Ask a Professional Copywriter and Author

[Shell B]

That is so. Fucking. Cool.

I legitimately want to make a living writing but I still don't understand how I'm supposed to get my first gig. If I have no work to refer my clients to as an example of my skills, how am I supposed to convince anyone to pay me to write for them? Should I just keep answer ads online until someone gives me a chance? What sites do you use to answer ads?

edit: No I do not have a college degree.

Take shit gigs until you have enough shit gigs to convince people you have experience. Yes, keep doing that until someone gives you a chance. Some great beginner ones I think are upwork, Textbroker and WriterAccess. I'm not sure, but WA may have become more stringent about the application process. It's been years since I've actually applied to a marketplace that acted as a go-between.

You don't need a degree, but definitely pick up style guides. There are a few really important ones. I keep them on my shelves, but you can also access some of the details online. You need to know what a client means when they say "use AP style." Google the shit out of freelance writing until you know what you're getting into. This is most important.