If you have a way with words and enjoy writing, you should consider looking into freelancing. But where do you even begin? To start, identify the type of online writing job (s) you would love to do and the one that fits your interests and skills best.
What types of jobs, then, does a freelance writer do? There are several different kinds of freelance writing jobs available that this article shall explore.
However, before getting into that, let us take a short exploration into what freelance writing really is.
Who is a freelancer?
A freelancer is a self-employed individual who offers services to clients on a project-by-project basis instead of working permanently for a company or single employer. They can handle their own schedules and get flexibility in client selection, which provides them the facility to work from anywhere. Freelance jobs cut across various industries, including graphic design, web development, writing, and more.
When we talk about freelance online writing, we are referring to the practice of writing for money without being employed by an organization or company. Basically, in this kind of industry a writer is able to put together written content as required by their clients from the comfort of their own homes or in a rented space. This level of independence allows them to tackle different projects from various clients or deal with one client with plenty of ongoing work.
Types of Freelance Writing Jobs
- Academic Writing
Academic writing is formal writing done to meet the learning needs of clients. Due to the rise in higher education enrollment and the increasing demand for research papers, essays, theses, and dissertations, the need for skilled academic writers has grown tremendously over the past decade.
With this increased demand, writers have discovered that establishing their own websites is the most effective way of showcasing their works and attracting clients (both locally and internationally).
Wondering how to build your website as a beginner in academic writing? Don’t fret! Purchasing a premium and effective WordPress academic writing theme or template can simplify the entire process. These themes are designed to meet the specific needs of academic writers, allowing you to set up a professional website quickly and efficiently.
Content Types:
- Grant proposals
- Literature reviews
- Book reports
- Essays
- Lab reports
- Theses and dissertations
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Content Writing
Content writing is undeniably one of the most common types of freelance writing. The content may be promotional, educational, entertaining, or informative. It also involves strategically using keywords so that the work ranks higher in Google search results.
Content Types:
- Website content
- Blogs
- Social media posts
- Journalistic feature articles
- Personal essays
- Copywriting
Are you interested in writing content aimed at promoting goods and services? Look no further than copywriting. The primary focus of this type of writing is to persuade individuals to take a certain action. As a good copywriter, you need to produce content that appeals to potential clients without sounding too sales-oriented or desperate.
Content Types:
- Web Copies
- Banners
- Slogans
- Scripts
- Emails
- Product Descriptions
- Ghostwriting
A ghostwriter is someone who creates content for clients but doesn’t take credit. Some clients may not have the time or skills to write a book or a blog themselves. They instead have an overview of how the work should be done and then get another person to do it. Once they publish the content, it will have the name of the client as the author and not you, the ghostwriter. However, because you aren’t getting credit for your work, these projects often pay a good amount of money.
Content Types:
- Speeches
- Blogs
- Email Content
- Resumes
- Newsletters
- Books
- Lyrics
- Technical Writing
Technical writing is a perfect fit if you are knowledgeable about a specialized field like medicine, computer science, biotechnology, or engineering. It generally involves taking technical information and turning it into information that the average individual can perfectly understand. To be a great technical writer, you should be able to balance informational and conversational writing.
Given the intricacy of this type of freelance writing, there is usually a high demand for trained technical writers.
Content Types:
- Reports
- E-books
- How-to-guides
- White papers
- User manuals
- Case studies
Protect Yourself from Scammers
The one thing that can greatly disappoint you when you’re trying to succeed as a freelance writer is scammers. You could produce the most amazing content for a client only for them to choose not to pay. You can protect yourself from this by doing the following:
- Take projects from individuals who already have a good reputation for paying writers. For instance, if you discover the client on a platform like Facebook, you can find out more about them by looking through the comment section or asking other writers if they know the client. You can also read reviews if it’s on Fiverr, Upwork, Guru, and the likes.
- Pay close attention to how the client addresses you. Does the deal sound too good to be true? Are they already making way too many promises? Do they sound like they are only looking for a writer to do a quick job without caring about your experience? The way a client talks can tell you so much about them.
- You can also avoid scammers by suggesting they pay a portion of the money upfront, or you divide the project into several stages and ask them to pay after you finish each stage.
- Some freelance writers also use watermarked samples to protect their work. This way, they can show off their content without giving away everything at once.
- Lastly, always trust your gut instinct. You know that feeling that you have when something feels off? Yes, trust that, and proceed with caution.
It doesn’t matter where one lives; both international and local clients may end up being scammers. So, be vigilant not to fall prey to their trap.
In conclusion, when you are a freelancer, you get to do what you love – writing – whenever you want and from wherever you please. You also get to choose clients that you prefer working with and make money while being your own boss. That sounds amazing, right? Take a leap of faith today and use the above list of online writing jobs to help guide you into getting started. Don’t forget to create a professional website to showcase your skills and attract high-paying clients! Go to https://bestwordpresstheme.shop/ to select a WordPress theme and template that suits your type of writing best!
