How To Write a Freelance Writing Resume

If you want to pursue a career as a freelance writer, it’s essential to showcase your skills and experience with an effective freelance writing resume. In this post, we’ll discuss:

1. Why you need a resume as a freelance writer
2. How to write a freelance writing resume
3. An example resume template you can customize
4. How Knowadays can help you launch your freelance writing career

Keep reading to learn more about freelance writing resumes and why they’re important.

Why Do You Need a Resume as a Freelance Writer?

Whether you’re an established freelance writer looking to grow your business and find new clients, or a beginner interested in starting a new writing career, an up-to-date resume is essential.

A resume, along with a writing portfolio, helps you demonstrate your specific skill set, highlight previous related experience, and document any certifications or professional development activities you’ve undertaken.

To start, it’s a good idea to create a general freelance writing resume that outlines the key points of your experience and background, which you can then tailor to specific jobs or clients. This saves you time and effort and allows you to quickly apply for new opportunities that come your way.

How To Write a Freelance Writing Resume

But what should you include in your freelance writing resume? Even if you don’t have much experience yet, you can still create a comprehensive resume that gets the attention of potential clients. In general, you should include:

• Contact Information: Include your name, phone number, email address, and location (if applicable).
• A Professional Summary and/or Objective: This is a brief statement highlighting your expertise, years of experience, and writing specialties. Think of this section as your “elevator pitch.”
• Writing Specialties or Niches: List the specific niches or topics you have experience writing about. This could include categories like blog writing, content marketing, technical writing, creative writing, etc.
• Work Experience: Detail your freelance writing roles and projects. If you’re a new freelancer without much experience, focus on writing-related tasks in your previous employment. For example, if you wrote reports or summaries in your previous job role, include the relevant details of those assignments.
• Education: List your relevant degrees, certifications, and writing-related courses.
• Related Skills: Highlight skills that are essential to your freelance writing career. This can include software proficiency (e.g., Microsoft Word, SEO tools), research abilities, and additional languages you’re fluent in.
• Proficiency with Online Tools: Mention any specific online tools or platforms you are proficient in, especially those relevant to writing and content creation.
• References or Testimonials: If available, include quotes or testimonials from previous clients.
• Social Media and Online Presence: If you have a professional blog, active social media profiles, or a personal website related to your writing, provide links to them.
• Portfolio and Samples: Provide links to your writing samples or online portfolio. Keep in mind that this doesn’t have to be only paid work – you can include any writing samples that showcase your skills. (But be sure to ask permission from previous clients if necessary before including samples in your portfolio.)

In general, try to avoid generic statements like “looking for a challenging opportunity.” Instead, tailor your objectives to the specific opportunity as much as possible. And avoid vague, ambiguous language or too much detail. While you want to highlight your accomplishments, stay on track with clear, concise descriptions of your experience and previous roles.

Freelance Writer Resume Example

Here’s an example template of a freelance writing resume that you can customize to your specific background and skillset:

Jane Smith Phone: (123) 456-7890 | Email: [email protected] | Location: New York, NY Experienced freelance writer with more than five years of experience creating engaging and informative content for a variety of industries. Specializes in blog posts, articles, and website content that drives traffic and engagement. Proven track record of delivering high-quality work on time.

Writing Specialties: – Blog writing – Content marketing – SEO optimization – Technology – Lifestyle

Work Experience: Freelance Writer | Content Solutions | New York, NY | January 2021 – February 2023 – Collaborated with clients to develop content strategies that aligned with their goals and target audiences. – Produced well-researched and SEO-friendly blog posts that increased website traffic by up to 30%. – Created engaging product descriptions for ecommerce clients resulting in a 15% boost in conversions. – Managed multiple projects simultaneously, consistently meeting deadlines and exceeding client expectations. Freelance Content Creator | XYZ Media Group | New York, NY | May 2020 – December 2021 – Wrote and edited articles on topics such as technology trends, lifestyle, and health. – Conducted in-depth research to produce accurate and credible content. – Adapted writing style to match the tone of various client websites. – Collaborated with editors to revise and enhance content for clarity and coherence.

Education: Bachelor of Arts in English | New York University | New York, NY | May 2019

Relevant Coursework:  Creative Writing, Professional Editing, Digital Marketing

Relevant Skills: – Proficient in WordPress, Microsoft Office  – Strong research and fact-checking abilities – SEO optimization and keyword research – Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Portfolio: [Insert links to writing samples or attach documents]

References: Available upon request

Websites: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/janesmith

You can use this format as a guide and tailor the information to your job search. If you’re posting your resume on a freelance marketplace or job board, you can keep it more general to give a brief overview of your experience and skills. And of course, always proofread your resume so it’s polished and professional – typos and other errors are distracting and can deter potential clients from reaching out.

Becoming A Freelance Writer

Do you want to learn more about what it takes to make it as a freelance writer? 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 trial and get started today.