What is a Freelance Writer?
Thanks to the growing demand for freelancers and the increasing desire to leave behind the 9-to-5 life, it seems like everyone is talking about freelancing these days.
Specifically, freelance writing.
And for good reason! Freelance writing is a great way to make money on the side or make a full-time income on part-time hours with a skillset that you already have.
But what exactly is a freelance writer? What kinds of writing can you do? How do you get paid? And what kind of freelance writing is best for you?
If you're eager to start freelance writing but you're not sure where to start, keep reading to learn the answers to all of these questions and more!
The freelance writer definition
So, what is a freelance writer?
A freelance writer creates written content for clients and is paid for their work by those clients.
When you're a freelance writer, you’re considered a “contractor” of the client you’re working for.
When tax time rolls around, you'll be given a 1099-MISC Form from each of your clients, instead of a W-2 Form, which is given to full-time salaried employees.
The three main types of freelance writing
There are three main types of freelance writing:
Creative fiction or non-fiction (essays)
Editorial and journalism (magazine and newspaper articles)
Copywriting and content writing
Creative fiction or non-fiction writing consists of short fiction or non-fiction essays that are published in literary magazines or journals. A good example of this is the Modern Love column in the New York Times.
Editorial and journalism consists of newspaper articles and magazine articles.
Copywriting and content writing is any type of writing that's used by businesses to sell their products or services.
It's easy to get editorial writing and content writing confused since they're often the same length and cover similar topics, but there's one key difference between the two: where they're published.
If your writing appears in a publication that derives their income from ads, affiliate links, or subscriptions, then that is editorial writing.
Creating written content for clients and getting paid for your work = freelance writing.
How to get freelance writing clients
Now that you know what freelance writing is, let's talk about how to find freelance clients.
Regardless of what kind of writing you want to do, you must have a portfolio that includes at least one finished piece.
The requirements are a little different for each type of freelance writing, so let's break it down.
Creative fiction or non-fiction
It’s important to note that this type of freelance writing is highly competitive. This is something that's best done in addition to working another job.
But don't let that stop you!
For finding creative fiction or non-fiction clients, you'll need to write a piece or two to show off your writing skills.
I also recommend joining a writing workshop or writer’s circle to get feedback on your work.
Once you have at least one piece that you think is solid, start submitting it to literary magazines or other journals that publish creative fiction and non-fiction.
Books I recommend for writers interested in creative fiction or non-fiction:
On Writing by Stephen King: https://amzn.to/3IidlgX
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert: https://amzn.to/3pd9Y3D
Writers and Lovers by Lily King: https://www.amazon.com/Writers-Lovers-Lily-King/dp/0802148530
Editorial
Just like creative fiction writing, you want to create at least one sample.
Think about what kind of writing you want to do: do you want to write deep dives about small-town American life? Do you want to do think-pieces on sustainability? Do you want to write about the latest fashion trends?
Whatever you want to write about, your first portfolio piece should showcase that specific writing.
Next, you'll want to find publications you are interested in working with. Whopayswriters.com is a great resource for this.
Then go to the potential client's contact page and follow their submission guidelines. Usually, editors want you to pitch story ideas, but sometimes they want you to send a whole story. It just depends on the client!
For more info on editorial writing, I recommend listening to The Writing Coach podcast by Rebecca L. Weber.
Copywriting & content writing
Before you create samples, you need to choose the industry and type of writing (social media, blog posts, etc.) you’re going to do.
This is called your niche.
Once you determine your niche, you'll then need to create a portfolio with at least three samples that show off the kind of writing you want to do in that industry.
For example, if you want to write blogs for beauty businesses, then you need to create three blog posts about beauty topics while pretending to write for one or more of your ideal clients.
You can then start finding clients through cold pitching, freelance job boards, or freelancing platforms like Fiverr or Upwork.
Finding clients looks different for each type of freelance writing, so think about what kind of writing you want to do!
How to get paid as a freelance writer
For creative writing & editorial writing, you'll usually get paid via check or a payroll system owned by the publisher.
At whopayswriters.com, you can see how different publishers process payments, how long it takes them to pay you, and how much they pay.
For copywriting and content writing, you have some more options. You can be paid via check or payroll system of your client, or if you’re on a freelancing platform, you’ll be paid through the platform.
You also have the option to own the relationship. For example, I send all of my invoices and collect payments via HoneyBook.
Which form of freelance writing is right for me?
Only you can answer this question! Take some time to think about the kind of writing that lights you up the most.
If you’re interested in creative writing, I say go for it. Just know that it may not pay the bills for a while – or ever.
But if you’re thinking, “I need to make some money, Colleen!” then editorial/journalism or copywriting/content writing can be great ways to make money while using your writing skills.
How can I start freelance writing?
Here’s the great news: I have several resources to help you get started as a freelance writer.
The Freelance Writer’s Guide to the Galaxy: This self-guided course provides the framework, the tools, and the education for you to launch, manage, and grow your business. Your lifetime membership gives you access to nine modules of step-by-step materials, templates, community support, and more.
Freelance mentorship program: This 1:1 program is designed to get your freelance business up and running with personal support, guidance, and direction.
We’ll meet every week to discuss your progress, and I’ll be there to support you every step of the way. I will edit all your portfolio pieces, plus I’ll help you set up all of your systems, create your launch materials, and reach your goals. At the end of the six weeks, you’ll be fully ready to launch your freelancing business with a clear strategy to find clients and make money.
Free resources: Who doesn’t love free stuff? These freebies will help you stay organized and feel good about your business!
Now get out there and make your freelance writing goals happen, buddy! And don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel to stay up-to-date on all of my freelance writing advice.