5 Types of Freelance Writing Client
If you’re a new freelance writer, you probably have a lot of questions about how to find your first clients and what direction to take in your career. Should you choose a niche? And if you do, should you write about what interests you or stick to what’s in demand? The truth is that with the amount of content being published daily, there’s no limit to what kind of work you can pursue.
To help you narrow down your options, we’ll examine some common types of freelance writing work, including:
- Blog writing
- Ghostwriting
- Technical writing
- Content writing
- Journalism
Keep reading to learn more about each kind of work and its average earnings (as of July 2023).
Types of Freelance Writing Jobs
A range of freelance writing job types are available, each requiring its own skill set and knowledge base.
1. Blog Writing
Blog writing is a great opportunity for new freelancers to get experience and break into the industry. These days, most companies maintain a blog on their website, and according to one report, over six million new blog posts are published daily. That’s a lot of potential freelance writing work!
Many companies use blogs to drive potential customers to their website and boost rankings on search engine results pages, so becoming familiar with basic SEO tactics is a good idea if you’re interested in writing blog posts. Since you can find blogs on almost anything, you don’t have to choose a niche right away. You can start by writing on a few different topics and see what specialization interests you the most.
Average Freelance Blog Writer Salary
According to Comparably, freelance blog writers in the United States earn approximately $43,038 a year on average. Glassdoor reports that in the UK, blog writers earn an average of about £34,584 per year.
2. Ghostwriting
Another type of freelance work is ghostwriting. Ghostwriters write on behalf of someone else, so you don’t receive a byline, and you may not be able to use your finished work in your portfolio (unless you have permission).
However, ghostwriting can pay highly, especially if you’re writing on behalf of a celebrity or a politician. One advantage to ghostwriting is that it allows you to write on a variety of interesting topics. It also gives you the chance to broaden your writing skills and practice writing in different voices.
Average Freelance Ghostwriter Salary
While earnings depend on many factors, including the individual client you’re ghostwriting for, the average salaries for a freelance ghostwriter are $40,750 (via Salary.com) in the United States and £31,612 (via Glassdoor) in the UK.
3. Technical Writing
Technical writers work closely with subject matter experts to create documentation and written materials that explain complex technical concepts in a clear and understandable manner.
They compose documents such as user manuals, product descriptions, training guides, and case studies for a variety of B2B and B2C audiences. Technical writing is a highly specialized skill and is in demand, especially in the medical, software development, and finance industries.
Average Freelance Technical Writer Salary
Technical writers can usually command higher fees due to the specialty experience required. According to Indeed, annual average earnings are over $60,000 in the United States and over £46,000 in the UK.
4. Content Writing
Content writers usually create content for brands and various online platforms. You can find their work in:
- Website copy
- Social media
- Marketing materials
- Press releases
- Company emails
Content writers compose for specific audiences, with the goal of persuading readers to take an action, such as making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter. Like blog writers, content writers need some knowledge of basic SEO practices, including keyword use, to drive traffic to their clients’ websites. Employers will also expect you to closely follow a company style guide and standards for formatting, tone, and voice.
Average Freelance Content Writer Salary
According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a freelance content writer in the United States is $53,228. In the UK, it’s £44,720.
5. Journalism
Freelance journalists are independent and work under contract or by the project rather than having regular employment with a specific news organization. The type of work varies based on specific expertise or interests, but it could include writing news features, lifestyle pieces, and entertainment articles.
Freelance journalism requires networking skills and high levels of self-motivation because building connections is essential. And since every article needs to be accurate and comprehensive, journalists also need solid fact-checking and research skills.
Average Freelance Journalist Salary
Glassdoor reports that in the United States, the average freelance journalist salary is $50,798, and in the UK, it’s around £30,812.
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