How to Find Part Time Freelance Writing Jobs for High School Students

Many people dream of becoming freelance writers. And as a high school student, you may be wondering if there are any opportunities for you. Most people hiring freelance writers are looking for people who already have B.A.s in English or Journalism, and who already have a portfolio of work to back them up.

But don’t lose heart. Even before you go to college, there are opportunities for you to find freelance work. School can be a great way to help you build experience and a portfolio, which can give you a huge edge in the field once you graduate with a B.A.

How do you find work? Let’s take a look.

• Magazines and Newspapers

Magazines and newspapers are always looking for regular material. If you’re a capable writer, it’s definitely worth a shot.

Submitting articles to journals or short stories to fiction magazines is where many authors got their start as freelance writers. While it may take some time to find a platform that will accept your work, many newspapers and magazines pay for submissions, usually by the word. Either way, if your pieces are accepted in a publication, it can be a great way to build your resume and credibility.

• Your Own Community

Your own community and local businesses may offer plenty of opportunities for you to build your portfolio and find work. Many businesses may be looking for someone to help them write brochures or newsletters. Be sure to call around. If you’d like, place an ad in the paper and offer your services as a writer to local businesses and individuals.

• Bidding Sites

Freelance writers of all ages and skill levels have used bidding sites as a means to find work. Take heed and pay a visit to a website such as Elance or oDesk. Bidding websites feature clients from all over the world who are looking for people to complete certain projects- such as writing articles or blog posts. While many of the people who you’ll be competing against for projects will have B.A.s and so on, a skilled writer should be able to secure a client if they’ve got the skills and time to complete a project.

• Your Own Website

Many freelance writers have websites in order to attract potential clients and showcase their resumes and previous work. You can do the same. Use a free service like WordPress or Blogger. If you don’t have a lot of experience as a writer, use personal projects or, in some cases, school assignments in your portfolio. Offer up-to-date contact information and clear pay rates. This can be an easy way to directly connect with clients from all over the world.