Looking for freelance writing tips to help you move up and earn more in 2020?
If you’re feeling stuck, just starting out, or want to advance your freelance writing career, you’re in the right place.
In 2019, we published 120 blog posts to help freelance writers get better-paying gigs, self publish, find clients, write better pitches, and more.
Hopefully, some of these writing tips motivated you to take action and move your freelance writing career forward.
With just a few days left of this year, we decided to dig into the data and take a look at the most popular posts of the year about the business and craft of freelance writing.
We also uncovered your most favorite writing tips and resources of all time from over 1,000 blog posts and 10 years of publishing.
Check out the top 10 posts of 2019 and the all-time favorites.
Top 10 Make a Living Writing blog posts of 2019
So what writing tips did freelancers want to learn in 2019?
This top 10 list sheds some light on what freelancers want to know like how to make money writing, self publish, get started, and where to find the best list of writing jobs online.
Your 2019 top-10 blog posts are…
1. Celebrity Interview Secrets: 7 Strategies for Writers to Score a Meeting
Think landing a celebrity interview is impossible? Think again. If you play the game right, know where to hang out, and connect with the right people, you can do this.
2. How to Self Publish a Book That Earns $125K in a Single Night
When Crystal Bass published a novel about growing up in Baltimore, readers and fans gave her an idea that turned the book into a six-figure success.
3. Pay Survey 2019: What 1,400+ Freelancers Get Paid to Write
How much do freelance writers earn? It depends on a number of different variables. Check out the 2019 pay survey data to find out if it’s time to raise your rates. Take the 2020 Pay Survey now, and we’ll have fresh data for you in January. (P.S. – There’s a raffle for a month free in Freelance Writers Den, as an incentive.)
4. Content Writing Jobs: 10 Handy Places to Get Hired Online
Here’s a writing tip to remember…the best clients are generally the ones you find on your own. That said, freelancers love lists and resources to find writing jobs online.
5. Content Writing Productivity: 11 Bright Hacks to Get Organized
Ever struggle with managing your time to write, meet client deadlines, and market yourself? Instead of winging it, give these productivity hacks a try.
6. Literary Agent Advice: 3 Rules to Write a Stand-Out Book Pitch
Want to get inside the head a of an editor to boost your chances of getting a contract? Check out this advice from literary agent Mark Gottlieb.
7. Crazy Schedule? 8 Writer-Recommended Tools for Time Management
When Den 2X Income Accelerator member Stacy Stein asked for help to improve productivity, freelancers came to the rescue with these recommendations.
8. How to Become a Freelance Writer: The Ultimate Answer Sheet
Want to be a freelance writer? Punctuation, grammar, and writing skills aren’t enough. Here’s what it takes to be a freelance writer.
9. Freelance Writing Gold: Discover This Client to Easily Earn More
If you want to create consistent income as a freelance writer, follow this advice from copywriter Joshua Boswell.
10. Need Work? Curious Places to Find Freelance Writing Jobs
Looking for freelance work? There’s nothing wrong with the traditional path to find clients. But if you’re willing to look, you might find freelance work in some unusual places, says writer Beth Casey.
Top 10 all-time favorite blog posts
Here’s a fun fact. We’ve published more than 1,000 blog posts about the business and craft of freelance writing since Make a Living Writing launched.
And the Internet has a way of keeping things around forever, especially great content.
Even though some of these posts go back a few years, these are the all-time favorites…
1. Earn Money Online: 92 Websites That Pay Writers $50+
Looking for places to pitch? Sift through this list of markets and get started (it’s an older list, so give us a break if there’s a broken link). Watch for an updated markets list in the next few weeks.
2. Get Paid to Write: 26 Sites That Pay Freelancers $100+
Just in case you didn’t catch this earlier, the best clients are the ones you find on your own. But if you want to work from a quick list of clients that pay $100 or more, check this out (it’s also dated, so be aware some links might not work)
3. How I Make $5,000 a Month as a Paid Blogger
Yes, you can get paid well for blogging. Check out my game-plan for earning $5K a month or more.
4. How to Get Noticed on Twitter – 15 Tips for Writers
Even though this post about how to use social media to find clients is a couple years old, it’s still popular. And believe it or not, most of these strategies still work.
5. Writing an Article vs. Writing a Blog Post: What’s the Difference?
It’s a question a lot of new freelance writers ask, and there’s absolutely a difference. Here’s what you need to know:
6. Can You Spot These 3 Different Freelance Writing Scams?
You don’t have to look far to find one of those “opportunities” for freelance writers. If you’re not careful, you might lose your money or worse. Read this to avoid getting scammed.
7. The Truth About How Much Freelance Writers Make
How much should you charge? What are your rates? Can you make a living writing? Carol Tice unpacks the truth in this blog post.
8. Get Paid to Write: 15 Political Writing Markets for Freelancers
Like writing about politics? There’s no shortage of political drama these days locally and nationally. Check out these markets that cover politics.
9. Freelance Writing Gigs With Great Pay: 50 Niches to Explore
Riches are in the niches. You’ve heard the phrase before. And it’s true for a lot of things, including freelance writing. Check out these top 50 niches for freelancers.
10. 12 Great Writer Websites That Magnetically Attract Clients
Looking for ideas to give your writer website a boost? Check out these examples.
More writing tips to come in 2020
Hopefully, you’ve learned a thing or two from Make a Living Writing in 2019. Watch for more great blog posts, writing tips, and resources for freelance writers in 2020.
What are your best freelance writing tips from 2019? Share in the comments below.
Evan Jensen is the blog editor for Make a Living Writing. When he’s not on a writing deadline or catching up on emails, he’s training to run another 100-mile ultra-marathon.
