Many people dream of becoming writers, but only a few earn the living from it. The fact is, it’s not easy to become a full-time writer, and even those who do have to put in the time and effort to build their platform. If you’re looking to become a freelance writer, you’ll need to consider how much money you can realistically expect to make. Fortunately, the data team at MyBlogGuest have put together a nifty little infographic analysing the typical earnings of a freelance writer. Check it out below.
The Facts
When it comes to earning from writing, it’s all about two things: your experience and the platforms you choose to utilise. In general, you’ll need to have either a strong portfolio or strong references to stand out to potential employers. If you don’t have either one yet, consider pursuing some freelance writing to establish yourself as an author. Once you’ve established your name and gained some experience, you can look to the bigger picture and establish yourself as a full-time freelance writer. With that comes greater earnings potential.
The Benefits
While we’ve established the fact that freelance writing can be quite lucrative, let’s take a moment to consider the benefits. First off, we’ve already touched upon the fact that it’s a flexible job that allows you to choose your own hours. In general, you’ll be able to find a freelance writing position that suits you, which might not be the case for other jobs. The reason is that there’s a lot of competition for these jobs, especially since they are relatively low-paying. As a freelance writer, you’ll definitely need to keep your skillset up to date and be capable of providing reliable work to potential clients. Finally, establishing yourself as a freelance writer can also open up more opportunities for you in the long-term.
How Much Money Can You Make Writing Online?
To put this question into context, let’s briefly examine how much money you can make writing for different platforms and websites. Depending on your expertise and the nature of the work, you could potentially earn anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars per month. To give you some idea of the kind of money you could be making, here are some estimated amounts for common tasks.
Searches
Searches are one of the most basic elements of any website or app, and for those who want to earn a quick cash-out, they are a potentially lucrative source of funds. If you’re searching for something on Google, you’ll be presented with a small amount of sponsored content either side of the search results. For organic results, you’ll need to make sure that your content is relevant to the search term and provides value to the user. As a general rule of thumb, if you’re getting paid to write content, make sure that you’re not simply fulfilling a simple Google bid.
Short-Form Videos (SNIPPETS)
Video is arguably one of the most influential forms of content in the digital sphere, and for those looking to make money from a video format, short-form videos are a great way to go. YouTube stars can earn a solid living from short-form videos, ranging from $100 to $500 per day depending on the amount of views and the size of your subscriber base. Not only that, but you can potentially find the right combination of video and text to drive more traffic to your websites and generate even more revenue.
Long-Form News Articles (FLOW)
While shorter, snappier videos are the flavour of the day when it comes to digitally native content, longer form articles continue to play a significant role in both traditional and online media. When it comes to writing for money, you generally want to aim for a word count of between 2,000 and 4,000 words, depending on the target audience, article type, and nature of the content. If you’re looking for a quick buck, consider churning out short-form articles for digital giants like Buzzfeed and Upworthy.
Product Reviews (CROSSOVERBOARD)
If you’ve ever shopped online, you’ll know that product reviews can make or break a sale. As a writer for a review site, you’ll need to consider the range of products that you’ll be covering and the nature of the content that you’ll be producing. If you’re getting paid to write reviews, make sure that you are disclosing any conflict of interest in your article. When it comes to affiliate marketing, reviews can be a great source of passive income, especially if you are disclosing affiliate links in your article.
Data-Driven Content (DEEP DIVES)
For marketers, content is always a hot topic, and for good reason – it can be incredibly valuable. When it comes to proving the value of content, you can look to data-driven articles to show your work. If you’re getting paid to write these kinds of articles, make sure that you are disclosing any conflicts of interest and that you are using appropriate language and statistical analysis to back up your claims. The fact is, data-driven content is a great way to show your expertise and attract potential employers.
Guest Blogging (MEGA BLOGGER)
Last but not least, let’s not forget about guest blogging. If you’ve ever heard of content marketing, it’s likely that you’ve also heard of guest blogging. Essentially, guest blogging is when an organisation or individual with a blog posts on another’s website. In return for the blog post, the blog owner might send you an article to publish or they might even offer you a small commission or paid advertisement.
As a guest blogger, you’ll need to find a niche and build up a small audience before you can expect to start earning. Once you are publishing regularly, consider looking for a niche that is in demand and where you can build on your existing relationships. Then, when you’re ready to start earning, you can look to monetising your existing audience.
With so much talk of money and online writing, it’s important to remember that we are only able to speak in estimates. Indeed, the reality is that it’s quite difficult to predict how much money you’ll ultimately make as a freelance writer, as there are so many variables involved. However, hopefully, this post will give you enough information to form an idea of how much money you can make and to encourage you to follow your heart and pursue a career in writing.