5 Freelance Writer Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

Freelance writers create content across various formats, including articles, blogs, and marketing materials. Highlight your experience with different writing styles, your ability to meet deadlines, and your familiarity with SEO practices on your resume. Incorporate skills such as research proficiency, adaptability in writing voice, and strong grammar expertise. Mention your success in increasing client engagement through compelling content and any positive feedback or testimonials from previous clients to demonstrate your impact.

Self-motivated freelance writer with 8 years of experience in content strategy and SEO writing. Proven track record of boosting web traffic and engagement metrics by 30% with previous clients. Specializing in data-driven and optimized content for the automotive sector.

Developed content strategy aligning with GM's digital marketing goals, increasing web traffic by 30% through SEO-optimized posts.

Led a team of writers and coordinated with the SEO department to produce high-quality, engaging content, achieving a 25% increase in user engagement.

Managed and optimized GM's blogging platform using WordPress, resulting in a 20% faster content upload process.

Designed and implemented a keyword strategy that enhanced search engine rankings by 15 positions on average for targeted terms.

Conducted comprehensive research on automotive trends to ensure content relevancy and accuracy, boosting content shares by 40%.

Oversaw the proofreading and formatting of all published content, ensuring error-free and polished posts.

Managed content creation for Ford's digital platforms, increasing organic search traffic by 20% year-over-year.

Directed the research of vehicle specs and industry news to maintain the accuracy and freshness of content.

Implemented SEO best practices and trained a team of 10 writers, improving content quality and SERP positions.

Utilized advanced analytics tools to monitor and report on content performance, leading to a 10% increase in conversion rates.

Collaborated with marketing to integrate targeted keywords effectively, enhancing brand visibility online.

Conceptualized and led a content strategy overhaul at General Motors, resulting in a 30% increase in web traffic.

Achieved top 5 search engine ranking positions for Tesla's key model-related terms through targeted SEO enhancements.

This certification from HubSpot Academy covers all aspects of content marketing, including strategy, analytics, and content creation.

All resume examples in this guide

Resume Guide

• Resume format
• Resume experience
• Hard and soft skills
• Education and certifications
• Resume summary or objective
• Additional sections
• Key takeaways

If you're reading this, chances are you understand what it takes to earn $5,000 a month as a writer. This level of income typically involves a hefty amount of copywriting, proofreading, and content repurposing—key tasks for a freelance writer. One of the greatest perks of this job is the freedom it offers: you get to choose when, where, and who you work for. The hardest part? Pitching and selling your work to potential clients.

This guide will equip you with all the essential tools to market your skills. Assuming you've already put together a portfolio, your next move is to create a resume. Never overlook the power of a well-crafted resume. In most professional contexts, having both a portfolio and a resume really lets you show off what you can do, like a pitch that sells your story.

So, this is what we’ll be covering in today’s freelance writer resume guide:

• The best way to format your resume so it passes ATS scanning and recruiter scrutiny with flying colors.
• How to tailor your resume experience section to both the job description and the specific market needs.
• How to display the versatility and breadth of your skills across different styles, formats, and subjects.
• Which technologies and certifications might serve you to level up your freelance writer application.
• What to include in your resume summary to not only communicate your achievements but also let employers assess the quality, tone, and fit of your work.
• Which additional resume sections can boost your pitch and land you a job..

For those who need more specific insights, our specialized resume guides for writers are just the resources you need.

• Content Marketing Resumes
• Copywriter Resumes
• Technical Writer Resume
• Writer Resume
• Freelance Copy Editor Resume
• Content Editor Resume
• Editor Resume
• Freelance Writer Cover Letter

How to format a freelance writer resume

The structure of your resume not only reflects your organizational skills but also your ability to adapt to different roles. Whether you're applying to a specialized niche or a more generalist position, your resume should clearly demonstrate your clarity, organization, and storytelling abilities.

Let's talk about the three common resume formats. The reverse-chronological resume lists your experiences starting from the most recent and working backwards. Then we have the functional (or skill-based) resume which is great for candidates with limited or no experience. However, for freelance writers, the most suitable resume format is the combination (hybrid) resume. It blends the chronological with the functional layout, giving equal justice to both your work history and your skills.

• Showcases diverse skills: Freelance content writers typically have a diverse set of writing skills, from technical writing to creative storytelling. The combination resume allows you to highlight these varied skills right at the top in a dedicated skills section. This immediately showcases your breadth of expertise.
• Highlights specific achievements: This format allows you to connect specific skills with concrete achievements. For instance, under each job or project, you can detail accomplishments like, say, increased blog engagement. This method directly links your skills to measurable outcomes.
• Flexibility in presenting experience: Excellent for freelancers who manage multiple projects, allowing you to group similar work under categories like "Freelance projects" or by client, detailing specific roles and achievements within.
• Address gaps clearly: The hybrid structure helps explain gaps in employment in a positive light by focusing more on your achievements rather than the exact timeline.
• Tailor for different audiences: The combination resume is perfect for adapting to various job applications across different industries or media types, allowing you to highlight the most relevant skills and experiences for each role.

Choosing the right header for your freelance writer resume

As a writer, choosing the perfect words and providing accurate information should come naturally. The same goes for the header. You have a single line, get the attention of hiring managers by exceeding their expectations.

The resume header is a great opportunity to leverage your copy skills and customize everything (including the title). For example, adding “Marketing Freelance Writer” to your title instead of “freelance writer” makes a huge difference.

Your header should also include your name, location, email address, and a link to your personal website or portfolio. Look at the example below.