The traditional view of a freelance writer is someone who spends her day querying magazines and writing articles and many do. But the majority of independent writers earn their money through client work. It’s more consistent and offers more opportunity than the magazine market.
It’s not as flashy or as fun as having a byline everyone can see, but it does pay the mortgage, which counts for a lot.
Now I’m not advocating abandoning the magazine market. It’s a traditional choice for a reason. It’s fun, challenging and rewarding. What I am suggesting is not limiting yourself to writing articles and blogs.
The fact is freelancing is a risky business. You have to diversify and write a lot to approach financial stability. It pays to widen your view and your pitches.
Here are some ways writers can make a life freelancing, beyond the traditional newsstand:
Web Content
Web content is writing page copy for a website—beyond blogs. Web designers, graphic designers, marketing companies and organizations in general need web site copy. Apply directly to the designer, agency or company.
Blogs
Blogs are the modern version of magazine articles and fall into the same bucket, as far as I’m concerned. The only difference is that blogs don’t pay as well. The good news is there are vast numbers of opportunities in blogging. It seems everyone has one. This can be a good way to fill in the gaps, especially if you find a regular gig. But unless you are earning advertising dollars with your own blog, you won’t be living large going this route. Pitch directly to the blogs. There is typically a page describing how to do that. Or use a writer job site to find submission requests. Personally, I would avoid the blog mills that offer a paltry fee for your 500 words.
Marketing Materials
Businesses and organizations use a lot of marketing materials to promote their business, products and services. This means opportunities to write brochures, booklets, sales flyers, letters, email campaigns and more. Apply directly to the organizations or look for ads and postings.
Social Media Campaigns
Social media is an important element in marketing and many companies will pay a writer to help develop content. This is a great way to get regular work on a single topic, which reduces your research time. Apply directly and look for postings. Be careful in what you agree to though. Social media contracts can be time consuming if they want you to include responses in your services. Be sure you are compensated for that time.
Press Kits
Businesses and organizations like to send releases to the press when there’s news. They often hire writers to handle these tasks. Apply to PR agencies and directly to companies. You will likely have better luck going direct.
News Writing
Reporting for local and community papers is an option, but be warned, the hours are long and the pay is typically small. But if you’ve always dreamed of working for a big paper, it might be worth trying. It’s a great place to begin and a springboard into news writing. Apply directly to the newspaper.
Features Writer
This is basically writing articles for a newspaper. It increases your market if you want to stick to writing articles, but don’t want to limit yourself to magazines alone. Query newspapers directly.
Collaterals
Collaterals are materials that accompany a product or primary piece. It could be trade show materials that are given away at a trade show booth. It could be flyers that go with a DVD giveaway. It’s extra written material given out to offer additional information. Look for ads and network.
White Papers
White papers are in-depth papers about a single topic and used for business purposes. White papers can be on any subject, depending on the organization offering it. Apply directly to companies and organizations, or look for ads and postings.
Advocacy
Most associations have a government relations department that handles advocacy and lobbying. They often need brochures, white papers, booklets and other materials to inform public servants about issues their members are facing. Experience helps. Knowledge of the subject does too. Apply to ads and directly to the organizations.
Corporate Copywriting
Corporations hire writers to help write everything from marketing copy to human resources materials and everything in between. There are many opportunities in corporate writing and they often have bigger budgets than other types of projects. Apply to the corporations directly or look for postings.
Non-Profit Copy
Associations, charities and non-profits often hire writers to help with grants, proposals, promotional materials, event copy, advocacy and more. Apply to the organization or look for ads.
Technical
Technical writing covers a range of projects, from instruction manuals to how-to articles to blogs. This is detail-oriented work and requires experience and subject matter expertise. Apply directly to the companies and look for ads.
Speeches
Many CEOs, leaders and politicians give speeches. And many of those hire writers to craft the speech. Look for ads and postings. Also advertise your services and apply directly. Note: Speechwriting requires skill and experience.
Scripts
Video is huge in today’s marketing and communication fields and they need scripts. Many production companies and organizations hire writers to develop the script. This requires experience as scriptwriting differs greatly from print. Apply to production companies and directly. Have samples available.
Direct Mail
Think direct mail letters and the sales stuff that fills your mailbox. It all needs to be written before it can be posted. This is the perfect job for someone who is skilled with persuasive writing and a sales background. Apply to the company.
Catalog Copy
Think Seinfeld. Remember when Elaine worked for Peterman? Well, this is what she did—catalog copy. Jobs exist to write the descriptions below pictures to sell the catalog inventory. Approach the catalog directly.
Advertising Copywriter
Many companies and agencies take on freelance writers to help write advertising copy for ad campaigns, brochures, promotions and more. This type of writing requires experience and most often a degree in advertising or a related field. Apply to the advertising agency or company.
Real Estate Writing
Real estate agents use writing to sell properties. They often hire people to do the writing for them. It could be you. Not only would you write copy for local listings, but most agents have a newsletter or blog they send to prospects and former clients. Knowledge of real estate and the home market helps. Apply directly to the agents or agency.
Grant Writing
Associations and non-profits hire people to help them get funding from government agencies and private grants. This is a specific type of writing and requires experience in grant writing. Look for ads or apply to the organization itself.
Ghostwriting
Ghostwriting is writing for someone else and letting them take the credit for your work. It is not easy work. You must be able to get along with others and understand that you are working for someone else. It is not your work, but theirs. Look for ads and network to find people who are seeking ghostwriters if you want to go this route. Also understand that you cannot use this project as a sample of your work. Confidentiality is part of the ghostwriting gig.
Business Plan Writing
This is an in-demand field. Every business needs a business plan and many small business owners don’t know how to write one. That’s where you would come in. Business experience is needed. Check ads and market to your local SBDC (Small Business Development Center).
E-Book Writing
Many individuals and companies are publishing these days. Many need writers to develop the book for them. You can also write your own ebook on a particular subject (fiction or nonfiction) and watch the sales roll in. If you want to write for someone else, look for ads and apply directly to organizations. If you want to self-publish, read up on how to do it properly.
Bio Writers
Serious business people, musicians, performers, and other professionals need bios in their work. This means an opportunity for bio writers. Advertise your services in ads and in flyers handed out in logical places, like clubs if you want to write band bios.
Annual Reports
Public companies are required to give shareholders an annual report each year. These reports describe the state of the business, the budget and other pertinent details about the company. If you want to do this type of writing, you must be familiar with business terms and be able to write in a corporate voice. Look for ads and apply directly to the companies.
Trade Magazines
Okay, this is a magazine entry, but it’s not the typical magazine market. You won’t find many trade magazines on the newsstand, but there are hundreds of magazines for specific fields and organizations. They often don’t pay as well as their consumer counterparts, but they are an easier market to crack. Investigate the market and follow the submission guidelines. Knowledge of the subject is essential.