I need some advice.

[u/puzzled_on]

Hi, I have started my career as a B2B SaaS content writer and currently I am working for an advertising agency as a content writer and I'm thinking to start freelancing, but I've been struggling to get freelance project for the last three months and it's really hard to get started with this.

Because every other person I'm talking to are asking about the work record that I have, that is portfolio, and I don't have any yet because this is going to be the first work that I am going to deliver as a freelance content writer. I want to start my side income, that's why I have started freelancing.

Can anyone suggest me what all things can I do?

[u/LocoRocoo]

Stay at the agency in my opinion and maybe try keep picking up the freelance bit as you can.

Freelancing as a writer right now has never been harder. I’m the opposite and would love to get reliable money in with an agency

[u/puzzled_on → u/LocoRocoo]

Hey, thanks for the advice. But or not leaving my job, it’s just that I want some other source.

[u/jdutton1439 → u/puzzled_on]

Yes, and as u/LocoRocco said, so does every other experienced freelance writer. The market is saturated with writers all fighting over severely limited work.

[u/Aggravating-Mix-4903]

Start local. Write an article for a local non profit (their benefit, a new project they are launching). Do it for free if necessary. Get this published in the paper or online. Someone at the nonprofit probably can help. Keep the article, and this is the beginning of your portfolio. Find other work you can do for low or no cost (small jobs) and keep records of these. In a short time, you will have enough for a small portfolio website. You will also have contacts and can try to get paid work. You can publish the portfolio but keep working with your word of mouth referrals. This is a bare-bones outline of how to get started, but it is something to work with.

[u/middleclasswriter]

Why don't you show your agency client work in your portfolio?

[u/puzzled_on → u/middleclasswriter]

I cant show it, my agency wont allow that

[u/scribocallidris]

You don't need real, paid freelance jobs to put together your portfolio. People just want to see your writing skills, so they won't care about the payment you got (or didn't get) for them.

So just figure out the format(s) or niches you want to focus on with your freelance projects, and write up a few samples within that. Then add them to a writing portfolio website to look professional, ideally with a custom domain, and you're good to go.

Having previous clients, and especially bigger brands, is great for credibility and being able to set higher prices, but you can definitely get started without that.

[u/Solid-Stranger5280]

I’m a veteran writer and editor (mostly SEO content), and the only way I’ve found freelance work is through contacts, former colleagues, and friends.

[u/FRELNCER]

Find a way to use the internet and search for the answer you seek.

[u/gehnerah123]

Ugh, that portfolio catch-22 is rough. The good news is you don't need client work to prove you can write. Put together 2-3 samples in B2B SaaS, like a blog post, a case study, and maybe a landing page, and treat them like real client briefs. If your agency lets you share anything from your day job, even anonymized, use that too. Then offer one or two small projects at a low rate in exchange for a testimonial. Three solid pieces beat a big empty portfolio. Hang in there, three months isn't long when you're just starting out.

[u/Agreeable_Drink8823]

Stay in agency. To start content writing side hustle, you should have some dummy project (in blog for example) or write in popular media that accept writing from guest/outside. It can be your portfolio

[u/BunchBetter5586]

how do you even start working as a B2B SaaS content writer? what are the skills you need to have? 

[u/[deleted]]

[u/puzzled_on → u/[deleted]]

Okay that sounds like a plan. And can you also suggest from where i can get basic client after making my portfolio.