If you’re looking for a way to make money remotely, then you’ve probably considered exploring the lucrative world of freelance writing. Earning money online is a bit like winning the lottery, but instead of being a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence, the profits from your online endeavors can compound and multiply your earnings over time. How much should you expect to get paid for freelance writing? We looked into the various factors that go into producing high-quality content and assessed the average rates that can be generated from the sale of such content.
Location, Location, Location
Where you choose to live plays a huge role in how much you’ll be able to earn. If you want to be well-paid for your freelance efforts, then you should look to areas where your skills can be most in demand. According to the freelance marketplace Rent the Runway, San Francisco has the highest rates across all industries, followed by New York and LA. Choosing a scenic location to live can also do wonders for your mental and physical health. When you live in a beautiful place, it’s all the more easy to get into the writing habit.
Airbnb places the desirability of living in San Francisco, CA as #3 on its list of top 10 most desirable cities to live in. It’s also one of the few cities where you can earn more than you could ever need purely from cash-strapped freelancing. The location is certainly worth it.
Subject Matter And Skill Set
The subject matter of your writing will have a huge impact on your earnings potential. While there are no exact figures available, most freelancers report that the more in-demand your subject matter, the higher your earnings will be. If you can become an expert in a niche area, you’ll be able to charge higher rates as a result.
Niche areas where you can make a solid living include:
- Technology
- Finance
- Health
- Fashion
- Entertainment
- Design
If you’re looking to make a quick buck, go for something easy and popular. Just remember: the more in-demand your subject matter, the more you’ll have to learn about it. It’s all good, though. As long as you continue to improve your skill set and deliver high-quality content, you’ll be able to sustain yourself comfortably.
How Much Do You Need To Become A Rising Star?
The world of freelance writing is extremely competitive, which means that to succeed you’ll need to put in a lot of effort and spend plenty of time honing your skills. According to freelance writer and instructional video creator, Chris Guillebeau, you’ll need to build up a portfolio of at least five to six published articles before you can even think about securing freelance writing gigs. Once you’ve got a portfolio, it’s up to you to continue publishing regularly to maintain your position as a freelance writer.
To land this role, you’ll need to show that you’re capable of producing high-quality content on a consistent basis. Once you’ve established yourself as a reliable and talented writer, you’ll be able to command higher rates as a result.
Research, Research, Research
A major component of any high-quality piece of content is a solid foundation of solid, reliable research. Without it, your article will be nothing more than a jumble of half-baked ideas and unverified facts. To ensure that your content is as accurate as possible, you should do your own research into whichever topics you’ll be covering. It’s important to note here that trusted research is only as good as the information you have at your fingertips. If you’re looking to write on a highly topical subject, then ensure that you’re up to date with all the relevant news articles and online data.
Writing Is A Life-learning Process
Above all else, the most important thing you need to do if you’re looking to make money as a freelance writer is to continue learning. The more you know, the more you can contribute to the field, and the better you’ll be able to position yourself for success.
Just remember that life doesn’t stand still, and neither does your career. You’ll need to continue to evolve and improve to stay ahead of the game.
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The Benefits Of Freelancing
If you’re looking to make a living from home, the appeal of freelancing is obvious. Instead of needing to report to a boss, you get to set your own hours, work remotely, and be your own boss. There are many perks to this gig, but perhaps the most significant difference between full-time employment and freelance writing is the amount of money you can make. According to HubSpot Blogs research, the average salary of a full-time digital marketer is $57,000 per year, while the average income of a freelance digital marketer is $85,000 per year. While you’ll certainly need to put in the legwork to get paid well as a freelance writer, the potential to make much more is all too tempting.
Deciding whether or not to pursue a career in freelance writing is a huge decision. As you consider whether or not to make the transition, it’s important to weigh the pros and the cons. If you’re looking for an easy way to make money, then you might want to explore other options. Still, as long as you continue to learn and evolve, you’ll be able to establish yourself as an expert in your field and start commanding higher rates as a result. So, as you consider your future, keep in mind the maxim: knowledge is power.