My own journey making it through year #1 freelancing.
Are you new to freelance writing or thinking about a freelance writing career? If so, maybe you’ve asked yourself, “Can you make money writing online?”
I know I did.
Picture this. After months of conversations with my husband, agonizing over what to do, I left my 15-year corporate marketing career. It wasn’t an easy decision. It wasn’t even that I hated where I worked. It’s just that the 9-5 structure didn’t play nice with motherhood, and I was mentally exhausted trying to keep up.
I needed a new career path. And thankfully…becoming a freelance writer and starting my own freelance writing business evolved. I discovered I could pair my passion for writing online with over a decade of experience in digital marketing and understanding SEO.
So, I started my LLC to help clients grow online through organic content. And one year later, I can say I’m earning a living. It’s not my corporate salary (yet), but I’m finding a way to earn an income that helps pay for essentials and gives me the flexibility I need.
So…are you ready to find those freelance writing gigs and make money? Let’s jump in!
How to Make Money Freelance Writing
You’re ready to start earning, right?
But honestly, I would recommend a few things first. Here’s what I did before going after paid writing jobs or checking out job boards.
Create a writing portfolio.
Writing samples show your ability as a writer. And it should be your top priority if you don’t have your own blog or examples to show potential clients.
During my first year of writing online, I mainly focused on writing blog posts (and lots of them). Medium.com became my primary online hangout, where I wrote over 400+ articles.
Not to say you need anywhere close to this many writing samples – you don’t!
Truthfully, I got a little stuck on Medium, unsure of my next step, thinking I could make enough money from their membership program.
News flash – It didn’t happen! Not even close.
But thankfully, I had another freelance copywriter friend that nudged me to pause on churning out article after article and focus on finding clients (more on that later).
Focus on improving your writing skills.
Writing online requires a completely different skill than what you’re taught in your high school and college English courses.
For example, in the online writing world, blocks of copy are a big no-no. An online reader doesn’t want to see tons of text. Brevity is key. Headlines, spacing, and bullet points keep your content scannable and easy to read.
I had to unlearn a lot about how I was taught to write. And yes…sentences can start with a conjunction. (See what I did there?)
If you’ve never written online, consider how it’s different. Reading other blog posts by experienced freelance writers and applying those style differences to my own articles helped, and I’m still learning.
Consider a writing niche.
A niche can mean different things.
One way to look at having a writing niche could mean narrowing it down to the industry. For example, you could specifically want to write about health and wellness topics or articles focused on finance.
Or a niche could be the type of writing projects you want to do. Maybe you want to specialize in email copywriting or only blog writing jobs.
Right now, with only a year in, I’m not at a place where I want to narrow down the industry or the types of writing jobs. Instead, I’ve decided to focus on my skill set. I’m a data-driven writer who enjoys helping solve content strategy challenges for clients. I provide strategic insights and SEO writing across digital channels – websites, socials, and CRM funnels.
You don’t have to have a niche starting out, but it can help you stand out from most freelance writers. Eventually, I won’t be surprised if I end up niching down in the future.
Find successful freelance writers to follow.
Following other writers who have been on a similar path as you can help provide clarity.
On Medium.com, I was no stranger to seeing oodles of blog posts from the successful freelance writer Tim Dennings. After reading several of his articles, it became clear – I needed to get on LinkedIn. And his style is hard to stop reading – he’s so blunt!
It’s also worth looking at freelance writer groups you can join to build connections. I had no idea what to do when I started writing and thinking of building a business. Elna Cain helped me get unstumped by enrolling in one of her online courses and following along in her Facebook group on the necessary steps to build my business.
These days, with the majority of my time on LinkedIn, I’ve gravitated towards following other experienced freelance writers like Ed Gandia and Austin L. Church. They have spent over a decade making freelance writing a profitable career. And their podcasts, targeted to freelancers, have great takeaways.
I advise finding a few writers you enjoy reading and want to engage with. It adds extra motivation to your journey on becoming a freelancer.
5 Ways I Made Money Writing
Now, to the juicy stuff!
Here are five ways I made money in my first year of freelance writing. It’s the real deal of how freelance writing jobs directly resulted in dollars deposited in my bank account.
#1 – Writing social media posts on LinkedIn
92% of my income came from clients and writing projects on LinkedIn.
The smartest move I could have made early in building my writing business was getting on LinkedIn and posting 5 days/week. Because here’s the truth…if you’re building a business, you must market yourself so people know what you do and how you can help.
With LinkedIn being the largest professional network online, I decided to focus all my efforts there. And I landed my first two clients in two months. This is not to say Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter (X) aren’t worth looking at. There are sites like Upwork and Fiverr as well. It’s just that jumping between multiple social platforms has felt too tough to keep up with when you’re a “team of 1” and juggling motherhood.
LinkedIn is where I enjoy being, and I’ve committed to a consistent marketing habit there. So far, it’s paying off. Without a doubt, it’s smart to consistently post.
#2 – Converting a project-based client into a retainer client
A huge income boost for my freelance writing business has been successfully converting a project-based client into a monthly retainer client.
Getting additional work from existing clients is MUCH easier than finding new ones.
It started with a website project I did for them. Then, they needed some campaign landing pages. After some Zoom calls and further conversations, it became clear that what they were lacking on their team was someone with marketing experience online.
Keying in on that need, I put together a proposal to work as fractional head of content for them. Then, my one-off project client became a monthly retainer client. It’s made a big difference for my business.
#3 – Applying for part-time writing jobs
LinkedIn has a host of part-time writing jobs.
I applied to part-time writing jobs that focused on needing a writer with SEO expertise. Having come from a corporate world, data analytics with GA and GSC was not new, and I wanted to put my digital marketing skills to good use.
One of those SEO positions I applied for was working for a B2C focused on the parenting niche. I formally applied on LinkedIn, but I did more than just hit the “easy apply” button we’re all used to seeing.
Taking a note from one of Elna Cain’s course suggestions, I sent a personalized email to the hiring manager. I explained why I was interested in the position, what skills helped me stand out as a candidate, and examples of my parenting articles. Then, to my delight, after a couple of interviews and a paid writing test, I was given the position.
#4 – Cold pitching an online publication
When you cold pitch as a freelance writer, typically, you send an editor or site owner a list of blog content ideas for their website.
My very first paid gig came from cold pitching. I found apartmenttherapy.com through another writer’s suggestion, and I sent the editor my ideas around home organization and cleaning blog posts I could write for their publication.
With my first pitch email, they accepted two of my ideas. That was the beginning of me realizing I could get paid to write (even if, in hindsight, it was my least-paying writing gig compared to my other clients today).
It brought in a chunk of income and did a lot to build my confidence.
#5 – Getting passive income from Medium.com
Medium is a nice way for writers to bring in passive income. It’s where I discovered how much I loved to write.
And the deal is that the more you write, the greater your opportunity is to earn cash. I know other writers who’ve done pretty well. But again – I’ve never made enough to pay the bills (to my earlier point).
In 2023, I pulled in around $200 from stories I had written on Medium.com, mostly ones I had written from 2022. (Yep, not much…my coffee fund.) But it’s not a channel I would overlook.
I plan on adding more content there in the coming year. And the little bit I have earned has also been a bonus to the kind and caring people I’ve met there.
It’s a cool community.
Additional Tips for Making Money Online
Making money writing online also involves “non-writing” activities.
Potential clients can come out of nowhere, so building your brand and networking online and in real life is important.
Networking with local entrepreneurs
I’m a huge fan of LinkedIn, but making local connections with other entrepreneurs has been incredibly motivating. Zoom and Google Meet calls are fine, but having face-to-face coffee chats has helped me create relationships I treasure.
Getting to know other solopreneurs, understanding their business, and sharing our challenges has made the journey much more enjoyable.
I’m starting to find a crew where we support one another, which feels like I’ve become a wealthy freelance writer and business owner already.
Attending in-person events
Attending local events focused on empowering entrepreneurs and freelancers has also been a perk this last year.
I have learned about other topics (AI and healthy living, to name a few) and about my community.
Business is about focusing on relationships. No doubt about it. And attending these types of events has been much more fun than spending time at home and relying on my social media accounts for connection. (Although my introverted self does enjoy a quiet house.)
Doors are continuing to open, and connections are being made. It feels good to have more in-person interaction.
Appearing on a future podcast
From these networking efforts, I’ve met another mother and paid search consultant right here in my local community.
Even though we’ve just met, I can tell there’s a lot to talk about, and in the coming year, I’m excited to be guest appearing on her new podcast.
I can’t wait for this opportunity! I expect a few different topics will include what it’s like building a business coming out of a corporate 9-5 world, how to become a freelance writer, and what it’s like in this work-life blend I’ve got going on. (And more!)
I’m very much looking forward to the experience.
Investing in a 1-on-1 paid strategy session
This year, I also met with one of my favorite writers I follow for a paid 1-on-1 strategy session.
In those 45 minutes, I got clarity and actionable steps I’m working on now to push my business forward.
Starting as a new solopreneur and freelance writer, I’ve realized that you’re hungry for a mentor. (That’s been my experience.) I’ve craved guidance on where I should spend my time, how to get clients, and details about freelance processes that help me work smarter (not harder).
This was an investment I would happily make again. Sure, you can grow through trial and error. However, taking part in this strategy session has moved me forward faster. (Bye-bye, second-guessing…for now.)
Freelance Writing Income Is Possible
Making money writing online has a lot to do with you and the commitment you want to make.
You can read all the advice about building a business, but you’ll never see progress if you never take action. Even small steps every day, add up.
Looking back on these past 12 months, I have a clearer picture of what worked for me and where I want to position myself going forward as a solopreneur and freelance writer.
You’ve got this! You can also make money freelance writing if you’re willing to put in the work.
Freelance Writing FAQs
Can you really make money as a freelance writer?
Yes, you can make money writing online. But you need to take a combination of actions to see income from your writing services. It’s important to market yourself in social spaces where your ideal clients need your expertise (LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, etc). Network with connections you already have. Don’t be afraid to ask for introductions to businesses you would like to collaborate with and be open to cold-pitching companies you want to work with.
Can I make a $1,000 a month freelance writing?
Yes, you can make $1,000 a month freelance writing. But to do that, you need to create high-value offers and find clients with pain points where your offer solves their issues. You can achieve this by focusing on larger-scale projects (like a new website launch) that can take several months to complete, or you can focus on working with clients on a monthly retainer that involves $1,000+ to meet their content needs.
What exactly is online writing?
Online writing is any written content published on the internet to be viewed from your desktop, tablet, or mobile device. Online writing can include long-form content like blog posts, emails, and articles for online publications. It can also involve shorter-form content like social media posts. Your online writing should aim to produce helpful content that’s engaging for your audience.
