If you like to write and like the idea of working for yourself, you may well have thought about making a living as a freelance writer at some point. However, before quitting your day job and taking the plunge, you may have been wondering does freelance writing pay well?
Of course, it is possible to make a decent living from freelance writing if you are lucky enough o be a contributor to such periodicals as National Geographic, or the major newspapers. For most of us though, the reality can be very different and if you like the idea of making a living from writing, your first step should be to realistically determine what you might be able to earn. A survey hosted by the 2012 Freelance Industry Report found that about 33 percent of those surveyed earned over $70 per hour writing. If you fancy being a copywriter, one of the best places to get an idea of what you can earn is a survey by successful copywriter Chris Marlow, and if you aren’t sure what to charge for your writing services, the guide in Writer’s Market can be helpful.
As you can see from the above figures, it is possible to make a good living from freelance writing, although it can be a hard life. As well as finding the high paying markets, you also have to come to terms with working to a deadline and often writing about subjects that just don’t interest you at all. Mastering new technology, such as WordPress, is something that many of us just aren’t comfortable with, and then of course, there are those difficult and demanding editors. Marketing yourself and making a name for yourself takes hard work, perseverance and a firm commitment.
However, assuming you are prepared to put in the hard work, you literally have unlimited earning potential as a freelance writer, and earning a six figure income may not be easy, but it is certainly realistic. So the answer to the question does freelance writing pay well? is yes it certainly can; and for e answers to more questions like this, follow us.