How Much Can You Really Make With A Keyboard?

In partnership with

 Welcome Back To Side Hustle Weekly!

I’m excited to share with you another great side hustle you can start today! The side hustle we will be going over is on how to make the most of your freelance writing business.

How Much Can You Really Make With A Keyboard?

Freelance writing can start as a simple side hustle, but with the right approach, it can evolve into a highly profitable business. Whether you're earning a steady income or just getting started, scaling your freelance writing business offers opportunities for more revenue, flexibility, and the ability to build a team of writers.

In this guide, you’ll learn the key strategies for maximizing income, expanding your client base, and even transitioning from a solo writer to running your own writing agency.

1. Focus on High-Paying Niches

To grow your freelance writing business and maximize income, it’s essential to focus on industries and niches that pay well. While general writing can be rewarding, specialized areas offer more lucrative opportunities. Some high-paying niches include:

• Technical writing: Writing for software, engineering, and tech companies can pay anywhere from $0.50 to $2 per word.

• Financial writing: Articles on investments, taxes, or personal finance attract clients willing to pay a premium.

• Copywriting for marketing and sales: Sales copy and product descriptions often command high rates because businesses rely on them for revenue generation.

By positioning yourself as an expert in these areas, you can charge higher rates, land bigger clients, and boost your income.

2. Build Long-Term Client Relationships

One-off gigs are great for getting started, but if you want consistent income and the ability to scale, building long-term relationships with clients is key. When clients trust your work and see the value you bring, they are more likely to:

• Give you recurring projects.

• Recommend you to others.

• Increase their budget for your services.

To strengthen client relationships, focus on delivering high-quality work, meeting deadlines, and communicating effectively. Offering retainer contracts for ongoing work (like managing a company blog or handling all their content needs) can ensure consistent income and stability for your business.

3. Raise Your Rates

If you're aiming to increase your income, one of the simplest ways is to gradually raise your rates. Many freelance writers undercharge at the beginning, but as you gain more experience and develop a portfolio of satisfied clients, you can confidently charge more. Here’s how to approach it:

• Evaluate your value: If you’re consistently delivering great results, clients will likely be willing to pay more.

• Research market rates: Ensure your rates are competitive but fair, based on the type of writing you’re doing and your level of expertise.

• Communicate clearly: When increasing your rates, be transparent with your clients. Frame it as a natural progression based on the value you provide, and many will be willing to stay on board.

Raising your rates will help you work smarter, not harder, allowing you to focus on fewer clients while earning more.

For Those Who Seek Unbiased News.

Be informed with 1440! Join 3.5 million readers who enjoy our daily, factual news updates. We compile insights from over 100 sources, offering a comprehensive look at politics, global events, business, and culture in just 5 minutes. Free from bias and political spin, get your news straight.

Join for free today!

4. Outsource to Scale Your Business

If you’ve hit the ceiling in terms of how much you can personally write, it’s time to think about scaling your business by outsourcing. Transitioning from a solo freelance writer to running a writing team allows you to take on more clients, handle bigger projects, and grow your income without having to write every word yourself.

Here’s how to do it:

• Hire freelance writers: Start small by hiring one or two writers to help with overflow work. Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer are good platforms to find qualified writers.

• Manage the workflow: As a writing agency, your job will evolve into managing projects, editing content, and communicating with clients. Use tools like Trello or Asana to keep track of assignments and deadlines.

• Quality control: It’s crucial to maintain high standards for your business. Act as the final editor for all content before delivering it to clients to ensure it meets expectations.

By outsourcing and taking on a more managerial role, you can grow your business without being tied to the computer all day.

5. Expand Your Services

If you want to boost your income and attract a broader range of clients, consider expanding your service offerings beyond writing. Many clients look for comprehensive content solutions, and offering related services can set you apart from competitors. Here are a few ways to expand:

• SEO services: Help clients optimize their content for search engines to improve their online visibility. You can offer keyword research, SEO strategy, and on-page optimization as part of your package.

• Editing and proofreading: Some clients may have internal writers but need editing services. Offering editing, revising, or polishing their content can provide another revenue stream.

• Social media management: Writing for social media and managing platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn for businesses adds another layer of income to your freelance writing services.

• Content strategy: Once you have experience writing for clients, you can offer content strategy consultations, where you help businesses develop and execute content plans that align with their goals.

These additional services not only increase your value but also allow you to charge higher rates for comprehensive packages.

6. Market Your Business Aggressively

A growing writing business needs continuous marketing to keep new clients coming in. While referrals and word-of-mouth are great, proactive marketing will help you scale faster. Here are some ways to market your business:

• Build a professional website: A polished website with a portfolio of your best work, client testimonials, and a clear description of your services can attract potential clients.

• Leverage social media: Share your work, tips, and writing expertise on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram to build your personal brand.

• Email marketing: Send out regular newsletters to past and potential clients, offering value-packed content and updates on your services.

• Guest posting: Writing for well-known blogs in your niche can increase your visibility and position you as an expert.

Aggressive marketing will ensure that your pipeline remains full and that you can continue growing your client base even as you scale.

For Those Who Seek Unbiased News.

Be informed with 1440! Join 3.5 million readers who enjoy our daily, factual news updates. We compile insights from over 100 sources, offering a comprehensive look at politics, global events, business, and culture in just 5 minutes. Free from bias and political spin, get your news straight.

Join for free today!

Summary: How to Grow Your Freelance Writing Business

To grow and maximize income in your freelance writing business, the following steps are essential:

1. Specialize in high-paying niches to attract premium clients.

2. Build long-term client relationships for recurring, stable income.

3. Raise your rates as your skills and experience increase.

4. Outsource work and build a team to take on more clients and larger projects.

5. Expand your service offerings to include SEO, content strategy, editing, or social media management.

6. Market your business continuously to attract new clients and opportunities.

By following these strategies, you’ll not only increase your income but also create a scalable writing business that allows you to grow beyond the limits of solo freelancing. The key is to think bigger—don’t just view yourself as a writer, but as a business owner who can build a team, offer valuable services, and take on larger projects for higher pay.