5 Ways to Earn Money as a Freelance Writer

TL;DR:

• Diversify your income streams to earn money as a freelance writer.
• Explore writing niches that pay well and require minimal experience.
• Be proactive and try different types of writing gigs.

Freelance writing offers a lot of opportunities to earn money, whether you’re just starting out or already have experience. Learning different writing styles and genres can maximize your income potential and build sustainable writing income. Here are five proven ways to earn money as a freelance writer and what you need to know to break into each one.

Content Writing for Blogs and Websites

Blogging and content writing are the cornerstones of most marketing strategies. Companies and individuals want to build their online presence and credibility, and they need content to support that goal. As a freelance writer, you can offer blog writing services to small businesses, personal brands, or larger companies looking to improve their SEO. Is ChatGPT going to write all this content? Probably not. Yes, it’s already used to generate web content, but plenty of businesses still want to work with human writers. You’ll need a working knowledge of SEO and web writing best practices to succeed here.

How to Get Started:

• Start by building a portfolio of blog posts on topics you’re passionate about or knowledgeable about. If you haven’t published anything yet, create informative posts for your portfolio.
• Use freelance platforms like Upwork or Fiverr to find a few initial clients.
• Once you gain a few clients, leverage word-of-mouth and referrals to expand your client base.

Pro Tip: Focus on writing SEO-friendly content. Include relevant keywords naturally and aim to solve the reader’s problem. This will make your content valuable and increase your clients’ web traffic.

Top Resource: If you need an SEO course (or refresher), check out Ahref’s free SEO Course for Beginners.

Copywriting for Businesses

ABC: Always Be Closing. Copywriting is persuasive writing for ads, sales pages, email campaigns, and other marketing materials. Skilled copywriters create attention-grabbing content that drives sales. And they’re paid well if they deliver results.

How to Get Started:

• Learn the basics of writing persuasive content. There are many books on copywriting and consumer psychology. (See below!)
• Create a sample landing page and marketing collateral for an imaginary product or service to include in your portfolio.
• Network with small businesses or local entrepreneurs who may need your copywriting services. Offer to do a short project at a reduced rate and leverage positive feedback to get additional clients.

Pro Tip: Practice writing concise and engaging headlines. Headlines are often the first (and sometimes only) thing a reader notices, and a strong headline can significantly impact conversion rates.

Top Resource: Check out my go-to book picks for copywriters.

Ghostwriting

You’re ghostwriting when you write content published under someone else’s name. You could write books, articles, or blog posts for busy professionals, business owners, or public figures. Ghostwriters are often well-compensated since they write for clients who have the resources to hire out this work.

How to Get Started:

• Sign up for LinkedIn’s Services Marketplace and browse ghostwriting listings. You’ll see what other writers offer and find people looking for ghostwriters.
• Look for opportunities in freelance marketplaces like Upwork, where ghostwriters are in demand.
• Pitch to busy entrepreneurs or executives in your social circle who need help drafting their thoughts into polished content.

Pro Tip: Maintain confidentiality. Your clients should trust you to deliver quality work while respecting their privacy and intellectual property. Only advertise or talk about projects if the client explicitly gives permission. This trust can lead to long-term projects.

Top Resource: Expert contract advice from a 20-year ghostwriter.

Technical Writing

Ever been lost and frustrated when reading complex technical guides? If so, you understand the need for good technical writers. This type of writing involves creating manuals, guides, and documentation for products or services. Writers in this niche are usually very well paid because they have specific tech knowledge and can explain complex information clearly.

How to Get Started:

• Develop a strong understanding of a particular field (e.g., software, engineering, healthcare).
• Build a portfolio with samples of technical guides or instructional content.
• Apply for gigs on technical writing job boards or directly contact tech companies and startups.

Pro Tip: Focus on clarity and structure. Technical writing aims to make complex information easily digestible, so always write clearly and consider the user’s experience.

Top Resource: The Society for Technical Communication is the best place to get training, meet other technical writers, and find gigs in this niche.

Content for Online Courses

With the rise of digital education, many businesses and entrepreneurs need writers to help develop course content, eBooks, and instructional materials. This type of writing can be a lucrative and ongoing income stream, as many clients need help organizing and structuring their educational materials.

How to Get Started:

• Reach out to course creators, educators, and coaches who may need help creating content for their projects.
• Platforms like Upwork have many listings for these projects. Start with one there, then branch out to people in your professional circle.
• Consider creating your own eBook or online course to showcase your skills and market it to your audience.

Pro Tip: Package your services. Offer content writing and marketing materials, where you help the client with the course or eBook plus marketing materials to help them promote the project. The package might include promotional blog articles, ad copy, social media posts, and a landing page. This adds value and increases the likelihood of landing larger projects.

Top Resource: If you go this route, it helps to understand course development. Check out the University of Illinois Online Course in a Box training to learn the basics of building a course (for free!).

Earn Money as a Freelance Writer

Freelance writing offers nearly endless ways to earn money. By exploring different types of writing, you can diversify your income, gain more clients, and increase your earning potential. Whether content writing, copywriting, technical writing, or ghostwriting, there’s a demand for skilled writers in almost every industry.

Build a solid portfolio, continually learn, and offer valuable services to clients. Ready to start making money with freelance writing? Check out the Courses page for classes to help you get started!