Editor’s note: This post was written by Jennifer Parris, career writer at FlexJobs, the award-winning site for telecommuting and flexible job listings. FlexJobs lists thousands of pre-screened, legitimate, and professional-level work-from-home jobs and other types of flexibility like part-time positions, freelancing, and flexible schedules. Jennifer provides career and job search advice through the FlexJobs Blog and social media. Learn more at www.FlexJobs.com.
By day, you toil away in your 9-5 job. But by night, you whip out your typewriter (okay, your laptop) and get in touch with your inner Hemingway. Writing is truly your passion, and you’d love to turn it into a full-time career. But with precious little professional experience (does writing for your college newspaper even count?), you’re concerned about finding a serious writing job.
Luckily, writing is one of those jobs that has “work from home” written all over it. Needing little more than a computer and a high-speed Internet connection, writers can work from anywhere in the world—literally. So even if you don’t have a lot of experience, you can still find a writing position to launch your freelance career. (As with any writing position, superior writing and grammar skills are necessary.) Here are just five writing jobs for first-time freelancers.
Writer/Reporter
Writers and reporters come in all skill levels, from entry-level to advanced, and thankfully, many positions are open to beginners. A typical writing/reporting position will include creating content for a variety of outlets, such as print newspapers, magazines, online content hubs, and much more. Depending on the company you work for, you should have some familiarity and interest in the topic(s) you’ll be writing about. But no matter the subject, you’ll need to be able to produce fairly clean copy and meet deadlines.
Resume Writer
As a fellow job seeker, a resume writer might be right up your (writing) alley! Help others who are looking for work to perfect their job pitches by writing, editing, and even critiquing their resumes. You may need to have some certification, but an interest in resume writing is definitely a plus. You might work with individual clients or with a company that will provide you with a steady stream of customers. For this position, you may need to put on your interviewer’s hat as you do client consultations in order to develop the resume and bring out the best of the job applicant.
Copywriter
A freelance copywriter can work for almost any organization that is putting out content. For example, you might pen press releases for a Fortune 500 company or help create digital content covering a variety of topics and industries. You may write blog posts, company descriptions, update websites, or create brand packaging. Copywriters work on tight deadlines and need to have a strong knowledge and understanding of their client’s brand message and “voice.” This can be a research-heavy position.
Website Editor
While you are a solid writer, it’s editing that you truly love. So take your writing skills to the next level and score some work as a website editor. Web editors assist with the development and maintenance of website content. They might also write or assign writers to tackle email newsletters, conduct social media, and create other materials for the company. Some skills necessary for the position include proficiency in HTML, WordPress, Photoshop, and Adobe InDesign. Web editors are sometimes involved in content partnerships, advertising, and source writing contributors.
Blogger
Similar to a writer, a freelance blogger will create content, typically for online websites. Blog writing is heavily tied to writing about what you love, so be sure to look for freelance jobs in blogging that specialize in something you’re passionate about. Since blog writing is considered niche writing, you may need samples of previous work. As a paid blogger, you may write daily, weekly, or even monthly, depending on the frequency that the company you write for publishes content. As a blogger, you might manage social media and write press releases related to your content.
If you’re looking to break into the freelance writing market, these five job types can help you get your foot in the door. (But the way to get more writing jobs is to keep writing, which in turn, will help you become a better writer!) So start your freelance job search and write your way to the job of your dreams!
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