In today’s content-driven world, writing can open doors of creativity, freedom, and financial growth for you. Whether you are a passionate writer or a full-time employee, having a freelance writer side hustle can be extremely rewarding.
But many people get stuck at this question: “How to start a successful freelance writing side hustle?” This is where this blog comes in. From landing clients and creating a portfolio to grow your income, everything is covered in it.
30-Second Summary
Want to start a freelance writer side hustle but don’t know how? In this guide, we explain it all. Discover how to start a writing side hustle step-by-step, learn about different niches, and their earning potential.
Find out how you can find clients, set rates, and juggle your full-time job with freelance writing. Moreover, get freelance writing ideas that will help you get started on creating a passive income stream.
Why Start a Freelance Writer Side Hustle?
A freelance writing side hustle from home is perfect if you want extra income and flexibility. It provides a sense of independence and purpose. You get the freedom of working at your own pace, choosing projects you like, and gaining new skills.
Another great thing about freelance writing is that it requires minimal investment. All you need is a laptop, a strong internet connection, and you’re good to go. If you have a full-time job, you can write in the evenings or on weekends to create a balance.
How to Start Freelance Writing as a Side Hustle
This step-by-step guide discusses starting freelance writing for beginners and people with a full-time job.
Step 1: Identify Your Writing Strengths and Interests
Before committing to any paid gigs, ask yourself what you enjoy writing about and what your strengths are. Are you interested in storytelling or like to explain complex ideas in simple words? Your interests and strengths represent the right niche for you.
Step 2: Build a Strong Writing Portfolio
Building a writing portfolio is necessary to showcase your skills. Create 3 to 5 samples that show your style and tone. If you are just starting, publish your work on free platforms like LinkedIn and Medium.
Make sure to include different content types, like blogs, website copy, and product descriptions, to demonstrate versatility.
Step 3: Choose the Best Platforms for Freelance Writers
Some famous platforms to get freelance writing gigs are Fiverr, Upwork, PeoplePerHour, and Freelancer. You can also try other sites like ProBlogger Jobs, Contena, and ClearVoice.
Create a professional profile, add your portfolio, and a bio about your niche and expertise.
Step 4: Find Part-Time Freelance Writing Jobs
If you cannot commit to long hours due to limited time, choose short projects or any part-time opportunities. You can search for these gigs on LinkedIn, Facebook writing groups, or part-time job boards. With consistency, you can build a long-term career even with short-term projects.
Writing Niches for Freelancers: Finding Your Focus
When you are starting out in writing, everything can feel overwhelming, particularly deciding what niche you want to write about. Not all niches are of the same kind.
To get better clients and higher rates, you need to understand the following.
- Subject matter niches mean what you write about.
- Content type niches mean the formats you specialize in.
To become a successful writer, you need to combine one from each category. For example, you can say “ I write emails for wellness brands” or “I write blogs for fintech companies.”
Subject Matter Niches
Specializing in a specific subject niche means that the client does not have to teach you the basics. You already have knowledge about it.
Some important subject matter niches are
E-learning and Education: As online learning is still going strong, writers get a high volume of content to write about.
Real estate and Local Services: This niche is best for writers who want consistent work.
Wellness and Mental Health: This niche values clarity, empathy, and evidence.
SaaS and Tech: You explain what a SaaS product is and how it works.
Personal Finance and Fintech: You write about complex money-related terms in simple English.
Cryptocurrency, Cybersecurity, and Blockchain: Clients look for people who can explain clearly without diluting the message.
Content Type Niches
SEO blogging: As one of the most in-demand services, clients need writers who can help them rank.
Copywriting: Freelance copywriting side hustle is great, as clients pay more with an increased conversion rate.
Ghostwriting: These projects often result in long-term retention.
Case Studies and White Paper: This niche is suitable for writers who like research and B2B work.
Email Marketing: This niche provides high ROI to clients and is low-effort for writers.
Product Descriptions: Every product needs its copy. Writers who enjoy persuasive writing should consider it.
Video Script Writing: The demand for writers in this niche is increasing with the rise of videos.
How to Choose the Right Niche for Freelance Writing
- Start with the subject you already know about. Even if you have no writing experience, your expertise and knowledge stand out.
- Look for what is in demand in the market. Industries like tech, SaaS, digital marketing, and personal finance have high demand and need more content.
- Before you choose a niche, check if clients are actively hiring for it. If not, it means that your niche is either too narrow or not viable yet.
- Do not label your work as mere “content writing.” Tell what exactly you write and what outcome clients should expect.
How Much Can You Earn from a Freelance Writer Side Hustle?
The income from freelance content writing gigs depends on your skills, expertise, and niche. Many beginners do not start because they think their income will be low.
This is not always the case. Even beginners can earn a good sum with the right strategy. Let’s see how much writers earn across different specialities.
Blogging and Content Writing
Blogging is the perfect way to start for writers who love storytelling, explaining ideas, and giving tips. It also has a good earning potential.
- Beginners: $50 to $100 for a 1000-word blog (around $0.05–$0.10 per word)
- Intermediate writers: $150 to $300 per blog post ($0.15–$0.30 per word)
- Experienced writers: $300 to $1,000+ for in-depth SEO optimized articles.
Blogging is good for part-time writers as it helps build a portfolio and teaches you SEO and research skills. After building authority in a niche, you can attract long-term clients who pay you more.
Copywriting
Copywriting focuses on persuasive writing, such as emails, ads, landing pages, and sales copy. It has a higher earning potential as it drives revenue directly.
- Beginners: $100 to $300 for short projects or $50 to $100 per hour
- Intermediate: $300 to $1,000 for landing pages or emails
- Expert copywriters: $1,000+ per sales page or thousands for full campaigns
If you enjoy creativity and marketing, it is one of the best freelance writer side hustle ideas to explore.
Ghostwriting
Ghostwriting means writing content, like blogs, articles, or books, under someone else’s name. It is also very profitable once you gain trust and credibility.
- Blog or article ghostwriting: $100 to $300 per post for beginners, and $300 to $500 for mid-level writers.
- Non-fiction books: $15,000 to $30,000 for new ghostwriters, and $30,000 to $60,000+ for experienced writers.
- Top-tier ghostwriters: $60,000 to $100,000+ per book
Ghostwriting can be rewarding for people who are adaptable, detail-oriented, and comfortable writing in someone else’s tone.
Technical and Specialized Writing
If you have experience in engineering, tech, healthcare, and software, technical and specialized writing is gold for you. These companies need writers who can write manuals, how-to guides, and white papers clearly.
- Beginners: $0.10 to $0.25 per word or $30 to $50 per hour
- Experienced specialists: $0.50 to $1+ per word or $500 to $1,000+ for each project
- White papers and advanced guides: $4,000 to $7,000+ for each document
Technical writing needs precision and accurate research. The high pay potential makes it worth mastering.
SEO Writing
SEO content writing side hustle is in demand because clients need writers who can rank articles on Google and other search engines.
- Beginners: $0.05 to $0.10 per word
- Intermediate: $0.15 to $0.25 per word
- Experts: $0.30 to $0.50+ per word
This option is excellent if you are looking for consistent work from marketing agencies and online brands.
Scriptwriting and Social Media Writing
With the rise of videos and social media, people now pay for YouTube scripts, ad copy, and Instagram captions.
- Short-form scripts or ad copies: $50 to $150 each for beginners
- YouTube or long-form scripts: $200 to $800+, depending on duration and research
It might be a good option for you if you have a flair for storytelling and engaging an audience.
What to Expect as a Beginner
When you start writing as a freelancer, it takes some time to grow your income. You will earn around $200 to $500 per month in the first few months. However, with more experience and authority in a specific niche, you can easily start earning $1000 to $3000 per month or more.
You need to stay consistent, as every article and project increases your credibility, and you can start demanding higher rates confidently.
How to get Clients as a Freelance Writer
It might be difficult at first to land clients. However, it is doable once you get the hang of it. Try the following strategies to attract clients.
- Networking is important when you are trying to find clients. You can join freelance communities and online groups.
- Start cold-pitching small businesses or startups that might need more content.
- Use social media platforms, such as LinkedIn and X (Twitter), to share your writing samples and grab attention.
Create a short but personal pitch message. Show how your writing can help clients solve their problems.
Pricing Freelance Writing Projects and Setting Rates
Setting pricing can be tricky for a lot of freelancers. You can charge per word, per hour, or per project, depending on your feasibility.
Here is a general guide.
- If you are a beginner, you can start with $0.03 to $0.08 for each word.
- If you are an intermediate writer, you can charge $0.10 to $0.25 per word.
- If you are an experienced writer, you can set rates of $0.30+ per word.
As your reputation and portfolio grow, you can gradually increase the per-word rate.
Balancing a Full-Time Job and a Writing Side Hustle
Whether you want to have a passive income or are passionate about writing, juggling a side hustle with a full-time job can be extremely difficult. In this case, you need smart planning to give time to both streams of income.
- Start by setting a solid routine. Dedicate a few hours every day or a few days every week to writing.
- Time-blocking is a great tool to focus deeply for short and distraction-free periods.
- Stay organized using different project management tools like Trello and Notion. They help you keep track of your deadlines.
How to Grow Your Income?
After becoming stable with clients, you need to think of passive income for writers. Monetizing writing skills online will truly help you grow your income.
- You can start a personal blog and earn through affiliate marketing or ads.
- You can offer SEO writing services to retain recurring clients.
- Selling digital products, like templates and eBooks, is another great option.
- Once you have gained enough experience, you can create online writing courses.
These strategies will help you earn even if you are not actively working, creating a perfect passive income stream.
Freelance Writer Side Hustle Ideas to Get You Started
If you are confused about where to start, here are some ideas.
- Freelance copywriting side hustle (ads, landing pages, emails)
- Freelance content writing gigs (social posts, product descriptions, blogs)
- Ghostwriting for influencers or bloggers
- Technical writing or documentation
- Scriptwriting for podcasts or YouTube
In a Nutshell
If you are good with words, starting a freelance writer side hustle is the best way to turn your creativity into income. Even if you do not have experience, you can make your mark with consistency, passion, and dedication to learning.
Begin small, build your portfolio, and start earning on your own terms from the comfort of your home.
Ready to learn more about the world of business? Visit Modern Business Guide for more information.
FAQs
How do I start Freelance Writing without any experience?
Choose a niche and write samples on it. Go to freelance platforms like Upwork and Fiverr and set up your profile. Start pitching clients by showing your portfolio.
What are Suitable Platforms for Beginner Writers?
Upwork, Fiverr, and ProBlogger are good platforms for beginners to find part-time opportunities and build credibility.
What are the Most Profitable Niches for Writers?
Some high-paying niches are SEO content writing, copywriting, ghostwriting, and technical writing. Your earnings get a significant boost when you specialize in a particular niche.
Is Freelance Writing a Good Source of Passive Income?
Yes, you can earn passive income through blogging, affiliate writing, and eBooks.
