6 ways to make money freelance writing

Find out how to make money writing, either as a side hustle or a full-time gig.

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Cristal Dyer

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Key takeaways

  • Build a diverse writing portfolio across niches like copywriting, blogging and technical writing to boost your chances of landing steady freelance work.
  • Set competitive rates by researching average pay for your writing specialty - start at industry benchmarks and increase as your experience grows.
  • Use trusted freelance platforms and online communities to pitch regularly and network with potential clients to create ongoing income opportunities.

Fancy yourself a wordsmith? If you've always been clever with wordplay, you can weave a story that keeps your audience engaged, or you have the ability to describe the essence of an idea in a few simple sentences, then you might be able to take your skills and turn them into an income.

Maybe you're looking for a way to make some extra money in your free time, or you're aiming towards a long-term career goal of writing for a living. Either way, this guide will show you how to make money writing and the tools and skills you need to get you there.

Is it possible to make money freelance writing?

Of all the ways you can make money online, writing gigs seem to fill the top 10 lists, and for good reason. Income can range from $20 per hour up to $110, for positions that span both creative roles and the nitty-gritty technical ones.

You can get your creative juices flowing by writing and publishing your own book, sharpen your sales skills in copywriting roles or be a jack-of-all-trades while blogging.

Finder survey: Have many Australians have considered starting their own business?

Over half of the Australians we surveyed have considered starting their own business.

Response
Yes51.44%
No48.56%
Source: Finder survey by Pure Profile of 1145 Australians, December 2023

6 ways to make money freelance writing

Now you know that it is possible to make money freelance writing. However, for many wannabe writers, a far more puzzling question is how to make money writing.

Here are some of the most common writing positions that you might find advertised, along with the average salary and the key skills needed to excel in that job.

Frequently asked questions

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Cristal Dyer is a travel writer at Finder. She has been writing about travel for over five years and has visited over 40 countries around the world. Cristal currently travels full-time, writing about her favourite cities and food finds, and she is always on the lookout for amazing flight deals to share. See full bio

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