The stay-at-home mom’s roadmap to building a real freelance writer portfolio

(With examples you can create from scratch)

You’re not “behind,” you’re just at the starting point

Detasseling. Ever heard of it?

If you’re from the Corn Belt like me, it’s a literal rite of passage.

I was thirteen years old when I got my first job detasseling corn in the hot, humid Midwestern summer. You get picked up with a big group of kids your age, loaded onto old school buses, and driven out to the middle of a cornfield. Then you trek through mud, bugs, manure, and sharp corn leaves, plucking the tassel off the top of every single stalk.

And for those of you who aren’t from the Midwest, the corn is about six feet tall. Your shoulder muscles don’t even know sore until you’ve walked the rows.

I did all that because I had my eyes set on a pair of Gap cargo khakis. Call it my Midwestern roots or my millennial upbringing, but even then, I wanted to work, make my own money, and buy my own things.

That desire didn’t disappear as I got older.

When I made the decision to become a stay-at-home mom (which is the best decision I’ve ever made), there was what I’ll call an adjustment period. I was deeply thankful to have a husband who could support our family, but after years of supporting myself, letting go of that independence was harder than I expected.

With that came the quiet questions I didn’t always say out loud. What happens to future me? What happens to my career? Will I fall behind?

As I’ve met other stay-at-home moms along the way, I’ve heard those same thoughts echoed back to me. Wanting to be fully present with their kids while still contributing financially and not losing themselves in the process.

For me, discovering freelance writing made me realize I wasn’t falling behind at all. I was standing at the starting point of something new. Something I could control. Something where I got to choose the destination.

And the starting point of that journey was, you guessed it, a writing portfolio.

If you’re like me and ready to forge ahead with your freelancing career, follow along on this roadmap

I’ve built for you. It’s full of credible samples, no cold pitching, and staying completely, fully you.

Map legend: What a portfolio is (and what it isn’t)

Before we pull out of the driveway, let’s make sure we know how to read the map.

A portfolio is:

• Showing you know how to write for different audiences•

• Proof you can adjust voice and tone to meet business needs•

• Evidence you can actually do what you say you can do

A portfolio is not:

• A collection of work for just one client

• A resume

• A place to showcase only creative writing

Pick a direction before you set out

Every map needs a compass. Direction is good. Wandering aimlessly is not.

Your portfolio needs direction.

That doesn’t mean your niche is set in stone forever. It just means you’re choosing a starting point.

Direction gives your portfolio focus, and focus makes you look professional.

Ask yourself: who do I want to write for, and what kind of writing do I want to get paid for?

Maybe it’s parenting blog posts. Maybe it’s newsletters for nonprofits.

Your direction can change as you grow. This is your map. We’re just picking the first route.

The climb: Creating portfolio pieces that look like paid work

This is the uphill part, and yes, this is where a lot of people start to get sweaty. Let’s break it down.

Step 1:

If you chose newsletters for nonprofits, start there. Pick a real organization you could reasonably write for and create the type of newsletter they would actually send.

Add a short note explaining who the audience is and what the goal of the newsletter is.

Step 2:

Create website copy for the same organization. Don’t recreate what they already have.

Refresh a page that feels outdated or unclear, or write a page they don’t currently have.

For websites, clarity matters more than creativity. Remember, people come for information.

Step 3:

Write an email that promotes the newsletter. Show you understand subject lines, flow, and calls to action.

Step 4:

Pick another organization and repeat.

The valley: Where self-doubt usually kicks in

Let me stop you right here.

Your work is good enough. The effort you’re putting in matters.

Building a thoughtful portfolio shows dedication and work ethic. That counts for more than you think.

Keep going.

How to present your portfolio like a professional

Now it’s time to put your work out into the world without feeling cringey.

Host your samples in a Google Doc or on a simple website. Make sure everything is clearly labeled as samples.

For each piece, include:

• The title

• Who it’s for

• What it’s meant to do

Then upload your portfolio to places like:

• Upwork

• Fiverr

• LinkedIn

And just like that, you’re in motion.

Destination (for now): Your portfolio is a bridge

Just like with detasseling, you don’t worry about how big the field is. You focus on the row in front of you and keep moving.

Your portfolio works the same way. It’s not the finish line. It’s the bridge between where you are and the work you want to do next.

If you want help taking that first step and actually getting words on the page, check out The Pajama Writer. She helps you start writing without overthinking it and without trying to be anyone but yourself.

Because you’re not behind. You’re just getting started.

And don’t forget to enjoy the journey!