Make an Extra $1000 a Month From Home as a Freelance Writer
Freelance writing is a popular way to make money online and a great work-from-home job for any parent. If you’re a SAHM looking to create a side income, the nicest part about choosing to become a freelance writer is that you can easily attend to your clingy baby by taking a day off whenever needed, provided you manage to cope with your commitments in some way. Becoming a freelance writer does not require a degree or extensive experience. Freelance writer beginners can earn around $70 – $100 per article, so it’s not difficult to earn $1000 a month online, right? This is also in my top list of stay at home jobs for every mom.
But how do you become a freelance writer and earn money writing online? Let’s dive in below and see how!
What do freelance writers do?
A freelance writer is a professional writer who works for themselves, offering their writing services to clients who need this for their businesses. They are entrepreneurs or business owners because they are operating a self-employed business.
A freelance writer can create the following kinds of content:
- Article Writing – for blogs, magazines, websites, etc.
- Website content writing – writing content for clients’ websites
- Copywriting – writing copies (like print ads, landing pages, slogans, sales letters, etc.) that act as a trigger to some sales. The interesting but toughest subset of writing!
- Press release writing
- Academic writing, research papers writing
- Ebook/ Story/ Book writing
- Video/ Audio script writing
- Ghostwriting – writing for a client without identifying yourself as the writer
As a freelance writer, you can decide what services to offer depending on your skill set and interests. Many aspiring writers choose to focus on a specific niche, taking on projects across one or more types of writing.
How to become a freelance writer
If you want to establish a freelancing business from home, it’s easy to become lost in the weeds without knowing where to begin. Here are 5 steps any mom can take to start on the path toward freelance success:
Step 1: Select your niche
First of all, figure out who you are, what you like, and what you should write about. Make a list of all the skills, strengths, and experiences that you have.
However, if you want to make money from your work, this is not about you but rather your target audience. Based on what you know about yourself, combined with your research of profitable niches, you can write what your audience wants to read and what you want to write.
It is a good idea to narrow your niche down to one or two topics. It might seem to limit but it will allow you to be an expert in the area.
You can decide to pursue a favorite interest or one of these well-liked niches:
- Travel
- Crafting, knitting, or creative hobbies
- Family, relationships, and parenting
- Finance and budgeting
- Leadership and careers
- Fitness and diet
- Cooking and nutrition
- Health and wellbeing
- Yoga and meditation
Step 2: Build your portfolio
By building a portfolio with a few online samples, prospective clients can view examples of your work. This is one of the most crucial tasks for any aspiring freelance writer. By publishing free guest posts you’ll highlight your abilities as a writer and demonstrate your range. Over time you may begin developing a beginner’s portfolio. If you’ve yet to land any paying gigs, you can always write up “spec” clips for hypothetical clients, or use blog posts (that we will explore next).
Step 3: Start your own blog/website
If you want to work as a freelance writer, having an internet presence is crucial. It’s easy to accomplish this by starting your own blog, which provides a place for you to create, share, and receive comments on your work. You can get a blog immediately if you follow the steps outlined in this article.
Some people might think this is an unnecessary cost for a start-up, but having a website or blog has its advantages. It makes you look professional. Besides, your blog is an opportunity to showcase your work, especially if, as a new freelancer, you have not published any work to use as your samples when you pitch.
Step 4: Start pitching
Start pitching everywhere.
In order to start receiving feedback and building a readership, you can share your work (portfolio, blog) with relatives and friends at this stage.
Online and print publications may provide continuous writing work as well as guest opportunities. Also, you can pitch your services to businesses and websites that you like.
Although it is the most difficult aspect of being a freelance writer, it is also the most important. As a beginner, it’s possible to find jobs that don’t pay well, but for many aspiring authors, they’re a great method to expand their audience and grow their portfolios.
Step 5: Never give up
Writing work, especially at the beginning, can be challenging. The ability to persevere through various difficulties without giving up is essential for success in the freelance world, as it is in life. It takes time and work to develop your freelancing business and niche. Initially, you may face some obstacles and encounter numerous “no’s.” However, you have to focus on your “wins” and ignore your losses, but be sure to learn from them.
Most importantly, listen intently to any feedback you receive, take a course, practice writing, and reach out to other freelance writers. Keep trying and you’ll be a successful freelance writer.
Where to find freelance writing jobs
There are various websites that exclusively offer writing services to their clients:
- Upwork
- Problogger job board
- Contently
- Contena
- Contentwriters
- Constant-Content
- Writers Access
- WritingJobz
- PayPerContent
Websites Accepting Newbies that pay
- Sun Magazine
- Listverse
- MoneyPantry
- FreelanceMom
- HerViewfromHome
- Parents.com
Building a freelance writing career isn’t easy. However, you can do this if you are focused and determined. Remember your goals and why you wanted to do this in the first place. Is there an infinite income and the ability to live your life at your own pace? The possibilities are endless once you discover how to write for hire.
