Can You Really Earn a Living as a Freelance Writer?

One questions I’ve been asked a lot since I started my writing business is “Can you really earn a living as a freelance writer?” (Spoiler: Yes, but it's not all pajamas and coffee shops).

If that’s a question you’ve been asking, I’m about to answer it for you. But like any good story, there are a few plot twists along the way, so settle in and let’s walk through it together.

The "Starving Artist" Myth is Busted

First, let's address the elephant in the room: the persistent myth that all writers are broke. You know, the whole "starving artist" trope.

It's 2024, not 1923. Writers aren't all holed up in Parisian garrets, subsisting on baguettes and absinthe. (Although if that's your vibe, you do you.)

The truth is, many freelance writers are out there making a decent living—and some are even gasp thriving.

I met Sarah, a freelance writer who left her soul-sucking corporate job three years ago, at a conference earlier this year. She told me that last year, she made more money writing blog posts, website copy, and the occasional snarky tweet for a brand (don't judge, it paid well) than she ever did in her 9-to-5.

The Freelance Writer's Buffet

One of the best things about freelance writing? The sheer variety of ways you can make money. It's like an all-you-can-eat buffet, but instead of questionable seafood, you're piling your plate with different writing gigs.

Here's a taste of what's on the menu:

1. Content Marketing: Blog posts, articles, white papers
2. Copywriting: Ads, email campaigns, website copy
3. Technical Writing: User manuals, documentation
4. Ghostwriting: Books, speeches, celebrity tweets (it's a thing, trust me)
5. Journalism: News articles, feature stories
6. Creative Writing: Fiction, poetry (okay, this one's tougher to monetize, but dreams are free)

The key is to find your niche. What are you good at? What do you enjoy? What pays well? Ideally, you want to find the sweet spot where all three overlap.

Pro Tip: Start with what you know. If you spent 10 years in the tech industry, you've got a head start on writing about AI and machine learning. Use that expertise!

How Much Can I Really Make?

Ah, the million-dollar question. Or should I say, the "can I make a million dollars?" question.

Here's the honest truth: freelance writing incomes vary wildly. Some writers struggle to break $10,000 a year, while others are pulling in six figures and more.

Factors that influence your income:

• Your niche (tech writing often pays more than lifestyle or travel articles)
• Your experience level
• Your network and marketing skills (more on that later)
• How much you're willing to hustle

Want an example? My friend Tom is a freelance writer specializing in finance. He started out making $25 per blog post. Three years later, he charges $500 for the same type of content. The difference? Experience, a solid portfolio, and the confidence to charge what he's worth.

It's Not Just About Writing

Here's something they don't tell you in those "Become a Freelance Writer!" courses: Writing is only part of the job.

To really make it as a freelance writer, you need to be:

1. A marketer (of yourself and your services)
2. A networker (LinkedIn is your new best friend)
3. A project manager (juggling multiple clients and deadlines)
4. A bookkeeper (because taxes wait for no one)
5. A negotiator (for when clients try to lowball you)

In other words, you're not just a writer—you're a one-person writing empire.

Don't panic! You don't need to be an expert in all these areas from day one. But being willing to learn and grow in these skills will set you apart from the crowd.

Your First Steps

Alright, I've convinced you that it's possible to make money as a freelance writer. But how do you actually get started? Here's your roadmap:

1. Build Your Portfolio
   • Start a blog, newsletter, or social account to showcase your writing
   • Pitch to write guest posts for popular websites in your niche
   • Consider doing some free or low-paid work to get samples (but don't make a habit of it)
2. Identify Your Target Clients
   • Who needs the kind of writing you want to do?
   • Where do they hang out online?
3. Set Up Shop
   • Create a professional website (it doesn't have to be fancy)
   • If you want to, set up profiles on freelance job boards like Upwork (It’s not my fave for a lot of reasons, but it works for some people!)
4. Network, Network, Network
   • Join freelancing and writing groups on Facebook and LinkedIn
   • Attend industry events (virtual or in-person)
   • Tell everyone you know that you're available for writing work
5. Start Pitching
   • Look for job postings in your niche
   • Reach out to potential clients directly
   • Don't get discouraged by rejections (they happen to everyone and they aren’t about you as a person)

Remember: Building a freelance writing career takes time. So don’t get discouraged if you aren’t having $10,000 months out the gate.

The Feast or Famine Reality Check

Let's talk about another elephant in the room (we have a lot of elephants in this post, apparently): the feast-or-famine cycle of freelancing.

Some months, you'll be turning away work. Other months, you'll be wondering if you should have kept that job at the coffee shop.

How to survive the lean times:

1. Save during the good months (I know, adulting is hard)
2. Diversify your income streams (maybe create a course or ebook?)
3. Keep marketing, even when you're busy
4. Consider taking on some steady, ongoing work to create a baseline income

The Bottom Line: Yes, You Can Make Money

So, can you earn a living as a freelance writer? Absolutely. Is it easy? Not always. Is it worth it? That's for you to decide.

But if you love writing, are willing to hustle, and don't mind the occasional "Can you make it pop more?" client request, freelance writing can be an incredibly rewarding career.

You'll have the freedom to work in your pajamas, the satisfaction of seeing your words out in the world, and the joy of never having to deal with Karen from accounting again.

Just remember: success doesn't happen overnight. It takes time, effort, and probably more coffee than is medically advisable. But if you stick with it, you might just find yourself living the writer's life you've always dreamed of.