Some people love the idea of freelance writing, but they question if they can build a career from it.
If freelance writing sounds like a dream job, you can develop your writing skills and make money.
If you’re curious about the content writing industry, read on to find out how you can get involved and where to find clients.
Contents
- What Is Freelance Writing?
- What Do You Do as a Freelance Writer?
- Who Hires Freelance Writers?
- What Skills Do You Need To Become a Freelance Writer?
- Why You Should Consider Freelance Writing
- Why You Should Not Start Freelance Writing
- How Hard Is It To Be a Freelance Writer?
- What Does a Freelance Writer Make?
- How Do Freelance Writers Get Paid?
- How Do You Become a Successful Freelance Writer?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Wrapping Up
What Is Freelance Writing?
Freelance writing refers to the process of creating written content for businesses, clients, content mills, and more.
For example, most freelance writers will write articles, blog posts, and technical guides to help companies generate leads and gain traction.
When companies outsource their blog writing, they pass this work off to freelance writers.
Why Are There Freelance Writers?
As you look into freelance writing, you’ll naturally wonder why people do it.
As you do, you’ll notice three key reasons people tend to work as freelance writers.
- Content Is King: Freelance writers can focus on producing content. To enhance marketing efforts, gain customers, and boost brand awareness, content is needed to help set a business apart.
- Limited Scope Projects: Freelance writers also appreciate how companies give them shorter projects, so they can get them done and make money.
- Remote Work: Since they tackle tasks as necessary, they also get to work remotely in the comfort of their homes.
In short, freelance writers exist, so companies don’t have to offer constant work.
As for the writers, they get to enjoy flexibility when they work in the industry.
What Do You Do as a Freelance Writer?
Freelance writers usually focus on a few key areas to make the best content possible.
- Write: Freelance writing work mainly consists of producing unique copy according to a client brief
- Proofread: Professional writers will need to ensure their work is free from typos, inconsistencies, grammar errors, and more.
- Edit: This point goes hand in hand with the above. Writers will need to comb through their copy to enhance readability, flow, and style, among other things.
- Market: Content writers must also market themselves to reach more clients and expand their options.
Who Hires Freelance Writers?
Freelance writers usually get hired by companies who want to create articles or blog posts.
However, you may also secure a job working for a person who wants to publish a book and have you write it.
So it comes down to people who need content written but don’t want to write it.
Are Freelance Writers in Demand?
Yes, you’ll find plenty of demand for freelance writers.
Prospective clients want to create written content but don’t always have the time or skills to make it.
So instead of making it on their own, they’ll turn to a professional freelance writer for assistance.
Is Freelance Writing a Good Career?
Yes, freelance writing is a promising career. It works well since you can find plenty of work for different experience levels.
Since you can jump in and find jobs or build your portfolio, you can always seek opportunities to make more money.
What Skills Do You Need To Become a Freelance Writer?
Aspiring writers need to master some critical skills if they want to stand out from the competition.
If the career interests you, see if you can develop the following skills:
- Writing
- Editing
- Communication
- Organization
- Marketing
While writing skills and editing capabilities seem like givens, the others may surprise you.
You must know how to communicate with businesses to work effectively and retain work opportunities.
You also need to organize yourself and your writing to make cohesive articles.
As for marketing, you must reach out to others and seek more opportunities if you want to make money through the industry.
Why You Should Consider Freelance Writing
If you’re seeking a freelance job, below are a few reasons to consider content writing.
1. You Love Writing
If you love writing, you’ll love this career path.
You can write whenever you want and make some money.
You also don’t have to work for a specific boss, so you get that sense of independence.
2. Independence
Since you’ll be your own boss and determine your schedule, you’ll gain plenty of independence.
If independence is important to you, you’ll also love that you have the opportunity to work remotely.
3. You Can Make a Living
You’ll make a living as you work in the industry and grow.
If you find a writing niche, such as technical copywriting, you’ll be able to earn more and find writing jobs quickly.
4. It’s Easy To Get Started
You can also get started without experience since you’ll find plenty of entry-level work for freelance writers.
If you want to set yourself apart, consider taking a writing course.
Why You Should Not Start Freelance Writing
While freelance writing offers some solid benefits, you may want a different career if you don’t like the following drawbacks.
- It’s not for everyone
- It’s not always dependable
- It can get lonely
- Issues getting paid
Some people may not like working as freelance writers, so consider whether you enjoy the concept.
On top of that, the work won’t always be dependable.
You may run into busy seasons and dry spells, so if that bothers you, you may want to consider other freelance jobs.
You also tend to work on your own, so it can get lonely.
Some people may try and not pay you, so you’ll need to contact them and address the situation to avoid scams.
How Hard Is It To Be a Freelance Writer?
The difficulty depends on your commitment and writing skills.
You won’t find it hard if you can motivate yourself and write for hours.
However, you may find the job difficult if you struggle to market yourself and remain focused.
What Does a Freelance Writer Make?
Below is how much you can expect to earn as an experienced writer.
How Much Does a Freelance Writer Make per Hour?
How much you make per hour depends on how quickly you work and your writing niche.
Most freelancers get paid per word or commission, so the faster you write, the more you make.
If you want an average, freelancers earn about 25 dollars per hour in 2022.
How Much Should You Charge for a 500-Word Article?
How much you charge depends on your quality, skill, and content type.
When you first start, you’ll most likely charge between one cent to three cents per word.
That means you’ll make between 5 to 15 dollars per article.
You can charge more for your articles to increase your income as you gain experience.
How Do Freelance Writers Get Paid?
Most freelancers receive payment from their clients.
Some will use PayPal, while other clients will have them use third-party software that deposits money into their accounts.
You usually work out these details in a contract before you start working with prospective clients.
You can also start a blog and make money through ads and people visiting your website.
How Do You Become a Successful Freelance Writer?
While you can become a freelance writer, you must find ways to succeed.
Success follows three main steps: starting in the field, securing a job without experience, and finding more work.
How Do You Start Freelance Writing?
You can’t start freelancing writing unless you search for opportunities and potential clients.
You’ll find multiple businesses that want to hire writers, so do your research and find opportunities.
Consider joining a content mill or a freelance writing website to gain experience before venturing out on your own.
How Do You Become a Freelance Writer With No Experience?
You can quickly go online and find freelance writer services to get started.
Some people refer to these as content mills since they focus on churning out content.
While they don’t offer the best pay, they accept entry-level writers to give you experience while you make decent money.
How Do You Find Freelance Writing Jobs?
Aspiring freelance writers usually seek jobs from multiple sources.
If you can’t find a starting point, you can try some of the areas below:
- Freelance writing sites
- Social media
- Cold pitching
- Connections
These work well since they help you post a writing sample, post a job ad, and market yourself.
For example, freelance writing sites connect you with potential clients looking for specific content.
Platforms such as LinkedIn allow you to network yourself and actively seek freelance work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you looking for a freelance writing job or considering dipping your toes in the industry?
Check out these frequently asked questions about becoming a content writer.
Do you need a degree to freelance write?
No, you don’t need a degree to be a successful freelance writer.
However, many freelance writers have a bachelor’s degree.
While you don’t need one, you’ll make more money and find opportunities when you get a related degree.
Is freelance writing legit?
Yes, freelance writing is a legit career.
Even though you may not make much money initially, you’ll grow as you stick with it.
Doing so requires you to start at lower rates, but you can secure better gigs and more clients as you build your resume and writing portfolio.
Wrapping Up
Working in the freelance writing industry offers plenty of opportunities.
Whether you’re writing a blog post or a technical white paper, professional freelance writing allows you to get paid, work from home, and manage your own schedule.
If you’re an aspiring freelance writer, you can get involved with the industry by reviewing the opportunities and keeping these points in mind.
Do you have any questions about freelance writing and finding a writing gig?
Let us know in the comments.
