How Aja Frost Paid Off Student Loans with Freelance Writing (And How You Can Too)

Have you ever scrolled through a major online publication and wondered how freelance writers land those coveted bylines—and get paid well for them? It often seems like an exclusive club, but the path to a successful writing career might be more accessible than you think, even while you’re still in college. This is the story of how one student turned a passion for writing into a lucrative career before she even graduated.

Today, we’re diving into the inspiring journey of Aja Frost, an English major who masterfully balanced her coursework with a burgeoning freelance writing career. While her peers were navigating classes and campus life, Aja was building an impressive portfolio, getting published on huge sites, and earning enough to completely pay off her student loans.

Aja’s story began not with a grand business plan, but with a simple love for writing. Shortly after starting her freshman year at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, she began looking for outlets to share her work. She wasn’t picky; she sought out any reputable site that openly accepted guest contributions. This initial phase was about exploration and experience, as she wrote on a wide variety of topics, gradually honing her skills and building a solid portfolio one article at a time.

Her persistence paid off remarkably quickly. Before her freshman year had even concluded, the opportunities began to shift. Editors started noticing her work, and she began receiving offers for paid articles. This was the turning point. What started as a hobby was now a viable, self-sustaining career. Aja has since written for powerhouse publications like TechCrunch, Fast Company, USA Today, and Inc., proving that age and student status are no barriers to professional success.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the exact strategies Aja used to launch her career. We’ll explore her daily habits, her effective writing routine, and her methods for generating compelling ideas and conducting thorough research. Most importantly, we’ll reveal the step-by-step process she used to get her work featured on high-profile websites. Get ready to learn how you can follow in her footsteps.

The First Step: Building a Portfolio from Zero

The biggest hurdle for any new freelance writer is the classic “chicken and egg” problem: you need a portfolio to get jobs, but you need jobs to build a portfolio. Aja’s approach was simple and effective: she started by writing for free. She treated every guest post, regardless of pay, as a stepping stone. Each published article was another piece to add to her collection, showcasing her ability to write clearly, meet deadlines, and cover diverse subjects.

How to build your own portfolio:

Start with guest posts: Identify blogs and online magazines in niches you’re passionate about. Look for a “Write for Us” or “Guest Contribution” page. These opportunities are your gateway to getting your name out there.
Leverage your own platform: Start a simple blog on a platform like WordPress or Medium. This gives you a space to publish your own work immediately, demonstrating your writing style and expertise without needing an editor’s approval.
Don’t underestimate university publications: Writing for your college newspaper or literary journal is a fantastic way to get published clips and show you can work within an editorial structure.

By focusing on volume and quality in the beginning, Aja created a body of work that spoke for itself. When she started pitching paid opportunities, she had a rich portfolio of links to prove her capabilities.

Transitioning from Free Work to Paid Gigs

Working for free is a short-term strategy, not a long-term career plan. The transition to paid work is a critical milestone. For Aja, this happened organically as her reputation grew, but for many, it requires a proactive approach. Once you have a handful of strong portfolio pieces, it’s time to start seeking compensation for your efforts.

The key is to pitch with confidence. When you contact an editor, you’re not just asking for a job; you’re offering a valuable service. Your pitch should be professional, concise, and tailored to the publication. Instead of saying, “I’m a student looking for writing work,” you should say, “I am a writer with experience covering [Your Niche], and I have a story idea that would be a perfect fit for your audience.”

Tips for landing your first paid article:

Research the publication: Read at least 5-10 articles from your target site. Understand their tone, style, and the topics they cover. Your pitch should demonstrate this understanding.
Craft a compelling headline: Editors are busy. A great headline in your pitch can grab their attention and make them want to read more.
Provide a clear outline: Briefly outline the key points your article will cover. This shows the editor you’ve thought through the story and have a clear direction.
Include your best clips: Link to 2-3 of your most relevant and impressive published articles. This is where your initial guest posting efforts pay off.

The Art of the Pitch: Landing High-Profile Publications

Writing for sites like Fast Company or USA Today requires more than just good writing; it requires a brilliant pitch. These publications receive hundreds of pitches a day, so yours needs to stand out. Aja succeeded by thinking like an editor. She didn’t just pitch topics she wanted to write about; she pitched stories she knew their audience would want to read.

A high-value pitch often has one or more of the following elements:

A unique angle: Don’t pitch a generic topic like “The Benefits of Time Management.” Instead, pitch something specific and fresh, like “The ‘Time-Boxing’ Method That Helped Me Ace My Finals While Working 20 Hours a Week.”
Data or expert sources: Mentioning that you plan to incorporate new data, a recent study, or interviews with experts can make your pitch much more appealing.
A compelling narrative: Storytelling is powerful. If your article idea is built around a personal experience or a fascinating case study, highlight that in your pitch. Aja’s controversial article on fraternities for USA Today is a perfect example of a piece driven by a strong, personal viewpoint.

Finding the right editor is also crucial. Don’t send your pitch to a generic “contact@” email address. Use tools like Twitter or LinkedIn to find the specific editor who covers your topic area. A personalized email to the right person dramatically increases your chances of getting a response.

Developing a Sustainable Writing Routine as a Student

Balancing a demanding course load with a freelance career is a challenge. Aja’s success was built on a foundation of disciplined habits and an efficient writing routine. It wasn’t about finding huge blocks of time, but about maximizing the small pockets of time available throughout the day.

Creating a routine that works:

Time blocking: Schedule specific blocks in your calendar for writing, just as you would for a class or a meeting. This could be an hour between classes or two hours every evening.
Idea generation: Inspiration doesn’t always strike when you sit down to write. Carry a notebook or use a notes app on your phone to capture ideas as they come to you. Read widely—books, articles, and even social media threads can spark your next great story.
Efficient research: Develop a system for research. Use tools like Google Scholar for academic sources, bookmark key industry blogs, and create lists of experts to follow on social media. The goal is to find credible information quickly.
Focus on one task at a time: When it’s time to write, eliminate distractions. Close unnecessary tabs, put your phone on silent, and focus solely on getting words on the page. You can edit and polish later. The first draft is just about getting the ideas down.

By treating her writing like a serious job, even when it was just a side hustle, Aja was able to deliver high-quality work consistently and build trust with her editors, leading to more assignments and higher pay over time.

Show Notes and Essential Links

Discuss this episode and freelance strategies in the community
Connect with Aja Frost on Twitter
Visit Aja’s professional website
Explore all of Aja’s freelance writing in her portfolio
The Prospect, an early publication Aja wrote for
Example Article: 4 Super-Common Interview Questions
Read the controversial frat article on USA Today
Learn about QUIC (a technical topic she covered)
Music Inspiration: G-Eazy
Gear Mention: Boosted board
Gear Mention: Inboard M1
Creator Inspiration: Casey Neistat
Learn to build your own platform with this 14,000-word post

Want more cool stuff? You can find all sorts of great tools for students and writers at my Resources page.

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