Coverage also contributed to the two-month gap between the survey and the start of the new school year. Freelance writing could be the ideal side hustle for you. As the gig economy expands and companies increasingly require quality content, getting started with freelance writing has never been easier or more profitable.
In this guide, I will take you step by step through freelance writing a beginner’s guide to earning $1,000/month. We’ll get into everything from learning how freelance writing works to finding your clients, determining your rates, and even scaling your income.
So, whether you’re a knucklehead in a traditional 9 to 5 workplace or just wading into the water a little bit, I’ll try and give you practical tips on getting started and earning some cash!
What is Freelance Writing?
Freelance writers write blog posts, articles, news letters, social media captions, product descriptions, etc., for businesses or individuals. You get paid for each piece you write or project you finish — the purest “work-as-you-want” job.
Reasons Freelance Writing Makes a Great Side Hustle
Freelance writing is one of the most versatile and effortless methods of earning money. You don’t have to have any special certifications to get started, and you can work from anywhere as long as you have a computer and internet connection. And, as demand for online content is only going to increase, companies are in dire need of good writers to help tell their stories.
Skills You Need to Succeed
Good command of the written English language is compulsory if you want to be a Freelance Writer. Other than that, there are a few key traits to work on.
Research Skills: You must be able to deep-dive and fact-check
Time Management: Balancing deadlines is part of the gig.
Creativity and Adaptability: Show your versatility in your writing types.
Persistence: Freelance writing requires pitching to clients, responding to opportunities, and dealing with rejection. Stay consistent.
How to Become a Writer: Everything You Need to Know
Beginning a freelance writing career can seem daunting, but with a few simple steps, you can get on the path to a rewarding career.
Step 1. Identify Your Niche
A generalist is a good place to start, but finding a niche is needed to distinguish yourself. This can be technical writing, lifestyle blogging, SEO content, or writing in fields such as health, finance, or travel. This can assist potential clients in recognizing your strengths, ultimately leading to higher-paying gigs.
Step 2. Create a Portfolio
A solid portfolio demonstrates your writing skills. If you are starting from scratch and don’t have any clipping to share yet, then create a few sample articles relevant to your chosen niche. There are free portfolio sites you can create on Wix or Contently or just send samples via Google Drive.
Step 3. Build Your Online Presence
Clients need to find you. Set up for your services on LinkedIn, sign up for freelance platforms, such as Upwork or Fiverr, or an even better idea is of building a website to put your skills out in the open for prospective clients. And don’t overlook networking: Many clients come through word of mouth.
Step 4. Find Your First Clients
It can feel possible to land your first freelance job, but some great platforms support it, including:
Training: Data ending in October 2023.
Pro Blogger Job Board: This is a place to find high-quality writing jobs.
Contently: Best for working with high-end clients.
Step 5. Set Competitive Rates
Pricing can be tricky for new freelancers, but it’s essential to find the right balance. Do your homework on your competition and price according to your skill level and the market. As a new writer, you might get a rate of $20-$30 per article and increase it as you grow.
Guide To Making $1000 A Month
Writing freelance and making $1000 every month is not as difficult as you might think, and using these strategies will help you do just that.
Diversify Your Services
Expand beyond just articles. Provide copywriting, SEO content writing, social media post writing, ghostwriting services, etc. Clients often require content, so diversifying helps you make more money.
[Full Course] Productivity & Time Management: Getting Things Done
If, for example, freelance writing is your side hustle, try implementing some time-blocking strategies during that period to maximize productivity. Define blocks of time for writing, pitches, and contact. Work to a hard deadline for yourself and your clients to avoid the last-minute rush.
Navigate Slow Periods
The life of a freelancer is quite up and down — after all, the holiday season is sometimes very gloomy for freelancers. To maintain a smooth income flow, nurture lasting relationships with clients who refer you to repeat work. You should also put aside some of your leaner-month payments as a buffer.
Freelance Writers:
Tools, Resources And More
You can make your freelance writing career far smoother with the right tools.
Writing and Editing Tools
Grammarly: To correct grammar and spelling
Hemingway Editor: Helps you to write more clearly.
Google Docs: Basic, collaborative writing interface.
Platforms to Find Work
Fiverr and Upwork: Good for beginners.
Clear Voice and Scripted: Mid-market clients.
LinkedIn Pro Finder: Top-tier opportunities for professional freelancers.
Good learning and development resources power this content
Skillshare: Online classes to sharpen your skills.
Blogs on writing and SEO Copy blogger and HubSpot
How Quran, Sugar, and Mahales have Ambition to, What to Bird Watch: A Creature Like Never Before, The Stranger Missing Behind the Numbers, Exploring the Neglected Spaces for Dogs.
Get inspired by freelancers who make $1000 (or more!) per month of writing.
Case Study 1: Doing It All
(Sarah is a busy mom of two who took up freelance writing to cover the cost of her children’s extracurricular activities.) She wrote blog posts for small businesses and branched into writing social media captions and newsletters. In three months, she was at $1500 a month.
Case Study 2: The Specialty Writer
John is an engineering professional working full-time, and he writes technical articles in his spare time. By remaining within his industry niche, he can charge $150 per technical post — consistently clearing over $1000 monthly, side income.
What You Can Learn: Find a niche and build long-term business relationships with clients.
Taking Your First Steps
All of these are to say that freelance writing is perhaps the most accessible, flexible, and scalable path to making $1000 a month (or more). The secret is to start small, develop your skills, network, and continue to produce great work. Start with identifying your niche, building a strong portfolio, and checking out places like Upwork or ProBlogger to score your first clients.
Keep in mind that the gig economy is on the rise, and this is the right time to turn your passion for writing into a money-making opportunity.
Final Tip
If you really want to start freelance writing or grow your side gig, you should begin tomorrow (and by tomorrow, I mean today!). By taking small steps and sticking to them, before you know it, you’ll be hitting (and surpassing) the $1000 mark.
