How Does a Freelance Writer Make Money?
In short, a freelance writer makes money by creating written content for someone and charging them money for it. That someone can be a client, an agency, or an audience of the writer's own, for example through a blog or a newsletter.
The writing can be:
long form
short form
ebooks
newsletters
ghostwriting
scriptwriting
Most freelance writers also supplement this income through ad revenue, marketing affiliates, or even selling products to an audience, like ebooks or courses.
If you're reading this, I'm assuming you're either being a nosy Nancy about freelance writing incomes (no shame if so) or…you're considering making the jump.
Why am I the one telling you this? Humbly, I am a freelance writing success story. I too had no idea how freelance writers make money until I lost my job in 2020 and decided to make the leap to becoming a full-time writer. In 2022, I earned over six figures. Boom. I've included a ton of related posts to act as resources, and to prove how much experience I have in this.
Having extra money is definitely nice, but what I love most about my lifestyle is that I have a lot of free time. I go on daily runs in the middle of the day. I attend a 3 pm writing workshop at my local library. I indulge in my baking passion. The free in freelance writer is really wonderful to experience.
In this article, I'll dig into exactly how a freelance writer makes money, with examples, screenshots, and suggestions.
The Freelance Writing Definition Section
I bet you don't actually know the true definition and scope of freelance writers. People kind of assume it's all the same thing as an influencer/content creator/mommy blogger.
Freelancing means instead of being an employee for $40/hour or $75,000 a year, you get paid on a different schedule in exchange for providing services to a company.
For example, maybe you charge $2000/month on retainer to a client of yours in exchange for rinnig their social media channels.
Maybe you charge $0.50 per word to a client for writing an SEO blog post.
Maybe you charge $75/hour as an hourly rate during a one-off project to design someone's website.
All that is freelancing. As a freelancer, you have the flexibility and right to choose your projects, clients, and often your working hours.
This article is focused on freelance writing since that's what I know best, but there are all other sorts of freelance jobs:
Design: Such as graphic, web, and interior design.
Technology: Including software development, IT consulting, and web development.
Marketing: Such as digital marketing, SEO consulting, and social media management.
Arts: Including photography, illustration, and videography.
Consulting: Across various sectors like business, finance, and education.
Healthcare: Such as telemedicine, health consulting, and therapy.
Education: Online tutoring, course creation, and curriculum design.
Writer vs freelance writer
The difference between these two roles comes down to the freelance aspect. As a writer, you just write. It can be as an employee, as a hobby, as a published author, or ad-hoc for clients.
As a freelance writer, you are a self-employed individual who offers writing services to potential client types on a project-by-project basis without long-term commitment to any single employer.
The role of a writing niche
Especially in freelancing, the best advice is to niche down. This helps you gain a specialty, which lets you charge more money, which gives you a better lifestyle.
I ignore this advice for the most part because I love writing about all sorts of things. Instead of choosing a topic like finance or AI, I write about what interests me. My specialty is making complex topics simple and engaging for an audience. I make money writing about data science, backend development, health tech, marketing, consulting, and a whole host of other topics.
Further reading: how to choose the best copywriting niche.
3. Primary Sources of Income for Freelance Writers
OK, now we're at the interesting part. Where exactly do freelance writers get their income from?
What are freelance writing jobs?
These jobs encompass a wide range of opportunities, from blog posts and articles to technical documentation. These jobs allow writers to work on diverse projects, often from the comfort of their homes, and can be found on various platforms online.
Job Boards and Freelance Websites
Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr connect freelance writers with potential clients. These sites list a variety of writing gigs, catering to different niches and skill levels, making it easier for writers to find projects that match their expertise.
Further reading:
Pitching Media Outlets
Instead of waiting for opportunities, proactive writers can pitch their ideas to magazines, newspapers, and online publications. This approach requires a well-crafted pitch, showcasing the freelance writer's idea and expertise, but can lead to high-profile assignments and recurring gigs.
Some media outlets pay you a flat fee, while others give you just a backlink and traffic.
I've pitched Insider, Euro News Week, and other media pubs. Highly recommend to get your name out there.
Further learning:
Content Marketing
Content is king as you've heard a thousand times. This type of freelance writer knows how to create informative and engaging content, from blog posts to whitepapers, that aligns with a brand's message and drives business goals.
Businesses are desperate for content that showcases what they're selling organically and convertingly.
Affiliate Marketing
It's kind of cheating to include this, since most freelance writers think of it as bonus money more than a proper income stream, but it's worth knowing about.
As a freelance writer, you should probably have a blog to act as a protfolio if nothing else. You can monetize your blog by promoting products and earning a commission for every sale made through your referral.
Example: you're reading this post on my blog, probably because you Googled something like “how much money do freelance writers make.” You landed here. I managed to rank for that keyword and show up here by using my very favorite SEO tool, MarketMuse. ← That is an affiliate link. If you sign up for MarketMuse, I earn a small portion of that fee at no cost to you! It's just MarketMuse's way of saying thanks for sending a customer their way.
By creating compelling content around a product or service and embedding affiliate links, you can generate “passive” income.
Median income from affiliate marketing: Less than $10,000 per year according to Influencer Marketing Hub. I personally got on the train way too late, so mine is probably around $10 a month at most.
(This is where it also helps to have a niche as a freelance writer: you can pick one thing to write about consistently and well, build trust with your audience, and earn money by recommending products/services in that area.)
Technical Writing and Tech Writers: A Specialized and Lucrative Niche Technical writing gets a (slightly undeserved) bad rap for being boring. The truth is because everyone thinks it's boring, nobody wants to do it. So it's in high demand.
Technical writers specialize in creating user manuals, software documentation, and other technical guides. Think: “Quick Start Guide: Setting Up Your XYZ Router”
Given the complexity and specificity of the content, tech writers often command higher rates than general content writers.
Freelance Journalist: Reporting News and Stories for Money
Freelance journalists work outside the traditional newsroom setup, often pitching stories to various publications. They cover events, conduct interviews, and write features, providing fresh perspectives and in-depth analysis on current events and trends.
Ghostwriting:
Ghostwriters pen content on behalf of another person, allowing the client to take credit for the work. This can range from blog posts to full-length books. Due to the confidentiality and the skill required to capture another's voice, ghostwriting can be a highly rewarding niche for writers.
(I do a lot of this – it's extremely well-paid and rewarding work since you get to work so closely with the client.)
Freelance writing rates: How much can you expect to earn?
Let's have a look at some average rates according to Peak Freelance (this is a fantastic read, by the way.)
50% (or more) of freelance writers earn less than $30k per year.
18% of freelance writers reported income levels of $31k – $50k.
5% reported making between $100k – $125k.
4% earned over $125k.
If we apply an average 40 hour week to those numbers, we get:
50% (or more) of freelance writers earn less than $14.42 per hour
18% of freelance writers reported income levels of $14.90– $24.04 per hour.
5% reported making between $48.08 – $60.10 per hour.
4% earned over $60.10 per hour.
However, you should also take two things into account.
No benefits. A W2 job salary number doesn't include healthcare, retirement, or any other job perks.
Not necessarily 40 hours. Remember, you're a freelance writer. when I track my time, it works out to 10-20 hours per week. I habitually take Mondays or Fridays off. Many freelance writers, freed from the shalckles of corporate deskwork, don't work a full 40h per week.
4. Diversifying Income Streams
If you haven't heard this yet, let me be the first to tell you: don't put all your eggs into one basket (or client).
This is why so many freelance writers also have their own blog, marketing strats, newsletters, and multiple clients.
One client may be your favorite, best-paid, most easy-going client ever. Then they lose funding. Or they hire someone cheaper. Or they start getting more leads from a source other than writing.
Diversify and protect yourself.
I recommend posting content onto Medium for two reasons, apropos of diversification.
First, it acts as a free portfolio. A client may find your work and hire you (this has happened to me).
Further reading: how to use Medium to get a freelance writing client.
But second, you also get paid for your writing there.
Further reading: how much money do Medium writers make?
Medium has a revenue share system. When you publish a paywalled story and a paying Medium member reads that story, you earn a small portion of their monthly membership fee. The more reads you get, the more money you earn. It's a great way to earn some money while building your business.
Want to know how to get started blogging on Medium? Grab your FREE five-day starter kit guide right here.
5. Building a Successful Freelance Writing Business
I remember how tough it was to envision a successful freelance writing business when I was on the ground floor. How does one get those great ghostwriting gigs? How do you know what job boards are good, and which are scams? What does content marketing even mean?
Here's what I would do if I had to start over.
Start with a single platform you own. This can be a freebie blog with Wix or Medium or anywhere else. Post once per week on a topic you enjoy. It's a portfolio and will help you get some traction.
Create your writing portfolio. It should have one writing sample in your niche (at least). This can be a PDF with some links.
Go to a content mill. Yes, I know, content mills get a bad rap. They are bad. And you deserve better. That all being said, they're a great way to get your foot in the door. Here are four places beginners can earn money writing. Add that experience to your resume or portfolio.
Try out some job boards. My recommendations are Superpath and Qwoted. (Here's a list of four places to get paid online writing jobs.)
Polish your LinkedIn profile. Do this right and clients will come to you. Here's how I made my LinkedIn profile glow. (3+ long-term leads)
Build a newsletter. Nothing fancy, maybe with a provider like Beehiiv and just send weekly tips on your niche thing.
Get started with affiliates. What recommendations do you constantly make? Do those products or brands have affiliate programs? Start incorporating them into your own content.
Rinse and repeat.
This strategy gives you multiple freelance writing income streams, a potential for growing your income, multiple ways your clients can find you, and plenty of paid experience.
Ultimately, managing and landing a freelance writing gig is going to come down to:
The strength of writing portfolio and writing sample.
Attracting the right client and maintaining long-term relationships with them.
The main thing for me was moving past the mentality that I was an aspiring writer and understanding that as soon as I was writing, I was just a writer.
6. Additional Tips for Maximizing Earnings
A freelance writer makes money by never resting on their laurels. The great thing about being a freelancer is you don't have to wait for promotion season. You can always do something to maximize your earnings.
Let's talk about making extra money online as a freelancer and as a writer.
Get better at writing
This is not just doing reps, either. Simply mindlessly publishing will not enhance your writing skill. You need to be critical about how to get better at writing. Here are a few suggestions:
Analyze others' writing. Go to your dream client and see what they have on their blog. What would you do better? Draft that piece of content marketing. (Bonus: send it to them! They might agree that your work rocks.)
Edit others' writing. The best way to critically learn what sucks and what rules is by editing the work of others. You can find a buddy on Medium, for example, or you can offer services free on LinkedIn. (Further reading: get my editing checklist here!)
Take part in writing challenges. Sharpen your writing skill by writing in a specific topic, or writing a certain amount in a timeframe.
Get smart about personal finance
Let's talk personal finance for freelance writers, because nothing sucks more than having an unreliable flow of cash.
Freelance writers, like other freelancers, face unique financial challenges due to the unpredictable nature of their income. Here are some personal finance tips tailored for freelance writers:
Emergency fund: Aim for 3-6 months' worth of living expenses to cover periods of low income or unexpected expenses.
Regularly set aside money for taxes: Freelancers don't have taxes automatically withheld from their paychecks. Avoid a large unexpected bill (and late payment fees) during tax season.
Consider quarterly tax payments: on that note, if you're American, you need to pay estimated taxes quarterly.
Retirement planning: Remember, no employer-sponsored retirement plan. Options include SEP-IRAs and Solo 401(k)s.
Health insurance: Look into plans designed for self-employed individuals or freelancers.
Professional development: Invest in courses or tools that enhance your writing skills or add a writing service.
Negotiate Rates: Don't be afraid to negotiate with clients. As you gain experience and build a portfolio, regularly review and adjust your rates. My rule of thumb: always increase your writing rates by 10% every year.
Invoicing: Use invoicing software to track payments and send reminders for overdue bills.
Freelance work fluctuates. It's the nature of freelance writing work. With smart finances and improved writing skills every year, you can weather the dry spells and be your own success story.
7. Final thoughts on how to make money freelance writing
I love my life as a freelance writer and I wouldn't change it for the world.
No matter if you're an aspiring writer, just wondering how you could ever become a freelance content writer, or you've established your own freelance writing business as a professional writer, it's good to know how freelance writers make money, so you know all your options.
Find your dream freelance writing job, get started content writing, get a home job where you never leave your cats, build your freelance website. It's all at your fingertips.
