Do I need experience to be a freelance writer?

Anyone who can write can be a freelance writer. Experience is not vital for you to land a freelance writing opportunity at all. When I say anyone can be a freelance writer, it literally means that. There are many clients out there who are willing to give new freelancers a chance. The only requirement would be a no obligation sample work.

So what is needed to succeed at a freelance writing career if not experience?
A lot of dedication, hard work, persistence and consistent improvement are the qualities that you must have in order to make your freelancing career a success. If you are the sort who gives up in the first month itself, freelance writing is not for you. Your freelance writing career will only be as successful as you want it to be. No more no less.

The amount of success and client base you will have will definitely depend on your quality of writing as well as your communication and turnaround time. Spelling mistakes, grammar etc will give your experience and knowledge away and if the mistakes are major, you will never hear from the client again. Meeting the deadlines is a must and if you are unable to, your chances of keeping the given opportunity will be gone as well.

Moreover, if your communication skills are poor, your freelance writing career is at stake. Clients prefer freelancer who can communicate effectively at least via email in order to keep them posted on the status of the project. If a report is required at the end of the project and you fail to submit, this will result in poor communication as well on your part.

Opportunities available for new freelance writers
There are many Freelance Portals on the web and many more opportunities offline that provide opportunities for beginners. You only need to know where to look for them. Some of the online Freelance Opportunity Portals are

GetaFreelancer.com

Elance.com

oDesk

Also, if you are looking out to build a portfolio of articles so that you can get started with approaching clients article directories and ezines would be the best place to start. One of the best directories on the web is Helium.com and one of the best ezine is e-zinearticles.com.

Hence, experience can only make you a better freelancer. However, in order to land your first freelance writing job, you need not have any experience but the best of qualities.