I’ve been freelance writing for greater than a decade now (sure, I”m getting previous!!!!), and in that point I’ve watched each “in the mean time” technique for touchdown freelance writing shoppers roll by the business.
A preferred technique that I used again within the day was to supply writing jobs from job websites.
But it surely’s 2026 and that technique is probably not one of the best to search out high quality work.
Lewis Cahil seen job websites aren’t as effetive both. “[I]t’s wonderful how quiet the job boards and freelancing websites have change into as of late. Looks like shoppers are inundated with purposes now and it’s tougher to sift by the whole lot.”
So, if job websites aren’t working for you, what’s?
I needed to search out out what writers TODAY are doing to search out writing jobs.
Is chilly pitching nonetheless effecitve?
What about branding? Does that work?
2026 is creeping up on us and in case you are struggling to search out writing work and high quality writing shoppers, then let me enable you out!
The market has shifted, expectations have modified, and writers are discovering work in new ways in which weren’t as efficient even a 12 months in the past.
So on this publish, I need to break down what I’m seeing throughout the business.
These are the methods freelance writers are utilizing immediately to get actual shoppers and construct a constant writing earnings.
So, let’s get to it!
How Writers are Discovering Freelance Writing Jobs (for 2026)
Is pitching nonetheless working?
How about constructing a model? Is {that a} factor nonetheless?
I went over to LinkedIn to search out out what persons are doing to search out shoppers and writing jobs.
1. Sharing Work on LinkedIn
Juliet John is a fellow freelance author that I’ve been following for years and simply LOVE what she’s been doing to develop her freelance writing enterprise.
Right here’s how she landed her present shoppers and what she’s doing now.
“My present shoppers have come from seeing my work on different web sites and likewise seeing my posts on LinkedIn. I’m presently on the hunt for just a few shoppers, and I’ve tried chilly electronic mail however acquired no responses. My present technique is utilizing LInkedIn, posting, and tapping into my community.”
There’s a lot to tug from this.
Her shoppers discovered her as a result of her writing was already on the market engaged on her behalf.
That’s the facility of revealed samples on respected websites — they hold bringing new folks again to you with out you having to pitch every single day.
She additionally talked about posting on LinkedIn, which is one thing I discuss continuously as a result of it’s nonetheless one of many quickest methods to remain top-of-mind for the individuals who rent writers.
You don’t have to go viral.
You simply want to indicate up commonly sufficient that your title feels acquainted to the founders, entrepreneurs, and editors who skim their feed on their lunch break.
And I really like that she’s leaning into her community proper now.
Heat connections are the place so many freelance alternatives quietly come from. A former shopper remembers you.
A author buddy passes your title alongside. An editor you labored with three years in the past lands someplace new and wishes content material once more.
Staying seen makes these “Hey, are you taking up new tasks?” messages occur.
Chilly electronic mail didn’t work for her this spherical — and that’s trustworthy. Not each technique works each season.
However she adjusted as a substitute of forcing it, and that’s precisely what skilled writers do.
Like Juliet, I’ve constructed a wealthy writing platform with articles on different blogs, being on social media and simply being current on-line!
That is what I train in my program!
I like how she’s focussing on posting on LinkedIn and tapping into her community to search out shoppers.
2. Chilly E mail
Chilly emailing nonetheless works for 2026!
Whereas Juliet couldn’t land any writing jobs through chilly emailing, Mike Straus was in a position to.
So, if chilly emailing doesn’t be just right for you, it’s not that it doesn’t work; it simply isn’t a powerful technique for you in the mean time!
“A few alternative ways. Referrals is one. Chilly electronic mail pitching is one other. You may’t management referrals, so I deal with chilly electronic mail, as a result of that’s one thing I CAN management.”
That one line says loads.
Referrals are nice, however you’ll be able to’t flip them on like a faucet.
Chilly electronic mail, however, provides you full management.
You determine what number of pitches exit every week.
You determine when to comply with up. You may check topic traces, tweak your angles, and enhance outcomes over time.
For this reason chilly electronic mail works particularly properly for goal-driven writers.
In the event you like setting targets, monitoring numbers, and sticking to a system, chilly pitching provides you a transparent path to exercise and knowledge.
So if chilly emailing hasn’t labored for you but, that doesn’t imply it received’t ever work.
It normally means one in every of three issues: your concentrating on is off, your pitch wants tightening, otherwise you haven’t given it sufficient constant quantity but.
3. Referrals Win
One factor I train in my program is to construct a stable author platform.
That is the way you get in entrance of shoppers and upon getting ONE shopper, that may simply flip into TWO shoppers just by getting a referral.
That is what Jessica Hodkinson swears by to realize content material gigs.
“I get essentially the most work through shopper referrals. Chilly outreach feels loads tougher in the mean time.”
Referrals was one thing I nonetheless use and leaned on after I first began out. I keep in mind asking one in every of my shoppers through X (aka Twitter) in the event that they wanted content material nonetheless or had somebody in thoughts.
Right here’s the 2015 thread!
So, proper out the gate I used to be asking for a referral as a result of I needed extra writing jobs!
Make it informal and do it over social media and you should not have any downside!
4. Their Web site
One of many “instruments” I swear by is your author web site. That is your service based mostly web site that exhibits what kind of writing you do and the shoppers you search.
You may then hyperlink to your web sites in your pitches and throughout social media.
It’s an important lead generator and Charlsie Niemiec is aware of it too.
“Phrase of mouth is large, however over the previous couple of months, I’ve had a surge of shoppers discover me on LinkedIn or by a weblog they stumbled upon on my web site.”
That’s precisely how a author web site ought to work.
LinkedIn brings the preliminary visibility, and the web site closes the loop by giving folks a spot to discover your work on their very own time.
For Charlsie, LinkedIn is the primary driver, however her weblog is a really shut second and it’s doing quiet lead technology within the background.
Do you want weblog posts in your author web site? Sure and no.
I’ve a static services-focused author web site that’s constructed solely to transform shoppers.
Then I’ve my primary weblog right here on Elna Cain.
I hyperlink my weblog instantly on my author web site so if a possible shopper needs to see how I write in long-form, they will simply click on by.
And I’ll always remember the primary time a shopper commented instantly on one in every of my weblog posts.
I keep in mind getting fully giddy over it — not simply due to the remark, however as a result of it confirmed me the system was working.
My content material was being learn by the precise folks I needed to rent me.
That’s what a powerful author web site does. It doesn’t simply sit there trying fairly. It quietly works within the background bringing the precise shoppers to you.
5. In-Individual Networking
When you generally is a profitable freelance author ONLINE, it doesn’t damage to get into your neighborhood and market your service.
I did this early on too, and went to a publishing firm and my native newspaper.
From that stint, I acquired a proposal to do some work, however I needed to journey far-off and I couldn’t at the moment since my twins have been infants.
However Michelle Eshkeri finds that in-person networking is a goldmine for shopper work.
“In individual networking is working finest for me proper now. Was once Linkedin earlier than the AI spam killed it.”
6. Utilizing Social Media (Threads)
It looks as if yearly there’s a brand new social media platform to get on.
First it was Rumble and now it’s Threads.
I haven’t used these platforms however social media normally, is a superb technique for locating shopper work.
I’ve landed writing jobs on Instagram and X.
Polly Clover discovered essentially the most success on Threads.
“This 12 months, I acquired my shoppers by Google (discovered my web site), Threads, LinkedIn, and referrals. Probably the most being Threads and referrals! I’ve discovered that chatting casually on Threads is nice for making connections. And referrals have include time of constructing nice relationship with present shoppers and likewise letting them know I’d love for them to share my title in the event that they know anybody who wants help.”
The factor to recollect is to make use of social media to attach over time.
Simply following a model and liking their posts isn’t sufficient to make a connection.
Poly mentions casually chatting. It’s as straightforward as answering a query.
That is what Katia Mottert did. “Actually it was me commenting on another person’s remark serving to reply a query that had them attain out.”
7. Reddit Works!
For some freelance writers, Reddit is the ONE platform that may yield dozens of gigs.
That is precisely what occurred to one in every of my course college students, Aaron Nolan.
He was useful on Reddit and was capable of finding “area of interest” shoppers for regular work.
And for Afolabi Joseph Jacob, he was in a position to safe 4 gigs on Reddit.
“LinkedIn + Reddit. I’ve gotten 4 from Reddit to date.”
So, don’t sleep on Reddit and ensure to learn my information on it so you can begin utilizing it immediately!
8. Mixture of Channels
Many responses I learn talked about a mixture of methods or channels they used.
That is the BEST method as a result of when one channel dries up, you’ve got others to faucet into.
That is what Koba Molenaar does to develop her freelance content material enterprise.
“Like an excellent advertising and marketing technique, I’ve discovered it’s finest to make use of a mixture of channels. You’re positively on the precise platform and I’ve discovered some nice alternatives on LinkedIn (and vice versa). Good luck!”
How I Land Constant Writing Jobs in 2026
As I discussed, I’ve been a contract author for a decade and in that point I’ve construct a powerful model and have labored with dozens of shoppers.
So, at this level in my journey, I’ve a big “digital footprint” that I leverage for writing jobs.
My primary technique is lead technology.
This implies shoppers “discover” me on-line.
This works as a result of it’s a fast win (more often than not) since you might be displaying up and are based mostly on real-time conversations.
More often than not it’s on LinkedIn and my web site.
Simply immediately a possible lead DM’d me on LinkedIn, saying they checked out my content material on my LinkedIn web page.
And the kicker?
I haven’t been commonly posting on LinkedIn however the different day I posted and now I’ve a lead in my inbox.
So, even should you haven’t been energetic on LinkedIn, create a publish or two and touch upon folks’s posts and see what enterprise you drum up!
I additionally market on TikTok, Instagram, X, YouTube, Fb, visitor posting, Medium and my weblog.
These different strategies have helped me land work, nevertheless it’s not constant.
Fb helped me land my gig with Walmart, whereas Instagram helped me land electronic mail publication shoppers.
Be certain to arrange your socials and be energetic when you’ll be able to! You may comply with companies and content material creators like coaches that can assist you arrange your community!
Writing Jobs that Pay
I do know, as a brand new author, you’re in all probability serious about how AI mixes in all of this. As you’ll be able to see, many writers are nonetheless touchdown writing jobs within the midst of AI!
Sure, corporations are utilizing AI however they know they want high quality writers to assist them market their software or service.
So, don’t suppose AI will take over. That is the 12 months to be a contract author!
Let me know within the feedback how you discover writing jobs! I’ve like to know.
