Experienced freelancers might enjoy exploring the different communities available, but newbies will likely feel intimidated. Most won’t even know where to start looking. To jumpstart your research, we made a list of free online communities that provide the most value to aspiring freelancers.
1. Freelancing Females
Freelancing Females (FF) was founded in 2017. Although its Facebook group currently has fewer than 65,000 members, its global network and directory consist of 200,000+ writers, agency owners, SMBs, and aspiring freelancers. FF aims to build a safe, inclusive space for women in the freelancing industry.
Here, you can discuss stories relevant to freelancing, share helpful tips, and reach out to experienced members for advice. However, you can’t pitch your services. Use the group’s in-platform job board and directory for freelance opportunities.
Considering the group’s name, you might wonder if FF is exclusive to women. It mentions on its About Us page that it welcomes freelancers from all backgrounds, regardless of gender. Men and women alike can join this inclusive group.
Make sure to read and follow the guidelines before sending your request. Although admins don’t discriminate against gender, they will automatically kick rude members who blatantly ignore the rules.
2. The Cult of Copy
Despite their similarities, copywriting and content writing are different professions. The latter aims to inform readers through neutral content, while the former focuses on selling ideas. Freelancers can explore both areas. However, if you wish to focus on copywriting, consider joining The Cult of Copy.
The group primarily discusses persuasive short-form copy like newsletters, sales emails, social media ads, and one-line slogans. You won’t find a single post about content writing. Its group admins even delete anything unrelated to copywriting, including posts about blogging, fiction writing, and news writing.
The Cult of Copy accepts requests quickly. Just make sure to peruse the rules because they restrict what members can post, comment, and upload. For instance, job listings are prohibited. For those posts, you should visit its subsidiaries, like Cult of Copy Colosseum and Cult of Copy Job Board.
3. AWAI Digital Copywriters’ Group
The American Writers & Artists Institute (AWAI) launched the Digital Copywriters’ Group in 2013. It helps aspiring freelance writers jumpstart their careers through free webinars, self-help articles, daily motivational quotes, and technical resources. AWAI even gives the group free access to premium content sometimes.
Unlike other copywriting groups, AWAI Digital Copywriters’ Group allows job listings. It has specific job threads within the group. Most openings will likely focus on short-form content like persuasive sales emails and newsletters, although you might spot some clients requesting long-form articles now and then.
4. r/writing
r/writing is currently the largest subreddit dedicated to writing. It contains thousands of writing-related discussions and accommodates various writers specializing in different genres. Whether you do sales copywriting for a living or write fictional stories for fun, you’re welcome to join this subreddit.
Considering the group’s size, expect a diverse range of topics. Writers can post about anything related to writing, from general advice on beating procrastination to expert insights into specific software programs.
Also, the community has a generally positive atmosphere. Just watch out for anonymous users who leave rude, hurtful comments, especially those targeting newbies. You’d do well to ignore them altogether.
5. r/copyrwiting
If r/writing feels too broad, try r/copywriting. As the name suggests, it’s a subreddit for professionals interested in creating advertisement copies, both short-form and long-form pieces.
Here, you’ll find practical tips, helpful advice, and official resources on copywriting. You can also start relevant discussions if you want input from more experienced writers—again, don’t let hateful anonymous users get to you.
The rules don’t prohibit threads about content writing. But don’t expect too many responses, since its community members primarily focus on sales copies and marketing tactics.
6. #WritingCommunity
The #WritingCommunity is an informal, laid-back Twitter community. It’s a safe space where writers of different genres can blurt random thoughts, share funny jokes, vent their frustrations, and discuss writing techniques.
As for privacy, think of the #WritingCommunity as a cross between popular Facebook and Reddit groups. It doesn’t expose as much information as Facebook does. However, since it still requires users to create legit, named accounts, unlike Reddit, you won’t encounter too many trolls.
For access, search #WritingCommunity on Twitter. You’ll immediately see the most-engaged tweets, but you can filter the results based on your preferences. Likewise, make sure to add #WritingCommunity at the end of your tweets if you wish to participate in community discussions or start topics.
7. The Freelance Content Marketing Writer
The Freelance Content Marketing Writer is a small yet helpful community for freelance writers of all levels. Its founder, Jennifer Goforth Gregory, launched the group in 2019 with the intent of helping aspiring freelancers land their first few gigs.
However, the group evolved over the years. As members gained experience, the group’s discussions gradually became more complex, focusing on intermediate and advanced topics in freelancing.
Of course, this isn’t to say newbies are no longer welcome. The group still has several threads, resources, and guides explaining the step-by-step process of transitioning to freelance writing.
Also, The Freelance Content Marketing Writer recently started accepting job listings. Its admins do an excellent job of filtering posts; you won’t encounter low-ball offers from content mills.
8. Freelancing Community With Alexandra Fasulo
Alexandra Fasulo launched the Freelancing Community with Alexandra Fasulo in 2020. Here, she regularly posts tips and guides on how newbies can get started with Fiverr and list their first gigs.
The community was initially quite small. It only blew up in 2021 after CNBC Make It featured Alex as one of Fiverr’s top writers who makes $378,000 per annum. The article attracted the attention of various freelancers, not just writers.
Alex still posts helpful content despite the group’s sudden growth. However, you’ll likely see more content from members discussing daily struggles, Fiverr gig optimization, income goals, and recent freelancing milestones.
The members are very active. Alex might not reply to your posts herself, but you can expect members to give you helpful, positive advice on anything related to Fiverr, freelancing, or content writing.
Find a Freelance Writing Community That Resonates With You
At least explore these free communities. One of the worst mistakes you could make as a freelance writer is to isolate yourself from the world. Even as a remote worker, you should still build your network.
After all, you can’t scale your freelance writing business alone. The challenges will become harder as you expand, and having the support of like-minded peers and industry professionals will help you conquer them. Who knows? You could even try building a small community of freelance virtual assistants and writers yourself in the future.
