Freelance Writing as Side Income

Freelance writing is one of the most accessible side incomes. Low startup costs, flexible hours, location-independent.

Getting Started

You need: samples (even unpublished ones), a way to pitch, and patience. Start with content mills to build samples, then graduate to direct clients.

Finding Clients

Cold email to companies creating content. Job boards (ProBlogger, Contently, LinkedIn). Networking in industry communities. Referrals from other writers.

Rate Progression

Content mills: $0.01-0.05/word. Early freelance: $0.05-0.10/word. Established: $0.15-0.30/word. Specialist: $0.40-1.00/word. It takes 1-2 years to reach established rates.

Time Reality

Expect 50% of time on non-billable work (pitching, admin, revisions) at first. This drops to 20-30% as you get established and referrals increase.