Being a freelance writer is the easiest way you can get started to make an income for yourself. During uncertain times, there is no better opportunity to make money than starting a freelance writing side hustle. With plenty of Internet tools available online. There is no better time to start making extra money through freelance writing. The earnings from freelance writing range differ, writers could make from $5 up to $100 per 500 words article.
So what makes a $100 written from a $5 article? In this article, you will learn how to get started as a freelance writer. Where you can make money, how to level up your writing, and most, whether you can turn it into a full-time job.
Why Freelance Writing
The job of a writer has been around for hundreds of years. Proofreading and translation writing were popular back in the olden days. Thanks to the Internet, writers are now working on SEO(Search Engine Optimization) and website content building. More than ever, businesses are realizing the importance of having digital influence. A website may not pay you but it does have strong marketing potential. A website is somewhat of your business portfolio. Write it well and people will be more interested to find out more.
A cafe business isn’t going to turn popular overnight with direct customers. They are more likely to get their customers through Google reviews and social media. Most SME businesses are most likely going to know each other through their webpage. Thus, quality content and information are the key driving force to obtaining more clients.
How much to get started?
The biggest perk of being a freelance writer is starting it as a side hustle will cost you zero dollars. As you begin your content writing job, it’s crucial to set aside money. It will come at a time when you would need to invest in tools, equipment, marketing, and networking efforts. The price to launch a career as a content writer can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.
What Do I Need?
Depending on your unique situation and aspirations. The price to launch a career as a content writer can vary. These are some things to think about:
Education and Training
Depending on the kind of training you wish to pursue, education and training costs vary. While some content writers have degrees in English, journalism, or communications. Others learn about writing strategies and styles through online courses or seminars. A degree program may cost several thousand dollars for a certificate. If you would like to push on further, a bachelor’s or master’s degree can cost you tens of thousands of dollars.
Tools and equipment
There aren’t many tools and equipment you need to get started. All you need is a computer, internet connectivity, and writing software. A computer can cost you up to $2,000(anything more is crazy!) and the rest of the tools and equipment are free online. You can start writing on Google Drive or write on Medium.
Marketing
Once your content writing firm has gotten off the ground. You’ll need to market yourself and network with potential customers. This means building a website, using social media, networking gatherings, and paid advertising. Depending on your strategy and the particular tools you use. The cost of these operations can vary.
Where can I start to make Money Writing?
There are many ways for you to get started as a freelance writer. But I recommend this step-by-step approach. Of course, as you are starting out, don’t expect to earn a full-time income. Writing takes time and the more you write, the better the quality and the more income you can make.
Writing Platforms
The best way for you to start earning an income while learning to write is to sign up and join a writing platform. There are plenty of writing platforms out there. My recommendation is Medium and NewsBreak. They are free to use and are the easiest place to get started sharing your content writing. These platforms even pay their writer once they have met the requirements.
Writing content on writer platforms helps new writers to identify what to write. They will learn the types of content that can generate a good income for writing. From there, you get a rough idea of what kind of writing subject you are more familiar with and enjoy writing in. I get paid around $100 for 2 months of writing on Medium. The top 1% of Medium writers earn between $5,000 to $30,000 a month. So if you are willing to grind and improve your writing skill, I recommend you to start on Medium. Click here to get just $5 a month for Medium membership!
Freelancing Platforms
Now that you are more confident with your writing abilities. Your next step is finding your first client. Freelancing websites like Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr are good places to start. These websites link independent writers with buyers in need of writing help. To get started, here is the ultimate guide to getting started on Fiverr. Highlight your writing abilities and expertise linked to Medium. To boost creditability, you may want to look into including writing samples. Having any pertinent credentials or certificates is a great bonus as well.
Generally, freelancing platforms don’t actually pay writers well. Expect to make around $5 up to $20 per 500-word article. Generally, if you have been writing on these freelancing platforms for at least 6 months, earning $2,000 a month is quite possible. Pushing onwards to a higher amount can be difficult if your skill as a writer is writing only. Thus, you should use this time to spend learning higher-paying writing skills. Check out this article on what makes a 6-figure writer different from other writers.
In order to be a successful freelance writer,
Own Webpage
Moving in-house for your writing can reduce service charges on freelancing platforms(~20%). To get clientele, you need a landing page, get yourself a WordPress account to start building it!
Start building the website, it may take weeks or months to get it done. The key pages(check it out to see how it works) you need to be working on are:
Once you have done all that, the next step is to market your business through your webpage. You can also locate clients using social networking sites. Great places to get started are Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. There is even a possibility for you to network with potential clients. You can also network with clientele by joining online writing communities and forums.
You can contact companies and people by using social media and freelance services. After doing some research on the organizations and people in your target market. Send them a personalized pitch outlining your writing abilities and how you can assist them in doing their objectives. Remember that it takes time and persistence to get clients as a freelance writer. You’ll be well on your way to developing any business through patience.
Rates for Freelancer
The rates for a freelance writer can vary depending on many factors. Buyers look for writers that have experience, expertise, and the type of writing. New writers charge $5 for 500 words, but experienced writers can charge over $100 for the same amount. It all boils down to skills.
What makes a $5 Article?
AI writing software like ChatGPT is taking over many content writing side hustles. It can produce a 500-word article in a few minutes, with no errors and good formatting. Yet, the downside is that Google’s search engine penalizes AI-written content. This type of writing may lack depth and value to readers and businesses.
What Makes a $100 Article?
The best writing style that still pays writers well is SEO writing, granting writing, and proofreading. I recommend that writer learn the importance of SEO writing. Read this article that I have written on the importance of SEO writing.
SEO-written articles pay well because they are in high demand by businesses. They are looking to increase their online visibility and attract more traffic to their websites. Here are some reasons why SEO-written articles are valuable:
- In the current digital age, businesses need a strong online presence to thrive. SEO-written articles are a popular way to boost a website’s search engine ranking. This makes them in high demand.
- SEO articles use relevant keywords and phrases for a specific website or business. This helps search engines identify and rank the website more. As a result, this increased traffic and more business opportunities for the client.
- SEO articles boost a website’s search engine ranking. Which attracts more visitors and generates more sales and revenue for the client.
- Unlike other forms of online advertising(pay-per-click), SEO-written articles provide long-term benefits. Published articles can boost a website’s ranking and attract traffic for many years.
- Specialized knowledge: Writing effective SEO articles requires specialized knowledge of search engine algorithms. An experienced SEO writer would understand keyword research and content marketing. Writers with this expertise are in demand and can command higher rates.
What SEO tool to use
If you want to do well with your website or rank on Google. You need an SEO tool, I use RankIQ. Unlike the other SEO tools that are out there, RankIQ is considered to be one of the best low-cost SEO tools that I genuinely liked and use.
I’m going to tell you why it is my favorite(FYI, I have used all 3 SEO tools), breaking it all down to show you how RankIQ is out-competing the rest of the other SEO tools that are out there!
You get a clear Goal!
The problem with most SEO tools is they only show writers what keywords to use, the competitiveness of keywords, and the competitor that is writing.
RankIQ works with their writer to ensure they are getting page-one-level content out there. They share what grade level you need to get(how many keywords to add), the number of words to write, competition DA(domain authority) ranking to see if you can compete against them, and how fast your content can rank on page one(very fast typically takes about a week or two).
RankIQ will ensure you have the right amount of keywords added to your content to ensure the right grading is matched. In this article above, I need to achieve an A+ rating, therefore, I will need to push my F grade up.
Showing you your Rankings
After long hours of pushing SEO content, RankIQ has a feature that shares the real-time ranking of your articles. On this page, I currently have 5 listed content that are growing in value as they aged. As an added piece of information, the content I have written is only one month old and has already been bringing in organic traffic.
Is the Pricing Right for You?
RankIQ cost about USD 50 per month, which is way cheaper as compared to the other SEO tools that I have used. They are the easiest SEO tools to use that I use in my day-to-day writing which is why once again, I am recommending my favorite product!🤗
Starting a Freelance Writing Business?
Getting your freelance writing business to a full-fledged business is going to be tough and requires long hours of work put into it. I only recommend writers jump into their content writing business once they have a sizeable and decent income that can replace their full-time income. Or maybe if you just want to test the water and jump straight away, here is the steps you could take in order to start a freelance writing business.
Diversifying your services
There are many forms of freelance writing work you can start right away. If you are looking to make a quick buck, writing a response post is probably the easiest. All you need to write about is addressing current issues and what may happen in the future. The amount of words needed to write per post is around 300 to 500 which is generally quite achievable.
Apart from response posts, writers can look into writing product descriptions. Writing product descriptions can be a great way for freelancers to make money because many businesses need high-quality descriptions to sell their products online. People depend on these descriptions to decide what to buy, so good writers can help increase sales. Freelancers with writing skills can work for different types of businesses, big or small, and do the job from anywhere. As online shopping becomes more popular, the need for skilled writers is likely to keep growing, making it a good way for freelancers to earn a steady income.
Increasing your rates
Here are some ways to increase your rates as a freelance writer:
- Build a strong portfolio: A solid portfolio of your writing work can demonstrate your skills and expertise, which can make clients more willing to pay higher rates.
- Get noticed: Request to be featured! Share your blog post, guest post, and 5-star reviews to make your business stand out. Guest posting is one of the best ways to get your content noticed by other big players in the field.
- Specialize in a niche: Specializing in a particular area, such as technology or healthcare, can make you an expert in that field, which can lead to higher rates.
- Develop additional skills: Developing skills beyond writing, such as SEO, content marketing, or social media management, can make you more valuable to clients and increase your earning potential.
- Build long-term relationships: Providing excellent service and building long-term relationships with clients can lead to repeat business and the opportunity to negotiate higher rates.
- Set clear expectations: Be upfront with clients about your rates and what they can expect for their investment. Clear communication can help clients understand the value of your services and justify higher rates.
- Stay up-to-date with industry trends: Keeping up with the latest trends and techniques in writing and marketing can keep you competitive and in demand, leading to higher rates.
Remember that increasing your rates is a process that takes time, effort, and persistence. By continuously improving your skills and delivering high-quality work, you can earn more and build a successful freelance writing business.
Expanding your client base
If you are looking to make more money from content writing, expanding your client base is the only solution. It’s almost impossible to have your existing customer that is paying $5 an article be paying over $100. So as you expand and grow, you need to be looking to get more and more valuable customer base.
Value add to your customer. Here’s how I started my content writing journey that maybe you can follow as well, do note that each step of the way is a small price increase:
- Start with $5 for a 500-word response article
- Do more research-based articles
- Create custom images to boost reader interaction
- Use relevant and high DA(domain authority) articles to boost your article’s value
- Use Google high-searched keywords at the end of every search below as keyphrases to use in your article
- Invest in an SEO tool. Automatically finds your keywords and lets you know which to use.
All business owner that knows how Google works will want their articles to be SEO driven. That’s why you need to show your clients you have the SEO tool needed to boost their business ranking. The best SEO tool on the market right now is RankIQ. Once again, I highly recommend you download and use it once you are an experienced writer.
Managing your workload
Writing all day long can be really tiring especially if you are doing content writing as a side hustle. Learning to manage your writing workload be quite difficult especially when you are first starting out. As freelance writers, we are always looking to deliver the best content we possibly can write about. Therefore, we may put too much time and effort into our work which may result in overloading on workload.
In order to prevent overworking yourself, the easiest way is to schedule your work in advance and learn how to break down your writing. Before you even begin writing, the best strategy to prevent writer’s block and to have a constant flow of ideas while writing I to break down your content into headings and sub-headings.
If you find yourself overworking due to increase demand, you may want to look into paying another freelance writer. Most beginner writers are dying to get free leads and an income from their writing when they are first starting out. Finding the perfect freelancer to work with may take time but I highly recommend you to be working with at least 3 or more freelancers to gauge their work. Finally picking one of them to work together with you throughout.
Conclusion
Hope this step-by-step guide has inspired you to become a freelance writer even though you may not have any prior experience. Writing can be a pleasing and enjoyable way of making money while learning a thing or two. If you have found value in this content, be sure to join me on Medium as a member so we can start writing to inspire others!
