Diploma in Freelance Writing | John Academy (2024)

FAQs

What degree should I get for freelance writing? ›

There is no single accepted educational pathway to becoming a writer. Educational programs that can help prepare you for a future of freelance writing include English, communications or journalism.

A common question many aspiring writers ask themselves is “do you need a degree to be a freelance writer?” The short answer is no, but that doesn't mean there aren't things you can do, and skills you can hone, to improve your chances of success in this exciting freelance career.

Visit job boards that update their listings daily and look for work that seems interesting and offers decent pay. Also, look for jobs on business networking sites and social media. Additionally, you can pitch articles to magazines and online journals and even send cold pitches to companies.

Freelance writing is the most viable way to make a good living as a writer—and, arguably, the only way that will work for most people. In this model, you work for many different clients, publishing on multiple platforms. It means you can't get fired, since there are multiple people seeking out your work.

If you're serious about making a career change, there's no faster way to make money online than freelance writing. The best part is that if you do it right, you can blow past the $1K a month mark in no time. Freelance writing offers much, much greater earning potential.

A Freelance Writer in your area makes on average $4,156 per month, or $122 (30.222%) more than the national average monthly salary of $4,034.

Freelance writers' earnings vary widely based on factors like experience, niche, and client demand. Beginners may earn around $10-$30 per hour, while experienced writers can make $50-$100 or more. Annual incomes can range from $20,000 to over $100,000.

The average freelance writer makes about $29 per hour, and the average freelance writing rate per word ranges from $0.05-$0.10 for beginner writers, $0.30-$0.50 for intermediate writers, and $1-$1.50 for experienced writers.

How long does it take to become a freelance writer? ›

Becoming a Freelance Writer in 1-3 Months

Within one to three months, you should be able to establish a portfolio. This is a realistic timeframe for building up a few consistent clients and getting comfortable with the freelancing process.

If need to make money writing fast, it's hard to make the leap to the pro client level, where payments might take 30-90 days to arrive. Lots of writers tell me they'd love to get off the content mills, but that they couldn't survive a month or two without that skimpy mill paycheck that comes promptly each week.

Charging per article

Your pricing quotes will depend on your experience and the complexity of the work. For a 500-word article, beginner writers might charge between $3 to $25, while more experienced writers might charge between $30 to $150, and expert writers might charge up to $1,000 or more.

What taxes do freelance writers pay? In the eyes of the IRS, freelance writers are independent contractors. And as an independent contractor, you have to pay self-employment taxes if you earn more than $400 in a calendar year. The self-employment tax rate is 15.3%.

While this is clearly true for some, the opportunity to make a decent living exists. But the pay range is so broad, “it's barely useful” according to the site clippings.me: Payscale reports a pay range of $10.31 to $53.79 per hour for freelance writers. ZipRecruiter has an even broader range: $5.29 to $193.03 per hour.

You can learn the skills you need through online resources and copywriting courses. Writing quality content that gets results for your clients is much more important than having a degree in copywriting. Create a copywriting portfolio and copywriting samples where potential clients can view the quality of your writing.

Freelance writing can be a good career choice for self-motivated individuals seeking flexibility. Success depends on skills, dedication, and finding the right clients. Rates vary, but freelance writers can earn well with experience and by specializing in high-demand niches.

It allows you to explore your creativity, set your own hours, and potentially earn a rewarding income. However, be prepared to face challenges such as income fluctuations and client management. With dedication, perseverance, and a love for writing, freelance writing can lead to a fulfilling and prosperous career.