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 means of the trade.
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 will not be the very best to search out high quality work.
Lewis Cahil observed job websites aren’t as effetive both. “[I]t’s superb how quiet the job boards and freelancing websites have turn out to be today. Looks like shoppers are inundated with functions now and it’s tougher to sift by means of all the things.”
So, if job websites aren’t working for you, what’s?
I wished 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 allow you to 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 trade.
These are the methods freelance writers are utilizing immediately to get actual shoppers and construct a constant writing revenue.
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 individuals 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.
That is the varieties of issues which can be working (and never working) for me in the mean time.
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 educate 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 by way of chilly emailing, Mike Straus was capable of.
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!
When you’re extra of a goal-oriented particular person, then chilly emailing can be just right for you!
Since you might be in management, you may set what number of chilly pitches you need to ship and hold observe of the observe ups.
3. Referrals Win
One factor I educate 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 achieve content material gigs.
Referrals was one thing I nonetheless use and leaned on after I first began out. I keep in mind asking one in all my shoppers by way of 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 wished extra writing jobs!
Make it informal and do it over social media and you shouldn’t 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 reveals what sort 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.
Whereas LinkedIn is her fundamental technique for locating writing jobs, her weblog is a detailed second.
Do it’s essential to have weblog posts in your weblog?
Sure and no.
I’ve a “static” web site for my providers after which I’ve this weblog on Elna Cain.
I do hyperlink this weblog on my author web site so, if a possible shopper desires to view my weblog, they will click on from my author web site to this weblog.
Up to now, I’ve had shoppers touch upon my weblog and I keep in mind getting all giddy after I noticed that!
5. In-Individual Networking
Whilst you is usually a profitable freelance author ONLINE, it doesn’t harm 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 suggestion to do some work, however I needed to journey far-off and I couldn’t at the moment since my twins had been infants.
However Michelle Eshkeri finds that in-person networking is a goldmine for shopper work.
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 usually, 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.
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 simple 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 all 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 capable of safe 4 gigs on Reddit.
So, don’t sleep on Reddit and make positive 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 will have others to faucet into.
That is what Koba Molenaar does to develop her freelance content material enterprise.
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 exhibiting 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 usually posting on LinkedIn however the different day I posted and now I’ve a lead in my inbox.
So, even when 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 e mail e-newsletter shoppers.
Ensure that to arrange your socials and be energetic when you may! You may observe companies and content material creators like coaches that will help you arrange your community!
Writing Jobs that Pay
I do know, as a brand new author, you’re most likely eager about how AI mixes in all of this. As you may 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 device or service.
So, don’t assume 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.