How to Earn a Living as a Freelance Writer: 7 Ways

A freelance writer creates text content, and you see it every day: in blog articles, social media posts, product descriptions, and others. This article was also created by someone in that role. But can you make a living as a freelance writer in a world of AI? Is human-written content still in demand and can you make money with it?

The short answer is yes! Despite ongoing discussions about AI replacing us all, copywriting is one of the highest-paying freelance jobs today, according to Upwork. And the number of writing jobs is predicted to grow by 4% between 2021 and 2031. So, there is a generally positive outlook for the industry and your possible income. Here are 7 ways you can make money on freelance using your writing skills. 

Starting a blog on Medium

If you don't have a portfolio yet and aren't sure where to begin, creating your own blog can be a great way to build both a portfolio and confidence in your writing, as well as establish credibility to attract potential clients and your first paid freelance writing gigs. The best way to start is to find your niche and consistently demonstrate your expertise within it. 

Sharing your thoughts and ideas is rewarding in itself, but in order to turn them into cash, you need to have a strategy for monetizing them. Medium is a great place to start blogging. It's a publishing platform that experts use to share their knowledge. Medium is especially designed for blog posts, essays, and other written content, which makes it an ideal place to start your writing journey. And the best part is, Medium actually pays its contributors. To join the Partner Program, you need to be at least 18 years old, have a bank account, and have a published post within the last six months. Of course, it is not a steady income, especially for beginners. However, some writers claim to earn a decent amount of money. 

The tricky thing is that there is no fixed payment for views. Medium pays between $10 and $98 for every 1,000 views, and this wide range lies in the realm of quality engagement. Readers need to spend time reading, interacting with, and sharing your article for it to be considered interesting and worthwhile. 

Here are some Medium alternatives you can also use for publishing your blog posts:

• Feather
• Blogger
• Tumblr
• Write.as
• Substack
• Ghost

Ghostwriting

The name “ghostwriter” speaks for itself — it is a person who creates texts for others but does not claim authorship. This means that you remain in the shadows and the client receives all the credit for your work. Sounds a bit unfair, but it usually pays off, especially with large projects and big names. Many celebrities rely on ghostwriters to create speeches, book content, and other materials, and this can lead to a steady and substantial income if you establish long-term partnerships with high-end clients. 

The key to being a successful ghostwriter is being an excellent psychologist and empath who can ask the right questions, sometimes difficult and painful, and feel the tone, style, and objectives of the client. 

One of my clients has been working with me for 5 years now. We took her business from an idea to something amazing. She’s now been featured in The Telegraph, The New York Times, and Yahoo Lifestyle - all sorts - and been on TV many times. It’s incredible that we have grown this together, and now - no matter what deliverable she needs - she tells me “Can you send me a quote for x, y, and z, and I’ll accept it straight away.” You get to a point with certain clients where it’s so rare you ever need to make edits, because - after 5 years of writing for them - you kind of know how their mind works before they do.

{{Ami Green}}

The average salary for a ghostwriter in the United States is approximately $55,000 per year. However, it all depends on the type and form of content and the writer's experience. There are experts like J.R. Moehringer, who wrote the acclaimed Andre Agassi memoir "Open" and the highly controversial Prince Harry autobiography, for which he is rumored to have received a payment of $1 million. As you can see, anonymity is not always the case for really experienced writers. Yes, their name may not be on the cover of the book, but somehow everyone knows they’re behind it. 

Technical writing

With every new software and tech service developed, companies require technical writers to explain complex information to users in a simple way. Tech writers work on user manuals, tech documentation, guides, and instructions. And the demand for technical writers is increasing: the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that it will grow by 10% to 11% by the year 2026. 

On average, technical writers earn approximately $6,750 per month, which is a significantly higher salary than in most other writing fields. And the reason for this is that technical writing requires expertise in the field. Although some people believe that it's an easy entry into IT, in reality, technical writing is not the first step. A technical writer is usually someone who has already had experience with development, testing, or technical support. This is important because the main difference between a technical writer and a copywriter, as well as other members of the writing community, is a deep understanding of the product, its features, and its functions. 

If you don't have a formal background in technology, but think technical writing might be a good fit for you, there are ways to start. You can take online courses from platforms like Google, Coursera, or Udemy to learn the basics and start your freelance journey in technical writing.

Copywriting

Although many people think that copywriting involves working with any type of text (I thought so too when I first started out), in reality, a copywriter is someone who primarily creates selling content — text for websites, landing pages, and other advertising materials — with the aim of making a sale or persuading some form of action. Good copywriting is quite a specific skill — it’s basically selling with words. The goal is to motivate users to purchase a product, order a service, sign up for a newsletter, or tap another call-to-action button.

One of the most well-known and praised examples of copywriting was KFC's response to their crisis, which was a thoughtful and creative apology. Back in 2018 the company faced a crisis due to chicken supply issues, which led to restaurant closures, customer dissatisfaction, and  bad publicity. Instead of a formal apology, KFC crested a campaign with the company's name letters rearranged. “KFC” became “FCK”, showing the brand's ability to take responsibility for their mistakes and apologise in a fun and creative way. This PR campaign led to a positive resolution of a situation that could have been disastrous for the company.

The average salary for a copywriter in the US, taking into account the highly paid authors, is $7,000 per month. This makes it worth learning the art of attracting users' attention and using sales techniques!

When it comes to making money, you can charge more for copywriting because it’s a quicker return on investment. However, with that comes a lot of pressure to deliver those sales. When you’ve been crafting copy for a significant amount of time and know the in’s and out’s of sales psychology, this pressure doesn’t feel as daunting. That said, when you first start out and you’re still learning, it can feel overwhelming. Especially when you don’t have the luxury of choosing your clients. While I do love website copy - it’s my second favourite - you can’t come in cold. You need to know an awful lot before you can start seeing results, so I wouldn’t say that copywriting is beginner friendly.

{{Ami Green}}

Social media writing

Social media is booming right now; there are currently 5.24 billion social media users worldwide, and the number grows every day. Many businesses and influencers hire social media writers to craft their posts on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and other platforms. 

Social media writers earn an average of $5,508 per month in the US, creating multiple posts per day. It can be time-consuming as social media content is often required to be created with a quick turnaround time. Plus, each post needs to be written in the context of a content strategy that aligns with the brand voice and personality. Social media platforms require concise posts that provide maximum info with minimal “fluff” as people are scrolling through their feeds and need to get the info fast. 

You also need to understand how each social media platform’s algorithm works and stay up to date with trends as they change from one platform to another. LinkedIn, for example, is for professionals with business experience, so a formal tone of communication is essential. Instagram, on the other hand, focuses on visuals, and a more friendly and open tone is allowed in posts.

Content marketing writing

Content marketing writers create content that aligns with a brand's marketing plan. Content writing seeks to increase brand awareness and customer loyalty, in contrast to traditional copywriting, which is mainly focused on selling. Content writers produce texts that provide information and entertainment to help businesses engage with their audience. It comes in a variety of formats, including case studies, eBooks, blog entries, and articles. This article is a prime example of educational content marketing writing in action.

According to HubSpot, blog posts and case studies are among the top five most effective marketing channels when it comes to return on investment (ROI). And the demand for skilled content marketing pros is high. To succeed in this field, you need to have strong writing skills, of course. But that's just the beginning. You also need to understand what makes a brand tick — its tone of voice, its personality. And you need to know how to write for both search engines and real people. That means understanding keyword strategies and the best SEO practices for driving traffic. While you can hire an SEO specialist to help with content marketing, it's still best for content writers to have a handle on those basics themselves.

Blogs present a beautiful incentive — retainers. One of the scariest parts of launching a business is the fact you no longer have a stable, monthly income. Yes, that means there’s no glass ceiling, and you can potentially earn more than a standard 9-5 monthly salary, but freelancers can have a 10K month in January and earn nothing in February. That’s why retainers are my favorites. With blogs, because they’re a deliverable that keeps on growing, I set out a retainer with a specific number of deliverables per month over 3, 6, or 9 months. This means financially, I’m guaranteed that income for the retainer’s terms. Retainers give you the security you lose when you leave a 9-5 job.

{{Ami Green}}

Magazine writing

Magazines and online publications can offer a great opportunity to not only earn money but also see your name in print and add prestigious magazine names to your portfolio. It may sound impossible, but in reality, established magazines often look for new and fresh voices to contribute insightful essays, book reviews, articles, and even personal stories. The average magazine writer salary is $24 per hour in the USA; however, it hugely depends on the magazine and the type of content. National Geographics, for instance, pay up to $1200 per article, and The Sun’s payments start at $200 per piece. 

Some magazines are looking to hire freelance writers on websites like MediaBistro, Submittable, or LinkedIn, but mainly works are published after the pitching process. This means that you need to have a story already written or an idea that you would like to cover and a good explanation on how your article or story will resonate with the magazine's audience. Most established magazines publish information about their submission processes on their websites. 

To get started, you can pick a magazine you’d like to write for and pitch them directly (here are some guides from BuzzFeed News, Good Housekeeping, Smithsonian Magazine, Cosmopolitan), join specific Facebook groups like Calls for Submissions or subscribe to newsletters like Submishmash Weekly to get submission opportunities each week.

Making money as a freelance writer can come in many forms. The most important thing is to stay focused, know your niche, and write about what you are passionate about, because that passion can be felt. As Neil Gaiman has said, "If you want to be a writer, write." Keep pitching your work, apply for writing jobs you dream of, and continue learning along the way. 

FAQs

1. Where can I find clients for freelance writing?

There are two main options: you can either use freelance platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer.com, or pitch companies you want to write for directly. Building an online presence, connecting on LinkedIn, and advertising your services on social media can also help to attract new clients. Additionally, don't hesitate to ask your current clients for referrals - they may be able to recommend you to their colleagues or friends who need writing services.

2. Can I make a full-time writing career online?

Yes, absolutely! If you have enough experience and build a client base, freelance writing can become your main source of income. To succeed in this field, it's important to treat your freelance work as a business. Be dedicated, deliver high-quality work, and use time management to manage the workload.

3. What’s the difference between copywriting and content writing?

The main goal of copywriting is to make a sale or persuade a reader to take any other form of action. Content writing, on the other hand, focuses on connecting a brand with its audience by providing valuable information or entertainment. 

4. What should I charge for my writing services?

It hugely depends on your experience and the complexity of the task. Typically, a freelance writer can expect to earn between $20 and $45 per hour. However, experienced content writers may charge up to $100 or more per hour. You can choose the pricing model that works best for you, such as hourly, per word, or project-based.

5. What additional skills do I need to learn?

Again, it depends on the type of writing you're interested in. If you want to be a technical writer, you need to have some technical experience or to learn the basics of technical writing through online courses. For content writing, it's important to have knowledge of SEO, as this will help you bring traffic to your content. Copywriting and ghostwriting often require some psychological skills, to either know how to sell to a specific audience or understand and feel the client on whose behalf you’re writing.

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