You can't get hired as a writer by foreign clients without samples, and you can't get samples without being hired. The way out is to create your own samples, aim them at a narrow topic, and then put them in front of the people who buy writing. This guide walks through that in order. It won't promise income, because beginners usually spend weeks or months sending pitches before the first paid job lands, and competition is heavy.
Start by choosing a niche you can defend
"I write about anything" is the weakest pitch an editor can read. Clients pay for writers who already understand their subject, so pick one or two areas where you have real knowledge. A pharmacy student can write about health information. A bank worker can write about personal finance. A software developer can write documentation or tutorials.
Use three questions to choose:
- What do you know from study, work or daily life that most writers don't?
- Do businesses abroad spend money on content in that area (software, finance, health, travel, education, e-commerce, agriculture technology)?
- Can you read ten articles in that area today and think "I could write something as good"?
If you have an African angle, such as fintech in Lagos, mobile money in Kenya or solar in Ghana, that can be an advantage, since many foreign publications struggle to find writers who understand these markets. Don't force it if it isn't your area.
Know the types of writing work
| Type | What it is | Entry difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Blog and SEO articles | Posts for company websites, often built around search keywords | Lowest; most beginner jobs are here |
| Ghostwriting | Articles or LinkedIn posts published under the client's name | Medium; needs a good voice match |
| Email and newsletter copy | Sales sequences, product updates | Medium |
| Technical writing | Guides, documentation, how-tos | Higher; needs subject knowledge |
| Journalism and essays | Pitched stories for publications | Competitive; pay and terms vary widely |
Most beginners do best with blog articles in a niche, then move toward ghostwriting or technical work as their skills grow.
Build three samples that look like real work
Three strong pieces beat ten weak ones. Make each one look like something a client would actually publish.
- Pick a real company in your niche. Imagine it hired you. Read its blog and note the tone, length, headings and audience.
- Choose a topic it hasn't covered well. Search the topic and see what already ranks. Your piece should add something: a clearer explanation, a worked example, a local detail.
- Write 800 to 1,500 words. Use a clear headline, short paragraphs, subheadings and a specific opening. No filler introductions.
- Edit hard. Read it aloud, cut a tenth of the words, and check every fact against a primary source.
- Publish it somewhere you control. A free blog, a Medium-style page or a simple Google Doc with view access works. Label them as samples if they are not client work.
Don't pass off a sample as work done for a company you never worked for. Say "sample article" and you lose nothing. For more on this, see our guide to building a freelance portfolio with no experience.
A word on AI tools
AI can help you outline or find gaps, but editors increasingly screen out generic machine-written text, and some clients ban it in their contracts. Write your own drafts, use tools for light checking, and never submit text you haven't verified. Invented facts or statistics will end a client relationship quickly.
Find editors and clients
There are four routes, from easiest to hardest to start.
- Freelance platforms. Upwork, Fiverr and similar sites have many writing jobs but also many bidders. Confirm on each platform's own site whether it operates for your country and what it charges.
- Job boards for writers. Many sites list paid writing gigs. Apply only to listings that name the company and state pay.
- Cold pitches to small companies. Find startups and agencies in your niche, read their blog, and email the person who runs content (often a content manager or marketing lead). This takes longer but faces less competition.
- Publications that pay contributors. Read their submission guidelines first. Pitch one specific story, not a general offer.
Whichever route you use, a tailored message wins. Our post on writing a freelance proposal that gets replies covers the structure.
Write a pitch email an editor will read
Keep it under 150 words. Here is a hypothetical example for a small accounting software company:
Subject: Article idea: invoicing mistakes freelancers make
Hi Maria, I read your post on late payments and noticed you haven't covered how unclear invoice terms cause them. I'd like to write a 1,000-word piece with a sample invoice and a checklist. I write about freelance finance; two samples are here: [link], [link]. Would this suit your blog? Thanks, Chidi
It names a real gap, offers a specific piece, and links two samples. Follow up once after about a week. If there's no answer, move on.
Worked example: a hypothetical first month
Say Amaka, a nursing graduate in Enugu, picks health writing. These numbers are invented to show the effort, not to predict results.
- Weeks 1 and 2: she writes three samples, about 6 hours each, 18 hours total.
- Week 3: she sends 20 personalised pitches to health startups and small clinics' marketing teams, about 30 minutes each.
- Week 4: she gets perhaps two replies, one polite no and one request for a paid trial article.
That's typical: a lot of work and few replies at first. The paid trial matters more than the pay, because it becomes her first real sample with a client name, and possibly a testimonial.
Set terms and get paid safely
- Agree scope in writing: word count, number of revisions, deadline and payment date.
- Be careful with unpaid tests. One short paid or clearly limited trial is reasonable. Several full articles for free is not.
- Use a payment method that works for you. See receiving dollar payments in Nigeria for what to check.
- Price by project or word, with a floor. Our guide to pricing in dollars helps you work out a minimum based on your hours.
Common mistakes
- Applying to every job. Ten tailored pitches beat a hundred copy-pasted ones.
- Paying to get hired. Real clients don't charge you a fee for a writing job. Treat requests for "registration" or "training" fees, or for you to buy equipment and be reimbursed, as scams.
- Ignoring the brief. Missing word count or tone is the quickest way to lose repeat work.
- Copying text. Plagiarism checks are routine. Rewrite from your own understanding and cite sources.
- Missing deadlines because of power cuts. Deliver a day early and keep a backup plan, as in our plan for unstable power and internet.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a degree in English or journalism?
No. Clients look at samples and subject knowledge. A degree in the niche can help more than one in English.
Is my English good enough?
If you can write clear, correct sentences and edit your own work, yes. Use a spelling checker and have a friend read your drafts. Use the spelling your client uses, usually American or British.
Should I write for free to get exposure?
Only for your own samples or one short, clearly limited trial. Ongoing unpaid work rarely leads to paid work.
Do I have to pay tax on this income?
Freelance income can be taxable, and rules differ by country. Check with your local tax authority or a qualified accountant, and keep records of every payment.
Your next step
Today, choose your niche and a company whose blog you'd like to write for. Then outline your first sample and block out two hours this week to write it.
Results from any side hustle or online work vary widely, and nothing here is a promise of income. Be wary of anyone who asks you to pay upfront to start earning.