Freelance writing from home is a dream so many of us have. Starting out can be incredibly difficult. Many folks recommend sites like Craigslist to find work. Applying for article writing gigs found on Craigslist can be a difficult process. Bidding sites can be confusing and writers may feel forced to write for lower-than-living wages. Deciding upon pricing, creating a freelance writer resume, and finding a niche for yourself are all huge hurdles for the newbie freelancer. There are a number of sites that can really help you get your start and build a great portfolio of work. Blogging is a wonderful place to start.

Starting a free blog at a place like Vox.com is a great place to start. You can use it to publish your own work, to get creative juices flowing, or even to write about your experience trying to climb the freelance writing mountain or the ins and outs of working from home. By starting a free blog like this you can accrue some writing samples and have a link to send prospective clients.

There are also other sites that will pay you to blog. Apply at site like Today.com. You choose a theme, send writing samples, and once accepted you can start blogging. You’ll be paid a flat amount per post (limit: one per day) plus another amount for page views. Today.com is an up and coming site that is getting more streamlined by the day. You will find that opportunities like this one can change and grow over time, so when you find a site you enjoy creating content for, stick with it. Promote it to your best ability. In a short amount of time, you will be earning money for your own writing while starting to create an even portfolio to score better gigs.