If you’re wondering whether you need qualifications for freelance writing jobs, the short answer is no, not always. While a degree in English, journalism, communications or a related subject can help, many freelance writers build careers through writing experience, strong portfolios and specialist knowledge. If you’re thinking or pursuing a career in online writing, then you’ve come to the right place, as here we have a quick guide about the skills needed.
Do freelance writing jobs require qualifications?
Unlike many other careers, there isn’t one qualification that you need before you can start applying for freelance writing jobs. In fact, the UK’s National Careers Service lists university study, volunteering, and even self-teaching as routes into writing. So you may already have most of the skills you need.
However, it’s worth making an important distinction and that’s that some employed writing roles may have stricter education requirements. For example, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics says writers and authors typically need a bachelor’s degree for the occupation.
And that’s where freelancing comes in. Freelance writing is valuable if you haven’t formally studied writing because it can be applied across a wide range of sectors. Freelancing can also be more flexible because clients can assess what you can actually produce. This means you might find clients that love your style and will come back for more work!
Here is a simple diagram that demonstrates the two paths you can typically take:
What matters more than qualifications?
One of the coolest things about freelance writing is that when you’re looking for freelance writing jobs, demonstrating your skills can be more valuable than a certificate. So even if you have no formal qualifications or experience, you can still show potential clients your work. For example, clients may want to see:
- A portfolio of relevant writing samples
- Strong grammar and research skills
- An understanding of their target audience
- The ability to follow a brief
- Knowledge of search engine optimisation (SEO) and content writing
- Evidence that you can meet deadlines
- Familiarity with their industry or subject
Platforms such as Upwork also allow freelancers to showcase their previous employment, education, skills and project experience on profiles. So, if you don’t have a writing qualification, don’t assume you’re automatically behind. Perseverance, the right attitude and patience will really pay off here.
Can you get freelance writing jobs without a degree?
Absolutely, you can get freelance writing jobs without a degree. However, you’ll need to replace the credibility that a qualification such as a degree in journalism can provide with other evidence.
A good pro tip is to start by creating several samples that demonstrate the type of work you want to sell. For instance, if you’re interested in SEO writing, create blog posts that show your ability to research keywords, structure content and answer search intent.
Then, look for smaller freelance writing jobs that allow you to build genuine experience. As your portfolio grows, you can use those projects to demonstrate your value to larger clients. This will help when building a business or looking for jobs with agencies. For more information, checkout this quick video guide:
Are writing qualifications still worth getting?
Yes. A qualification can still be useful when freelancing, particularly if you want to specialise in something such as technical writing, B2C (business to consumer) ad copy or B2B (business to business) copywriting.
For example, technical writing may benefit from subject-specific education. Upwork notes that freelance technical writers often combine writing ability with knowledge of complex industries, while relevant degrees or certifications can help. Therefore, think of qualifications as an advantage rather than an absolute requirement for most freelance writing careers.
How to get freelance writing jobs without qualifications
If you don’t have a degree, you can still get started if you focus on building proof of your ability in six easy steps:
That approach can help you build the practical experience that clients actually need while building on your skills, experience and portfolio over time.
Summary
You don’t necessarily need formal qualifications to find freelance writing jobs. Of course, a degree can help, but a strong portfolio, useful skills, relevant experience and the ability to deliver quality work can be just as important. Ultimately, the best qualification for a freelance writer is often the ability to show a client that you can do the job with demonstrable work such as a portfolio or relevant experience.