How to Become a Freelance Writer in Kenya (NO EXPERIENCE)

Last updated on May 29th, 2023 at 01:18 pm

Do you want to become a freelance writer in Kenya and make money online? If you’ve been keeping up with the news, you’ll know that freelance writing in Kenya is on the rise. 

It is a really lucrative business with plenty of opportunities.

However, becoming a successful freelance writer in Kenya can be challenging and require persistent dedication. 

In this article, you will learn how to become a freelance writer from scratch and make enough money to support yourself without needing a 9–5 job. 

You may think that it is impossible to become a professional writer overnight. But with these tips, you can get started right away!

What is the role of a freelance writer?

Freelance writers are individuals or companies that provide writing services to other companies or businesses. 

Basically, we write for money. 

Most of us freelance because we have a passion for writing and we want to earn a living from it. 

We have the ability to write on any topic and in any format, from articles to blogs, eBooks, and more. 

Freelance writing in Kenya is also a way of expressing your thoughts, opinions, and ideas to the world. 

Freelance writers are very independent and take projects from clients. 

They do not have to report to anyone and they can work from anywhere as long as they have a computer and internet access. 

There are different types of freelance writing positions such as: ghostwriting, copywriting, translation, blog writing, proofreading, SEO (search engine optimization), and more.

Freelance writing can be a very lucrative business if you do it right. 

You can earn thousands of dollars per month and a freelancer, but you have to put in a lot of work and time. 

Essentially, there are two types of online writing in Kenya that pay well: article writing and academic writing.

What qualifications do you need to be a freelance writer in Kenya?

There is no one specific set of qualifications that are required to become a freelance writer, but having a combination of education, experience, and skills can help you succeed in this field. Here are some qualifications that can be helpful:

1. Online Writing skills: Strong writing skills are essential for a freelance writer. You should be able to write well in the language you’re writing in and be able to tailor your writing style to the needs of your clients.
2. Education: While a formal education isn’t always necessary, having a degree in journalism, English, or a related field can be helpful in building credibility with potential clients. A degree can also help you develop your writing skills and teach you about the principles of good writing.
3. Experience: Having experience in writing can help you build a portfolio of work to showcase to potential clients. Writing for a school newspaper, blog or website, or working as an intern or freelance writer can help you gain experience and develop your skills.
4. Niche expertise: Having expertise in a particular niche, such as healthcare, finance, or technology, can help you stand out as a freelance writer and attract clients looking for someone with specialized knowledge.
5. Marketing skills: As a freelance writer, you will need to market yourself and your services to potential clients. This may involve creating a website, building a social media presence, and networking with other writers and industry professionals.
6. Time management skills: Freelance writing often involves working on multiple projects simultaneously and meeting deadlines. Good time management skills are critical for keeping track of projects and ensuring that you deliver high-quality work on time.

Overall, the most important qualifications for a freelance writer are excellent writing skills, a strong work ethic, and the ability to market oneself effectively. By developing these skills and building a strong portfolio of work, you can establish yourself as a successful freelance writer.

How much do freelance writers make in Kenya?

The amount freelance writers make in Kenya can vary greatly depending on several factors, such as their level of experience, the type of writing they do, and the clients they work with.

According to PayScale, the average hourly rate for a freelance writer in Kenya is KES 1,006. However, this rate can vary depending on the work’s complexity and the writer’s experience.

Some freelance writers in Kenya may charge per word, per article, or per project. The rates for these can vary greatly as well, but a beginner may charge around KES 1 to KES 5 per word, while an experienced writer can charge up to KES 20 or more per word.

It’s important to note that freelance writing rates in Kenya are often negotiable and can vary greatly depending on the specific project and the client’s budget.

To determine a fair rate, it’s important to consider factors such as the writer’s experience and expertise, the time and effort required to complete the project, and the market rates for similar work.

If you want to learn how to become a freelance writer in Kenya, check out this guide on how to get started.

Step 1: Research About Freelance Writing

In the first step on how to become a freelance writer in Kenya, you need to do your research. Start by reading articles and blog posts about freelance writing. Look at the different types of freelancers and what they do. 

You can also check out other freelancers’ websites. You can learn a lot by reading what they have to say. 

Here is the thing:

Learning about content writing is a life-long journey. You can never learn everything, and you will always have questions. 

That’s why it’s important to keep learning and researching. You can never stop learning about freelance writing.

Step 2: Get the Skills and Tools Required to Freelance

The second step in how to become a freelance writer in Kenya is to get the necessary skills and tools. 

You need to learn how to research topics, write, proofread, and edit. You also need a computer with a reliable internet connection.

You can learn all these skills and tools by reading and practicing. You can also ask people in the writing community for help.

Here are some of the skills you will need:

• Organizational Skills:  You will need organizational skills to keep track of your finances, keep track of your projects, and manage your time.
• Blogging Skills: You will need blogging skills to keep track of your projects and to promote yourself as a writer.
• Research Skills: You will need research skills if you want to write about a specific topic. 
• Editing Skills: You will need editing skills to proofread and edit your work before you submit it to the client.
• Content Marketing: Understand how businesses can use content to achieve their goals. 
• Confidence:  You will need the confidence to ask clients for work

Some of the tools you will need as a freelance writer in Kenya:

• A computer: Your computer will be your office and you will use it to write.
• A reliable internet connection: You will need a reliable internet connection to research topics and write.
• Editing apps: You will need apps for editing to proofread, edit and correct grammar.
• Image Editing software: Sometimes your clients will ask you to include images in your work. You will need image editing software to make your images look professional.

Related:

• 14 Freelance Writing Skills in Kenya You Need to Succeed

Step 3: Practice Writing

The next step in how to become a freelance writer in Kenya is to practice writing. 

You need to get used to writing and editing for the web. This is something that you NEED to be doing consistently.

If you stop writing for some time, you lose that edge. And you will start struggling to put together a few paragraphs.

And am not saying you put out a lot of content at once. Instead, work on one article at a time or even a few paragraphs at a time. 

I have found that the best way to be on your toes as a content writer is to have a blog.

And that is why I started my first blog.

Besides helping hone your craft, a blog can also help you land clients. My blog has helped me land several clients.

Step 4: Create a Writing Portfolio of Your Work

Once you start applying for freelance writing jobs in Kenya, you will need to show your writing portfolio. This is a collection of your best work that proves to the client that you can do the job.

Your portfolio doesn’t have to be fancy and professional looking. It can be a simple Word document. 

Your portfolio should contain your best work. 

There are a couple of options for you:

Have some samples on Google Docs

Publish some on Medium (it is free)

Remember the blog we talked about earlier?

It can serve as your portfolio. 

Another way to create writing samples is with guest posting. You can guest post on other blogs, and whenever you apply for jobs, include links to these samples.

I must say something.

If possible, avoid sending samples as word documents. They make you look amateurish.

Step 5: Start Pitching to Jobs

Now you have a portfolio and have learned much about freelance writing. You can start pitching to jobs. 

The process of applying for jobs is called “pitching.” 

You basically make an email to the client giving them a little summary of what you can do for that job. Write about your experience in the industry.

Don’t be too salesy and don’t over-sell yourself. Be honest with your skills and what you can do for the client. 

This is the most important part of freelancing.  It is the part where you can land your first job. It will give you confidence and a sense of accomplishment. 

Even if you don’t get hired, this will be good practice to get you ready for the big thing. 

Now, there are several job boards you can use to find jobs. I would recommend using all three of them. The first is Freelance Writing Jobs. This is the place where you will usually find that first job. 

The second is Upwork. You can find up-to-date jobs on this site. 

But the issues with such marketplaces is the quality of work and the competition. 

And that is why I don’t have an account there.

The best option is places like Problogger. They have quality jobs you can work on remotely.

Either way, the secret to getting the job is being the first to apply as soon as the job is posted.

So, make sure to keep checking these job boards before you go to sleep. Most importantly, make sure your pitch stands out.

Talking of pitching, make sure you are subscribed to my channel because I will be covering it indepth.

Step 6: Keep Hustling

As you can guess, being a freelance writer in Kenya means you gotta be hustling for work all the time. 

If you are not hustling, you are not earning.

The best way to find work is to apply for jobs all the time and look for new clients, rather than wait for them to come to you.

You can do this in two ways:

• Get on social media: Instead of using it to socialize, start networking. That means you gotta start spending time on Twitter and Linkedin. Follow writers and businesses you would like to write for.
• Guest posting: Write articles on other blogs. The idea is to create a lot of content that will help you build your credibility as a writer and make you stand out from the crowd. 

When I first started, I had only my Facebook account. 

Deep down I knew if I had to start making better money, I had to change my networking game.

That is how I got on Linkedin. 

It is the best place to meet potential clients and network with like-minded people.

Step 7: Keep Learning

Another crucial step in how to become a freelance writer in Kenya is to improve your skills is to read and write.

Read books about writing. Read blogs about writing. Read articles on Copyblogger and The Write Life. 

And write as often as you can, but not just for writing. Write for the joy of it because that’s when your writing will be most natural and compelling.

You can also get feedback from other writers in the same boat as you by joining a critique group or an online writer’s group, such as Online Article Writers in Kenya.

Another way to get feedback is by asking your clients for feedback. 

And if you really want to get better at writing, you need to read your work out loud. 

Final Thoughts

Writing is a skill you can learn. You don’t have to be born with talent. 

I hope this post has been helpful to you. I wish you all the best in your writing career!

Freelance writing is a great way to earn money from home. You can make a good living from it and do it from anywhere in the world.

However, becoming a successful freelance writer in Kenya takes a lot of time and dedication. 

You have to research topics, practice writing, learn how to edit your work (pitch), get used to blogging (uploading articles), and pitch for jobs.

You need all these skills to become a successful freelance writer in Kenya.

If you have any questions, leave a comment below.

Thanks for reading!

Freelance writing is a type of job where a person writes for different clients without an exclusive contract with any of them. It is a type of self-employment where you can choose the type of writing you want to do and the clients you want to work with.

Yes, there are various freelance writing jobs in Kenya. The internet has made it possible for freelance writers to work from anywhere in the world, and many clients are looking for writers in Kenya due to the lower cost of living compared to other countries.

There are various types of writing jobs that freelancers in Kenya can do, such as academic writing, article writing, blogging, technical writing, and many more.

Yes, you need to have good writing skills to become a successful freelance writer in Kenya. You should be able to write in a clear and concise manner that is easy to understand for the target audience.

The best way to start freelance writing in Kenya with no experience is to start writing. You can write your own blog, guest post on other websites or start with low-paying jobs to build your portfolio and gain experience.

You can make money online in Kenya as a freelance writer by finding clients who are willing to pay for your writing services. There are various job boards and websites that connect freelancers with clients, such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.

Yes, you can get paid through MPESA for freelance writing jobs in Kenya. Many clients prefer to pay through MPESA because it is a fast and convenient way to transfer money.

You can improve your writing skills for freelance writing by reading and writing as much as possible. You can also take online courses or workshops to learn new writing techniques.

To succeed as a freelance writer in Kenya, you need to be professional, punctual, and reliable. You should also be able to manage your time effectively, communicate clearly with clients, and continuously improve your writing skills.

You can get clients as a freelance writer in Kenya by networking, creating a strong online presence, and offering high-quality writing services at reasonable prices. You can also apply for writing jobs on job boards or reach out to potential clients directly.