This is the complete guide to make good money with freelance writing in just 9 simple steps.  

So if you want to learn:

• How to get started your new writing career step by step 
• How to find the opportunities
• How to make good money with writing 
• How to promote your service with zero cost
• How to price your project
• When to quit your job to start writing business
• How to decide your writing field
• How to find the best method to market yourself
• How to get more clients 
• How to get paid
• How to follow up with the client to get another project

Then you’ll love the actionable techniques and strategies in this guide that you can implement right away. 

Let’s get started.

Step 1. Understanding the opportunity

Commerce needs copywriting

Whatever people exchange money for goods/services,

Business must explain: 

• What the product/ service is 
• How it solves a problem, need, wish of the prospects
• Why it’s the best solution and value
• How much does it cost
• How to order it

But, shockingly, many businesses can’t correctly explain these fundamental things and guide their consumers through the sales funnel. That’s why every business needs copywriting to persuade consumers through written text to take immediate action. 

 Commerce is B2C

[ business to consumer]

It means a product or service you buy for yourself or family members.

For example, 

• Finance                                                       
• Baby / New moms
• Food 
• Education 
• RV lifestyle 
• Health 
• Retail 
• Sports 
• Automobile
• Music 

These are the consumer’s sides you may not be aware of. 

  

  Commerce is B2B

[ business to business ] 

This is where companies are selling products or services to other companies to operate their company. That could be anything: 

• Software 

 Every company uses software to run its business.  

• Manufacturing

The Whole world is creating manufacturing products. Just think of washing machines. How many pieces and parts are there in washing machines to complete the total washing machine. The manufacturer develops every piece and part. That’s B2B. 

• Store display 

   It’s for retailers. 

• Customer service

  You can hire a group of people to provide customer service to other companies. 

• Online meeting 

  Zoom and other platforms. Everything moved online. Businesses need to train their internal team.

• Shipping 
• Training
• Safety 
• Construction

 It has a massive demand in the B2B world, such as commercial buildings, commercial services like cleaning. 

• HR System 

 Human resource recruiting and training employees. That’s all B2B.

And it can be both B2C and B2B 

• Fish tanks 
• Yeti coolers 
• Safety gates 
• Pharmaceuticals 
• Skincare 
• Supplements 
• Gym equipment

Commerce is everywhere .It’s local to national, national to global, offline to online. So, start to think about who you can write for.

Every business needs marketing to sell 

Otherwise, how do they stay open? They need to send the consumer an email newsletter to inform them:

What they sell? How it solves their problem? Why it’s the best solution? They need to offer coupons or show demos on videos to win people over and do webinars to sell your product or service eventually. 

All of this selling takes 

All of this message on every platform like email, website landing page, sales letter takes copywriting. It all takes professional writing skills that understand how to talk to consumers and business-to-business buying decision-makers. You have endless writing opportunities. But copywriting, If you’re not sure what it is, it’s persuasive business writing with the intent of driving action. [ This includes content too ]It could be a sales page for a product that you’re buying. Or something like content-related such as a blog post or video script or Youtube.  Where you’re building awareness and interest that may lead to purchase eventually. 

So, it’s a vast field. The opportunities have never been more prominent.

Because there are so many channels that marketers use to get their messages out. Look at business to the consumer world.

Ex: B2C selling camera 

A consumer may:  

                                 

• Search online 
• Click on an ad 
• Click on a website 
• Read reviews 
• Compare camera 
• Find a coupon 
• Choose a camera 
• Place an order 

This way, a consumer finally purchases a product. And that the whole sequence takes copywriting to guide the buyer through a credit card. In the B2B world, let’s say you’re a small company manager and you want to look for an easy payroll system. So, you go online again. That’s very typical. Right? 

Ex: B2B selling payroll system 

A manager may:

 

• Search online 
• Click on an ad
• Click on a website 
• Read reviews 
• View a video demo 
• Download a free guide 
• Get a consultation 

Every single bullet point is a different marketing channel. And another marketing piece that someone has to write. You see all these different options here in the payroll service results. All of these: ads, website, review, the guide had to be written. So,

          One skill = 75+ different projects 

One skill is copywriting. Believe it or not. These days people at least 75 different projects could potentially write. It has never been like this before. I just came up with top 75 projects that could be even more.

Why are there tons of writing opportunities?  

The size of the opportunity

Advertising spending continues to grow, predicted to reach over 200 billion u.s. Dollars in 2023.  Statista

The avg. company has allocated 62.3% of its ad budget to digital in 2021, predicted to grow to 66.8% by 2023.  

Every business needs copywriting to shift its message with the times and compete, thrive, and even survive. 

Step 2. Determine your money goal 

What is your need or desire? 

• Extra cash – AKA “mad money.” 
• Supplement your income
• Replace current income with a new career

Your choice determines your path to get there. Let’s look at all three options individually.

Extra cash here and there 

• Vacation, unexpected car repairs, wedding
• Fit into your schedule whenever
• You don’t need it for your essential monthly bills 

One-time “pick up” projects

• Article  $150-400+each 
• Site Audit $1000-$2500
• White paper $2,000-$7, 000

If you’re looking for extra cash here, a one-time “pick up” project will help you get there. 

How does it work?

The client hires you to do the work you submitted, collect your fee, and move on to the side weather. You may accept another project like that. That’s extra cash. 

Supplement your income

• Additional money on top of the day job 
• Committed to specific hours each month
• Regular income each month  

Ongoing retainer projects [ predictable income ]  

• Blogging $200+ per post [ usually set number per month]
• Newsletters $1000+ per month
• Social media management $2000+ per month     

If you’re looking for reliability and predictable income. Just like you would do with the full-time paycheck.

Then retainer deals are best for you. How it works? The client pays some amount of money every single month for the same project output.   For example,

Blogging might be I want you as the client to write four blog posts for me a month. And in exchange, I’ll pay you $800. I’m going to expect blog posts; you’re going to expect $800. That’s predictable retainer income.  

Newsletters are a fantastic opportunity as well. I love newsletters because when a client or any company starts sending newsletters, they can’t stop. People want to engage prospects and do business with them. Newsletters are great to get going. It’s an excellent retainer deal. 

Social media management 

If you’re not taking advantage of social media like Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, where thousands of prospects are already there for your business, you’re lagging. Social media plays a significant role in engaging, having conversations with audiences. And you are taking them to the landing page to sell your product/service through the sales funnel. If any business is not connected with their customers on social media, they’re losing many opportunities and enterprises. 

Replace current income, new career

 

• Looking for full-time income 
• Willing to invest and learn for the long haul 
• You decide how much to work and earn 

Replacing your current income into a new career means you want to be a severe copywriter. You can make as much money as you want by copywriting. But, you have to invest your time and your training to create this writing business for yourself. A copywriter contributes to a company’s bottom line to grow its revenue and value. The cool thing about copywriting is that you don’t need any degree to start your copywriting career. And make money faster than any other profession. If you want to start a new writing career. Your first assignment is to answer all three questions below. 

Take a note and write down your answers. 

1. How much money are you making NOW?
2. How much money do you need to start?
3. What other considerations do you have? 

These answers will help you decide whether you should start a new career right now or later. Maybe you have little money. You need to pay rent bills and bear other expenses. And you have very little to save. If you start writing as your side gig and making a handsome amount besides your job. Then you can think of jumping into a new career. 

It means:

If you take it as a full-time job, you can earn much more than your current paycheck. That’s why answering all of these questions is important to make better decisions. 

Determine Your Ultimate Money Goal

• Write it down
• Make a plan 
• Remember, you can change your mind!
• Next step? Explore the options that can get you there.

Step 3. Explore your copywriting options 

I shared this with you to know that there are so many opportunities for a copywriter. You can pick any option that suits you and take your skills to the next level. I mentioned a couple of persuasive writing options below. 

Sales Copywriting 

• Sales letter 
• Websites 
• Email
• Facebook Posts 
• How-to video
• Blog posts
• e-newsletters 
• Ads 
• Postcard 
• Catalogs 
• Advertorials 

Lead – generation content 

• Websites 
• White papers 
• Case studies 
• Email campaign 
• E-Newsletters 
• Blog posts 
• Tradeshow 
• Sell sheets 
• Demo videos
• Ads 
• Catalogs 

Explore your copywriting options, and make your dream writer’s life come true. 

Step 4. Decide who you’ll write for 

• Small, mid, larger companies 
• B2C [ c0nsumer ]
• B2B [ Supplier ]
• Niche industries
•  Finance [ Investment newsletters ]
• Health [ Fitness, Workout, Medical Stuffs ]
• Software
• Sports 
• Food 

What kind of buyer are you? 

• New mom
• Retiree
• College kid 
• Health-conscious 
• Boomer 
• Millennial
• Homeowner

Choose an industry you’re comfortable with within the beginning stage. I suggest you start an industry you know. Because the learning curve will be easier for you. And who you will market for will be easier. Because it’s very focused. Let’s say you have a background in teaching, so the market for you is all online e-learning stuff. 

What interests do you have? 

• Health and fitness
• Martial arts 
• Sports 
• Stock market 
• Digital marketing 
• Boating 

These are some examples of interests. There are so many exciting projects out there. Look inside your world. Your inventory. Your interest. As far as your work background. Anything you are involved in with your family. Or A Society like you’re a member of a book club and member of a health association. Then look at your profession, etc. Now you can work on that. Or Work for any marketing farm to understand the market while starting. 

What experience do you have? 

• Solar panel installer 
• Teacher
• Nurse 
• Pilot 
• Mechanic 
• Sales 
• Lawyer 
• Vet technician 

Step 5. Get the skills 

Love to write? You’re halfway there! 

• Determine what skills you need for your specialties 
• Choose what skills you offer to your clients
• Some are very easy to study on a weekend 
• Other take a few months 
• You’ll never stop learning 

You decide how you want to invest in yourself and your copywriting specialty [ies ]

Step 6. Market your service

Choose the methods that are right for you.

• Linkedin 
• Your website 
• Writing 
• Networking 
• Blogging 
• Lead Generation
• Email 
• And many more.

Companies need persuasive writing to get prospects. The most important thing is who you want to write for and what you want to write about. When you have focus. You can say; 

Hey! I have what you’re looking for. Here is how I can help you. That’s all marketing is. It’s just connecting you, the solution, with the company’s problems in all these marketing channels. Otherwise, they are leaving money on the table and not doing the business they need to do. 

Step 7. Complete a project 

Use your new skills to write.

• Web pages $250 – 500+
• Blog $150 – 250+ 
• Sales letters $1,000+++
• Email $250 – 2000+
• E-newsletters $800 – $1,500+ 
• Case studies $12,00 – $2000
• Whatever you wish!

Working with clients 

• As a copywriter, you’re expected to deliver copy, usually in a word doc
• The client don’t expect web programming, graphic design, photography, etc
• Ease the review process by sending your document with an email explaining your approach [ set the stage for success ] 
• They’re genuinely excited to see what they offer. 

Things to remember

• There is always a learning curve and getting better.
• Do your best
• Be a professional 
• Learn from every experience 
• And rest assured with millions of potential clients. You can mess up your first ten projects and be just fine

Never send half effort. Always send the best work. Show your professionalism in every communication. Through the word you write, email you send, anything even if you’re not physically wearing a blazer. I want you to believe in your mind that’s the persona I am executing. I am a professional, even if you sometimes talk about personal things. Always remember you run a business. So, keeping it in mind is essential. If you say you’re going to submit the project by Mondy. It’s better to be done by Sunday. Because doing it earlier is a good thing. Look, everything is a learning opportunity. Take feedback from your client. You’re both at the result. Be collaborative. The success of your client will drive a future business. 

Remember! 

You’re going to make some mistakes. But it’s ok… 

We don’t learn to do right; we know to do it wrong. Just be ok with that. 

Step 8. Get paid 

You submitted your final draft…

It’s time to get paid!

• Thank the client for the project 
• Attach or let them know you’ll be sending an invoice 

How do you get paid?

• Check 
• Direct Deposit or Wire Transfer 
• Pay Pal 

Closing out a project

• Pitch “what’s next.” 

       [ put some more five ideas to grow your client’s business]

• Ask for a testimonial
• Follow up 

Remember, The best time to ask for the next sale is when someone is happy about the current project.

Step 9. Celebrate and Repeat 

What you DON’T need to get started

• Big budget 
• Expensive office 
• Expensive equipment 
• College degree 
• Prior training of any kind 
• No experience, no problem 

What to do next 

• Go through each step 
• Make a decision and take action 
• Invest in yourself 
• Learn the skill
• Set up your business 
• Keep going and growing 

Now It’s Your Turn 

I hope this definitive guide to making handsome money with freelance writing in 9 simple steps helped you get a clear roadmap to start your writing career. I want to hear from you:

Which step are you trying to implement first? Which writing sector do you want to try first? Or did I miss any step? Or maybe you have a question. Let me know what’s in your mind to leave a comment below right now.