How to Make a Living as a Freelance Writer (2024)

FAQs

How to Make a Living 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. This step-by-step guide will help you get started as a successful freelance writer with a steady income and a flexible career.

Many freelance writers manage to make a good living writing for institutions, publications, and brands, and earn upwards of six figures per year. This step-by-step guide will help you get started as a successful freelance writer with a steady income and a flexible career.

Yes, you absolutely can make $1,000 or more per month as a freelance writer! With the right strategy, skills, and persistence — it is possible to earn a healthy full-time income writing online.

It's certainly possible to make a full-time income from freelance writing—I'm living proof! This will be the fourth year in a row I make a full living from freelance writing, and I also had a year in the past where I did the same.

Average rates for 1000-word articles:

The low-end range for a 1000-word research article is $75, while an experienced writer may charge $250 or more. Blog. The low-end range for a 1000-word blog post is $50, while an experienced writer may charge closer to $300 or more.

Not only is it possible, but it's probable, if you follow some specific steps to grow your copywriting business to making five figures a month. [4:00] If you track your time very closely for a week or two, you will find areas where you are not accounting for your time and missing out on billable hours.

Good writing skills, strong research skills and grammatical knowledge are all essential for getting started as a freelance writer. Knowledge of common style guides is also beneficial. Knowing how to run your business and manage your finances are crucial skills as well.

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 should I charge for a 500 word article? ›

Your pricing quotes will depend on your experience and the complexity of the work. For a 500-word article, beginner writers might charge between $3 to $25, while more experienced writers might charge between $30 to $150, and expert writers might charge up to $1,000 or more.

It's no secret: freelance writing is saturated. In 2024, freelance writers have an entirely new genre of competition — one that seemingly came out of nowhere — in AI. Clients want to pay less but expect more. It feels harder than ever to secure enough client work to make a consistent career out of it.

Yet the same flexibility that makes freelance writing an attractive career can put you at the risk of burnout if your workload and stress levels get away from you. Burnout is more than the normal fatigue that comes with pushing yourself during a busy week and needing extra rest.

The short answer is, yes, you can. I've been paying my way by writing for many years now. There's no reason why you shouldn't make a living selling words, too.

Income Stability: Freelance writing income can be inconsistent, especially in the beginning. Some months may bring plenty of work and income, while others might be slower. It requires disciplined budgeting and financial planning to handle fluctuations effectively.

Freelance writing is the most viable way to make a good living as a writer—and, arguably, the only way that will work for most people. In this model, you work for many different clients, publishing on multiple platforms. It means you can't get fired, since there are multiple people seeking out your work.

One of the best ways to work that gig hustle is to network like a pro. The truth is that it is possible to earn a good living as a freelancer if you're willing to put in the time and energy to make it happen.