Introduction To Freelance Writing: A Guide For African Writers

“Can I actually make money from writing?

This was the question I asked myself a few years ago.

This article is for everybody:

9-5 workers looking for side income.
Students wanting to earn while learning.
Stay-at-home moms with a passion for words.
And anyone who’s seen “freelance writing” everywhere online and wants to know what it really means. If you’re ready to turn your words into cash, this is your go-to guide.

I’ve written this guide like I’m talking to my younger self. If I had to start all over again, these are the exact steps I would take.

What is freelance writing?

When most people hear “freelance writing,” they assume it’s only for English majors. Freelance writing is a legitimate way to make money from your ability to put words together

It’s not about having a degree from the university or knowing every grammar rule in the Oxford dictionary. It’s about using writing to help businesses and brands communicate better, sell better, and reach people online.

You don’t need anyone’s permission to start.

What does a freelance writer actually do?

A freelance writer is somebody who writes for different clients (instead of being hired full-time by just one company). You get paid to write:

Blog posts
Website content
Emails
Product descriptions
Social media posts
Sales pages
Technical guides
Newsletters
Ebooks
Case studies

You could be writing for a skincare brand one week and a tech startup the next.

YOU CALL THE SHOTS.

You choose your clients, set your rates, and decide when and how you want to work.
No office drama. No dress codes. No need to enter “Oga’s” office for permission to take a break.

Whether you’re at a noisy café in Lagos, a dorm room in Kumasi, or chilling under a mango tree with good Wi-Fi, you can be a freelance writer — as long as you have:

A phone or laptop.
Internet connection.
Willingness to learn.
And your brain.

That’s it.

Why are brands paying for writers?

The internet runs on words. Everything you see online—emails, captions, blogs, websites, ads—it was written by someone.

So, businesses need writers to help them:

Attract new customers.
Educate their audience.
Sell their products/services.
Build trust with readers.

In other words, “words move money.” And that’s where freelance writers come in.

Types of Freelance Writing (How to Know Which One Fits You)

Okay, so you now get that freelance writers write for money. But let’s break it down a bit more.

There are different types of writing — and the good news is, there’s room for every kind of writer. Whether you’re a storyteller, a how-to person, a fast texter, or someone who just likes breaking down complex topics in simple English, there’s a niche for you.

Let me show you the most common ones.

1. Content Writing

This is one of the most popular types of freelance writing.

Content writers create blog posts, how-to guides, articles, etc.

Content writing is mostly about teaching and helping people get informed—while quietly promoting a product or idea in the background.

Example:

“5 Reasons You Should Switch to Natural Skincare Products”

That’s an example of a content writing headline for a skincare brand.

If you love doing research, breaking things down, and teaching people with words, content writing is your playground.

2. Copywriting

Copywriting is writing that makes people take action, like buying something, clicking a link, or signing up for an email list.

You’ll write things like:

Sales pages.
Ad copy.
Product descriptions.
Landing pages.
Email campaigns.

If you’re good at convincing people, love psychology, or have that “come and buy” energy in your bones, this might be your sweet spot.

3. Email Writing

Every brand that takes itself seriously has an email list.

They need people to write those emails.

That’s where you come in.

You’ll write:

Welcome emails.
Product launch emails.
Weekly newsletters.
Sales emails.
Nurture sequences.

If you know how to hold attention, tell a story, and plug a product — boom, you’re good.

4. Technical Writing

This one sounds scary, but it’s not always “techie” in the way people think.

Technical writers explain complex stuff in simple terms. You might write:

How-to manuals.
Product documentation.
API docs.
Software guides.

Companies (especially SaaS & fintech brands) pay really well for writers who can explain what their product does in a way that makes sense.

If you enjoy explaining things step-by-step, or if you studied engineering, computer science, or anything “technical,” this could be your lane.

5. Ghostwriting

If we are to interpret this literally, this means writing for ghosts. But that is wrong.

Ghostwriting is all about writing for someone else without getting credit for the work.
Your name isn’t attached to the work.

You might write:

Thought leadership content.
X (formerly Twitter) threads.
LinkedIn posts.
Blog posts.
Ebooks.

You’re the brain behind the post, but someone else gets the shine. Ghostwriting is great for people who don’t mind staying behind the scenes and just want the bag. Ghostwriting is one of the most lucrative niches out there.

6. SEO Writing

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation.

It means writing in a way that helps a brand rank on Google.

Basically, when someone types “best facial cream for dry skin” on Google, SEO writers make sure their client’s blog shows up in the results.

It’s a mix of writing + strategy + keywords.

And it’s hot in demand.

How to Get Started as a Freelance Writer From Scratch

Just like I’ve said earlier, you don’t need a degree or need to be Shakespeare’s cousin to start freelance writing.

You only need two things:

1. A way to show your skill

2. A way to get clients.

That’s it. Everything else will fall into place. Let me walk you through it step-by-step:

Step 1: Pick a Niche (Don’t Overthink This)

A niche is simply the type of writing you do and the topics you write about.

For example:
→ You can write blog posts (type of writing) for health brands (niche).
→ Or write sales copy (type) for real estate businesses (niche).

At first, just pick something you’re comfortable with.

Don’t waste 3 weeks “finding” your niche.

For example, let’s say you are the type that loves cars a lot; you can decide to go into the automobile niche.

It’s all about what you really know and have passion for.

Start with what you know. You can always change it later.

Step 2: Build a Simple Portfolio

Your portfolio is a collection of writing samples that shows clients that you have actually done something. It is evident that you know why you are talking about.

You don’t need a complex website or wait till you have 10-20 samples before you start putting yourself out there

You just need 2-3 solid pieces of writing that match the kind of work you want to do.

How to create samples if nobody has hired you yet?
→ Write for imaginary brands.
→ Write based on a brand you love (e.g., a skincare brand, tech brand, fashion brand).
→ Use a personal website, Google Docs, Notion, or even Medium to host your samples. In

No client will know it’s made up, and they don’t care. They just want to see how you write.

Step 3: Set Up Your Presence Online

You don’t need to be on every platform.
Start with Twitter (X) or LinkedIn or both.

→ Add a profile picture.
→ Write a bio that says what you do (e.g., “I write blogs & emails for lifestyle brands”).
→ Start posting. Share tips, what you’re learning, short insights, and writing samples.

This is how people find you. People literally get gigs from a single post or comment. Social proof is real.

Step 4: Start Pitching Clients

Don’t wait to be found. Go out there and shoot your shot.

Where to pitch:

Cold emails
Job boards

>> Upwork

>> Fiverr

>> Contra

>> SolidGigs

>> PeoplePerHour

>> We Work Remotely and lots more.

Twitter/LinkedIn DMs.
WhatsApp groups or communities.

Pitching just means reaching out and saying, “Hey, I’m a writer. I can help you with X. Want to talk?”

Here is an example of a quick pitch sample:

Hi [Name],

I came across your brand and really liked [something specific].

I’m a freelance writer and I help brands like yours write blog posts that engage readers and drive traffic.

If you’re open to it, I’d love to send you a few topic ideas.

Let me know what you think!

Short. Clean. No pressure.

We have different types of pitching. The warm pitch and the cold pitch.

If you want to know more about them, check here.

Step 5: Learn as You Go

You’re not supposed to know everything before you start.

You can’t learn everything on day 1. Start, and let learning meet you on the road.

→ Learn about SEO writing.
→ Practice writing short, clear sentences.
→ Study what other writers in your space are doing.
→ Get feedback and improve.

There are free courses, YouTube videos, newsletters, and people dropping value on social media every day.

Use them.

Step 6: Join a Writing Community

Don’t do it alone.

The journey is way smoother (and faster) when you have people around you.

Join:

Telegram communities.
Discord groups.
WhatsApp writing circles, e.g The Ink and Income Community.
X spaces.

Ask questions, share wins and losses.

Help others. That’s how you grow.

At this point, you’re not just watching from the sidelines.

You’re in the game.

You’ve gone from “I’m curious about writing” to;
→ “I write.”
→ “I get paid to write.”
→ “I’m building a career.”

Writing Opportunities (Especially as an African Freelancer)

Freelance writing is underrated.

Some believe freelance writers are time-wasters and lazy people.

But on the contrary, it is one of the most lucrative digital skills out there.

Some writers are earning in naira, dollars, cedis, euros, and crypto — all from their phones or laptops.

How Much Can You Make?

This depends on:

Your skill level.
Your niche.
Who your clients are.
And how you position yourself.

But here’s a rough idea:

Type of Writer	Typical Range (Monthly)
Newbie (0-3 mos)	$50 – $300
Intermediate (3–12 mos)	$300 – $1,000+
Experienced (1yr+)	$1,000 – $5,000+
Pro/Agency Level	$5,000 – $10k/month

Now convert that to naira or cedis. Do you get the picture?

Some people make this in a week. The key is to focus, improve, and stay consistent.

Opportunities for African Freelance Writers

Now, here’s where it gets interesting.

As an African writer (especially Nigerian, Ghanaian, Kenyan, South African), the world is finally paying attention.

There’s demand. There’s opportunity. And there’s access.

Let me show you the major opportunities out there:

1. Blog and Article Writing

Brands need content — and lots of it. You can write:

Blog posts for business websites.
Tutorials and how-to guides.
Product roundups and reviews.

Use these examples to get an idea of what you do here:

Writing SEO blogs for a U.S. skincare brand.
Creating tutorials for a crypto startup.
Writing lifestyle content for African publications.

2. Email Writing

Businesses use email to sell, inform, and convert.

And guess who writes those emails? You.

→ Welcome emails.
→ Sales funnels.
→ Newsletters.
→ Product launches.

African writers are making it big it in email marketing.

This is because they know how to hook people and make messages sound real.

3. Copywriting

Landing pages, ads, sales pages, and product descriptions are all outcomes of copywriting.

If you’re good at getting people to say, “Yes, I want this,” you’ll do well here.

→ Copywriters earn high rates because their words bring in money.

X threads. Instagram captions. LinkedIn posts.

Brands are now hiring freelance writers to manage or ghostwrite their content.
→ Especially for CEOs, SaaS founders, or influencers who don’t have time.

If you’re witty, fast, and understand how to keep people reading, this is for you.

5. B2B + SaaS Writing

This is where serious money is.

B2B = Business to Business.
SaaS = Software as a Service.

These clients pay dollars for long-form content like:

Case studies.
Product tutorials.
In-depth articles.
Industry reports.

It’s more technical, but if you’re willing to learn, you’ll earn more than most.

6. Ghostwriting

You write an article or a blog post for someone, but you don’t get credit for the work.

You get paid quietly.

Many Nigerian ghostwriters now write:

→ LinkedIn thought leadership
→ Ebooks
→ X(formerly Twitter) threads
→ Even books for coaches, influencers, and tech bros.

Nobody knows it’s you, but your bank account knows.

7. Brand Writing / Content Strategy

This is for when you’re no longer just a “writer” but a consultant.

You help brands build content systems, create tone of voice docs, or plan their editorial calendar.

That’s pro level. And very few people are doing it in Africa.

Real-Life Roles You Can Grow Into

Here are actual job titles you can grow into as a freelance writer:

Content Writer
Copywriter
Email Marketer
SEO Content Specialist
UX Writer
Social Media Writer
Content Strategist
B2B SaaS Writer
LinkedIn Ghostwriter
Scriptwriter (for YouTube, Podcasts, etc.)
Brand Storyteller
Technical Writer

The world is WIDE.

Your job is to pick one, try it, and grow from there.

Freelance writing is not just something you do to “pass time” online.

It’s a real career. It’s scalable. And if you take it seriously. it can change your life.

Essential Tools for Freelance Writers

One reason why people think freelance writing is hard is that they imagine you need:

A big office.
A university degree.
Expensive gadgets.

Nah.

To start as a freelance writer, you mostly need 3 things:

A working phone or laptop.
Internet.
Your BRAIN.

But there are a few free (and budget-friendly) tools that’ll make your life 10x easier.

These tools help you research, write better, organise your work, and manage clients like a pro.

1. Grammarly

→ For grammar, punctuation, spelling, and tone corrections.

Even pros use it.

2. Google Docs

→ For writing, sharing, and collaborating with clients.

Most freelance writers love Google Docs.

This article you are reading was crafted on Google Docs.

3. Hemingway App

→ Helps make your writing clearer, shorter, and bolder.

Especially good for blog and content writers.

4. Notion or Trello

→ For organising tasks, setting writing goals, and managing your client projects.

5. Canva

→ You’ll need this to create simple graphics, carousels, or even a personal portfolio.

6. ChatGPT or AI tools

→ Use them to brainstorm, outline content, or rewrite drafts.

BUT don’t rely on them blindly; your human voice matters.

7. Clockify or Toggl

→ For tracking how long your writing tasks take.

This helps you manage your time (and even charge hourly later).

8. Email + Calendly

→ You’ll use email for client comms, and Calendly for booking discovery calls.

9. PayPal, Payoneer, Grey.co, or Barter

→ For receiving international payments.

These are essential for African freelancers.

We have other payment methods like Geegpay, Escrow, etc.

Freelance Writing Niches to Explore (And How to Choose Yours)

This is one of the biggest struggles beginner writers face

“I don’t know my niche.”

I get it, when you’re just starting out, it feels like everyone is shouting:

“Pick a niche!”
“Find your niche or you’ll fail!”
“You must niche down immediately!”

Relax.

Take a breath.

Let me simplify this whole “niche” situation for you.

What Is a Writing Niche?

A niche is simply the area or topic you write about — often paired with the type of writing you do.

So instead of saying,

“I’m a writer.”

You say:

“I’m a content writer for SaaS brands.”
“I write blog posts for finance startups.”
“I’m an email copywriter for ecommerce businesses.”

It’s that simple.

Popular Niches You Can Explore as a Beginner

1. Personal Finance

Topics: Saving, budgeting, investing, credit scores, loans, crypto, etc.
Why: High demand from fintech blogs, banks, and startups.
And yes, it pays well.

2. Tech & SaaS (Software as a Service)

Topics: Software reviews, user guides, tutorials, product descriptions, B2B blogs.
Why: Booming industry with constant demand for content.
Yes, it also pays well (especially B2B).

3. Health & Wellness

Topics: Mental health, fitness, nutrition, supplements, medical guides, etc.
Why: Huge audience online, from blogs to health startups.
Your earnings triple when you specialise.

4. E-commerce & Product Descriptions

Topics: Product reviews, Amazon listings, Shopify content, buying guides.
Why: E-commerce stores need SEO-friendly copy.
Brands pay well.

5. Digital Marketing

Topics: SEO, email marketing, social media, paid ads, content marketing.
Why: Agencies and marketers always need writers who understand this.
Pays well too.

6. Travel & Lifestyle

Topics: travel guides, destination blogs, lifestyle hacks, hotel reviews.
It is a wonderful niche, but very competitive.

7. Real Estate

Topics: property listings, buying/selling tips, market trends, local guides.
Real estate businesses need blog and marketing content.
This is one of the most lucrative niches out there.

8. Parenting & Family

Topics: parenting tips, product reviews, family routines, and child development.
Great for moms/dads or those with parenting experience.
The pay is mid-range and improves with authority.

9. Education & eLearning

Topics: online courses, study tips, student blogs, and edtech tools.
Online learning is growing fast.

10. Career & Personal Development

Topics: resume tips, job search, productivity, motivation, leadership.
Highly searched content, great for blogs and LinkedIn.
Pays is mid-range unless you are writing for coaching brands.

BONUS TIP: Choose your niche based on these factors.

What you enjoy writing about.
Topics you can learn quickly or already know.
Niches with clients who can pay well.

If writing is your passion and you are looking for a place to start your career and start getting paid for writing, check here.

FAQs About Freelance Writing (And My Real Answers)

You’ve made it this far.

Kudos to you.

Let’s close out this guide by answering the questions I get asked all the time.

I’ll keep it honest and simple.

Let’s go.

1. “Do I need a degree to become a freelance writer?”

No, you don’t.

In fact, some of the best freelance writers I know never studied English or Mass Comm.

What you need:

Writing skills (which you can learn and sharpen).
Internet access.
A phone or laptop.
Willingness to start.

2. “How long will it take before I start making money?”

It depends.

Some people get clients in 2 weeks. Others, 2 months. Some, longer. What matters is your consistency and strategy.

If you do what I’ve shared in this guide — cold pitching, building samples, staying visible — your time will come.

3. “What if I don’t have a laptop?”

Use what you have. Start with your phone.

I’ve written cold pitches, Twitter threads, and blog outlines with just my mobile phone. Eventually, your writing will buy your laptop.

4. “How do I know if I’m good enough?”

You’ll never feel 100% ready.
Write anyway. Your first samples might suck. Your first cold pitch might be ignored.
But that’s how you learn. The more you write, the better you get.

5. “How do I avoid scammers or fake clients?”

A few tips:

Don’t pay to apply for gigs.
Ask for a contract or terms before you start.
Trust your gut. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. And if you ever feel unsure, ask other writers. Join communities. We’ve got you.

6. “What’s the difference between freelance writing and content writing?”

Freelance writing is a career.
Content writing is one type of writing you can do as a freelancer.

You can be a freelance:

Copywriter
Content writer
Ghostwriter
Email writer
And more…

7. “How do I stay motivated?”

Two things:

Remember your ‘why.’ Why did you start? Debt? Freedom? Passion? Keep that close.
Surround yourself with writing energy. Follow writers. Join Telegram groups. Join writing challenges. Stay plugged in.

8. “What’s your advice to new writers?”

Don’t wait to feel ready. Start now.

Your writing will open doors you never expected.

Final Words

If you’ve read all the way to this point, I see you. And I believe in you. You don’t need to have everything figured out. You just need to take the first step.
Then the next. Then keep going. Writing can feed you, fund your dreams, and give you freedom. But only if you start.

So, go back. Reread the parts that hit you the most. Then start building your writing life, one pitch, one sample, one step at a time. Let’s go.

Read other articles on our blog.