How to find high-paying freelance writer jobs

Have you ever wondered how other freelancers seem to consistently find high-paying writing jobs when you sometimes struggle to land even low-paying projects?

If so, you’re not alone. Creating a successful career working writing jobs remotely as a freelancer can often feel like you’re trapped in quicksand, working hard to get ahead with few tangible results. If you are just starting with your full-time writing gig or transitioning from side-work to full-time freelancing, there are two critical things to know:

1. Everyone struggles in the beginning. Yes, even the freelancers who are now selling their own “how to freelance” courses. Running your own business and finding your own work is vastly different than working a regular 9 to 5 technical or creative writing job. That said, there are ways to start succeeding more quickly, some of which we will cover in this blog.
2. There’s no quick fix or magic trick. While there’s a good chance that you’ll land a high-paying gig in the next few weeks or months, building a network of quality clients will take time and work. In this blog, we’re giving tips that will help lay the groundwork for success both now and in the future so you can enjoy a sustainable freelance career, completing writing jobs from home and on your terms.
   

Freelancers have access to endless opportunities for high-paying jobs through job boards, networking, and freelancer platforms. To find and start winning them, take a look at these tried-and-true tips.

Landing a great freelance writing job

1. Shift your mindset

When you’re constantly looking for new writing jobs online to maintain a steady income, it’s easy to fall into the “take what you can get” way of thinking. Unfortunately, that also leads to working long hours for low-to-mid pay. If you spend your days writing $20 blog posts, you won’t ever have the time to go after bigger, better jobs.

When you’re self-employed, every minute is a valuable opportunity to make or lose money. Rather than chasing every job you see, you need to develop a strategy for finding and pursuing better-paying jobs that will lead to long-term work.

Define your niche

There are thousands of creative writing and technical writing freelancers who are applying to the same generic jobs. Defining your skillset to a more narrow field limits your competition and gives you knowledge that is incredibly valuable to high-paying clients. Look for large companies or publications in your niche, as they tend to pay better and offer long-term work. 

Don’t limit yourself with a niche that is too specific, however. Even though the jobs you would get in this narrow field would likely pay large amounts for your knowledge, you may not be able to find enough work to make it worthwhile. Instead, look for broader ways to apply your experience. Rather than only writing about scuba diving in Fiji, for example, look for jobs about tropical vacations, marine activities, diving safety, and more.

2. Perfect your pitch

Bidding for freelance jobs is different than applying for remote jobs. You don’t want to focus on who you are and what you have to offer - at least explicitly. Instead, create a pitch that shows the client just how well you fit their needs. Let’s look at these examples:

What not to do

To Whom It May Concern,

My name is Bobbi and I am a great fit for your home decor blog writing project. I have a degree in Creative Writing from Some State University, so I am experienced in writing great articles and blogs. My content is always well researched, interesting, and tailored to your needs. I have written blogs for several other clients and they all loved my work! I would love to work with you to create this blog.

Have a great day!
Bobbi McGraw‍

First, this isn’t a terrible pitch and it might even get you freelance jobs for writing, but it won’t attract top clients. Here’s why:

• Me, me, me - Clients never want to hear about you. They want to hear what benefits you can offer them. Write instead about how your skills and experience can help the client with their project.
• Dry and impersonal - The quickest way to get a client’s attention? Start with their name. Whether you get it from the original job posting or a review left by another freelancer, this small touch can mean the difference between the client reading your pitch or passing it by.
• Relevance - Don’t just tell the client you’re a great fit, show them. Include a sample from a similar job, if you have one, to show that your experience is relevant. If you don’t have a sample on the same topic, explain how your sample meets the same goal or uses a similar format to the client’s project.
• Follow up - Even if the client liked the pitch, you need a call to action to encourage the client to follow up and make a connection. The best way to do this is to include a question with a single action at the end. You can ask for more info on the project, include a link to make a phone appointment, or ask about a specific point in the brief.

Here’s how your improved pitch for this job can sound using these tips:

What to do

Hi Martha!

Your project reminds me of an interior design blog I recently wrote with tips on choosing the perfect color scheme for a modern home. Like your blog, the goal of this content was to offer helpful information to readers while encouraging them to explore the client’s company and products. You can view this blog here:

(Link)

I would love to learn more about your project. Can you send me a link to your company blog so I can see what you’re looking for?

Have a great day!
Bobbi McGraw‍

See the difference?

3. Think bigger (you’re worth it!)

When it comes to jobs, working from home as a freelancer offers more opportunities to grow than any 9 to 5 option. To get higher paying freelance jobs, you need to go after bigger companies with larger budgets. Even if a high-level project seems intimidating, you’ll know when you’re ready for bigger gigs and clients. Start-up and small business remote jobs may be easier to get, but they are usually limited in pay. Instead, chase clients that won’t nickel-and-dime every job. You, your work, and your time are worth more.

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