A Beginner’s Guide to High-Paying Jobs as a Freelance Content Writer

Writing as Self-employed (Freelance Content Writing)

For a person who is passionate about writing, freelance writing, and indulging in content writing jobs are the best opportunities. By taking a freelance career, one can be self-employed with no extra burdens. In freelancing, one has to create content digitally. The good part is you can work in your schedule and take work for more clients. Through your portfolio, you can find opportunities on projects and achieve high earnings.

The art of freelance content writing is vibrant and resilient art where writers can work on their own terms. The writers have to plan different content for clients. They can create blog posts, articles related to various fields, and social media posts. To generate quality content, freelance writers capitalize on storytelling, writing, and editing skills. Their main purpose is to catch the attention of readers by entertaining them.

List of the Jobs That Prove Best for Content Writers

i. Virtual Assistant

Work type: Have to do tasks provided by clients. Traditionally, it is not a writing job, but you have to do much more writing work for the clients.

Client type: One will have to work with an executive or entrepreneur who used to complete work on their own.

Perks: An assistant profile is a continual need. It contains a single task or can be a sequence of events in it. With the help of the internet, virtual assistants can find more fluidity and progress potential.

Pay scale: One can earn $10 to $60+ per hour, based on experience. Independent work or working through an agency both can be possible in this profile.

ii. Social media manager

Work type: Writers have to plan, write, schedule the posts, and answer or respond to DMs on behalf of their clients. Overall, they will have to make client’s media accounts more recognizable.

Client type: An employee has to work with the founder of the industry (for small startups) or with the vice president of medium companies. On the other side, for larger companies, one has to work with the Head of Social.

Perks: Currently, the use of social media is in its expanding form. There are different users on different platforms. With the development of new platforms, opportunities are increasing day by day for writers. Producing suitable content for each platform is their duty.

Pay scale: Payment of $40 to $60+ per hour is fixed. This payment criteria is based on the experience and workload you handled.

iii. Ghostwriter

Work type: Ghostwriters make content like blogs, books, scripts, etc. according to their client's demands. The clients used to publish the work in their name. For general use, the written articles are published in magazines, and reporters share them also. The biggest aim of this profile is to manage creating content as a project on behalf of your client. Therefore, it's needed to exhibit editing skills also.

Client type: clients who do not have time to make their content hire a ghostwriter. An executive, politician, influencer, or celebrity is the client for this profile.

Perks: A skilled ghostwriter has sufficient clients always.

Pay scale: One can get $20 to $150+ per hour, based on their content, experience, and client.

iv. Internal Communication Specialist

Work type: In this job, a person needs to organize all information to impress employees. That includes daily updates, executive announcements, company town halls, and others.

Client type: The head of communications or an equal post can be your client here. You have to maintain original messaging, and for that, your client gives you essential data.

Perks: Companies are now in the lead to make better relations with employees. So, there is a necessity for internal communications. Although internal employees are more commonly chosen for these roles. Therefore, it's been hard to find an average freelancer for them.

Pay scale: An appropriate amount of $23 to $50+ per hour is fixed. The salary depends upon your project type and skills and varies from client to client.

v. Article Writer/Journalist

Work type: It is more common for writers to write articles or journals for blogs and media that could be named or ghostwritten. One can also leverage them into a profile of a magazine writer.

Client type: The client can be an editor and head of content type.

Perks: The field of content marketing is in the bursting phase. It creates more demand for skilled freelance writers.

Pay scale: One can get a payment of $15 to $100+ per hour on the basis of skills and subject matter expertise.

vi. Technical writer

Work type: Writers have to take technical content in this profile.

Client type: Working for head of content, head of communications, or head of technology type.

Perks: With the development of technology, the need for content writers is increasing. The writers should be able to analyze rigid technical subjects and write to the point.

Pay scale: Starting from $25 to $150+ per hour based on skills, experience, and type of project.

vii. Proposal Writer/Grant Writer

Work type: Proposal writers have to collect all stories and data required to submit grants. Grants are from private foundations, government, or business competitions. At last, you should submit these grants on behalf of clients.

Client type: the head of fundraising, a small startup's founder, or the head of revenue in a research-oriented industry.

Perks: In the U.S., vast amounts of money in grants go untapped every year. With sophisticated grant applications, good opportunities can be open for writers.

Pay scale: A person can get a payment from $15 to $50+ per hour, which depends on the region and experience you gained from grant applications.

viii. Transcription Writer

Work type: In this, the employee has to transcribe audio from word to word. They also have to remove "uhms" or "ahs" for a refined blog-post conversation.

Client type: The client can be the head of content or chief of staff only when an executive is coordinating a podcast.

Perks: Besides the use of AI technologies, freelance writers are still in demand.

Pay scale: Salaried amount of $15 to $30+ per hour under this profile.

ix. Translator

Work type: One has to translate content into other languages. Keeping the focus on local terms and also being able to understand the different interpretations in another language.

Client type: A VP of a worldwide corporation, a startup of new languages, or a business with many languages are the clients for this profile.

Perks: Automated translation mechanisms are not able to give a proper framework to articles. Thus, writers with fluent language skills in various languages are still required to achieve this purpose.

Pay scale: An amount from $15 to $50+ per hour based on the intricate translation range and languages you translate.

x. Conversion Copywriter

Work type: One has to write and edit content. Mostly for marketing landing pages, to encourage people to buy your client’s products or services.

Client type: Generally, the client is the VP of Marketing or VP of Sales. For small startups, one has to work with the founder.

Perks: As advertising expenditures rise, converting visitors to the page is more important than ever. This creates many opportunities for freelance writers who know how to persuade people to buy.

Pay scale: You can earn between $25 and $100+ per hour, depending on your experience and the region.

xi. Script Writer

Work type: You’ll create scripts for TV shows, movies, podcasts, or ads that entertain and persuade people to buy.

Client type: In the business world, you usually work with the head of content or marketing. In entertainment, you collaborate with a producer or director.

Perks: The business world is diving into podcasts and videos, offering many opportunities. Big companies like Netflix and Amazon are investing in original content, so there are still chances to find work.

Pay scale: You can earn between $27 and $100+ per hour, depending on the type of scripts you write and your client.

xii. Writing Coach for Professionals

Work type: One has to help writers, executives, and founders improve their writing skills.

Client type: Anyone who needs to write as part of their job.

Perks: Many writers seek coaching, but finding these jobs can be challenging. Some coaches now offer group programs to make them more affordable.

Pay scale: You can charge between $20 and $200+ per hour, based on your experience and the client.

xiii. Writing Tutor for High School Students

Work type: teaching high school students the basics of writing and encouraging them.

Client type: working with a college admissions agency, a tutoring service, or with parents.

Perks: With competitive college admissions, parents are willing to invest in tutoring to give their kids an advantage.

Pay scale: You can earn between $20 and $65+ per hour, depending on your area, experience, and education.

xiv. Copywriter

Work type: Like a conversion copywriter, you’ll write short content. You specialize in very brief content, like social media or Google ads with around 100 characters, to entice clicks.

Client type: Working with the VP of Marketing at a company or the VP of Client Delivery at an agency.

Perks: Advertising is a massive global industry, so there’s always work for skilled ad copywriters.

Pay scale: You can earn between $25 and $100+ per hour, depending on the project and whether you work with a client or through an agency.

xv. Novelist

Work type: You’ll write and sell books, either self-publishing or ghostwriting for others.

Client type: You’re your client if you self-publish, or you may work with an agent and publisher if you’re with a publishing house. If you’re ghostwriting, your client might be an executive or celebrity.

Perks: Self-publishing allows anyone to become a novelist, but if you do this, you’ll need to market your books. You can use your novels as samples to secure ghostwriting jobs later.

Pay scale: Earnings vary with self-publishing, but as a ghostwriter, you can earn between $5,000 and $50,000+ based on the book’s length and complexity.

xvi. Travel Writer

Work type: You’ll write exciting content about travel, places, and personal reviews.

Client type: You typically write for a travel magazine or yourself if you have your travel blog.

Perks: The travel industry can be unpredictable, so travel writing jobs aren’t very common. If you land a freelance travel writing job, the perks—like free trips and experiences—are amazing.

Pay scale: You can earn between $10 and $60+ per hour, plus any travel costs associated with your work.

xvii. Foodie Writer

Work type: You’ll create various types of content about food, including reviews and personal experiences.

Client type: You usually write for a food or lifestyle magazine, or you can start your food blog to monetize it.

Perks: The food journalism industry can be hit or miss, making these jobs harder to find. When you do get a job, you get to eat at some of the best restaurants for free.

Pay scale: You can earn between $10 and $50+ per hour, plus any food costs related to your articles.

xviii. Media Relations Specialist

Work type: You’ll help your client get featured in mainstream media, industry publications, and blogs.

Client type: You usually work with the VP of Marketing, VP of PR, or a startup founder. Sometimes, you’ll work one-on-one with an executive you are promoting to the media.

Perks: Media relations can be challenging because of the varied results. While these jobs are often easy to find, it can be tough to keep them if you don’t deliver results.

Pay scale: You can earn between $50 and $300+ per hour, based on your experience and past results.

xix. Business Plan Writer

Work type: You’ll help companies create business plans at various stages. This could involve writing a plan for a new business, a new product or service, or a launch into a new market.

Client type: You work with the board, founders, or the CEO.

Perks: Business plans are crucial for company growth, so there’s high demand. But finding these roles can be challenging without connections to senior executives.

Pay scale: One can earn about $25 and $75+ per hour, depending on experience, the size of the business, and the project’s scope.

xx. Sales Enablement Copywriter

Work type: One will have to create content that helps the sales team and explore their efforts. Contents like internal scripts and leave-behind materials like ebooks or one-pagers.

Client type: Working under the VP of Sales or the VP of Marketing.

Perks: For every business, sale is a vital factor. That develops more demand for aspiring writers who are able to create content-promoting deals.

Pay scale: You can earn between $35 and $100+ per hour, depending on the project’s scope.

Judgment: Branching Out Content Writing

Writing has come a long way, branching into diverse business and creative jobs. Yet, its core purpose remains the same: to inform, guide, or persuade. As you build your freelance writing career, start with the basic project. Think about what you want—whether it’s flexibility or stability—and pursue it. The real achievement is shaping a career that aligns with the life and lifestyle you want.