This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, we may earn a small commission. Read the Disclosure Policy for more information.
Last Updated on April 4, 2025 by Katie
In a world where the average person spends over 7 hours daily consuming digital content, skilled writers have never been more in demand. And you can cash in on this by securing one of these writing side hustles.
From social media posts to blog posts and email newsletters, the digital economy runs on well-crafted words – and savvy writers are capitalizing on this growing need.
Whether you’re looking to supplement your income or build a full-time writing career, the digital marketplace offers unprecedented opportunities to make money as a freelance writer.
With zero startup costs and flexible hours, writing side hustles allow anyone with a laptop and decent command of grammar to make money from home.
Let’s take a look at some of the ways to make money writing as a beginner.
Related posts:
- Is freelance writing a good career for you?
- How to get freelance writing experience as a new writer?
- 12 best freelance writing gigs for new writers
Featured Career Opportunities!
* Get Paid to do Voiceovers from Home – FREE Mini-course Intro to Voiceovers.
* Work at Home as a Transcriptionist – Learn Transcription Skills with Transcribe Anywhere and Open Doors to New Remote Jobs.
* Start Your Own Thriving Proofreading Business – Learn how to get started in this FREE proofreading workshop.
* How to Start a Bookkeeping Business from Home – Free training series from the team at Bookkeepers.com.
Profitable Writing Side Hustles Ideal for Beginners
There are many different types of writing side hustles to suit all skill level.
I love writing and have been lucky enough to make it my career. Even if you don’t believe in yourself yet – I encourage you to give it a try, as I never believed I could have a writing career when I started as well!
Have a look through the options below to see if any suit your needs.
1. Self-Publish an Ebook on Amazon
Publishing ebooks through offers writers a direct path to reach readers worldwide.
If you have specific knowledge or storytelling abilities, you can generate passive income writing eBooks by creating guides, fiction, or educational content that earns monthly royalties.
How to Start
To start making money with ebooks, focus on writing content that serves a specific audience’s need.
Create a detailed outline for your book, then write consistently to complete your manuscript.
Once published, promote your work through social media channels and book promotion websites to increase visibility and sales.
Consider offering your first book at a lower price point to build reader reviews and momentum.
2. Freelance Blogging
Bloggers can earn $50-$200 per post writing engaging content like how-to guides, product reviews, and personal experience articles.
With consistent work, monthly earnings often reach $2,000-$5,000 and you can find blogging jobs on sites like Fiverr, Upwork or ProBlogger.
Another idea is to reach out to bloggers directly that you want to write for with a cold pitch they just can’t ignore (follow these cold pitching tips).
How to Start
To start freelance blogging, create a writing portfolio of samples that show your range across different topics and styles.
Look for blog writing jobs that match your expertise and build relationships with regular clients who need ongoing content.
3. Transcription Services
Turn recorded content into text documents by offering transcription services.
Good typists who pay attention to detail can earn $15-$30 per hour converting audio files and video recordings into written formats.
Transcription is probably one of the best writing side hustles for beginners to start with that has a low barrier to entry.
How to Start
Get started by learning how to become a general transcriptionist.
Find transcription jobs for beginners on sites like Rev and TranscribeMe.
These platforms provide regular work opportunities and training to help you improve your speed and accuracy.
Begin with shorter audio clips to build your skills, then take on longer projects as you gain confidence.
Focus on developing a fast typing speed while maintaining high accuracy to maximize your hourly earnings.
Related: 7 beginner friendly typing jobs from home.
4. Copywriting
Copywriting offers some of the highest-paying writing opportunities, with projects ranging from $500 to $10,000.
This is because the work involves creating sales pages, marketing materials, and promotional content that drives customer action and makes a business money.
Success in copywriting requires strong persuasive writing skills and an understanding of customer psychology, so, you will need great content writing skills to secure these jobs.
How to Start
Start by offering your services to small local businesses that need better sales content.
Create sample pieces showing how you’ve helped increase conversions or sales and keep track of your results and build case studies demonstrating your effectiveness.
Proven results will help you get hired over someone else.
Network through LinkedIn and writing communities to find clients looking for sales-focused content creators.
5. Email Marketing Copy
Email marketing copy offers steady income for writers who can craft punchy and persuasive messages.
This type of job includes creating newsletters, promotional campaigns, and automated email sequences that convert readers into customers.
Writers can earn $25-$100 per email, with monthly income ranging from $1,000-$4,000, depending on who you work for.
Success in this role will depend on whether you can create clear, action-driven content that motivates subscribers to click and buy.
How to Start
Start by offering basic email writing services on Fiverr and contact local businesses through LinkedIn or direct outreach to pitch email marketing solutions.
Begin with single-email projects, then work toward ongoing retainer agreements for consistent monthly income.
6. Ghostwriting
Ghostwriting offers steady income for writers who can adapt their style.
As a ghostwriter, you’ll create books, speeches, and articles while letting others take credit.
Projects typically pay between $500 and $5,000, making it a profitable writing career option.
How to Start
To begin ghostwriting, reach out to authors and business leaders who need writing support.
Start with smaller projects to build your portfolio – even if the initial pay is low. Ask for good reviews and these can be used to help you get higher paid projects in the future.
Join writing groups and professional networks to find clients who need ongoing ghostwriting services.
7. Social Media Content Writing
Writing for social media platforms brings steady income for creators who understand online trends and brand voice.
Content writers craft engaging posts, captions, and tweets that connect with target audiences and drive engagement.
Working with multiple clients, writers earn $35-$100 per hour creating consistent brand messaging across platforms.
This type of work is in demand as most businesses need help maintaining an active social media presence and don’t have time to do it themselves.
How to Start
You can start by joining professional groups on LinkedIn to network with potential clients.
Browse job listings on Upwork, Fiverr and other freelance writing job boards to find businesses seeking social media writers.
Build a portfolio showcasing different brand voices and content styles and focus on creating measurable results through increased engagement and follower growth.
8. Resume and Cover Letter Writing
Professional resume writers help job seekers stand out in competitive markets and get hired quickly.
The job role requires you to craft polished resumes and cover letters that highlight candidates’ skills and achievements, earning $25-$65 per hour.
Expect to earn from $25-$65 per hour and up to $500-$2,000 a month with a steady client base.
How to Start
Start by learning current resume formats and job market trends. Create sample resumes showing different industries and career levels.
Connect with job seekers through LinkedIn and look for jobs on sites like PurpleCv and TopResume.
Another idea is to partner with career coaches and recruiters who can refer clients.
9. Technical Writing
Technical writers turn complex information into clear documentation, creating user manuals, product guides, and technical specifications.
Subject matter experts in technology, engineering, or science fields can earn $500-$10,000 per document, making it one of the highest-paying writing jobs in the industry.
However, to get work, you will need strong knowledge of technical concepts and the ability to explain them simply.
Plus, you may need to have a technical background and/or a degree in a technical field to even be considered for paid writing work.
Many companies seek writers who understand specific software, equipment, or scientific processes.
How to Start
Start by joining online tech writing communities and connecting with software startups.
Look for opportunities through platforms like the GitHub careers page, where companies need help documenting their products.
Build a portfolio by contributing to open-source documentation projects and focus on industries where you have direct experience or knowledge.
10. Freelance Editing and Proofreading
Editing and proofreading offer steady income for those with excellent grammar skills and detail-focused writers.
This job role will require you to fix errors, improve content flow, and strengthen written materials across various formats.
Rates range from $20-$100 per hour, depending on who you work for, making it a viable income stream.
How to Start
If this work is new to you, learn how to become a proofreader and take a short course to learn the ropes.
Join platforms like Reedsy to connect with authors needing manuscript editing services and reach out to established freelancers who might need help managing their client workload.
And, check out these proofreading jobs no experience needed.
Build your reputation by offering basic proofreading services, then expand into developmental editing and content restructuring as you gain experience.
11. Writing Product Descriptions
Product description writers help online sellers turn features into sales.
The job includess creating clear, persuasive text that highlights key benefits and motivates customers to buy.
Each description typically pays $5-$15, but you can set your own rates, and dedicated writers can earn up to $2,000 monthly.
How to Start
Browse Etsy shops and Shopify stores for sellers who need better product listings.
Focus on niche markets where you understand customer needs and product features and build a portfolio showing your expertise in these areas.
Product description writers are also often hired by SEO agencies who look after business websites, so you can cold email agencies offering this service as well.
12. Content Creation for Local Publications
Writing for local publications combines storytelling with community connection.
Writers for this type of work produce articles covering neighborhood events, restaurant reviews, and local business profiles, earning $50-$300 per piece.
How to Start
Contact local magazines, newspapers, and community newsletters with story ideas and start by reading recent issues to understand their content style and reader interests.
Build relationships with editors by submitting well-researched pitches that highlight unique local angles.
Focus on becoming the go-to writer for specific topics like food, arts, or community development, as small publications often need reliable contributors who understand local context and can meet deadlines consistently.
Related: 11 easy typing jobs for students.
13. YouTube Video Script Writer
Video script writers create engaging content for YouTube creators and influencers.
The work includes crafting scripts that keep viewers watching while maintaining the creator’s unique voice and style.
This type of work has exploded recently, thanks to the popularity of video content and writers can expect to earn from $2,000 – $5,000/m depending on who you write for and how many clients you have.
How to Start
Find script writing jobs on popular freelance platforms like Upwork and Fiverr.
Reach out directly to content creators through social media or YouTube comments talking about who you are and what you do.
Start with shorter scripts for small channels to build your portfolio, then target larger creators who need regular script support.
Focus on writing clear and engaging content that fits each creator’s personality and audience expectations.
How to Succeed with Writing Side Hustles
Success with writing side hustles comes down to identifying your strengths and consistently delivering value to your target market.
Whether you choose to focus on technical writing, creative ghostwriting, blog writing, or persuasive copywritng, the key is to start small, build a strong portfolio, and gradually expand your services as you gain experience and client trust.
Remember that the most successful writers often combine multiple revenue streams, creating a diverse income portfolio that provides both stability and growth potential.
For example, I make money freelance writing for blogs, but also make money from my own blog and affiliate marketing.
Having multiple revenue streams ensures that if I lose a writing client, I still have money coming into my bank account and I encourage you to do the same!
So, which of the writing side hustles are you going to try?
Let me know in the comments.
Want more ways to make money on the side?
Check out these simple side hustles that can be done from your phone.
