Freelance writing can be an excellent career for students. It offers the chance to learn new skills, work with different people, and experience various writing styles. In addition, freelance writers have the opportunity to control their schedules and work from home. However, there are also some challenges associated with freelance writing. For example, freelancers may have to compete for jobs and sometimes find it challenging to get paid on time. If you are thinking of pursuing a career as a freelancer, you have come to the right place. In this article, we’ll look at whether freelance writing is a smart career choice, how much money you can make, and how to get started. Continue reading to find out if freelance writing is the right career choice for you!
Table of Contents
What Exactly Is Freelance Writing?
Freelance writing is the act of working from home and getting paid for your work. Freelancers are hired to do various jobs, such as blog posts, copywriting, articles, and even novels. The freelance writer can either find a job themselves or be approached by someone who needs their services.
The great thing about freelance writing is that you can work from anywhere in the world as long as you have a computer and an internet connection. This means that you can take on jobs from all over the globe, which gives you a lot of freedom and flexibility.
What Is the Education Requirement to be a freelance writer?
To be a freelance writer, you don’t need a formal degree, but if you’re starting from scratch, you can educate yourself in some way so that you can generate high-quality work. If you don’t have time to attend a university, look for an online writing course. Many freelance writing jobs do not necessitate specific qualifications, such as a college diploma or certification. A solid writing portfolio, marketing skills, and experience in the desired niche, on the other hand, can assist freelance writers in getting their freelance business off the ground.
How to Land a Successful Freelancing Career?
Below we have listed down some steps that you will have to follow to land a successful career in this growing field:
Select a Specialty
It’s a good idea to start by concentrating on one or two critical areas of expertise. You’ll earn a reputation for your subject knowledge and be able to demand more outstanding charges as a result. Furthermore, when hiring writers, clients prefer to hire a portfolio that indicates experience in a sector related to their needs.
Make a Portfolio
It would help if you created a portfolio from the start of your freelance writing career. The first thing a potential client sees is your portfolio, which should showcase your best work. You can use it as a portfolio if you write for a blog. Blogging is a great way to keep your creativity flowing while building a portfolio, improving your writing skills, and developing a niche.
Create Accounts on Various Digital Platforms to Increase Visibility and Engagement
Having a positive presence on social media channels is critical for freelance writers. Even if you don’t want to be on social media 24/7, updating your life regularly, presence is unavoidable.
From a professional standpoint, social media channels have become extremely important. As a result, you should set up accounts on all relevant social media channels. Freelance content writers should check these channels frequently to stay up to date on the latest trends.
Focus on Networking
As competent and talented freelance content writers, you should learn to network with people from various industries and organizations.
This helps demonstrate your writing skills while also assisting clients and making a name for yourself as a credible content writer. LinkedIn is a platform that connects people from various businesses and consumers. Networking on a platform like LinkedIn will provide you with the most benefits for freelancing in content writing.
Furthermore, you can connect with your existing clients via these various digital media channels. A successful network aids in the development of trust and the enhancement of your brand reputation as a content writer.
Pitch Potential Clients
If you want to get a client’s attention, you must pitch effectively. Knowing how to promote yourself convincingly and your work is an integral part of freelance writing. The customer must understand why they should hire you over the competition and the most outstanding candidate for the position.
Learn SEO Techniques
Basic SEO knowledge is essential for any online writing. Clients are looking for writers who know what SEO is and how it works and provide SEO-friendly content. You may learn more about SEO from various free internet sites, including our other posts on the Sophistical Blog.
Learn New Content Writing Techniques
You are responsible for the jobs you apply for and accept as a freelance content writer. This also implies that you should continue to learn new talents to enhance your resume with even more relevant qualifications.
Today, large corporations and businesses are looking for content writers familiar with the fundamentals of website design and layout. It’s also a plus if you have a basic understanding of the core digital marketing components. There are a few more crucial tasks that you must master to become a skilled content writer.
Is Freelance Writing a Demanding Career
High-quality freelance writers and brand journalists are in high demand right now and will continue to be for years. Although the content marketing and freelance writing businesses were already booming before COVID-19, the pandemic has expedited their growth, providing freelancers with a plethora of options.
What Type of Writing Earns the Most Money?
There are several high-paying writing jobs available on the freelancing market, and all you have to do now is track them down. However, I’ve made it easy with this list of 12 higher-paying freelance writing jobs for you. As a result, here is a list of freelance writing jobs that pay well.
Book Ghostwriting
It is a more lucrative writing job–the best paying freelance writing job out of all of them. Why? Because, as the name or title implies, the author is not given credit for the book’s creation. The credit belongs to the client, who will use his byline instead of the freelance writer’s.
As a result, each project is adequately compensated. Each ghostwriter book is priced between $30,000 to $35,000. It’s a good reward, and a good idea, especially given the book you wrote has your client’s vibe and message rather than your own. As a result, clients will work with you on the project to ensure that your material matches their tone.
Long-form Content Writer
Have you ever explored long-form blog content as a potential freelance writing opportunity? They are, and there’s a solid reason for it. They’re usually very long guideposts, ranging from 2000 to 5000 words. Because not every marketer has the time to produce these blog posts regularly, they frequently hire freelance writers to fill the hole.
They also pay exceptionally well. Many such writing opportunities in the B2B sector can be found on LinkedIn.
white Paper Freelance Writers
Because white papers are more sophisticated than other types of material, businesses are looking for freelance white paper writers. The content marketing white paper provides users with a solution to their problems that persuades and motivates them to take action.
As a result, it’s a lucrative writing job because it essentially analyses company problems and then researches and compares alternatives to discover the finest one that solves the problem. White papers aren’t your standard 2,000-word-long pieces of material. They are around 512 pages of substance. Payment ranges from $3,000 to $10,000 per project.
E-Book Writing
It’s a lucrative writing niche because marketers utilize ebooks to create leads and sell them to gain passive money. Some E-book writers charge as much as $2,000 to write a short ebook.
Case Studies
As a result, case study freelance writers are in high demand, and the pay per project is excellent. Furthermore, because all companies and businesses are constantly looking for ways to outperform their competitors, the use of case study articles has grown in popularity.
SEO Writing
The market for SEO freelance writers is exceptionally high. So, if you’re an SEO freelance writer, you’re in a lucrative market. Companies will pay you more if you write content that ranks higher on Google.
Personal Finance Writers
Personal finance writers are always in high demand. It is a sizable market for freelance writers and one of the most lucrative freelance writing niches. Why? Because trade deals and other financial assets are renegotiated daily. As a result, there is a high demand for personal finance writers.
Sales Page/Landing page Freelance Writers
Can you write persuasive sales copy that sells? Perhaps, creating sales pages that convert visitors to customers necessitates excellent copywriting skills and talent. As a result, businesses frequently seek freelance writers who specialize in writing sales pages, and they also pay exceptionally well. Copywriters for sales pages charge between $750 and $3,000 per page.
Technology Writing
The tech industry is a moving train that no one can stop, and the demand for freelance writers is no exception. The job market is fantastic, and marketers in this field of digital marketing are always looking for writers who can create content that will resonate with their target audience.
Business Plan Writers
To impress investors, startups seeking funding for their new businesses must often create a sizzling-hot business plan or a confidential information memorandum (CIM). If you enjoy learning about how businesses work and can tell a good story, this freelance writing opportunity is for you.
Press Release Writing
This type of freelance writing job is in high demand, and the rates for creating a short press release are also substantial.
Can You Make Good Money as a Freelance Writer?
In the United States, the average hourly wage for a freelancer is $21.79 per hour. A freelancer’s salary is varied depending on the following factors: location, experience, and company. Below are the highest paying cities for freelancers in the United States
- Austin, TX – $33.55 per hour
- Chicago, IL – $30.68 per hour
- Atlanta, GA – $25.97 per hour
- Washington, DC- $23.62 per hour
- Houston, TX – $22.17 per hour
- Miami, FL – $21.25 per hour
- Los Angeles, CA – $21.05 per hour
- San Diego, CA – $20.10 per hour
- New York, NY – $19.77 per hour
According to Upwork’s prior industry research, 60% of freelancers who leave a full-time job to become freelancers earn more money than they did before.
As per the 2020 freelancer study data, the average hourly rate for freelancers in the United States is $20.
The average hourly income for freelancers working in web/mobile development, marketing, legal, accountancy, and other skilled services is $28. These freelancers earn more than 70% of all workers in the United States, at $28 per hour.
Top Freelancer Employers in the United States
In the United States, several companies frequently hire freelance writers. According to a study, the eight most popular freelance employers are:
- 2A Consulting
- Smashbox Cosmetics
- Yours Truly Media
- Thrillist
- 24 Seven
- Murad
- Juice Beauty
- Upwork
These companies offer several opportunities for freelance writers to find work, whether it be through contract work, on-demand work, or project-based work.
Valuable Tips If You are Looking to Start Working as Freelance Writers
Always keep an eye out for new freelance writing opportunities – Look for employment openings on the internet. Send an email introducing yourself to the content director to reach out to new clients. Make connections with other authors who can refer you to employment when their schedules are busy.
Submit your story ideas: As a writer, you’re sure to have your thoughts running through your mind. Consider which newspapers or journals you’d like to contribute to, then brainstorm related story ideas and begin pitching. You’ll have an easier time pitching ideas to other magazines once you’ve gotten your first story authorized and your first byline.
Start a blog – A blog is a great way to share your work with a broader audience and lead to more freelance writing opportunities. Not only will you have a place to showcase your writing, but editors and content directors may also approach you with potential writing assignments after reading your blog.
Be professional and prompt: Always respond to emails promptly, and be sure to fulfill all the obligations of the contract you sign. Remember that your professionalism and reliability will be remembered, so always aim to produce high-quality work.
Don’t quit your day job: If you’re a novice writer, start by working part-time as a freelancer before launching your own small business. It may take some time to secure your first client and start earning good money as a successful freelance writer.
Consider a variety of assignments: Take diverse forms of freelance writing jobs and work for different types of clientele when you first start writing as a freelance writer. Many of the topics you’ll write about will be unfamiliar to you. One of your clients might assign you in-depth white papers well-researched thought-leadership pieces that necessitate a significant amount of study.
Make sure you’re familiar with each style guide – You’ll generally follow one of the primary style guides that define writing elements like grammar, style, spelling, and punctuation usage, whether a client requests you to follow the Associated Press Style book or the Chicago Manual of Style. Have a copy of each book on hand so you can write in the manner that your client prefers.
Prepare your promotional materials – When new clients inquire about their work and availability, a good writer will be prepared. When prospective client approaches you for freelance work, they will frequently request writing examples. Have everything ready to go in one spot, so you don’t have to waste time looking for old work. Client testimonials are also a good idea to have on hand.
Is Freelance Writing the Right Career Choice?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the decision of whether or not freelance writing is the right career for you will depend on a variety of factors unique to your situation. However, some advantages of freelance writing as a career include the ability to work from home, set your hours, and choose your
Pros and Cons of Being a Freelance Writer
- Freelance writing and content writing are excellent ways to earn money while keeping a flexible schedule.
- Entry-level writing work can be found in almost any place with decent internet connectivity.
- You have the freedom to choose your hours and develop a routine that suits you.
- Writing is an excellent technique to exhibit your creativity while also assisting others in comprehending a variety of fascinating themes or notions.
- It’s a highly fulfilling and satisfying experience to have your written work accepted by others.
- You have the potential to be a true self-starter. The quantity of money you make and the level of success you achieve will determine how much time you are willing to devote to freelance writing. You may take it in whatever direction you want.
Cons of Working as a Freelance Writer
Working as a freelance writer has its share of cons.
- You may find it challenging to get work.
- You may not earn as much money as you would like.
- You may not have the security of a regular job.
- You may have to do many administrative works (such as billing and book keeping).
- You may have to work odd hours.
Top Courses for Freelance Writers
30 Days or Less to Freelance Writing Success – Gina Horkey of Horkey Handbook went from being a struggling freelancer to a thriving freelancer in a short of months. She now instructs others on how to break into the same field.
She does a lot more than give classes. Your subscription includes access to a wealth of materials for the rest of your life. The cost is $249, but she can pay over three months if she wants to.
Gina also teaches people how to become virtual assistants and offers writing as a VA service to broaden their freelance careers.
Freelance University
Three semesters of robust certifications, courses, and workshops are available at Freelance University. Each semester, one new certification, one core course, and four interactive workshops are offered. You will be able to do the following with Freelance University:
Learn about the most profitable service niches and specializations.
Develop the most in-demand talents in any field.
From the ground up, build a flexible and satisfying business.
Make connections with professors, mentors, and peers who will be there for you at all times.
Live the life of your dreams with a business that allows you to be your boss.
Elite Blog Academy
Because Elite Blog Academy focuses on WordPress, you’ll need to buy a domain name and hosting. You’ll also discover how to use blogging as a content marketing tool. You can use those talents to write guest posts for other websites and compensate.
Ruth only opens the course once or twice a year due to its popularity. Enrollment is only open for five days, so get on the waiting list now! The following opening is scheduled for March 2021. It’ll be well worth the wait. I couldn’t find the most recent price, but it was approximately $500 the last time I checked. You still have months to save!
Create and Market a Successful Blog
This course will teach you how to develop your voice and feel more at ease writing in your voice. You’ll discover how to create a solid editorial strategy, attract the proper readers, and write compelling headlines that drive traffic to your website.
Filthy Rich Writer: Learn How to Land Freelance Copywriting Work
You may convert your writing skills into a steady source of cash! Join experienced copywriter Nicki Krawczyk for this free seminar, including ideas and methods from the Comprehensive Copywriting Academy, the Filthy Rich Writer’s hallmark course.
3 Steps To $1,000 Freelance Writing in 45 Days or Less
Writing Revolt has more detailed paid courses, but the 3 Steps class is free! If money is an obstacle, this is a great resource. This course will help you figure out precisely what you need to pitch even with no experience. It’ll also teach you how to find clients who pay well and avoid content mills.
The Complete Freelance Writing Course by Udemy
This freelance writing course will teach you all you need to know to get started as a freelance writer. You’ll research good writing, versatile writing, and profitable writing, and you’ll put together a multimedia writing portfolio to show potential clients. You’ll receive 1-on-1 critique on your writing, as well as monthly updates to keep you on track.
The Complete Freelance Writing Online Course: Beginner to Pro by Udemy
THIS COURSE IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEED IF:
- You’re locked in a 9-to-5 job yet want to make a career as a writer.
- You want more time, money, and flexibility to spend your money any way you choose.
- You want to establish a new career that allows you to work anywhere but not know where to begin.
- You’re tired of working long hours for a pittance. creating content for content mills
- You pitch for one-time writing jobs on freelancing websites, but you don’t have a regular clientele.
This course is for folks who enjoy writing but don’t know where to begin when it comes to finding work and clients online.
Conclusion
Freelance writing may be a stimulating and satisfying career, particularly for those who have always wanted to be their boss and not have a traditional 9-to-5 job. But it’s about a lot more than just writing! And not everyone is willing to put up the effort required to turn a hobby into a vocation.
