Become a Paid Freelance Writer, It’s Simple!
What it means to be a freelance writer, and how you can become one.
Freelance writers are writing professionals who are not employed by an organization or a company. They are individual contractors that work with their own clients, usually within a short period of time.
I have been freelance writing since 2019, and there was a full year when I was just writing articles and wasn’t getting paid. At least not properly.
That’s because I didn’t know how to market myself or my articles. I didn’t know where to start looking for freelance writing jobs, more so as a beginner.
Types of freelance writing jobs
Freelance writers provide writing services to a variety of clients. Most freelance writers have writing skills that cater to multiple types of freelance writing jobs like editorial or SEO.
It seems like companies these days would really be looking for entry-level freelance writers with 5+ years of worth of experience.
It’s insane.
There is a demand for good freelance writers on the job market right now, but competition is tough.
Often, writers need multiple skills, including marketing and researching, to par up with well-paid freelance writers. That’s the truth.
3 types of paid freelance writing jobs:
- Blogging
Usually, blogs are in mid to long-form articles and help establish your website’s domain authority and increase ad revenue by using SEO, primarily with keywords.
It can also be in various types of niches.
2. Copywriting
Copywriting is a type of writing that persuades. The aim of copywriting is to help sell products or services.
This type of freelance writing is in demand on every writing job board I’ve been on, especially on LinkedIn.
The ability to sell something with your writing, including yourself to clients, is a major digital marketing skill in the industry.
3. Technical Writing
A job of a technical writer is to first understand a product or service.
From there, the technical writer should be able to explain to them through writing white papers like guides and e-books how the service or product works, and how the consumers can apply them.
When you don’t know where to start freelance writing, it’s always best to learn from the experts.
Here are the best free content writing courses on Udemy that gives you a certificate for your resume after completion.
How to become a (paid) freelance writer
A freelance writer’s life isn’t usually as glamorous as people online make it out to be. There are a lot of myths about freelance writing.
You won’t be living lavishly in a foreign land, at least not at first. But definitely, if you hone your writing skills and are consistent enough with producing content, it is possible.
There are only 3 things you’ll need to become a paid freelance writer:
- Laptop and WiFi
Of course, you would need a laptop and WiFi. After all, freelance writing is an online job.
2. Spec articles
Spec articles are articles written to prove that a writer could capture the tone and message of a publication or business.
It is an extra step that beginners in freelance writing underestimate.
Don’t just send an already written one if it’s not related to what you’re applying for, write one. Show them you can do what they do.
Have you thought about what niche you want to get into? Any favorite publication you’ve dreamed of writing for?
Study how they write, then write a spec article for them and look for open submissions on their website.
Don’t be like me who flunked the interview for her favorite publication— Buzzfeed — because of unpreparedness.
3. The right skills
Having been freelance writing since 2019 has granted me many opportunities to talk with more experienced freelance writers.
While others would say constantly publishing will get writers the numbers that they want, it still really boils down to having good writing skills.
Many freelance writing jobs will require you some form of writing test, especially as a beginner.
Employers would know if you can write, regardless of what’s in your resume.
Where can I get freelance writing jobs?
There is no shortage of freelance writing jobs on online job boards if you know where to look.
Medium actually started my freelance writing career. It gave me a platform to hone my skills while having an audience.
The very first freelance writing job I got was because I sent my Medium profile as my portfolio. You can become a Medium member for just 5$.
Some writers even use TikTok to promote their articles and websites and get clients in return.
From health and fashion to stock trading — there’s a niche out there for every writer.
For poetry writers, there are websites like Chicken Soup for the Soul, Rattle, and Three Penny Review that will pay you for your poems.
Here are other websites that will pay you for writing poems:
For short-term freelance writing jobs, ProBlogger and Freelance Writing Gigs are the best websites to find them. It’s a lot of industrial and finance topics. Be ready with your spec articles.
Other useful job boards for freelance writers are LinkedIn, Facebook freelance writing groups, and Indeed.
There are different niches of publication you can submit on. From money-making topics to Christianity, freelance writing is fun that way.
Build connections with your clients and other people you work with. Make sure you have a great rapport with them.
Once I started getting freelance writing clients, what kept the momentum going are referrals.
Is freelance writing easy?
Becoming a freelance writer is simple, but it isn’t easy.
You would have to spend time and effort on your writing. There is no one way around it.
Get a laptop, write, and get it out there — send it to your chosen publication, attach it with your resume, send it as an example when cold-emailing, and then write again.
Hey! If you’re looking for a platform to start your writing journey on and get paid for it, Medium is one of the best places to start. Sign up here to get unlimited access to stories on Medium.
Signing up using my link gives me a small commission, and as a freelance writer, it’s always appreciated.
