We’ve seen a surge in the number of freelance writers since the pandemic began. And while this is good news for the industry, it’s also made finding great jobs harder than ever. Freelancers everywhere are vying for fewer positions with more competition than ever.
So how do you find the right job? How do you know where to apply? What makes one job better than another? It can be tough to find answers when you need them most, so we created this guide to help make your decision easier.
We’ll cover everything from what kind of clients are looking for freelancers and what they expect from you before we get into specific jobs that might interest you. By the end of this article, you should have all the information you need to make an informed decision about which freelance writing job is best for you.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| The best jobs for freelance writers offer a range of opportunities and advantages. |
| Understanding the pros and cons of each job can help you make informed decisions about your freelance writing career. |
| Consider the specific requirements, income potential, and growth prospects of each job before making a choice. |
| Freelance blogging allows for creative expression and flexibility, but competition can be high. |
| Copywriting offers steady work and higher income potential, but it can be more structured and less creative. |
| Content writing provides diverse projects and opportunities to specialize in various industries, but it may require extensive research and adaptability. |
| Technical writing offers stability and higher-paying gigs, but it requires specialized knowledge and technical expertise. |
| Ghostwriting offers confidentiality and varied projects, but it may involve working closely with clients and adapting to their writing style. |
| Editing and proofreading provide an essential service and allow for meticulous attention to detail, but it requires strong language and grammar skills. |
| Freelance journalism allows for investigative reporting and covering diverse topics, but it can be competitive and require pitching to publications. |
| Writing for social media offers creativity and the chance to engage with audiences, but it may involve maintaining a consistent online presence. |
| Assess your skills, interests, and long-term goals to determine the best freelance writing job that aligns with your aspirations. |
Freelance Writing Has Never Been More Available
The good news is that the number of freelance writing jobs has never been higher. New tools like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer have made it easier for companies to find writers for specific projects, and because of this demand for freelance writers has increased as well.
There are also more opportunities available to writers who want to write full-time it’s never been easier for someone with a computer and an internet connection to make money from home (the internet being one of those things that makes everything better).
If you’re interested in the world of freelance writing but aren’t sure where to begin your journey or what kind of job would fit best with your skillset, read on! We’ve got some tips about how best to get started as a professional writer after finishing school.
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Blogging
Blogging is a great way to make money as a freelance writer. You can write about anything you want, from your passion to your expertise. Blogging is also one of the best ways to build an audience and gain exposure for your writing skills.
The best advice I can give you is to don’t limit yourself when it comes to blogging because this could be limiting your ability to generate income or build up an audience in general.
If you love writing, then there are many opportunities available for freelance writers such as blogging, copywriting, ghostwriting, and content creation.
Trade Magazines
Trade magazines are magazines that focus on a specific industry, like trade associations and industry groups. They tend to be aimed more at businesses than consumers, and they can be a great way for writers to get started working with a client base that’s already looking for content in their niche.
The best part about trade magazines is that they can often be found by searching Google or LinkedIn for “XYZ Industry,” where “XYZ” is the industry you want to target (i.e., travel).
You should also be able to find them by searching online directories specifically focused on trades and industries, such as [Trade Mags Directory](https://www.trademagsdirectory.com/).
Once you’ve found some trade publications relevant to your topic area, reach out directly via email so they can send over their editorial pitch guidelines!
Business Writing
Business writing is the first way to start freelancing, and if you’re just starting out, you may find that this will be your bread and butter. It’s also a great way to make money as a writer.
Business writing includes:
- Business proposals/proposals (think of them as business plans in written form)
- Marketing materials (such as sales sheets, brochures, or flyers)
To do business writing well, writers need to understand the target audience and what their goals are for the project at hand. They also need to understand how writing can help achieve those goals.
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Product Descriptions
Product descriptions are the most important part of your website. They’re the hook that gets people to buy. If you want to be successful as a freelance writer, writing product descriptions for someone else is one of the best ways to get started by making money quickly.
The first step in writing an effective product description is deciding what sort of products you want to write about.
The easiest way is picking out something that you already know has demanded you can find this information by checking out Amazon’s best-seller lists, looking at how many reviews a product has received and how many people have bought it in the past month.
Or using Google Trends (which shows how often people have searched for certain keywords) before deciding whether or not they’re profitable enough.
Once you’ve decided what kinds of products might make sense for your audience, start working on them!
Get familiar with each product yourself so that when someone asks questions about it later down the line when they’re ready to purchase they won’t be worried if they’ll enjoy using it themselves too much stress because everything had been taken care beforehand
Grant Writing
Grant writing is a great option if you’re looking for a position that lets you work from home and write about topics that interest you. The job description for grant writers typically includes developing proposals for grants, researching potential funding agencies and organizations, and conducting interviews with potential funders.
Grant writers are in high demand the Bureau of Labor Statistics noted that the field grew by 18% between 2014 and 2024. The BLS also reported that this profession pays well above average: The median wage was $62,000 in 2019.
To get started, check out BackChannel Writing’s guide to finding grant funding on their website or download their free ebook “How To Get A Grant” here!
Website Copywriting For Businesses
If you’re interested in website copywriting, it’s important to understand the business and its audience. This means knowing how they think, what their goals are, and what they offer. It also means understanding any content strategy they have in place.
For example, if they want to attract more female clients or customers then this should be reflected in your writing style as well as the focus of the content you create for them.
In addition to these two considerations (and others), it will be very helpful if you know how best to write for web audiences instead of print ones which is possible within most text-based digital platforms like blogs or ebooks.
But not always easy when dealing directly with search engine optimization (SEO) elements like meta descriptions and title tags which tend towards being longer than traditional book titles because of word-count restrictions imposed by engines like Google Search.”
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Website Copywriting For A Marketing Agency
You may be wondering what the benefits of working for a marketing agency are. Well, you will find yourself working on projects that help businesses reach their target audiences. You’ll also have the opportunity to work with diverse clients who have different needs and goals, which is why it’s important to have a wide range of skills as a copywriter.
When we talk about job opportunities in this field, it’s important to note that there are a lot of different types of companies out there that employ freelance writers from small local businesses to large corporations with international offices.
One area where you can find work is through marketing agencies; these are usually located in major cities and offer a variety of services related specifically to helping businesses connect with their customers (i.e., raising awareness about new products/services).
The types of clients an agency works with may include everything from small startups trying out new ideas up to large multinationals looking for ways to improve their brand image online; in either case, they will likely require some kind
of content creation project completed quickly while still being high quality enough not only to meet expectations but exceed them!
Case Studies
Case studies are one of the most popular types of writing jobs for freelance writers. They’re also a great way to show off your writing skills because they can be written for several different industries or functions.
Case studies are in-depth articles about how a company solved a particular problem using a specific product or service or vice versa.
For example, you might write about how a company uses an accounting software program to track sales data and expenses, or how another company uses an HR software package to manage employee records and payroll.
The point is that case studies have an identifiable purpose: they show off what makes the product/service unique compared to other similar products/services on the market.
Case studies can be written either as part of an ongoing series (i.e., each new case study builds on previous ones) or they can stand alone which means there’s no need to have them linked together in any meaningful way other than being related topics within the same industry space (e.g., small business).
Personal Development Articles / Coaching / Consulting Services
Personal development articles, coaching, and consulting services are all growing markets. If you’re a writer who wants to work with a personal development company (like Tony Robbins or Mindvalley), you can freelance for these companies as well.
If you want to work with a coach, there are many options from which to choose. You can specialize in working with individual clients or corporate teams; either way will allow you to make money through coaching.
You could also consult for companies that need help improving their business practices or strategies for example, if they want an expert on social media marketing but don’t have the time or resources to hire someone full-time (or even part-time).
A business coach would be able to assist in this capacity as well!
Public Relations (PR) Writing
Public relations (PR) writing is a very specific type of copywriting and communications. In PR, you use your writing skills to create content for the media and other publications about your clients’ products or services.
Your job as a PR writer is to make sure that everything coming from your client’s mouth or fingertips is positive and on point. You’re essentially their PR agent, so they can’t afford to have an off day in the spotlight.
PR writers are often found at large firms or even working independently but there are also plenty of opportunities out there for freelancers!
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Press Releases/Media Kits/Pitch Letters
A press release is a great way to build your name as a writer. You can put them on your website, and you can send them out to online magazines and newspapers that might be interested in what you have to say.
Not only will this help build your brand, but it will also help get you noticed by potential clients. If people see that their favorite publication has featured one of their articles written by an expert in the field (i.e., YOU), then they’ll be more likely to hire another article from someone else who wrote an article for the same publication (i.e., ALSO YOU).
This strategy works best if you’re writing about topics related directly to something that interests people at large like sports or politics but even if not everyone likes sports or politics (which they probably do!).
Lots of people enjoy reading things written by experts on any topic because it gives them some confidence in trusting whatever author speaks with authority about what they are writing about!
The key thing here is building trust: writers need readers who trust their opinions so much that they continue reading through all those boring pages full of words that could’ve been cut down.
Considerably had anyone read through them first before sending out his manuscript into print where thousands would read all these unnecessary paragraphs weighing down upon us like raindrops falling from heavy clouds above us during storms…
Newsletters And Email Campaigns
If you’re looking to earn some extra cash, writing newsletters and email campaigns is a great place to start. The best part? You can write for a wide variety of businesses and organizations, including publishing companies, tech startups, food brands, and charities.
Since this type of writing is much more transactional than content marketing or even digital copywriting (which we’ll discuss later), you must keep the voice and tone of the company in mind when approaching your work.
This kind of work requires initiative on your part you won’t find an open position at any company asking for writers with experience writing newsletters, after all, but once you become established as a freelance writer with expertise in this niche field, it’s easy to stay busy.
Ebooks/Whitepapers/Guides/Resources/Research Reports / Checklists / Infographics / Webinars Or Online Courses
You can also write eBooks, whitepapers, guides, resources, research reports, checklists, and infographics. These are all great options for freelance writers.
If you have expertise in a specific field or topic then you can create an online course on Udemy or Teachable. This is an excellent way to make money as it allows you to reach more people who will be interested in your content.
Lead Generation Content For Niche Marketing Companies
Lead generation is one of the best ways to make money as a writer. The process involves writing content that will entice people to fill out forms and give their contact information, usually to build a sales or marketing list.
The main difference between lead generation and other forms of content is the nature of the clientele: lead-generation clients are specifically looking for writers who can write about specific topics and write in particular styles.
They might be seeking writers who specialize in SEO (search engine optimization) or PPC (pay per click) writing, or perhaps they need an expert in B2B (business-to-business) or B2C (business-to-customer).
Lead generation companies are niche marketing firms that work with small businesses whose target market is difficult to reach via traditional advertising channels;
They create online advertising campaigns using various methods like social media ads, email blasts, banner ads on websites, and more all to get people’s attention so they’ll fill out a form giving their contact information so they can be contacted by sales reps selling products relevant to those leads’ interests.
Content Or SEO Agencies That Outsource To Freelancers
If you’re looking to get freelance gigs and make a lot of money, this is one of the best ways to do it. You’ll be working for an agency that outsources content for clients and gets paid per word or page.
If you want to write more efficiently, then this is also a good option because you’re likely going to get a lot of work from them to meet their deadlines.
There are some downsides though: since these agencies are outsourcing content writing jobs at low rates (compared with what they would pay their staff), they tend not to offer much in terms of benefits or protections such as health insurance or paid vacation time.
If you don’t like taking risks with your career stability and financial security, I recommend looking elsewhere on this list.
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Depending On What You’re Looking For, In A Job, Freelance Writing Might Be A Good Fit For You
Depending on what you’re looking for in a job, freelance writing might be a good fit for you. It’s an excellent way to make money while traveling or taking time off from traditional employment.
You’ll have the flexibility to work when and where you want, so it can also be more enjoyable than having a traditional 9-5 job that requires commuting every day.
And if you’re looking to build your portfolio before applying full-time, freelancing is an excellent way to do that because it gives you plenty of hands-on experience in different industries and writing styles.
While these are all great reasons why freelancing may be right for you (and me), there are some drawbacks as well:
- You don’t get paid sick leave or vacation days but those things aren’t necessary if all your clients are local (and willing)
- It’s not easy finding jobs as a new freelancer you’ll need to practice pitching yourself before landing gigs
Conclusion
Hopefully, this information was helpful to you as you consider how best to make a living as a freelance writer. It’s not always an easy path, but if you’re ambitious and willing to work hard, it is entirely possible to have a career in writing that fulfills your needs both financially and emotionally.
If you’re still not sure which type of writing (or another job) might be right for you, don’t worry! You’ll have plenty of time throughout your life to try different things out until something truly clicks.
In the meantime, remember that there are plenty of resources available on our site that can help guide you through all the major considerations when it comes to choosing the perfect career path
Further Reading
Pros and Cons of Freelancing: Explore the advantages and disadvantages of freelancing in this comprehensive article that delves into the various aspects of the freelance lifestyle.
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Becoming a Freelance Writer?: Discover the pros and cons specifically related to freelance writing, gaining valuable insights into the rewards and challenges of pursuing a career in this field.
Pros and Cons of Freelancing: This resource provides a balanced view of the pros and cons of freelancing, covering various aspects such as flexibility, income potential, and job security.
FAQs
How do I find freelance writing opportunities?
Finding freelance writing opportunities can be achieved through several methods. Networking with other freelancers, joining freelance writing platforms, and reaching out to potential clients or publications are effective ways to discover writing gigs.
How can I manage my finances as a freelancer?
Managing finances as a freelancer requires careful planning and organization. It’s important to keep track of income and expenses, set aside funds for taxes, create a budget, and consider working with an accountant or financial advisor for guidance.
Is freelancing a stable career choice?
Freelancing offers both advantages and challenges when it comes to stability. While freelancers enjoy flexibility and the potential for higher income, the irregularity of projects and clients can make it less stable compared to traditional employment. Building a solid client base and maintaining a diverse portfolio can help mitigate this risk.
How do I market myself as a freelance writer?
Effectively marketing yourself as a freelance writer involves building a strong online presence, creating a professional portfolio, networking with potential clients, showcasing your expertise through writing samples, and leveraging social media platforms and freelance job boards to promote your services.
What Are The Best Jobs For Freelance Writers?
The best jobs for freelance writers depend on your skills, your goals, and your preferences. But some stand out from the crowd in terms of flexibility, pay, and fun! Here are our top picks:
Writing For Magazines
This job is great because it gives you the freedom to work from home (or wherever you want), and you can choose which topics to write about. You’ll get paid per article or per hour of writing time.
Writing Blog Posts
If you like working with people and want to learn how to blog well, this is an excellent way to do both! You’ll be paid by the post or by the hour. You’ll need good writing skills, though blogs are read by many different kinds of people who expect high-quality content.
Ghostwriting Books
Ghostwriting books means that you’re writing someone else’s story without being credited as an author yourself. This can be a great way to build up your portfolio if you haven’t published much yet but it might not be as satisfying as getting credit for all that time and effort!
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.