Why Freelance Writers Need Video to Land Higher‑Paying Clients, Even if You’re Camera Shy
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Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Video Any Longer
Clients buy clarity, not cleverness
There are several really good reasons why you shouldn't ignore video any longer as a tool to get clients.
For example, a 45‑second clip where you unpack one micro‑problem (“How to trim 100 words from any draft without losing meaning”) instantly displays your thinking process, which is something a static portfolio can’t.
Then there are the algorithms that reward problem-solvers
TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels all boost content that helps non‑writers fix frustrating day‑to‑day headaches. Things like trimming bloated slide decks or sharpening customer‑service emails. Writers who demonstrate quick, actionable fixes will find it much easier to grow their audience … with zero dance moves required.
But one of the most important reasons is that video collapses trust timelines.
A lead who watches your face, voice, and workflow for five minutes feels like they’ve met you in person. So when they reach out, they typically have fewer objections and are more willing to dig into their wallets to get your help.
Meet the Writers Already Cashing In
Jamie Brindle’s 45‑Second Payday
When UK copywriter Jamie Brindle uploaded a single 45‑second TikTok explaining value‑based pricing, he wasn’t hunting for vanity metrics. He was educating potential clients. The clip helped swell his channel to over 290 K followers and 5 M likes, and funneled a steady stream of workshop sign‑ups and copy projects to his inbox.
But it wasn’t just about one clip. If you watch the videos in his channel, you’ll see that he offers great advice to aspiring freelancers. And all in a slightly quirky way that is very “watchable” (and yes, that’s a word).
Video isn’t about going viral; it’s about offering instant, visual proof that you can solve real business problems.
Shelby Leigh’s Poetry Book Sales
I was fascinated when I heard Shelby Leigh explain how she uses TikTok’s “BookTok” to promote her poetry books. And to keep her audience informed about what’s coming up.
She uses video in a completely different way to Jamie Brindle, but it is equally effective. With nearly 400K followers, many of whom buy her books, she’s actually managed to generate a decent income from her poetry. Something I wasn’t aware was possible.
If you’re interested, you can listen to Shelby describe her journey as she talks to Teddy Smith, host of the Publishing performance podcast.
Neither Jamie or Shelby started out as a “video person.” Both started by pointing a phone at their desk and sharing one bite‑size insight they’d normally write.
LinkedIn Writers Turning Video into Clients
And TikTok isn’t the only place where video is helping writers get paid for their writing. LinkedIn videos are as well.
Why LinkedIn video works: Even as far back as 2020, LinkedIn Live streams were generating 24× more comments and 7× more reactions than standard native video. Which results in putting solo writers in front of warm, decision-makers far faster than cold outreach ever will.
And that engagement trend from video just keeps accelerating. Here are some examples of how some writers are making good use of video on LinkedIn.
Stacey Meadwell: B2B editor & copywriter
Stacey co-hosts the monthly LinkedIn Live B2B Comms Breakdown, then trims the replay into 4–6 short clips and carousel posts. Viewers reference the show in DMs and discovery calls that convert into B2B content retainers.
Erin Pennings: brand-messaging strategist
Erin runs weekly multi-stream Lives on real marketing pain points and often brings in guest experts. Those sessions funnel viewers into paid copy audits, messaging sprints, and her flagship website-copy course.
Diana Kelly Levey: Freelance writer & coach
Diana mixes native video posts with text and carousels, and regularly spotlights her top performers (video heavy) to underline results. The approach tripled her LinkedIn audience in 18 months and feeds coaching bookings and content packages.
Are you convinced yet?
Good. Now is the perfect time to get started using video.
Four Writer‑Friendly Reframes to Beat Camera‑Shyness
But before we even touch “record,” on your phone or camera, let’s reset how you think about video. This section is a quick mindset tune-up for writers who’d rather hide behind the keyboard.
It’s got four bite-size reframes that turn “I’m not a video person” into a tiny, doable plan you can film today with just your phone, a window, and one clear tip. Skim them, pick one, take action and by the end you’ll have a 30–45 second script ready to shoot.
When You’re a Word Person…Do This:
If you’re thinking, “that’s all well and good for you, Trudy. I’m a word-person, not a performer,” then here’s the good news. Video is still writing. You’re just reading your words out loud. The trick is to treat the camera like your editor and your outline like a script.
Paste one paragraph from a recent piece into a document, bold the beats you must hit, and read it conversationally. Keep your first takes to 30–45 seconds. The goal isn’t to achieve an Oscar-worthy delivery, it’s to be clear. Think “structured riff,” not “speech.”
If You’re Scared You’ll Look Unprofessional … Do This:
Polish comes from planning, not pricey gear.
Face a window for soft light, raise your laptop (or your phone or tablet) on a stack of books for eye-level framing, and clear the background clutter. Hit “record”, speak slowly, smile once, and end with a single-line CTA (call-to-action). If you want a quick lift, add captions (CapCut, Clipchamp, VEED, or native YouTube/TikTok captions) and a simple on-brand title card—done.
If You Feel Overwhelmed by Tech … Do This:
You don’t need a studio. Your phone plus a $20 clip-on mic will give you 90% of the result.
Pick one app and stick with it for a month. CapCut for edits/captions is plenty. Create a tiny pre-flight checklist:
- Window light on your face
- Frame centered
- Mic connected
- Do Not Disturb on
The fewer decisions you make, the calmer you’ll feel on camera.
And If You Know Deep In Your Bones That You Hate Watching Yourself on Camera … Do This:
Treat early videos like drafts no one will see. Record three short takes, save them, and step away for ten minutes.
When you come back, choose the least cringey take (not the perfect one) and post it. Progress lives in publishing. If that still feels like a lot, post your video as “unlisted” first, then flip it to public tomorrow.
Little bit by little bit beats all-or-nothing every single time.
Bare‑Minimum Video Starter Kit
And if you’re thinking you need a ton of fancy gear to get started, well, you don’t. All you need is this:
- Phone – the one already in your pocket.
- Window – free, flattering daylight when you face it.
- Clip‑on mic (optional) – your earbud mic works in a pinch.
- Free caption tool – CapCut, Clipchamp, VEED, InShot (or let YouTube/TikTok auto‑caption).
- A cup of courage ☕ – espresso (or a hot chocolate) makes hitting “record” easier.
Quick LinkedIn Playbook to Test This Week
So here’s your chance to get started. Set yourself the goal of doing these three things this weekend.
- Go live with a 5‑minute Q&A. Tackle one razor‑specific client problem (e.g., “Trim 300 words from your SaaS homepage without losing clarity”).
- Repurpose ruthlessly. From the replay, edit a 30‑second teaser, a text summary, and a PDF carousel.
- Close with a service‑based CTA. Example: “Need this done for your SaaS blog? DM me ‘SAAS’ for rates.”
Your 3‑Step Starter Exercise (10 Minutes Total)
And if you need a bit more to choose from to help you get started, here’s another action you can take instead. The whole point is just to get started.
- Script: Copy the most actionable sentence from something you published last week. Paste it into a doc and expand it into a 3‑point bullet list (~40 words).
- Shoot: Prop your phone in front of a window, hit record, and read your bullets with a smile. Don’t re‑shoot more than twice.
- Ship: Upload your video as an unlisted YouTube Short or private TikTok. Tomorrow, switch it to “public” and add a one‑line caption plus this CTA: “Follow for freelance‑writing hacks.”
And if you do that, then congratulations: you’ve filmed, edited, and published your first video in under an hour. Now repeat that process weekly and watch the inbound leads stack up.
It’s Your Move
Video isn’t replacing the craft of writing. It’s actually amplifying it. When prospects can see your expertise, they tend to hire faster and pay more. You don’t need a studio, ring light, or an extrovert’s personality. You need one clear tip, a window’s light, and the courage to click record.
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