About the blog

I am Dale King, a specialist dental copywriter. I love to share my knowledge of working within the dental niche with other like-minded individuals. 

Subscribe for the latest updates

Don’t Miss A Post!

Subscribe to my blog and discover a wealth of useful information pertaining to dental content writing.

Please wait…

Thank you for subscribing.

How to find your first dental writing client

How to Find Your First Dental Writing Client (Without a Website)

So you’ve decided to become a dental writer, but now what?

You’ve got the motivation. Maybe you’ve even written a few pieces you’re proud of. But finding that all-important first client? That’s where most new writers get stuck.

And you’re not alone…

A quick check on Reddit suggests that the average time to bag your first client as a new freelancer is roughly 4-6 months.

Why so long?

Because there’s a lot more competition now.

When I first started back in 2010, I had already done a couple of small gigs as a generalist writer, but I was completely unknown as a dental content writer.

If I remember correctly, I repositioned in mid-May, and less than a week later, I’d landed my first dental client. That was a regular dental blogging gig.

Nowadays, many turn to platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, hoping for a quick win. But what they often find is a race to the bottom: low fees, poor briefs, and a lot of time wasted competing with hundreds of other hopefuls.

But here’s the good news: you don’t need a website, years of experience, or a fancy portfolio to get started. Instead, you need a clear strategy.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to find your first dental writing client by focusing on connection, clarity, and confidence. No bidding. No burnout. Just simple, strategic steps that actually work.

So, if you’re ready, let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work…

Why You Don’t Need a Website to Land Your First Client

A website can be helpful, of course, but when you’re starting out, it’s often more of a time sink than a client magnet. Most clients don’t find new writers through Google searches. They find them through:

  • Referrals
  • Industry groups
  • LinkedIn
  • Direct outreach
  • Helpful, relevant content shared in the right places

A sleek website won’t make up for a lack of clarity on who you serve or how you help. But a clear message, shared in the right places, will. So here’s what you need to do…

Step 1: Start With Your Inner Circle (Yes, Really)

Your first client may be closer than you think. Think about your existing connections:
  • Are you a current or former dental professional? Reach out to former colleagues.
  • Do you know someone who owns a practice?
  • Have you been active in dental Facebook groups, study clubs, or local associations?

Write a short, confident message letting people know what you’re doing. Here’s a quick script:
“Hey [Name], I’m building a freelance business writing content for dental businesses. If you know anyone who needs help with patient blogs, service pages, or email newsletters, I’d love to connect.” Even if they’re not hiring, they may pass your name on.

Step 2: Create 2–3 Strong Samples That Show You “Get It”

You don’t need a massive portfolio, just 2 or 3 pieces that:

  • Are written for dental audiences (e.g. patient blog, treatment landing page, dentist-to-dentist article)
  • Reflect the tone and clarity clients want
  • Demonstrate your understanding of dentistry and patient communication

Write them as spec samples, pretend you’re writing for a real client. These don’t need to live on a website. A Google Doc with a nice heading and clean formatting is plenty. Better still, you could even post them as LinkedIn featured articles, but more about this in a moment…
Bonus tip: Add a short note at the top of each piece explaining its purpose: “This sample blog post is designed for a family dental practice educating patients about gum disease”.

Step 3: Make Your LinkedIn Profile Work for You

use LinkedIn to help find your first dental writing client
Even if you’re not a “LinkedIn person,” This is primarily where your potential clients hang out, so you need to be there too! Besides, LinkedIn is a powerful tool for building trust. Here’s what to do:

  • Update your headline to reflect exactly what you do: “Dental Content Writer for Patient-Focused Practices”. Readers should be left in no doubt about what you do and how you help. Talking of help…
  • Add a friendly summary that explains how you help, who you help, and why you care.
  • Share your samples (as links or PDF uploads under the “Featured” section
  • Follow dentists, dental marketers, and dental business owners and start commenting on their posts

A few thoughtful comments a week can put you on the radar of potential clients without ever pitching. If you’re unsure about how to use LinkedIn effectively, no worries…Check out my blog post “5 LinkedIn Marketing Strategies That Get You Clients”

Step 4: Use Warm Outreach, Not Cold Spam!

You don’t need to mass email 100 practices.

Start by researching 5–10 dental practices, marketing agencies, or dental product companies you’d genuinely like to write for. Then send a short, polite message showing:

  • You know who they are
  • You understand their audience
  • You can help them with content


Example:

“Hi [Name], I noticed your practice blog hasn’t been updated in a while. I’d love to help you reconnect with patients online. I’m a freelance dental writer with a clinical background, and I’ve got some patient-focused blog samples I’d be happy to share.”

Keep it short, friendly, and non-pushy. Even if they’re not hiring now, you’ll stay on their radar.

Step 5: Avoid the Bidding Trap

Upwork, Fiverr, and other gig sites are tempting, but they often lead to frustration. Here’s why:

  • You’ll spend hours crafting pitches just to undercut other writers
  • Clients often don’t value content quality; they value cheap and fast
  • It’s harder to raise your rates or build long-term client relationships

Instead of relying on volume, go for quality connections. One well-paying, respectful client is worth more than five bargain-hunters.

Step 6: Stay Visible and Be Patient

It’s normal to feel impatient. But freelance writing is a long game. Keep showing up:

  • Post on LinkedIn once or twice a week
  • Share your samples in relevant Facebook groups
  • Offer value, comment, answer questions, cheer others on

Over time, people will begin to associate you with dental writing. And when a content opportunity comes up, you’ll be the one they think of.

Not Sure What to Say, Share, or Send?

That’s exactly why I created my free Dental Writer Starter Guide; it walks you through everything from what services to offer to how to market yourself without sounding pushy.

👉 Download my free guide here, if you haven’t already.

And if you’re ready to dig deeper, explore the new DWC Resource Centre, packed with templates, training, and time-saving tools for growing your writing business. Whether you’re looking for pitch scripts, client email templates, or new blog post ideas, it’s all waiting for you inside.

Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This

Finding your first dental writing client might feel daunting, but it’s completely doable without a website, fancy logo, or paid ads. What matters is:

  • Showing that you understand dental content
  • Reaching out in a human, helpful way
  • Staying visible and consistent

And remember, everyone starts somewhere. The most successful dental writers didn’t wait to be “ready.” They started with what they had and built from there. So go on. Take the first step. You might be just one message away from your first client.