Freelance writing is an exciting career choice, but when it comes to writing your resume, you may feel like that isn’t the type of writing you’re good at. Don’t worry—below, you can look at examples of professional resumes as well as expert tips to help beat that resume-induced writer’s block.
You won’t have to spend hours staring at a blank screen, either. Our AI resume builder can provide the jumpstart you need to get your creative juices flowing.
Freelance Writer Resume Examples
Whether you’ve been at it for years or you’re just getting your feet wet as a freelancer, you can adapt one of the following resume templates to your needs.
Experienced freelance writer resume sample
Jane Smith
Freelance Content Writer
🏠 Los Angeles, CA 90001
📞 (555) 123-4567
📧 jane.smith@email.com
Summary
Highly creative and results-oriented Freelance Writer with over 10 years of experience across digital media and print publications. Skilled in creating compelling content that increases engagement and drives SEO results. Proven track record of enhancing online visibility for brands, with articles leading to a 30% increase in website traffic. Passionate about developing original, insightful, and impactful storytelling that resonates with diverse audiences.
Skills
- SEO and analytics-driven content creation
- Strong proficiency in CMS tools (WordPress, Joomla)
- Expertise in social media marketing and engagement strategies
- Ability to produce a wide range of content types (articles, blogs, newsletters, white papers)
- Use of AI chatbots (ChatGPT, Jasper)
- Fluent in AP and Chicago Style guidelines
- Multilingual: Proficient in English and Spanish
Experience
Senior Freelance Content Writer
Various International Clients | January 2015 – Present
- Developed and executed content strategies that increased organic search traffic by over 40% for several mid-size online retailers.
- Authored a monthly column for a major tech magazine, contributing to a 50% growth in the digital subscription base.
- Led a team of writers for a large-scale project creating an e-learning platform, which has since won multiple industry awards for educational content.
Freelance Writer and Editor
Various Online and Print Media | March 2010 – December 2014
- Produced and edited articles for lifestyle sections in high-profile magazines, consistently meeting tight deadlines and editorial standards.
- Collaborated with SEO teams to optimize content, achieving top rankings for key targeted keywords across multiple projects.
- Created compelling marketing copy that doubled engagement rates on social media platforms for several small businesses.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in English Literature
University of California, Los Angeles | 2009
Certifications
- Certified Content Marketer – Content Marketing Institute
- Google Analytics Certified
Awards & Honors
- Best Feature Article of the Year – Online Media Awards, 2018
- Top Freelance Contributor – LA Writers Guild, 2017
Volunteer Work
Volunteer Editor
Nonprofit Online Forum for Emerging Writers | 2018-Present
- Provide editorial feedback and mentoring for new writers, improving the quality of submissions and encouraging diverse voices in the industry.
Entry-level freelance writing resume template
Emma Writer
Freelance Writer
Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 555-0198 | Email: eriter@email.com | Portfolio: ewritesexample.com
Summary
Enthusiastic and creative Freelance Writer with a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of Texas. Skilled in crafting engaging content for blogs, social media, and student publications. Eager to apply my writing prowess and innovative ideas to produce compelling content for diverse audiences. Possesses a keen eye for research and a passion for storytelling.
Skills
- Strong writing and editing capabilities.
- Proficient in WordPress, Google Docs, and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Basic knowledge of SEO and online content strategies.
- Excellent research, organization, and time management skills.
- Effective communicator and collaborator.
- Social media savvy with platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in English Literature
University of Texas, Austin, TX | May 2022
- Relevant Coursework: Digital Content Creation, Media Communications, Creative Writing Workshop.
Experience
Content Creator Intern
Austin Lifestyle Magazine, Austin, TX | June 2022 – August 2022
- Assisted in researching and writing articles about local events and lifestyle tips, resulting in a 20% increase in social media engagement.
- Collaborated with the graphics team to align article visuals with content messages.
Volunteer Writer
Books for All Nonprofit, Online | January 2022 – Present
- Contribute monthly blog posts on topics related to literacy and community events.
- Engage with readers through comments and social media to increase visibility.
Freelance Projects
Blog Writer
Personal Blog on WordPress | January 2021 – Present
- Create and manage a personal blog focused on book reviews and literary discussion, attracting 500+ monthly visitors.
- Implement basic SEO strategies to enhance content visibility.
Social Media Content Creator
Family-Owned Restaurant, Austin, TX | May 2022 – July 2022
- Developed promotional content and managed social media accounts, increasing follower count by 30% over two months.
Certifications
- HubSpot Content Marketing Certified | HubSpot Academy, 2022
- SEO Fundamentals Certificate | SEMrush Academy, 2022
Professional Development
- Attended “WriteCon 2022” – Workshop on freelance writing best practices and content marketing trends.
- Participated in a 4-week Creative Nonfiction Writing Course online via Coursera, 2021.
Languages
- English (Native)
- Spanish (Intermediate)
How To Write a Freelance Writer Resume
When you write content, you likely start with an outline. The same is helpful when you write your resume. Every writer’s resume should include the following parts.
| Section | What to include |
|---|---|
| Contact information & useful links | Your name, location (city, state), phone number and email address; optionally, your LinkedIn URL or portfolio link |
| Professional summary | In a few sentences, sum up your experience and abilities |
| Work experience | For each job, list your title, company, location, dates, and bullet points describing what you did and the results |
| Key skills | Choose relevant skills that match the job description |
| Education & certifications | Degrees, schools, locations, and years |
| References | Have a list ready in case it’s requested, but don’t include it in your resume |
1. Add relevant keywords to your header
The header at the top of your resume should contain your name, contact information, useful links, and a keyword-rich title.
The title is a combination of what you do now and the job title you want. It can also include hooks like key skills, specializations, your years of experience, a certification, or a major achievement.
Examples
- Freelance Writer | Content Creator & Copywriting Specialist
- SEO Content Writer | Freelance Blogging & Digital Content Expert
- Freelance Copywriter | Article Writing, Editing & Brand Storytelling
2. Write a compelling professional summary
Put your word economy skills to use and create a brief summary statement, highlighting your strongest skills, writing experience, niches, and achievements. Limit it to one paragraph.
Example
Freelance copywriter with 10+ years of experience, delivering 4,000+ texts to satisfied clients. Skilled in SEO and internet F-style, as well as proofreading, copy editing, and digital layout. Adept at adapting tone, structure, and messaging to different audiences, industries, and brand voices.
3. Describe your work experience
Typically, the work experience section covers your past 10 years of work or your past 3 jobs. But as a freelance writer, your most relevant experience might be in personal projects, short-term clients, or gigs. Don’t leave these out.
Be sure to mention your responsibilities and industries you’ve worked with, but always focus on your achievements and measurable results, such as amounts of published content and SEO performance.
Example
Freelance Writer
Chattanooga, TN | 2022 to Present
- Created well-received content viewed by up to 3,000 online viewers daily.
- Created quality content for up to 5 clients weekly.
- Averaged 5,000 words/day, producing over 1,000 completed manuscripts per year.
- Maintained 98% grammatical and spelling accuracy.
💡Tip
When detailing your projects, always, quantify your achievements where possible, such as the increase in readership, shares, or any awards your work might have garnered.
4. Add your freelance writer skills
Your work as a freelancer requires a balance of hard and soft skills. You need technical skills to use computer software, editing, and communication tools. But much of your writing itself relies on good communication, attention to detail, and high emotional intelligence.
Hard skills
- SEO
- Keyword optimization
- Copywriting
- Technical writing
- Fact checking
- Editing and proofreading
- Writing style guides
- Analytics and tracking tools
- Collaboration tools
- Publishing platforms
Soft skills
- Communication
- Creativity
- Time management
- Adaptability
- Self-motivation
- Attention to detail
- Organization
- Problem-solving
- Collaboration
- Reliability
💡Tip
If the company has an international audience, it would be a good idea to include your language skills as well.
5. List your degrees and certifications
Specific degrees may not be required, but you should still include them, along with writing courses, certifications, or training programs. These strengthen your credibility and demonstrate your expertise.
Example
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN | 2023
Continuing Education
- Clarksville Writer’s Conference, Clarksville, TN | 2023, 2024, and 2025
- Poetry | UniversalClass, 2026
6. Link to your portfolio
A well-organized portfolio, which can be done on WordPress or a similar platform, can effectively promote your writing abilities and range, making it a must-have part of your freelance writer resume.
To include a portfolio with your resume, focus on your diverse writing sample:
- Select a variety of content: Include samples that show your range, such as articles, blog posts, e-books, and press releases.
- Showcase niche expertise: If you specialize in certain industries (like technology, health, or finance), make sure your portfolio highlights this expertise.
Remember to add a link to your portfolio in your contact information section.
7. Include your client testimonials and references
Client testimonials can greatly strengthen your credibility, as they provide proof of your writing quality and reliability. If you have an especially compelling comment from a client, you can include it as a sidebar within your resume—so long as it doesn’t crowd out other, more important content.
You don’t need to include a list of references within your resume, but you should have one handy in case it’s requested. Save names, roles, and contact information in an easily accessible document.
Best Practices When Writing a Resume for a Freelance Writer
You probably have your own code of best practices you use in your writing and in dealing with clients. The following tips will similarly ensure the best outcome.
- Tell your story, weaving a compelling narrative throughout your document.
- Quantify your success by including percentages, engagement, or other metrics.
- Demonstrate adaptability by including different mediums and styles in your portfolio
- Don’t be afraid to flaunt it if you’ve worked with big-name, recognizable brands
- Highlight time management skills to show you can meet your deadlines.
How To Find Freelance Writing Work and Salary Expectations
When launching your freelance writing career or searching for a new role, explore popular platforms for finding work, such as Upwork, Freelancer, and specialized content websites.
Here’s where you’ll likely find opportunities:
- Personal and professional blogs
- Online magazines and news outlets
- Marketing agencies
According to Salary.com, the average salary for Freelance Writers1 is $51,075, with typical earnings ranging between $46,654 and $53,993. Salaries can vary widely based on industry, skills, experience, and the types of writing projects you undertake.
You now have an expertly executed freelance writer resume. Once that’s done, simply submit your work and get ready for your interview!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Typically, the reverse-chronological resume works well as a resume format for freelance writers.
However, if you’re pivoting to freelancing and don’t have much experience yet, you might decide on a hybrid resume. In it, you can focus on your relevant skills and writing experience near the top, diminishing the space used for recent but irrelevant employment.
It’s not uncommon for freelancers to be self-employed, taking on short gigs. You can list these under a single work experience entry.
Use “Freelance Writer” as the job title. Leave out the company name (unless you have a registered business name), but include your location and dates. Highlight the best results in the bullet points, including the number of clients you worked with.
Yes, unpaid freelance work can still be valuable experience, especially if it led to publication or you can demonstrate quantifiable results.
Many companies hire freelance writers to avoid AI-generated content. Do your research and find out how the company or client feels about using AI tools for research, brainstorming, or outlining. If they are anti-AI, you could mention that you work “without the use of AI tools.”
The short answer is sometimes. If you’ve worked for a household name or well-known company, this can build trust in your work. Including names not easily recognized, however, can be a distraction.
If you signed a nondisclosure agreement with a client, it may be advisable not to name them, depending on the terms of the agreement. At the very least, you must be careful not to share information that would breach the agreement.
Yes, writing social media posts or content is relevant experience, especially if writing for other entities or when you can demonstrate quantifiable results.
When you’re hired to compose posts for a business or individual, that qualifies as freelance writing. And if you can list metrics like engagement or follower growth, this shows that your writing was good—even if it was for your own profile.
Related Professions
- https://www.salary.com/research/salary/recruiting/freelance-content-writer-salary ↩︎