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The recent Internet uproar about a freelance journalist who was asked by a major magazine to revise one of his articles for free has mostly died down. But for many the question remains–is freelance writing a viable career choice?
Can you really earn enough money from freelance writing to pay the bills?
It’s a question that a lot of writers are asking–with good reason. If you look at many of the advertisements for writing jobs, the pay for many writing gigs is abysmal.
Steph Auteri’s post on freelancedom blog, What Got Me Here: Self-Education, Goal-Setting, Hard Work, and a Helluva Lot of Privilege, brings up some excellent points. I especially like that she emphasizes hard work in her post.
My own take is that it is still possible to earn a living as a freelance writer, but there are lots of struggles that writers must overcome first.
Here are seven of the struggles that freelance writers face:
- The writing jobs that are easy to find are usually not the ones that pay well. You’ve probably seen the ads that pop up on websites advertising for writers. Or, you may know of one or two really popular job sites that always have writer gigs listed. The thing is, most of the advertised writing jobs that are really easy to find don’t pay well. They accept almost everybody and they have a really high turnover.
- “Earning a living” means different things to different folks. To me it means that I am able to pay my bills and buy other necessities with some left over for extras. I don’t live extravagantly, but I don’t want to always have to worry where my next meal is coming from either. The fact is, the amount needed to “earn a living” varies widely depending on where you live, your lifestyle, and your expectations. Most freelance writers don’t charge enough.
- Freelance writing is not an easy route to quick cash. Too many people see all freelance work as a route to quick cash. The truth is that it could take months to build up a steady stream of clients. I always recommend that new writers have savings before they start. If you absolutely must have a set dollar amount by next week, you’re better off taking a traditional job until you can build up your savings.
- There is a lot of writing competition out there. If you focus on the competition, it’s easy to get discouraged. There are a lot of freelance out there. There are probably literally thousands of us, with new ones joining the marketplace every day. The key is to concentrate on marketing your own skills, keeping your customers happy, and learning everything you can about writing.
- Many freelance writers don’t realize that they are running a business. Nearly every week it seems I read about another freelance writer who didn’t save money for taxes or who has hit a slow period with nothing to live off of. Such stories are common for a good reason. It takes more than just good writing skills to be a good freelance writer. You also need some business savvy.
- There’s a misperception that freelance writers can write about whatever they want. While technology has made it easy to self-publish, you won’t earn a living as a freelance writer unless you are willing to write about topics that people want to pay you for. That tome you’ve been really wanting to write on the history of hairnets in America probably isn’t marketable.
- There will always be somebody who is willing to work for less. It’s always shocking to read about writers who are willing to work for practically nothing. And I’d love to say that they’re all horrible and have no skill, but a few of them are quite good. Don’t let this get to you. Many of them will eventually learn to charge what they’re worth or they will go out of business.
Your Turn
Do you think it’s still possible to earn a living as a freelance writer? Why, or why not?
19 responses so far ↓
1 Allena // Mar 28, 2013 at
As I said on twitter, the privilege thing really gets to me when I counsel new freelance writers. I realize I am privileged to be married to a spouse with things like steady checks, health ins, retirement acct.
But, yes, there is definitely a market out there. Google’s changes have increased the need for SOLID content and you can’t get high-quality content from so/so writers!
2 Laura Spencer // Mar 28, 2013 at
Allena,
Personally, I’m loving the Google changes. I really think it’s a positive thing for writers. Now content has to be written for people, not search engines.
It’s an advantage if you have a spouse (or are still at home with your parents, I guess), but determination still plays an important role.
3 Sarah Russell // Mar 28, 2013 at
Yes, I absolutely think it’s possible to earn a living as a freelance writer – because I’ve done it!
Actually, I’ve made more money per year as a writer than I have in any other position in my career. The thing is, though, that the industry is changing (as Nate Thayer alludes to in his post). I don’t earn a huge salary writing six stories a year for a major publication. Instead, I do it through business writing and writing blog articles for companies that recognize the value of well-written web content.
It’s a very different lifestyle than I think most people envision when they hear the words, “freelance writing,” but it’s one that’s working out quite well for me.
4 Laura Spencer // Mar 28, 2013 at
Sarah Russell
“It’s a very different lifestyle than I think most people envision when they hear the words, “freelance writing,” but it’s one that’s working out quite well for me.”
I think that’s the point. Many writers still expect quick success. For most of us, success doesn’t come quickly. And I didn’t even list rejection as one of the struggles writers face.
5 Sarah Russell // Mar 28, 2013 at
I think it’s more that the kind of “Sex and the City, $4/word” work doesn’t exist anymore – and that’s what a lot of people are either used to or aspire to. Whether that’s good or bad isn’t really the issue – times are changing and the way we compensate writing is changing as well. There are still opportunities out there, just not the ones people expect.
But you’re right, there’s no quick success either. I’ve been writing professionally in various part-time and full-time capacities since 2007, so it’s taken me 5-6 years to get to a good point (not that I didn’t make plenty of mistakes that slowed me down along the way!).
6 Jake Poinier aka @DrFreelance // Mar 28, 2013 at
Laura, sometimes I think you’re my sister from another mother! To me, it all comes down to #5: operating with a business mindset. If you were going to open up a shop, restaurant, manufacturing facility, magazine, you wouldn’t do it 1) without a plan or 2) thinking you were going to be making $1 million a year out of the gate, which is your #3. Sure, you might get lucky with a couple big clients early, but the reality is that you need to plan and execute for the long term. Moreover, no client lasts forever, and you don’t want one big loss to destroy your business. Or your morale.
And to Allena’s point about privilege: I remember when people used to say “how lucky” we were that my wife stayed at home with the kids when they were little. It *really* got under my skin, since we had to make a lot of hard (and cheap) choices to make that happen on one income. On the other hand, the pressure of being the sole wage earner really lit a fire under me to make freelancing take off — and now that my wife is back in the workforce, I confess that my drive isn’t always what it was during those early years. (Don’t tell her I said that!)
7 Laura Spencer // Mar 28, 2013 at
Jake Poinier aka @DrFreelance,
I do have some cousins I’ve never met, so it’s remotely possible that we’re related, Probably not, though. 🙂
Yes, business mindset is so important if you’re going to last as a freelance writer.
The privilege point is a sticky one, because it’s partly also a matter of perspective. I’m very grateful for what I have, but I also have struggles that I never share.
I think most people are the same. You can’t count on what you see. Your story about having to make hard choices illustrates that point.
I like this quote, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” (The quote is usually attributed to Ian McLaren, although sometimes it is attributed to Plato.)
8 Sharon Hurley Hall // Mar 28, 2013 at
I know it’s possible, because I do it, Laura, but it takes hard work and the recognition that it’s a business, as you’ve mentioned. Google changes that make good content more appealing should in the long run make professional writing a more popular choice for potential clients, so it should be good for us.
9 Laura Spencer // Mar 28, 2013 at
Sharon Hurley Hall,
I do it too. 🙂 People need to realize writing is hard work, not easy money. I agree about Google.
10 Dava Stewart // Mar 28, 2013 at
Even with a business mindset, and some savings, things can get very difficult for freelancers – or business owners of any stripe. My answer to the question “is it possible to make a living as a freelancer?” is “sometimes.” During the time I’ve been freelancing, there have been periods where I earned more than at any salaried job I’ve held; there have been other, darker periods when I couldn’t pay our mortgage.
Aside from privilege, a willingness to do without some things in order to do what you love is important. We’ve had to do without an awful lot of things in the last year. It’s improving now, but the fact is no matter how many calls I made or letters I sent out, we probably would have been better off financially in 2012 if I’d worked at a minimum wage job instead of freelancing.
11 Laura Spencer // Mar 28, 2013 at
Dava Stewart–Thanks for your really honest comment. I think more writers need to hear what you’ve said.
BTW, I’m sorry you had a bad year and glad to hear that things are improving.
You make an important point about determination and sticking with it. I think that’s really what it takes.
12 Carol Tice | Make a Living Writing // Mar 28, 2013 at
Great post, Laura!
I feel like I’m hearing from an increasing number of people whose story goes along the lines of: “Help! I just walked out on my six-figure corporate job because I couldn’t take any more. I need to launch a freelance writing business and quickly earn money to replace my income!”
And I have to explain to them that writing for a living isn’t like that. It’s not like selling lemonade or something. It takes time, a real dedication to improving your craft, and a willingness to market the heck out of yourself. And few people seem to have all three of those.
Freelance writing is definitely not some kind of quick easy fix to a new writer’s financial problems.
And I love your #6…actually just got off a training I did where I analyzed a recent $700 feature I did…about the hot-sexy topic of cargo insurance. Writing your passion is what you do on your blog. If you want to pay serious bills with your writing, you write about difficult/boring/arcane topics that few writers can do.
13 Laura Spencer // Mar 28, 2013 at
Carol Tice | Make a Living Writing,
Thanks for chiming in with your experience.
I’m also tired of those looking for a quick financial fix from freelance writing, but I also understand how someone who has always worked in a traditional job might be confused.
Not wanting to market yourself is another huge problem. I actually don’t see a way around marketing for freelance writers.
I agree with you about #6. This is another freelance writing misperception that writers need to get over if they want to earn money.
14 Uzma | Embracing Sustainability // Mar 28, 2013 at
Being a newbie in the world of freelancing, this is quite a motivational post. I entered the world of writing through academic writing. However, their criteria was different. You were required to submit a test paper or have your grammar tested through an online exam. Not everyone passed it. That pre-decided the writer’s standard. I made $500 from only four small projects in my first month. Had to quit, however, on “ethical” grounds.
What content mills are doing is appalling. Tons of bids on one project. Often times, the buyer doesn’t even bother to inform the bid has been closed. You keep waiting for a response for weeks. Secondly, as repeatedly discussed – the pay is too low. Once I read a recommendation in a LinkedIn group that suggested one should hire an Indian or Asian because they could get the same standard work for quite less because for them, even one dollar is a lot. Honestly speaking, I was upset by reading it. Yes, for Indians and Asians $1 too can mean a lot, but that doesn’t mean you should undermine their skills especially when your clients are satisfied with the quality. And you keep running to them for more business. Content writing is still quite new in the 3rd world.
I personally choose to stay away from $5 gigs or sites that claim they have no editorial process. It mars writer’s own writing standard. You get drained out producing 5-10 articles a day and since no one is checking, you don’t know how you’re doing. Having an editor who gives you feedback and provides constructive criticism is similar to having a mentor.
It was a great post, Laura. I will be sharing this with a friend who will be just stepping in the world of freelancing. 🙂
15 Laura Spencer // Mar 29, 2013 at
Uzma | Embracing Sustainability,
I’m glad you found the post motivational. I know that a few readers found it depressing, which was never my intent. I was just hoping to paint a picture of things the way they are. I believe that all of the struggles writers face can be overcome.
Best wishes to your friend. 🙂
16 Diana Schneidman // Apr 8, 2013 at
Laura,
I propose struggle number 8: You have to stay strong psychologically and maintain a positive outlook to make a steady living as a freelancer.
Freelancing has its ups and downs regardless of the state of the economy. In a corporate job, it’s possible to drift along when you’re down in the dumps because the assignment is often well-defined and the work appears almost automatically. But freelancing often calls for ongoing marketing and more applied creativity. You can’t treat yourself to too many mental health days or you’ll miss deadlines and find yourself idle.
-Diana
17 Laura Spencer // Apr 9, 2013 at
Thanks Diana,
That’s a good #8. Like you, I think ongoing marketing is essential.
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