How to Make Money Freelance Writing

This article may contain links from our partners.

Sharing is caring!

So, you want to learn how to make money freelance writing?

Freelance writing is an excellent profession that allows you to explore your creative side while painting a picture with words. It’s one of my favorite ways to make money online.

There’s a lot of diversity in writing and you will never get bored writing blog posts, magazine articles, website content, press releases, and more.

I started my adventure in writing over 5 years ago. Back then I was working my nine-to-five job and I was looking for a way to make extra money so, I started writing for content mills and small publishers that turned me around $25 to $30 per article.

I ended up taking a break from writing as one of my other side hustles took off (and that was my e-commerce store).

Today, I’m back on writing as I’ve sold my e-commerce store which was a lot of fun (but also a lot more work) and I’ve come back to my passion for writing.

This lucrative industry can make you a six-figure income (more on how Holly makes $200K per year writing down below).

Whether you’re looking to build a career in freelance writing or seeking an avenue for extra money, this article will show you exactly what you need to start making money freelance writing today.

Let’s get started.

Why start freelance writing?

Are you a creative writer with a passion for storytelling? Do you have excellent communication skills and a way with words? If you answered yes to both of these questions, then freelance writing may be the perfect career for you.

Freelance writing offers a unique opportunity to turn your passion for writing into a profitable venture. Here are five reasons why you should start freelance writing today:

Flexibility

One of the biggest benefits of freelance writing is the flexibility it offers. You have the ability to work from anywhere and at any time, as long as you have a laptop and an internet connection. You can choose your own schedule and work as much or as little as you want.

Unlimited Earning Potential

As a freelance writer, you are in control of your income. The more you write, the more you can earn. You can choose to work on a project-by-project basis, or negotiate a retainer agreement with a client. The earning potential is unlimited and depends on your skill and the demand for your writing.

Opportunities for Growth

Freelance writing offers opportunities for growth and development. You can take on new challenges and write about different subjects, which can help you grow as a writer. You can also increase your income by expanding your client base or offering more services, such as editing or content marketing.

Independence

As a freelance writer, you have the independence to make your own decisions. You have the freedom to choose your clients, projects, and work schedule. You can work on your own terms and build a business that suits your lifestyle.

Sense of Accomplishment

Finally, freelance writing offers a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. When you complete a project and receive positive feedback from a client, it can be incredibly rewarding. You can take pride in knowing that your writing has made a difference and has helped others achieve their goals.

In conclusion, freelance writing offers a flexible and rewarding career opportunity. If you have a passion for writing and the skills to back it up, then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t start freelance writing today.

Getting Started Freelance Writing

Once you’ve made the decision to start freelance writing you really want to start by carving out a niche for yourself. You’ll make a lot more money being labeled as a technical writer or a B2B writer or any other field you might be writing in, versus being called a general freelance writer.

Ultimately though, you can choose any path you wish.

Step 1.: Pick a niche

Choosing a niche will help you carve out your freelance writing rates, identify your target audience and really refine the kind of writing you do.

For years, I was a generalist and wrote about everything. It felt really scattered and my writing rates were very low. Once I decide to focus on one niche, I was able to raise my rates, I got to know my target audience better, I knew where they were online, and how to pitch them.

Step 2: Build your writing portfolio

Building a writing portfolio is about having a place to store your work so you can show it off to prospective clients in the future. This is where your best writing will live and can include:

• Blog posts
• Short stories
• Fiction writing

Really whatever you like, that aligns with the kind of writer you are.

As a freelance writer, your writing portfolio is your calling card. It showcases your skills, experience, and style, and is an essential tool for attracting new clients and landing writing gigs. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you build an impressive writing portfolio.

After identifying your niche which we spoke about above, you’ll…

• Gather samples of your work
• Choose a portfolio platform
• Create a portfolio website
• Optimize your portfolio

Gather samples of your work

Start by gathering a collection of writing samples that showcase your skills and style. This could be articles you have published in the past, blog posts, short stories, or even school papers. Choose pieces that are representative of your best work and that demonstrate your writing ability.

Choose a portfolio platform

There are several platforms available for building your writing portfolio, including WordPress, Wix, SquareSpace, and Contently. Choose a platform that is easy to use, customizable, and provides a professional-looking interface.

Create a portfolio website

Once you have chosen a platform, it’s time to create your portfolio website. Start by writing a brief introduction that explains who you are and what you do. Then, add your writing samples, along with a brief description of each piece. You can also add a resume, testimonials from clients, and any other relevant information.

Optimize your portfolio for search engines

Make sure that your portfolio is optimized for search engines by adding keywords, meta descriptions, and title tags to your website. This will help increase visibility and attract potential clients.

Keep your portfolio updated

As you complete new writing projects, be sure to add them to your portfolio. Keeping your portfolio updated will show potential clients that you are an active and engaged writer, and will help you attract new writing opportunities.

Step 3: Find clients

So you’ll pick a niche then begin working on your portfolio.

Where you’re at in the process a portfolio may or may not be required. The purpose if a portfolio is to show off your work so for example if you are a logger you mean need a portfolio as your blog be able to show off your writing skills or do you have writing that live online a portfolio may not be required.

Where to Find Writing Clients

You can start with paid writer programs. They are more abundant than you might think. These are great to get your feet wet, gain some experience and earn a nice income while writing.

Find clients is one of the biggest pain points for freelancers but it really doesn’t have to be here are some places where you can find paying clients  to start making money:

• Job banks
• Freelance markets
• Social media
• Networking
• Groups

Job banks include job sites like Indeed and Monster.

Freelance markets are job banks specifically for clients to find freelancers, like Upwork and Freelancer. There are others so don’t be afraid to search well here.

Social media is often overlooked. Facebook and LinkedIn are the two networks successful freelancers often find clients. I actually found 2 clients last week (already been paid by one) on Facebook! 

Networking through events like FinCon and other conferences and markets are a great way to get business. Amanda Abella recently talked about how she made $30,000 from attending a personal finance conference.

And then there are groups, and these can be social media groups like Facebook groups where your clients hang out, like if you’re a real estate writer, join real estate groups. If you specialize in writing blog posts, join blogging groups, etc.

And, LinkedIn groups, Twitter lists, as well as neighborhood groups like Nextdoor, etc. Don’t discount neighborhood marketplaces either, like Facebook marketplace, which is a great source of leads for freelancers.

How Much Money Can You Make Freelance Writing

You can make a little or a lot.

There are a variety of different ways you can bill clients:

• Per word
• Per hundred words or per thousand words
• Hourly
• By project

You will make the most money by the word or by project. Clients that quote you per hundred words or per thousand words are usually more low-paying gigs.

Newbies can start at $.03 to $.05 per word and build your rate as you get more experience.

Consider your time and energy when quoting your rate too. Don’t be afraid to quote a four figure or larger rate for a large project. You’re worth it.

How Holly Makes $200,000 Per Year Writing

Then, there’s Holly. She makes a living writing, to the tune of $200K per year. She has been featured on Forbes, Good Financial Cents, Financial Samurai and other publications. She is the real deal.

She’ll teach you her strategies for making over $225,000 per year writing.

Head here to get started with her free workshop or check out her course!

Final Thoughts

In short, can you make money freelance writing? Yes! Can you make it a career or a side hustle? Yes and yes.

Take this as far as you’d like.

If you’re facing job loss or currently unemployed, or seeking additional income, want to make a career change, freelance writing can be your solution!

I hope you found this article educational and entertaining. Shoot me a comment down below to ask any questions or share your experience!

Recommended reading:

• 5 Ways to Make Money from Home During a Pandemic
• 5 Work from Home Jobs for Extra Cash Now
• 9 Smart Ways to Make $1,000/Mo From Home Now