With all the useful tips on how to become a freelance writer I’ve posted on this blog, you’d think I could sign off and be done. I just checked, and there are nearly 500 posts on here!
Yet, each week I hear from writers with new questions. Why?
It’s not easy becoming a freelance writer.
Writers are always asking me:
What is the one best, cheapest, low-cost, fastest way for me to market my writing and find great pay?
But there isn’t one single, simple answer to that.
What we’re trying to do isn’t easy — to find a place for ourselves in a rapidly evolving freelance marketplace.
The challenges of freelancing
Here are some of the common obstacles freelance writers encounter:
- Your friends and family may not understand or support your decision to freelance.
- The marketplace is diverse, highly fragmented, and confusing.
- There are many different possible starting points and different ways to land entry level writing jobs.
- Successful marketing usually requires a lot of experimentation. What works for one writer may not work for you.
- Rates are all over the place, so it’s hard to know what to charge.
- There are many types of potential business clients, and types of publications, too.
- You have to face rejection.
- It can feel scary, and you’ll have to confront those fears to move forward.
- You need confidence.
- You need to be enterprising and know how to find information, from credible experts to editors’ email addresses.
- If you write for long, you will make mistakes, it will be embarrassing, and you’ll have to suck it up and carry on.
- Not everyone will like what you write, and you’ll have to face criticism.
- A lot of the more ‘fun’ types of writing — poetry, creative nonfiction, short stories, personal essays — generally don’t pay well. That’s not to say you can’t get paid to write poetry, for example, but don’t expect to make a full-time career of it.
- Some editors will butcher your work.
- You may need specialized training for higher-paying writing niches such as direct mail copywriting or technical writing.
- It’s highly competitive to get in at the great-paying magazines, or to land the lucrative copywriting gigs.
- Some clients are flaky and end up stiffing you.
- Some clients are boundary-pushers and want to suck up all your time.
- You’ll need to find a way to differentiate your writing services and stand out from the crowd.
- There are a lot of scam writing “offers” on the Internet you could fall for.
- Plenty of writing markets that pay little or nothing. It’s up to you to find the better-paying markets.
- The drive to succeed has to come from you. There’s no boss looking over your shoulder.
- You need to learn how to negotiate, how to manage your costs…in short, how to run a business.
- Whenever you think you have the hang of it, changes come and you have to learn more skills.
There is one advantage to the complex world of freelancing — if it were easy, everyone would be doing it.
So that cuts the herd a bit for those of us who have the cunning, the tenacity, and the gumption to make freelance writing our living.
What do you think is the hardest thing about being a freelance writer? Add your reason to the comments.
FAQs
It's highly competitive to get in at the great-paying magazines, or to land the lucrative copywriting gigs. Some clients are flaky and end up stiffing you. Some clients are boundary-pushers and want to suck up all your time. You'll need to find a way to differentiate your writing services and stand out from the crowd.
Why is freelancing so hard? ›
Tasks like invoicing, taxes, communication with clients and the like, may pose barriers. Yet, these are just as important as the work you're delivering because without them your work and business won't function. Find a freelance management platform that helps simplify the business-side of your freelance business.
Can I make $1000 a month freelance writing? ›
If you're serious about making a career change, there's no faster way to make money online than freelance writing. The best part is that if you do it right, you can blow past the $1K a month mark in no time. Freelance writing offers much, much greater earning potential.
Is it worth becoming a freelance writer? ›
It allows you to explore your creativity, set your own hours, and potentially earn a rewarding income. However, be prepared to face challenges such as income fluctuations and client management. With dedication, perseverance, and a love for writing, freelance writing can lead to a fulfilling and prosperous career.
Can I really make money freelance writing? ›
Freelance writing has emerged as a significant force in the gig economy, offering flexibility, independence and a way to make money online and offline. With businesses and individuals constantly seeking quality content, the demand for skilled writers is on the rise.
Can you survive as a freelance writer? ›
Many freelance writers manage to make a good living writing for institutions, publications, and brands, and earn upwards of six figures per year.
Why I failed as a freelancer? ›
One of the most common reasons why freelancers fail is that they undervalue their work and charge too little for their services. This can lead to low income, low self-esteem, and low client satisfaction. You should charge what you're worth based on your skills, experience, value proposition, and market rates.
Why is freelancing stressful? ›
One of the primary sources of stress in freelancing arises from the unpredictable nature of work. Unlike traditional employment, freelancers do not have a steady paycheck or a guaranteed workload.
What is a disadvantage of being a freelancer? ›
Your workload and income may vary and may be difficult to anticipate from month to month, especially in the early stages of your business. Large income swings can make it difficult to budget. You also don't get bonuses, awards or recognition as an employer as a freelancer.
What type of freelance writing pays the most? ›
The 12 Best Freelance Writing Niches of 2024
- Personal Finance. ...
- Cybersecurity. ...
- Digital Marketing. ...
- SaaS (software as a service) ...
- Technology Writing. ...
- Gambling and Sports Book Writing. ...
- Blockchain / Cryptocurrency / Alternative currencies. ...
- ECommerce. e-Commerce content is on the rise and here to stay.
How Much Do Freelance Writers Make? The average freelance writer makes about $29 per hour, and the average freelance writing rate per word ranges from $0.05-$0.10 for beginner writers, $0.30-$0.50 for intermediate writers, and $1-$1.50 for experienced writers.
How much do beginner freelance writers make? ›
Here's a breakdown to help you gauge your per-hour rate based on your experience level: Entry Level — $15 to $30 per hour. Intermediate — $35 to $60 per hour. Experienced — $65 to $100 per hour.
What are the cons of freelance writing? ›
One of the biggest disadvantages of freelance writing is the lack of benefits that come with a traditional 9-to-5 job. Freelance writers are responsible for covering all of their own expenses, including health insurance, retirement savings, and paid time off.
Is freelance writing still in demand? ›
A lot of businesses are already out there looking for SEO experts, and there aren't enough of us out there to satisfy the demand. So if you can level up your skillset and stay client-focused, you can absolutely still be a full-time freelance writer in 2024. In a way that's both smart and sustainable.
What is the average age of a freelance writer? ›
The average freelance copywriter age is 42 years old. The most common ethnicity of freelance copywriters is White (75.7%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (7.6%), Black or African American (5.9%) and Unknown (5.6%). In 2022, women earned 96% of what men earned. 16% of all freelance copywriters are LGBT.
How much money does a freelance writer make? ›
Freelance Writer Salaries in India
The average salary for Freelance Writer is ₹21,525 per month in the India.
Is there a demand for freelance writers? ›
The demand for freelance writing jobs varies depending on the niche, industry, and market conditions. Overall, there is a consistent need for high-quality content creation across different platforms, making freelance writing a viable option for those with strong writing skills and expertise in specific subjects.
How long does it take to start making money as a freelance writer? ›
Becoming a Freelance Writer in 1-4 Weeks
If you're starting with a strong writing ability and a clear niche, you could land your first client within just a few weeks. Networking and leveraging online platforms can accelerate this process.
