Freelance Writer Resume Example & Writing Guide
- What is a freelance writer?
- Why use this freelance writer resume example?
- How to write a great freelance writer resume
- Which skills are relevant for a freelance writer resume?
Freelance writers have a way with words and can turn a blank page into creative, inspiring, and engaging content. If you’re a freelance writer looking to secure some new, exciting, and well-paid writing gigs, then you need a strong resume that will compel readers to become clients. Use our resume example and step-by-step guide to landing your next writing job.
What is a freelance writer?
Freelance writers are independent contractors, who apply their exceptional writing and editing skills to create articles, copy, and other high-quality content for a portfolio of clients. These talented storytellers are also tech savvy, applying traditional and new media channels to reach their target audience with engaging and entertaining content.
Why use this freelance writer resume example?
If you’re looking for a job as a freelance writer and wondering how to create a resume that’s on point, we can help! Freelance writing can be competitive, so using our resume example will ensure that you highlight your skills and experience the right way.
The qualifications profile is your initial pitch, so it needs to grab the attention of potential clients and tell them why you are the perfect person for their project. Our resume example is focused on showcasing your passion for writing, tech-savvy approach, and the soft skills required to set you apart from the freelance crowd. Keeping your profile direct, succinct, and impactful will ensure potential clients are compelled to read on and review the rest of your resume.
The skills section is prominent to capture the reader’s attention during the initial scan of your resume. Keeping the skills section to eight or ten key areas is important because including too many areas of expertise can negatively affect readability.
The jewel in the crown on our resume example is the professional experience section. Potential clients want to know what you have held responsibility for and what you have achieved. Our freelance writer resume example balances paragraphs with bullet points, providing readers with vital information about your specific responsibilities and showcasing your writing accomplishments.
How to write a great freelance writer resume
Here are some top tips for building a strong freelance writer resume and ensuring you are attracting the right clients for your projects:
For your freelance writer's resume to be successful you should highlight your creative approach, technical skills, and successful projects, combined with your talents in communication, project management, and exacting quality standards.
Include a key skills section at the beginning of your resume, with no more than eight or ten keywords. Check the job description for keyword inspiration, and focus on listing hard (industry-specific) skills at the beginning of this section so they are more prominent.
In the professional experience section, start with your most recent experience first and work back to earlier roles, including no more than 15 years of your work history. Focus on using action verbs at the start of each sentence, such as conceptualize, orchestrate, or curate.
Specific achievements should be detailed under each role. If you received an award, accolade, or secured publication in a reputable magazine for example, you should include this as a bullet point under the relevant role.
Detail where you received your foundational knowledge of writing in the Education section, including any professional training relevant to your required career direction. Many clients will be impressed by your technical expertise, so include a technical proficiency section at the end of your resume.
Which skills are relevant for a freelance writer resume?
When outlining skills for a freelance writer resume, make sure that they are relevant to the job opportunity by checking the job description or other target jobs to identify in-demand skills. Here are some hard and soft skills to include:
Content development
Production planning
Copyediting
Digital photography & editing
Multimedia production
Social media platforms
Client success
Communication
Cross-functional collaboration
Adobe Creative Suite
Microsoft Office Suite
Summary example
Creative, forward thinking, and talented Freelance Writer with passion for storytelling backed by more than 15 years of experience; adept at leveraging both traditional and new media to engage, inform, educate, and entertain audiences. Tech savvy innovator able to identify emerging topics of interest and drive content development for broadcast, web, print, and internal / external messaging. Poised and polished communicator recognized for positive energy, team working spirit, and talent for building constructive relationships with people of any culture and background.
Employment history example
Freelance Writer at Major News Network, Atlanta
2019 - Present
Research, pitch, write, field produce, and edit enterprising stories and series that engage audiences for CNN, HLN, and CNN.com. Collaborate with programming leadership, show teams, and sales to launch new sponsored series ideas. Coordinate with teams of contributing producers to plan schedules, approve / copy edit scripts and articles, and manage budgets, guest bookings, logistics, and music curation. Write content for CNN Trending team, and serve as Contributing Writer for CNN.com.
Served as Lead Producer on projects across a variety of topics to include the environment, health, lifestyle, business, philanthropy, food, sports, and travel.
Produced and edited promotional vignettes for CNN Films & Original Series “Parts Unknown,” “The Pope,” and “United Shades of America.”
Played integral role in developing social media strategy and campaigns, analyzing data and trends to implement new and innovative content.
Curated content for CNN.com / Impact that generated nearly 9.2M impressions within two-month period of sponsorship flight.
Wrote, pitched, produced, and edited video production that generated 7.5M+ views on Facebook.
Media Coordinator at Major News Network, Atlanta
2015 - 2019
Reviewed technical and editorial accuracy of video productions before air to ensure compliance with network style and editorial / legal standards. Monitored and documented high volumes of incoming production video daily; advised and worked with production partners and field crews to assess components such as time code, key-sound, and exceptional visual / audio / graphic elements.
Leveraged metadata to improve editorial accuracy; led “Video Review Task Force” to develop accountability and workflow enhancements, and to institute cross-departmental training.
Lauded for exceeding expectations; received Image & Sound “Walk of Fame” Award for going above and beyond job duties to support teams and ensure objectives were achieved.
Media Relations Specialist / Publicist at The WW Group, Farmington Hills
2010 - 2014
Managed public and media relations, corporate branding and positioning, product launches, special events, and trade show marketing for Weight Watchers International’s largest franchisee. Wrote internal and external communications that included press releases, speeches, radio spots, and editorials for Weight Watchers Thinline Magazine (circulation of 250,000). Increased and directed company’s presence in social media and blogosphere, and authored content posted on askflorine.com, Twitter, and Facebook.
Garnered multiple media placements on Bloomberg TV, FOX News, Ambassador Magazine, and Detroit news outlets.
Produced weekly health segment (“Ask Florine”) that aired on WXYZ (ABC-Detroit); conceptualized topics, secured participation of guests, conducted pre-interviews, and arranged logistics.
Orchestrated philanthropic events and national speaking engagements for CEO Florine Mark, doubling attendance of Remarkable Women Charity Luncheon to nearly 600 within only two years.
Prepared CEO’s presentation at Ragan’s Corporate Communication Conference, detailing company’s strategies and methods for leveraging Internet resources to increase business.
Education example
Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism at Kent State University
Skills example
Production Planning & Management
Digital Videography & Editing
A/V, Graphics & Multimedia Production
Social Media Platforms & Communications
Field Production & Logistics Coordination
News & Broadcast Journalism
