Freelance Writers: What They Are and How to Become One

When thinking about working from home, freelance writing is the first profession that comes to mind. Writing is a flexible job that can be done from anywhere. In this article, we explore in detail things you need to know to excel as freelance writers. We made a list of 19 freelance writing jobs to consider so you can find the type of jobs that are right for you. We also compiled a list of websites where you can get high income freelance writing jobs.

Table of Contents

What Does Freelance Writers Do?

Freelance writer are a self-employed professionals who specialize in producing and editing various types of content, including articles, blog posts, reports, newspaper columns, and marketing materials. They operate independently and are not bound to any single employer. Freelance writers often conduct research, ensuring accuracy and relevance in their work. They tailor their writing style to meet specific client needs and consistently meet deadlines. Additionally, they are responsible for managing their business affairs and continuously improving their writing skills and industry knowledge.

Types of Freelance Writing for Freelance Writers

A range of freelance writing job types are available each requiring its own skills set and knowledge base. In this blog post, we have listed 19 types you can choose from. Here are they:

#1 Freelance Writers – Copywriting

Copywriting has to do with business branding. The job of a copywriter is to create sales pages, marketing campaigns and copy for websites. Copywriting involves using elements from marketing to produce engaging pieces of writing that can promote a brand and establish a particular voice in the market.

#2 Freelance Writers – SEO Content Writing

Search engine optimization (seo) content writing is a remote writing job that involves writing to help website rank on the first page of goggle. As an SEO content writer you have to search and write with keywords that appeal to search engine algorithms. You can find SEO writing jobs with companies and other businesses that focus on creating content.

#3 Freelance Writers – Technical Writing

The job of a technical writer is to create instruction manuals, handbooks and guides for using technical products, like electronics. In other words the work of a technical writer is to write documents that guide users of technical products on how to use them. You can find technical writing jobs in many areas, like business, information technology, retail and more.

#4 Freelance Writers – Story Writing

Formally Story writing used to be about writing interesting story books and putting them out for sale but recently story writing has gone beyond story book writing. Businesses now employ story writers to write compelling stories that will highlight the pain points of potential customers and convert sales.

#5 Freelance Writers – News Writing

News writing is a form of journalism that involves finding stories, writing them and selling them to news publications. As a news writer you can work as an in house journalist with a news outlet or work as a freelancer.

#6 Freelance Writers – B2B Writing

B2B means for business-to-business. It is used by a business to speak directly to another business. For example, you might write B2B content for an e-commerce website design company that encourages business owners to build websites.

#7 Freelance Writers – B2C Writing

B2C writing means Business-to-customer content, they usually come in the form of blog posts, tutorials, and guides that help customers make purchases. B2B writing is usually used by businesses to communicate directly to their customers.

#8 Freelance Writers – Product Description Writing

Product description writing is the process of creating written content that describes a product in detail, highlighting its features, benefits, specifications, and other relevant information. Product description writing involves writing to inform customers about the products a company sells. Writing a compelling product description is crucial for attracting potential customers and encouraging them to make a purchase.

#9 Freelance Writers – Course Writing

Course writing has to do with creating academic content for classroom or online lessons. Course writers are usually employed by teachers or lecturers who are too busy. The scope of writing depends on the clients you work for, you can write courses on almost any subject and produce materials like lesson plans, worksheets or lecture notes.

#10 Freelance Writers – Social Media Writing

Social media writing involves writing content for a client’s social media pages like LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc. The purpose of social media content is to engage and retain an audience.

#11 Freelance Writers – Blogging

Blogging is a very popular form of writing. It involves creating and regularly engaging a website with posts on a specific or multiple topics. Blogs are created to attract people to the website so that they can take actions on buying a particular product or service.

#12 Freelance Writers – Ghost Writing

Ghost writing involves writing contents or books on behalf of someone else. They often work behind the scenes and the credit for the content goes to someone else. Ghost writers use the client’s ideas, notes or interviews to craft the content. They are usually employed by high-profile individuals who want to release content (like books, blog post, technical writing etc.) but might not have time to write the full piece.

#13 Freelance Writers – Book writing

Book writing involves conceptualizing, planning and writing the content of a book whether fiction, non-fiction, academic or any other genres. Book writers often work independently, although some may collaborate with publishers, literary agents or editors during the publishing process.

#14 Freelance Writers – Email Marketing

Email marketing involves sending targeted emails to a group of individuals with the goal of building and nurturing relationships, promoting products and services to achieve business goals. An email marketing job can involve writing emails that notify customers about new products or invite them to use a discount code on their next purchase.

#15 Freelance Writers – White Paper Writing

White paper writing involves creating authoritative documents for business, academia and government to provide detailed information, analysis, and recommendation on a specific topic. White paper writers are often well paid because of the time they have to dedicate to research.

#16 Freelance Writers – Grant Writing

Grant writing involves developing research proposals and reports to seek financial support from the government for businesses, usually non-profit organizations and universities. It typically centers on highlighting the value of an organization, it can be a very valuable career path because there are so many organizations looking for individuals to write convincing grant articles for them.

#17 Freelance Writers – Business Plan Writing

Business writing is beneficial to start up or companies that want to establish a new brand. It involves crafting a detailed document that outlines a company’s goals, strategies, financial projections and operational plans. When writing a business plan, it is advisable to have experience in the business or industry you want to write on.

#18 Freelance Writers – Resume Writing

Resume writing involves helping individuals to draft and edit a resume that they can use to apply for jobs. Resume writers assist people in identifying their strengths and showcase their expertise in ways that can help them get a job and establish their career.

#19 Freelance Writers – Editing

Editing is a field in writing that involves proofreading and spotting inconsistencies and errors in writing. It involves rewriting and fixing content that needs improvement or collaborating and guiding writers through rewrites such as in the book industry.

Tools and Resources Needed to Excel as Freelance Writers

1. Writing and Editing Software

To excel in freelance writing you need writing and editing software. Writing and editing software are tools that freelance writers use to create and polish their work. These help writers to produce high quality contents. Some popular examples of writing and editing software include Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Scrivener, and Grammarly. Microsoft Word and Google Docs are used to type your work while scrivener and grammarly would help you to check your writing for consistency and grammar errors.

2. Project Management Tools

These are software programs or online platforms that help freelance writers keep track of their projects, deadlines, and workload. These tools are designed to help writers stay organized and meet delivery dates. They assist you in creating to-do lists, set reminders, track progress, and collaborate with clients and team members. These tools include Asana and Trello.

3. Websites for Finding Freelance Writing Jobs

These are online platforms that connects freelance writers to clients or companies that need them. These websites typically function as job boards, offering a range of writing jobs across different industries, niches and countries. With so many options available, it can be difficult to know which website is the best. In this blog post, we have listed a few that will help you achieve a good result in your job search.

4. Online Writing Communities

Online writing communities are collaboration groups created by writers on social media platforms. The aim of creating this group is to come together to share ideas, experience and job opportunities. By participating in an online writing community, you can network with other writers, get feedback on your work, and learn from others in the field. You can find such communities on Linkedin.

5. Communication Tools

These are tools that help freelance writers share ideas and feedback, and stay connected, no matter the distance. Some of these tools has features that allows the writers to work on each other’s screen. Examples include Google Workspace, Slack, and Zoom.

6. Promotion Platforms

These are social media platforms that help freelance writers to market and promote their works. A good example of such platforms are LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and twitter. Writers can gain visibility on these platforms by writing content that helps to show their expertise and position them as a thought leader in their fields.

7. Resources for Staying Inspired

These are platforms that help freelance writers find inspiration and stay creative. The importance of these resources is to help writers deal with writer’s block, find new ideas and stay engaged with their craft. A good example of these resources includes LinkedIn, Ted Talks, and Writer’s Digest.

11 Websites Where You Can Get Freelance Writing Jobs

1. Indeed

Indeed is one of the sure blogs for work from home jobs. This website gives room for you to pin your interest and get notification whenever there are vacancies for your job of interest. These website has an app that makes users to be able to use it at their own convenience.

2. Upwork

Upwork has varieties of freelance remote writing jobs displayed in its platform. There is also an app for this website that makes it easy for you to access jobs at your own convenience. By creating a profile on these websites and bidding on relevant jobs, you can increase your exposure and find new clients to work with.

3. Fiverr

Fiverr is a website that offers several freelance jobs. This website allows you to create a professional portfolio that helps enhance your chances of getting writing gigs .

4. Journalism jobs

This is a website where you can get remote writing journalism jobs like newsletter writing, press release, political freelance writing etc.

5. We Work Remotely

We work remotely provides job listings across a range of industries and job types, including positions in technology, marketing, design, customer support, writing, and more. If you’re looking for remote work opportunities or are interested in finding a remote writing job, “We Work Remotely” is a platform worth exploring. You can visit their website, browse through job listings, and apply to positions that align with your qualifications and career goals.

6. Flexjobs

FlexJobs is a job search website that specializes in listing flexible and remote job opportunities across various industries, including writing jobs. They aim to connect job seekers with employers who offer positions that allow for flexible work arrangements, such as remote work, part-time work, freelance work, and more.

7. Contena

Contena has helped thousands of people to get freelance remote writing jobs. It is known for curating a variety of writing opportunities, making it easier for freelancers to discover and apply for writing work that matches their skills and interests. Contena offers a range of writing job listings, including content writing, copywriting, blogging, technical writing, and more.

8. Bonsai

Bonsai is a website that provides a freelancing solution for remote workers. It is a platform that offers a suite of tools and services designed to help freelancers and independent professionals manage their businesses more effectively. While it’s not specifically a job board or job search platform like FlexJobs, Bonsai does provide a range of services to support freelancers in their remote work endeavors. Some of the key features and services offered by Bonsai include:

9. Enago

If you’re interested in English language editing jobs and have the necessary qualifications and expertise in areas like scientific or academic writing, you may consider exploring job opportunities with Enago. They often hire experienced editors with subject matter expertise to work remotely, allowing editors to work from various locations worldwide.

10. Linkedin

Linkedin is a goldmine when it comes for searching for professional engagement. There are so many writing jobs on LinkedIn, all you need to do is optimize your LinkedIn profile. There are a lot of professional career opportunities on LinkedIn. All you need to do is to signup, get your profile optimized and create relevant posts channeled to your niche and target audience.

11. Remote.co

You can find some of the best remote writing jobs here on different topics. Remote.co provides resources, job listings, and information related to remote work, including tips for remote job seekers, remote work statistics, and advice for employers looking to build and manage remote teams.

Conclusion

Remote writing is a flexible and promising career choice for those passionate about words. To succeed in this field, essential tools and resources include a reliable computer, a distraction-free workspace, time management skills, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Remote writing jobs vary from content creation to technical writing, allowing writers to choose their niche and tailor their skills accordingly. If you’re ready to start your remote writing journey, platforms like Upwork, Indeed, and Fiverr have amazing opportunities for writers at different experience levels. Embrace this field, and you’ll find a fulfilling writing career with the freedom to work from anywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I become a freelance writer with no experience?

You can become a freelance writer without experience by following these 10 practical tips:

Develop strong writing skills by practicing regularly.
Choose your writing niche (e.g., content, copywriting, fiction).
Create a diverse portfolio of your best writing samples.
Educate yourself through online courses and workshops.
Network with writers and potential clients on social media.
Establish a professional online presence with a website or blog.
Start freelancing on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr.
Pitch your services to potential clients or businesses.
Deliver quality work on time and seek feedback.
Market yourself through social media and expand your skills over time.

How can I make money by writing texts?

Writing texts is very broad and there are several opportunity that you can use to monetize your skill. Below are 6 ways to make money from freelance writing.

Self publish your own content: Write and self-publish ebooks or print books on platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) or IngramSpark. Earn royalties from book sales.
Build yourself a website or blog and monetize it through ads, affiliate marketing, sponsored content, or selling digital products. Guest post on other blogs to gain exposure and earn fees.
Start freelancing: as a freelancer you can engage in ghostwriting, technical writing, content writing and copywriting.
Organize Online Courses and Workshops: Teach writing-related courses or workshops on platforms like Udemy or Teachable.
Content Marketing: Work with businesses to develop and execute content marketing strategies using blog posts, social media content, and email campaigns.
Search Remote Writing Jobs: Search for remote writing positions on job boards, such as Indeed, LinkedIn, upwork etc.

What qualifications do I need to be a freelance writer?

Freelance writing is a field that often values skills, experience, and a strong portfolio more than formal qualifications. However, having certain qualifications or credentials can enhance the quality of your content and your chance of winning gigs. Here are some qualifications and skills that can be beneficial for a freelance writing career:

Writing Proficiency: Strong writing skills encompassing grammar, punctuation, spelling, and clear communication are essential.
Portfolio: Build a diverse portfolio of writing samples showcasing your abilities.
Niche Expertise: Specialized knowledge in a specific industry or subject matter is a valuable asset, as it caters to client preferences.
Education: While not mandatory, a degree in English, journalism, or related fields can provide a solid foundation.
Certifications: Consider relevant certifications such as SEO content writing or copywriting from reputable organizations like Digital Marketing Skill Institute or the American Writers and Artists Inc. (AWAI).
Writing Courses: Taking relevant workshops or courses can hone your skills.
SEO Knowledge: Understanding SEO principles enhances your attractiveness to clients.
Editing and Proofreading: Strong editing skills are crucial for high-quality content.
Marketing and Networking: Develop these skills to find freelance opportunities and expand your client base.
Adaptability: Be open to learning and adjusting to different writing styles, projects, and client requirements.
Time Management: Efficiently manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
Communication Skills: Maintain clear and professional communication with clients.