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The Ultimate Glossary of Freelance Writing Terms

The Ultimate Glossary of Freelance Writing Terms

By Zaynab Salim
Dec 06, 2023
11 min read

If you’re starting as a freelance writer, you might need clarification on the many writing terms used in the industry. That’s why we’ve put together this ultimate glossary of freelance writing terms. In this blog post, we’ll cover everything you need to know to become familiar with the most common terms used in the freelance writing world. Whether you’re a new writer or a seasoned pro, this glossary will be a valuable resource to help you navigate the world of freelance writing.

Why Is a Glossary of Writing Terms Helpful?

As a freelance writer, you must familiarize yourself with the key terms used in the writing industry. Being well-versed in writing terminology will help you communicate effectively with your clients and convince them of your ability to deliver high-quality work. Using the correct language shows that you take your craft seriously, understand the context in which you’ll be writing, and know what is required to meet the client’s needs.

Writing Terms Glossary

Here are our top writing terms for freelance writers.

A/B Test
A/B testing is a simple but powerful way of comparing two versions of something to determine which performs better. For instance, a client may request a writer to provide two titles for a blog post to decide which one resonates better with the target audience.
Business-to-business (B2B)
B2B marketing promotes products or services to other businesses rather than individual consumers. For example, a software company’s target audience would be other businesses that require software solutions to improve their operations rather than individual consumers who may not have a use for such software.
Business-to-consumer (B2C)
B2C marketing is directed at individual consumers. Tailor your writing to keep your target audience in mind, which will vary from product to product.
Body Copy
This is the central part of a blog post or article, where all the primary information is. Body copy often encourages the target audience to take a particular action, for example, buying a product or trying out a service. It will go into detail on the features and benefits of the product for the consumer.
Branding
Branding creates a distinct identity for a company, individual, product, or service. It’s the image you want your readers to consider when they think of a particular brand. There are lots of different aspects to branding, including:

– A consistent use of visual elements like logos, color schemes, and typography across all platforms
– A consistent communication style and personality (e.g., language and tone of voice)
– Establishing a mission statement and core values

When writing for clients, keeping their brand identity in mind and maintaining consistency throughout the content is essential.
Byline
A byline is a line that tells readers who has written a piece of content. Sometimes, a byline is simply the author’s name, whereas, in others, it’s a more detailed bio. A byline is a great way for freelance writers to get their work noticed and establish credibility.
Caption
A caption is a brief description of what is shown in a photo.
Call to Action (CTA)
A CTA is a short line or phrase that encourages a reader to take a specific action, for example, buy a product, sign up for a newsletter, or contact a company for more information. CTAs can appear anywhere in a piece of content but are often found toward the end. They usually take the form of an embedded link or a clickable button. One example of a call to action is “Contact us today to learn more!”.
Cold Email
A cold email (or pitch) is a message you send to an individual or company with whom you have no prior relationship. It’s a form of marketing that writers can use to attract new clients. In contrast, a warm email is sent to someone with whom you have an existing relationship.
Conflict of Interest
Maintaining objectivity and avoiding conflicts of interest is essential when writing a blog post or article. If you have a personal or professional relationship with a source or the subject matter, it may be perceived as a conflict of interest. Therefore, it’s necessary to disclose any potential matches immediately. You can collaborate with your editor or client to find a solution to any conflicts that arise.
Content Management System (CMS)
A CMS is a computer program that enables you to write, edit, modify, and publish content. While WordPress is one of the most popular CMS, freelancers who work with content companies often use one created by the company itself.
Conversion
Copy that aims to motivate a reader to take a specific action – such as signing up for a mailing list, sharing information, or making a purchase – is known as conversion copy. Every time a reader takes a desired action, it’s a conversion. The effectiveness of any web content can be evaluated by its conversion rate. Clients often seek writers who can produce content with a high conversion rate.
Copy
This refers to the text in any article or blog post that you write.
Copywriting
Copywriting involves writing promotional copy designed to benefit a business (for example, by persuading a reader to buy a product). Copywriters work on a wide range of content, including advertisements, slogans and taglines, social media posts, and email campaigns.
Content Writing
While copywriting aims to sell a product, content writing is more about delivering information to solve a problem or address a pain point. Its tone is educational and informative rather than sales-y. Like copywriters, content writers work on a wide range of content, including blog posts and articles, white papers, case studies, and ebooks.
Content Brief
A content brief is a document given to a writer at the start of a project, which should cover everything they need to know to get started. For example, it will usually include the objective of the content, the desired target audience, the preferred structure, the expected word count, etc. If a client doesn’t provide a content brief or provides an incomplete brief, the writer may need to reach out to clarify expectations and discuss any information gaps.
Deliverable
A deliverable is a quantifiable output you agree to produce by the end of a project (for example, a 1500-word blog post). Before starting work on a project, it’s essential to ensure that you and your client know exactly what you will be delivering. This can help avoid any confusion later on.
Dummy Copy
A dummy copy is placeholder text inserted into a space before the final copy is added. It’s often in Latin, starting with “Lorem Ipsum” to indicate that it’s not actual content.
Evergreen
Evergreen content is designed to stay relevant for an extended period. When clients request evergreen content, they ask for something that will remain useful to their audience today and in the future, possibly for months or years.
Hook
To keep readers engaged, you need a “hook” that captures their attention. A hook is a sentence found in the first sentence or two of a piece of content, designed to compel the reader to read until the end. There are lots of different types of hooks that you can use, depending on the goal of the content.
Infographic
Infographics are visually appealing and highly informative graphics that present complex information in a simple and engaging way. They often incorporate captions for various elements within the graphic, making it easy for the audience to understand the information at a glance.
Invoice
An invoice, or a bill, is a document a freelancer issues to their client to request payment for their completed work. It’s the first step in collecting payment from the client.
“Kill” Fee
When a writer is assigned to write an article for a publication, there is always a chance that the article may not be published. However, if this happens, some publications offer a small consolation fee to the writer for their efforts. This fee is usually 10–20% of the planned publication fee the writer would have received had the article been published.
Landing Page
A landing page is a web page that a reader “lands” on after clicking on a link – whether in search results, an email, or a social media post. Landing pages are usually designed with a specific goal and include CTAs to persuade readers to take a particular action. Examples include signing up for a free trial, completing a form to access gated content, enrolling in an event, or signing up for a newsletter.
Long-Form Content
While there is no strict definition, long-form content is typically considered to be over 1,200 words. Examples of long-form content include pillar pages, in-depth blog posts, guides, and tutorials. This type of content is designed to educate and inform the reader.

As it explores a topic in detail and provides much value, long-form content can boost audience engagement and conversions. Long-form content typically ranks better in search engines; it’s easier for Google and other search engines to understand and present more opportunities to incorporate keywords and links.
Meta Description
A meta description is a web page summary that appears under the page title in search engines. The meta description aims to inform the reader about the web page and convince them to click through. It’s usually 120–155 characters.
Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
An NDA is a binding contract between a client and a freelancer. This agreement aims to safeguard confidential information and trade secrets that may be shared during a project. It protects both parties legally and ensures that the client’s sensitive information is kept secure and not disclosed to any third party without their explicit consent.
On Spec
Writing “on spec” (an abbreviation of “on speculation”) means creating content without a contract or guarantee of payment, with the hope of selling it later on. Freelance writers will write on spec to showcase their skills to potential clients and build their portfolios. Writing on spec is particularly useful for writers who don’t have many prior work samples to share.
Portfolio
A freelance writing portfolio is a compilation of writing samples that showcase your writing skills and expertise. It’s a professional representation of your work that clients or employers can view before hiring you.
Proposal
This is a document that describes your product or service. Freelance writers typically send a proposal to potential clients after conversing with them in person, over the phone, or via email.
Query Letter
If you want to get your work published in magazines or newspapers, you’ll need to be familiar with query letters. A query letter is a sales pitch designed to convince an editor that your article idea will interest their readers and that you are the best person to write it. It’s worth getting your query letter right; even if your idea isn’t the right fit for them, they may still be interested in working with you on a different assignment.
Scope
Scope refers to the work that must be done to complete a project (for example, the deliverables and the intended timeframe). It would be best to discuss a project’s scope with your client before you start work. If your client begins to request work that falls outside the project’s original scope, this is known as scope creep.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
SEO is the practice of optimizing web pages so that they rank highly on search engine results pages. The higher a webpage ranks, the more traffic (i.e., visitors) it will receive. More visitors can translate into better brand visibility, leads, and sales.
Short-Form Content
Short-form content is brief, concise, and straight to the point. It’s designed to be easily digestible in minutes or even seconds. Typically, any content that is less than 1,200 words is considered short-form. Examples of short-form content include infographics, social media posts, and short blog posts.
Style Guide
Some clients and web content companies will provide writers with a detailed style guide and standards for producing content. It may include detailed information regarding the intended audience, style specifications, and keywords. Adhering to it is of the utmost importance. If there is no style guide, writers can create their own.

Becoming a Freelance Writer

Our Becoming a Freelance Writer course is the perfect starting point if you want to become a freelance writer. Our comprehensive modules cover everything from finding clients, setting rates, and building your portfolio. With the valuable knowledge you’ll gain from this course, you’ll be well-equipped to succeed in your career path!

Don’t hesitate to sign up for our free trial today and take the first step toward a fulfilling and lucrative career as a freelance writer!