Have you always been diligent about your grammar and spelling? Are you skilled at expressing your thoughts on paper concisely and effectively? Are you a self-starter?
If so, freelance content writing might be a perfect fit for you. Freelance writing allows you to work remotely, set your own hours, and choose how much you want to work.
For businesses, employing freelance content writers enables you to acquire high-quality content for your website, blog, and social media platforms without the cost of a full-time staff member.
By working with a freelancer, you can efficiently scale up your content production while aligning your budget with your content requirements.
How Do I Write Content As a Freelancer?
Freelance content writing begins with finding one or more clients, which can be accomplished in various ways. You can approach small businesses in your local area or online and offer your services.
Another option is to apply as a writer with content writing companies like WriterAccess. These companies simplify the process of finding freelance work and take care of invoicing and collections with clients. However, most of these services may charge you a percentage of your earnings on the platform.
Online content differs from traditional newspaper or magazine articles. Website content needs to be easily scannable to accommodate the notoriously short attention span of internet users. This entails writing concise paragraphs, using clear subheadings, and incorporating bullet points or lists to highlight key information in the article.
To learn more about becoming a freelance content writer:
How Much Do Content Writers Get Paid?
Like most work, the more a freelance content writer works, the more he or she gets paid.
Content writers also get paid more based on the experience they have in addition to how challenging and demanding the projects are.
Having said all that, GlassDoor reports that content writers make between $39,000 and $63,000 annually. Salary.com reports a range of between $52,000 and $78,000.
Keep in mind that freelance work (by definition) is independent work, so although you’ll still have a tax liability, you won’t have any taxes deducted from the amounts you collect for your freelance work.
Suffice to say, it’s wise to set aside money from every paycheck to cover your taxes, so you aren’t caught unaware with a bill you can’t afford when tax season comes around.
The good news for freelancers is that you can deduct costs associated with your work from your freelance income. These include things like mileage to visit clients, supplies like pens and paper, your health insurance premiums, reference materials, and training courses. Check with your tax accountant for more information on this.
Which Content Writing Type Pays the Most?
There are a variety of types of content writing, including blogs, articles, press releases, white papers, ebooks, and case studies.
Generally, content writers are paid by the word, so the longer the piece, the more it pays. However, specific projects, particularly those of substantial length such as ebooks, are remunerated on a project basis.
Skill level, expertise in an industry, and experience also affect the amount a client is willing to pay a content writer.
Is Freelance Writing Legal?
Yes, freelance writing is a legitimate way to make a living. Some clients will only work with US or North American writers. Others are set up to pay writers working from any part of the world.
Be aware that there are a lot of scams on the internet that target freelance writers. Some involve selling worthless training materials to new freelancers, while others appear to be legitimate but fail to pay once you send an invoice, and others encourage you to write for free, promising “exposure” to a large audience.
One great way to avoid most of these hazards is to work with a reputable content company like WriterAccess. These companies handle the invoicing and money end of things, so you have more time to concentrate on writing while being assured that you’ll be paid on time.
What Skills Does a Content Writer Need?
To be a successful content writer, you need to have a good grasp of proper grammar and spelling, as well as, be able to write succinctly and on topic.
Unlike creative writing, you don’t need to be able to craft flowery descriptions or dynamic plot lines. You just need to be able to create simple sentences that are easy to read and that communicate effectively.
The best freelance content writers are also self-starters and are able to meet deadlines without a supervisor watching over their shoulders.
Good content writers are also able to work with a variety of client personalities and carefully follow written instructions.
Lastly, it’s helpful for content writers to be able to use constructive criticism to better their work without taking the comments from editors and clients personally.
Jump-Starting Your Freelance Writing Career With WriterAccess
Working with a content platform like WriterAccess can make it easy to earn a living as a freelance content writer. Apply to join more than 15,000 writers who make up the WriterAccess community.
For marketers and business owners, having access to a pool of talented and pre-screened writers eliminates the risk of hiring freelancers directly. We invite you to take advantage of our free two-week trial.
Our platform combines the efficiency of AI-powered tools with the creativity of human writers to help you streamline your content production. Why wait? Try it now!
