Freelance writers hustle hard. I’ve used LinkedIn and nDash to find work. One made it easy, the other…not so much.
Why LinkedIn Freelance Gigs Waste Your Time
LinkedIn is supposed to be the place to find work. But it was built for the corporate world, not freelance writers. And because of that, finding quality freelance writing jobs isn’t an intuitive process. Here’s how it usually unfolds.
Cold Outreach with No Guarantee
The free method of LinkedIn outreach limits you to a 300-character connection request. For the most part, these go unanswered. Tired of crickets, you upgrade to LinkedIn Premium or Sales Navigator. Still crickets, so you cancel it.
And suddenly, your entire message history, along with any warm leads you hoped to follow up with, is gone.
I’ve been through the entire process and landed a total of one paid gig.
So, is it impossible?
No.
But is your time better spent on things you can actually bill for?
You bet.
Inconsistent Expectations and Info
Replying to those “Looking for a freelance writer” posts isn’t much better, but we all do it. I’ve lost count of how many I’ve responded to. Sometimes I drop my portfolio and move on. Other times, if the project feels right, I write a more personal response. The tricky part? So does everyone else.
These posts get hundreds of replies within hours, often leaving out key details like rates, scope, or deadlines. That means when you do get a response, it turns into a lengthy back-and-forth. You ask about deliverables. They ask for more samples (even after seeing your portfolio). Then either they ghost or offer $0.10/word.
Either way, it ends the same: hours spent on a project that was never a real opportunity. And that kind of invisible labor adds up fast.
Back-and-Forth Contracts and Delays
On the rare (and I do mean rare) occasion a project moves forward, it often takes weeks to get started. Contracts, payment terms, and timelines are all necessary, but without a clear process, you build everything from scratch.
And this is all before the writing starts. So, depending on your payment structure, you might not get paid until weeks later.
Why Freelance Writers Love Working Through nDash
nDash is built for one thing: helping writers and brands find each other. There are no vague “we might need content someday” posts. Brands are on the platform because they’re ready to collaborate. Which means less guesswork, less waiting, and a lot more writing.
Here’s how it works:
Freelance Writers Start with a Strong Profile
With nDash, your profile does the heavy lifting. You highlight your best writing samples, niche expertise, and industry knowledge. There’s no need to grow a following, post weekly, or comment for reach. Brands here look for real talent, not vanity metrics.
For those serious about growing their freelance business, writer Jess Shanahan has a tip: “Don’t just reply to open opportunities. Get out there and pitch to companies on the platform. I regularly pitch companies with success.”
No Chasing Down Briefs or Payments
The biggest timesaver when working with nDash? You see the full assignment details before saying yes. Scope, topic, deadline, and—most importantly, rates—are all spelled out upfront. No endless email threads, no client calls, and no justifying your worth.
That same clarity applies to payment. Once your work is approved, nDash pays you directly, on time, and without taking a cut.
As Kara Detwiller puts it, figuring out payment with other clients “isn’t always hard, but it’s always different.” With nDash, that guesswork is off your plate.
Built-In Trust and Transparency
Before pitching, you can check out a brand’s activity on nDash. What assignments do they post, and how do they engage with writers? That context helps you decide if it’s worth your time.
For writer Simona Hostakova, it’s the clarity of those assignments that stands out most. “I always appreciate the clients who take the time to write straightforward assignment descriptions. I love seeing jobs that clearly state what the client expects. It allows me to avoid guessing games about whether I can actually deliver what they need.”
Platform-Based Communication
The best part about working with nDash? Everything stays in the platform. And for freelance writers, that matters. We usually juggle whatever tools the client throws at us, like Slack, Asana, and Notion, each with a login and learning curve.
With nDash, that chaos is gone. Messages, briefs, feedback, and payment all live in one place.
The Pitching Process: Side-by-Side
Different platforms, same goal: find work, get paid. But the path there? Completely different, depending on where you start.
- Spot a vague “Looking for a writer” post.
- Drop a portfolio link or craft a clever comment.
- Wait… and hope someone replies.
- Slide into DMs to follow up.
- Start an email thread to clarify the project.
- Go back and forth to get the details you need—rate, scope, timeline.
- Negotiate terms and build a custom contract.
- Submit your invoice.
- Follow up once (or three times) to get paid.
nDash
- Browse open assignments or pitch freelance writing services to brands actively looking for them.
- Review the full brief: rate, topic, deadline, and scope.
- Accept the assignment.
- Submit your draft through the platform.
- Get paid without the follow-ups.
Want a more detailed look at how the two platforms stack up? This post breaks down the key differences between LinkedIn and nDash for finding freelance copywriting work. Check it out: LinkedIn vs. nDash for Finding Freelance Copywriters.
Designed for Freelance Writers, Backed by Brands
One of the first things I noticed about nDash is that brands aren’t just browsing. They come ready to hire, with budgets, timelines, and a clear idea of what they need. You’re not trying to sell them on the value of writing. They already get it, and that’s half the battle.
Brands Come to You
This one surprised me: I didn’t pitch every client I’ve worked with on nDash. Four brands came to me—yes, really. They found my profile, reached out with assignments, and got the ball rolling.
And when you do reach out, it’s a warmer introduction. Michael Belfiore, a fellow nDash writer, shares: “I’m mostly pitching brands on my services rather than individual story ideas, and I’ve found ways to enjoy it, mainly by finding common ground with potential clients.”
That shift makes the process feel more like a conversation, and less like a long shot.
A Platform That Respects Freelance Writers
When it comes to finding work, freelance writers usually have one of two choices: cold pitch and hope for fair rates, or take steady but underpaid gigs on job boards. nDash offers something better.
For Amy Hooker Kidd, what stood out was simple: clients respected her rates. “When I came upon nDash, I found I could work with clients and get the rates I’m used to charging because they understand the value.”
Fair pay is the exception on most content writing platforms, but it’s the standard on nDash.
nDash Lets Freelance Writers Focus on the Work, Not the Admin
The more time I spend on nDash, the more I notice how much time I used to waste elsewhere. Pitching, following up, negotiating terms, and chasing payments all took more time than actually writing, and none of it was billable.
nDash flips that. Once your profile’s up, the admin fades out, and the writing moves front and center. Less chasing. More writing. Exactly how it should be.
About the Author:
Kali Armstrong is a passionate freelance writer dedicated to helping others share their unique stories. With expertise in content writing and copywriting, she skillfully crafts engaging materials for businesses seeking to refine their brand voice and expand their reach. Kali’s commitment to creating value-driven content strategically designed to attract premium clientele has made her a go-to resource for many clients across diverse industries. Check out her writer profile here: Kali Armstrong.