, types of clients, or industries.

Of course, your resume isn’t the only thing clients will want to see. Once they have a sense of your qualifications, they’ll likely want proof of your writing ability – and that’s where your writing portfolio comes in. While your resume highlights your experience and skills, your portfolio showcases real examples of your work.

Think of the resume as your professional summary, and the portfolio as the evidence that backs it up. Both are important, but they serve different purposes.

How to Write a Freelance Writing Resume

You don’t need years of experience to write a strong resume. Instead of trying to list everything you’ve ever done, focus on the experience that’s most relevant to your writing goals, present it clearly and professionally, and show that you can be trusted to deliver quality work. Here’s what to include and how to make each section count:

1. Format for Readability

Even the strongest resume won’t land if the formatting gets in the way. A clean, simple layout helps clients scan your resume quickly and makes it easier for them to spot the information that matters. Try to:

Stick to a Clean Layout

Use a single-column format with clear section headings and consistent spacing throughout. Avoid cluttered designs, fancy visuals, or overly creative templates; these might look stylish but can make your resume harder to read (especially on mobile or older devices).

Use Easy-To-Read Fonts

Choose simple, professional fonts like Arial, Calibri, Lato, or Times New Roman. Keep body text between 10–12 pt and use slightly larger sizes (14–16 pt) for section headers. Don’t mix and match too many fonts – one or two is enough.

Keep the Design Minimal

Black or dark gray text on a white background is always a safe bet. Steer clear of bright colors or graphic elements that could distract from your content. Focus on readability, not flair.

Save and Send as a PDF

PDFs preserve your formatting across all devices and platforms, so your resume looks exactly as you intended. Always review your file before sending to double-check line breaks, spacing, and formatting.

Keep It Concise

Aim for a one-page resume unless you have several years of freelance writing experience or a broad client list. Two pages is the maximum, and only if every section is relevant and value driven.

2. Start With Contact Information

At the top of your resume, include your full name, email address, and any other contact details you’re comfortable sharing – such as your phone number or general location (e.g., “Remote” or “New York, NY”). Don’t forget to link to your online portfolio, LinkedIn profile, or website so clients can easily find your work.

3. Include a Professional Summary 

Your professional summary sits at the top of your resume and acts as a short, compelling introduction or “elevator pitch.” It should tell clients what kind of writer you are, who you write for, and what type of content you create. 

Start by identifying your main niche or areas of focus. Are you a blog writer for tech companies? A content strategist for lifestyle brands? A web copywriter for ecommerce businesses? Whatever your specialty, say so clearly and confidently. Mention the industries you’ve worked in, the types of content you produce, and any measurable impact you’ve made – such as boosting traffic or improving engagement.

Here are some examples of professional summaries: 

“Content writer with over three years of experience writing blog posts, how-to articles, and evergreen content for health, wellness, and lifestyle brands. Experienced in crafting approachable, SEO-driven content that engages readers and improves visibility across search platforms.”

“Freelance copywriter with a background in creating engaging product descriptions, landing pages, and promotional blog content for fashion, beauty, and homeware brands. Proven ability to write high-converting copy that reflects brand voice and improves on-site engagement.”

“Content writer specializing in long-form blog content, white papers, and case studies for B2B software companies and tech start-ups. Skilled at transforming complex topics into clear, compelling articles that build authority and drive qualified leads.”

A strong summary gives potential clients instant insight into your writing style, subject matter expertise, and the kind of results they can expect from your work.

4. Emphasize Your Writing Experience

Your work experience section is where you demonstrate how your writing skills have been applied in real-world contexts. This could include freelance projects, in-house roles, internships, or even volunteer work – anything that shows you can research, write, and deliver content effectively.

List your experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent projects or roles. For each entry, include:

• Your role or title (e.g., Freelance Content Writer)
• The client or company name
• Dates you worked with them (month and year)
• A short list of bullet points summarizing your responsibilities and achievements

Use those bullet points to focus on outcomes and value, not just tasks. Mention things like increased traffic, improved SEO performance, positive feedback from clients, or your ability to manage multiple projects to deadline.

Here’s an example:

Freelance Content Writer | GreenWell Wellness | Remote | March 2023–Present

• Wrote SEO-optimized blog posts and product education articles for a wellness ecommerce brand
• Increased blog traffic by 40% over six months through keyword-targeted content
• Collaborated with marketing team to create content calendars and maintain a consistent publishing cadence

If you’re just getting started, draw from any roles where writing played a significant part, even if they weren’t officially writing jobs. For example, if you created newsletters, internal guides, or training resources in a previous role, describe those projects in terms of your writing contribution – what you wrote, who it was for, and what purpose it served.

5. Highlight Your Education 

You don’t need a degree to become a successful freelance writer, but your education can still add credibility and context to your resume.

Include any degrees or formal qualifications you’ve earned, especially if they’re related to writing, communication, or your chosen niche. Even if your degree is in an unrelated field, it’s still worth listing. Just keep the focus on how your background supports your writing work (e.g., a psychology degree for mental health content or business studies for B2B writing).

You can also include relevant training, courses, or certifications, particularly if they helped you build writing or digital marketing skills. This might include:

• Content writing or SEO courses
• Blogging or digital media training
• Certifications in marketing platforms or tools (e.g., HubSpot, Google Analytics)

For instance, if you’ve completed our Becoming A Freelance Writer course, this is the perfect place to mention it. It shows initiative, demonstrates your commitment to developing your skills, and gives clients extra confidence in your abilities.

Here’s one way you might present it:

Becoming A Freelance Writer | Knowadays | 2024
Completed a practical course focused on researching, writing, and editing blog posts and articles. Gained hands-on experience producing content to real-world briefs, with feedback from professional editors – developing the core skills needed for freelance writing work.

This section doesn’t need to be long, but it’s a great way to reinforce your credibility, especially when paired with strong experience and writing samples.

6. Mention Key Skills and Tools

Your skills section should showcase the tools, techniques, and abilities that help you produce high-quality content and manage your freelance workflow.

Break this section into two parts if needed: writing-related skills and tools or platforms. Keep it clear and relevant to content writing. Aim to include a mix of technical and practical skills that show you’re capable, efficient, and up to date.

Key Skills

Here are some key writing skills to consider including:

• Conducting thorough content research (finding credible sources and gathering key information to support your writing)
• Outlining blog posts and articles (planning structure and flow before you begin writing to keep content focused and easy to follow)
• Writing clear, engaging content (crafting content that’s informative and well paced)
• Formatting for readability (using headings, bullet points, and short paragraphs to make your writing easy to skim)
• Applying basic SEO techniques (integrating keywords naturally and considering search intent)
• Proofreading and self-editing (identifying grammar, spelling, and clarity issues to deliver polished, professional content)
• Adapting tone and voice (matching your writing style to suit different clients, industries, and audiences)
• Meeting deadlines consistently (managing your time effectively and turning around projects on schedule)
• Handling multiple assignments at once (staying organized and productive across a varied freelance workload)

Key Tools

Here are some tools worth mentioning if they’re part of your writing workflow:

• Google Docs and Microsoft Word (widely used by clients for editing, commenting, and collaboration)
• SEO tools such as Semrush, Ahrefs, or Moz (used for keyword research, content optimization, and writing with search intent in mind)
• Blogging platforms such as WordPress, Medium, or Wix (used to upload, format, and publish blog content directly to client websites)
• AI tools such as ChatGPT or Jasper (can support idea generation, outlining, or editing when used responsibly)
• Project management tools such as Trello, Notion, or Asana (help you organize projects, track deadlines, and collaborate with clients) 

7. Signpost Your Online Presence 

In addition to reviewing your resume, many clients will check out your online presence. This could include your personal website, LinkedIn profile, or platforms where you share your writing – such as Medium or Substack.

If you have a website or portfolio site, be sure to include the link at the end of your resume. A clean, easy-to-navigate site with a few strong writing samples can go a long way in establishing credibility, especially for newer freelancers.

You should also include links to any relevant social media accounts. LinkedIn is especially valuable for freelance writers, as it shows your experience, endorsements, and professional activity. If you regularly publish writing on content platforms, link to your profiles there too.

Here’s what to check before sharing your links:

• Make sure your profiles are current. Outdated bios or inactive accounts can work against you.
• Keep your tone consistent. If you’re showcasing content writing skills, your posts should reflect that clarity and professionalism.
• Feature your best work. Pin standout posts or articles that demonstrate your expertise.

You don’t need to be everywhere, but a strong, professional online presence can help potential clients feel more confident reaching out.

8. Add Testimonials or References 

Social proof can be a powerful addition to your freelance writing resume. If you’ve worked with clients before – whether on paid or volunteer projects – consider including a brief testimonial or a line of feedback that highlights the quality of your work.

You might feature:

• A quote from a happy client praising your writing style or reliability
• A short sentence pulled from a LinkedIn recommendation
• A result-focused reference, such as how your content helped drive traffic or improve engagement

If you don’t have any client testimonials yet, don’t worry. It’s something you can add over time. You can also leave a simple line like “References available on request” at the end of your resume if you’re applying to more formal freelance roles.

Just be sure you have permission to use any quotes, and keep them short, relevant, and easy to read.

9. Use Keywords and Tailor for Each Client

If you’re applying via a job board or freelance platform, your resume may be scanned by an applicant tracking system, so keywords matter.

Use specific words and phrases from the job ad, such as “SEO blog writing” or “long-form content,” and tailor your professional summary and skills section to reflect the client’s needs. Just be sure to use keywords naturally and in context – avoid stuffing your resume with terms that don’t make sense. 

It’s a good idea to keep a master version of your resume, then create tailored copies for different niches or roles. This makes it easier to apply quickly while ensuring each version speaks directly to the client’s needs.

Freelance Writer Resume Example

Here’s an example resume you can use as a starting point. Customize it to reflect your experience, focus areas, and the type of clients you want to attract.

Jane Smith
New York, NY
jane.smith@email.com
www.janesmithwrites.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/janesmith

Professional Summary

Content writer with over three years of experience creating blog posts, how-to articles, and long-form content for wellness and lifestyle brands. Skilled in crafting SEO-informed content that drives traffic and builds audience trust. Delivers polished, on-brief work with a consistent voice and attention to detail.

Writing Specialties

• Blog and article writing
• SEO content and keyword integration
• Lifestyle, wellness, and health topics
• Email newsletters and branded content
• Long-form and evergreen content

Experience

Freelance Content Writer
Various Clients (Remote) | January 2022 – Present

• Wrote 40+ SEO-informed blog posts for wellness and lifestyle brands, helping boost organic visibility and engagement
• Used tools like Semrush and Google Trends to research topics and identify target keywords
• Adapted tone, structure, and formatting to suit different brand voices and content strategies
• Maintained 100% on-time delivery rate across multiple client projects

Content Creator
XYZ Media Group | New York, NY | May 2020 – December 2021

• Produced weekly blog content and email copy for a wellness brand, contributing to a 45% increase in organic blog traffic in 12 months
• Researched and wrote articles on topics such as mental health, nutrition, and productivity
• Interviewed internal subject-matter experts and sourced credible studies to support editorial content
• Managed content scheduling via WordPress and collaborated with design and marketing teams on visuals and CTAs

Education

B.A. English Literature | New York University | 2019
Developed strong foundational skills in writing, research, and editing through critical essays, literature analysis, and independent study.

Becoming A Freelance Writer | Knowadays | 2024
Completed a practical course focused on researching, writing, and editing blog posts and articles. Gained hands-on experience producing posts to real-world briefs, with feedback from professional editors.

Key Skills & Proficiencies 

• Blog and article writing for web audiences
• SEO content creation using Semrush and Ahrefs
• Researching, outlining, and structuring long-form content
• Adapting tone and style across brands and niches
• Formatting content for readability 
• Proofreading and editing for clarity, grammar, and consistency
• Managing multiple briefs, deadlines, and revisions
• Content publishing and updates via WordPress and Squarespace
• Project coordination using Notion, Trello, and Asana
• Drafting and ideation support using ChatGPT and Google Gemini

Portfolio

View writing samples at: www.janesmithwrites.com/portfolio

Testimonials

“Jane turned a vague brief into a polished blog series that hit all our SEO goals. Her research was thorough, her tone spot on, and she kept everything on schedule. We’ve already booked her for our next project!”
Sam Lee, Content Manager, HelloWellness

“Jane quickly understood our brand voice and delivered content that felt like it came from inside our team. Her writing boosted engagement on our blog, and she made the entire process seamless.”
Maya K., Marketing Manager, Bloomora

Boost Your Freelance Writing Resume

A well-crafted freelance writing resume can make all the difference when it comes to landing new clients. It shows that you’re not only a capable writer but a professional who understands how to present your skills clearly and credibly.

Want step-by-step guidance as you build your writing career? Check out our comprehensive Becoming A Freelance Writer course for everything you need to know about starting out as a freelancer, including how to find and connect with new clients. Claim your free lessons and get started today!