Want to learn how to make a living writing during a global pandemic?
Plenty of new writers set out to make it happen this year. Some to pursue a lifelong dream, others forced to find another way to pay the bills.
For some writers, this was the year to turn a passion project or little side hustle into an actual income stream, earn more and make a living writing.
Along the way, plenty of writers discovered the soul-sucking experience of trying to make a living by counting on content mills and bidding sites.
While others found that pitching story ideas and sending letters of introduction to publications and businesses that pay is the better way.
This year over 1 million freelance writers found their way to Make a Living Writing for help, inspiration, and resources from more than 1,200 blog posts. And some clear winners rose to the top.
If you’re trying to make a living writing, move up, and earn more, these top 10 must-read posts of 2020 will point you in the right direction.
1. Writing an Article vs. Writing a Blog Post: What’s the Difference?
There some clear differences in how you plan, organize and write an article compared to a blog post.
If you don’t know the difference, you’re missing out on assignments that can help you make a living writing. Study up on how these are difference, and land more work.
2. Get Paid to Write: 26 Sites That Pay Freelancers $100+
What if you could stack up $100 assignments? Would you be able to make a living writing?
Check out this list of vetted sites and publications that work with freelance writers. Study the guidelines, and start pitching?
For an even bigger list of freelance writing jobs, check out: Fired Up? Pitch This Monster List of 200+ Freelance Writing Jobs.
3. Freelance Writing Jobs: 11 Digital Marketing Sites That Pay $100+
Search engine optimization is alive and well. Clients care about creating content that helps them rank better. And social media strategies are more important than ever to get noticed, drive traffic, and attract more readers and customers.
If you understand the ins and outs of digital marketing, or you’re willing to learn, there’s no shortage of clients ready to pay. Check out this list to get started.
4. Freelance Writing Rates: What Hard-Working Writers Earn in 2020
Can you really make a living writing? We compiled responses to a pay survey to give you a snapshot of what freelancers make.
It’s also a useful resource to help you set your freelance writing rates and avoid getting knocked up by sleazebag clients.
Want to see your income potential as a freelance writer, find out where you stand, and get insight to help you earn more? Read this post.
5. Freelance Writing Jobs: 39 Online Magazines That Pay $100+
It’s no secret traditional print magazines and newspapers are following the same path as the dinosaur.
But instead of going extinct, some old-school pubs are publishing both a print and online magazine.
Some start-up pubs just the step of printing anything and start publishing online.
And if you know where to look, online magazines can help you make a living writing. How about a $500 assignment or $2/per word contract? You’ll find online pubs that pay well on this list
6. Make Money Writing: One Writer’s Unusual Path to Six Figures
Want to learn how to make a living writing? Not pocket change, a little extra cash, or just enough to cover expenses.
Real money. The six-figure freelancer kind of money.
Freelance writer Casey Morris found a way, but it was hardly a straight-line path to get there.
Read this post to find out how much she struggled, and what changed to help her move up and earn more.
7. Op-Ed Writing: 10 Markets That Pay Freelancers for Views & Opinions
Have you read, seen or heard something that you have a strong opinion on, and some credentials to justify your opinion being published?
If your answer is “yes,” there’s a good chance there’s a client out there ready to pay you for your opinion.
Check out these 10 publications that pay writers for opinion pieces and editorial content.
8. LinkedIn Marketing: A Freelancer’s 17 Creative Tweaks to Get Leads
What if you potential clients found you online and reached out for help with a project?
That’s the dream, right? While outbound marketing should always be part of your plan to make a living writing, you can also leverage your LinkedIn profile to generate inbound leads.
In this post, freelance writer Emily Jacobs shares 17 creative hacks to help you get the most out of this social media platform for business professionals.
9. 3 Guest Post Pitch Emails That Got the Gig
Sometimes taking a look at actual examples you can model is just the thing to help you make a living writing.
Want to improve your chances of landing an assignment?
Check out these three guest post pitches that turned into paid freelance writing gigs.
10. Freelance Work: Use This Writer’s Gut-Check Method to Earn More
When you’re hungry to land freelance work, it’s easy to want to gobble up any client willing to throw you a bone. But that’s bound to cause some bank-account indigestion at some point.
There’s a better way. Learn how to trust your gut. In this popular post from 2020, freelance writer Nina Doyle explains the process to land great clients.
Make a living writing in 2021: Start now
If you’re looking for ways to move up and earn more as a freelancer, take a look at what helped freelancers the most in 2020. You’ll learn a lot about where to find clients, how to pitch, set your rates, and more.
Did you make a living writing in 2020? Tell us about it in the comments below.
