This side hustle is not just about being good with words. Its about being a problem-solver, a marketer, and, yes, a high-earning individual. Freelance writing and copywriting are two of the highest-potential remote gigs today.
The Key Difference: Inform vs. Persuade
First, cut through the confusion:
- Freelance Writing (Content): Your goal is to Inform, Educate, or Entertain. Think long-form blog posts, detailed guides (like the ones you’re reading!), and objective articles. It builds trust.
- Copywriting: Your goal is to Persuade the reader to take a specific action (Buy, Click, Sign Up). Think headlines, sales pages, email sequences, and ad copy. It makes sales.
You can do both, but specializing in copywriting often unlocks the highest rates.
Phase 1: Your Portfolio (The Non-Negotiable Start)
You can’t sell a service without proof. Forget waiting for a client; you need samples now.
- Pick a Niche: Don’t be a generalist. Choose an industry you already know: Finance (like this site!), Health, Tech, or B2B SaaS. Specialists command 30-50% higher rates.
- Create 3 Samples: Write a blog post (Writing) and two persuasive emails (Copywriting) related to your niche. Example: A post comparing UK Pensions and USA 401(k)s, and an email sequence selling a budgeting template. This is your minimum viable portfolio.
Real-World Tip: In a 2025 survey, over 70% of high-paying clients prioritized a writer’s niche expertise over platform reviews. Your self-created portfolio is more valuable than trying to compete for low-paying gigs on Fiverr to start.
Phase 2: Finding High-Paying Clients (Beyond the Bidding)
Avoid the “content mills” where rates are low. Focus your energy where high-budget clients look:
- Upwork/PeoplePerHour: Start here for volume, but be hyper-specific. Your proposal must mention the client’s company name, their current marketing problem, and how your niche solves it.
- LinkedIn: This is a goldmine. Search for “Head of Content,” “Marketing Manager,” or “SaaS Founder” in your niche. Send a concise, personalized connection request (e.g., “Loved your article on [Topic]. I specialize in [Niche] content, would love to follow your team’s work.”)
- Pitching: The highest rates come from cold pitching. Find a company in your niche, identify a weakness (e.g., their blog hasn’t been updated in 6 months), and send a short, value-first email offering a fix.
Phase 3: Pricing for Profit (The $500 Blog Post)
New writers often price themselves out of the game by charging too little.
- Beginner Rate (First 3 Clients): $0.10 – $0.15 USD / £0.08 – £0.12 per word. A 1,000-word article is $100 – $150.
- Niche Specialist Rate (After Portfolio is Built): $0.25+ USD / £0.20+ per word. High-value copywriting projects (sales pages) are often fixed price, easily exceeding $1,000 / £800.
Your next action is simple: Stop reading and start writing that first sample piece for your portfolio today.
