As the name suggests, a features writer is someone who writes about other products or services within an online piece. While the role itself isn’t particularly new – with notable examples going back to the 1950s – the income potential is something else entirely. Thanks to the surging popularity of user-generated content, the number of people working as features writers has doubled in the past five years to over 100,000 in 2020.
The ability to earn money online from a simple blog post has meant that more and more people are able to make a living from their craft. And, for many, that means freedom – and perhaps even a new lifestyle – to pursue their passions.
The Growth Of Online Product Review Blogs
To understand the growth of online product review blogs, it’s important to look at the broader picture of the internet as a whole. In the early days, the web was primarily used for basic text-based searches and individuals would visit different websites through direct linking or through link-sharing between sites. In other words, the first few years of the internet were very much like pre-web times.
Thanks to advances in web technology, such as AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML), we’re now seeing a complete shift in how people use the web.
Not only is the internet allowing for more seamless navigation, interaction, and the gathering of data, but it’s also providing an environment where content can be shared and expanded upon – through blogs and similar platforms.
This content creation has been a major driver of the gig economy, making the services of freelance writers and journalists indispensable for news sites, corporate publications, and even government institutions.
Feature Writing Is A Viable Career Option
As an option, feature writing is certainly viable. Not only do you get to write about topics that you’re passionate about, but you also get to set your own schedule and work remotely, if you so choose.
The flexibility and independence that a features writer offers is attractive to many. Additionally, thanks to the rise of the gig economy, the demand for content, particularly for blogs, has skyrocketed and made this a field that’s highly sought-after. Getting started as a features writer is pretty straightforward; all you need is a computer, a phone, and a reliable internet connection to get started.
How Much Does A Features Writer Make?
That the question. Now let’s look at the answer. The average salary for a features writer is around $24,000 per year. This is according to the International Institute of Business Analysis – an organization that tracks salary information across 160 countries – as well as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The numbers are undoubtedly higher in certain industries, such as tech and media, but even in slower-growing industries – such as pharmaceuticals and medical devices – the demand for content means there’s plenty of opportunity to make a livable wage as a writer.
The ability to earn money online through article writing and SEO (Search Engine Optimization) has meant that more and more people are able to make a living from their passion. With more people pursuing their dreams and fewer relying on traditional 9-5 jobs, the future of work seems more promising.