Summary

The article outlines seven mindset shifts essential for freelance content writers to increase their earnings significantly.

Abstract

The content emphasizes the importance of adopting a strategic approach to freelance writing, highlighting the journey from earning $3 per article to commanding fees up to$ 3,000. It underscores the necessity of enjoying sales, keeping one's ego in check, being comfortable discussing money, not being overly frugal with effort, embracing solitude, focusing on practical writing forms like SEO and copywriting, and thinking like a strategist rather than just an executor. These mindset shifts are presented as key to unlocking higher-paying opportunities and achieving financial success as a freelance writer.

Opinions

The author suggests that a significant part of a freelance writer's early career is spent on marketing and networking, which is crucial for attracting clients.
A pragmatic approach to writing, including being open to various topics and writing styles, is more conducive to financial success than being dogmatic about writing conventions.
Freelancers must be comfortable discussing and charging higher rates to compensate for the lack of job security and to cover non-billable hours spent on business administration.
Providing exceptional value to clients by overdelivering can lead to repeat business and referrals, which are vital for a sustainable freelance career.
Success as a freelance writer often requires a preference for solitude, as much of the work is done independently.
The most lucrative writing niches are those that directly contribute to a client's business success, such as SEO writing, copywriting, and email marketing, rather than more traditional forms of writing.
The author advocates for a proactive approach where writers create assignments by understanding and strategizing with clients, rather than just fulfilling assigned tasks.

7 Signals You’ll Earn Big as a Freelance Content Writer

Mindset shifts to make good money

You can earn $3 for an article, or $3,000.

The first article I wrote for an online client earned $3. I found the gig on an online postings board. I was delighted to get it, and it became the springboard for my writing career.

I ratcheted up my rates to $10 per hour, then $15, then $20. I now charge several multiples of that.

Below I share the seven mindset shifts that have made me a well-fed freelancer. Some of these I held from the start, and some I’ve learned along the way. You can learn them too, treat this article as a shortcut to higher earnings.

Here’s are signals that you’ll earn well as a pen-for-hire:

You Enjoy Selling

From the get-go, you’ll need to sell your services to clients. As a beginner writer with lower-paying clients, there’s a lower barrier to entry. So you’ll face more competition and you’ll have to sell your services hard.

Starting out, you’ll spend at least 50% of your time marketing and networking. It’s like job-hunting, but on a daily basis. Once you’ve worked through the discomfort of every day being a fresh job search, and you start bringing in clients, you’ll suddenly realize you’ve developed a superpower. You can bring home the bacon!

With well-paid gigs, you’ll then be using your word skills to sell. Most of the best paying freelance jobs are for business writing. The writing you do will be helping your clients to sell stuff — that’s where the money is.

You Keep Your Ego in Check

Some writers fight to the death over the Oxford comma, or how to use a semi-colon. As a well-earning freelancer, that’s not you. You’re more pragmatic. You’re willing to write according to the client’s needs.

What’s more, you’re open to writing about any topic — from dog food to home gyms.

Of course, you’ll have your own values around the companies you’re willing to work with. But the more open you are to trying different niches and being curious about fields of work you’ve probably never even thought about until now, the more options you’ll have for winning lucrative clients.

You’re Comfortable Talking Dollars

Within a corporate culture, talking about money is a no-no. People don’t discuss what they earn. There’s no need to think about money with a steady paycheck coming in.

As a freelancer, you’ll be talking money with every new client.

Charging $50, $100, $200 per hour or even more may feel uncomfortable, but you’ve got your profit margins to manage, your pension pot to contribute to. Plus you’ve got to cover all the hours when you’re working but not earning — your business admin, marketing, and networking. You should also remember that freelancers charge more in compensation for the lack of job security.

And when I say dollars, I mean dollars. I’ve worked with clients all around the world, and the US dollar is the international currency for freelancing.

You Don’t Pinch Pennies

I’ve got friends who count every penny they spend. If we’re splitting the check, they insist on only paying for the items they bought. I used to be that guy as a student. I know what it means to take care of every cent.

As a freelancer, you can’t be like that in your work. Your aim is to wow every client, to give them even more value than they paid for. When you under-promise and overdeliver, your clients will love your work, and pass on the word to their associates.

That’s not to say you should let clients take advantage of you. It’s important to set-up contracts with agreed deliverables. But you should always aim to do a brilliant job that leaves your clients feeling “wow!”

You Like Being Alone

Most of my time is spent at home, wearing gym shorts, a t-shirt, and comfy socks. I usually work 7–8 hours per day.

When I meet clients, it’s almost always on a Zoom call. I live near the beach, but I go there to relax, not to work. I’ve done a small amount of business travel, but 95% of my work is done alone, in my home office.

To succeed as a freelance writer, you’ve got to like your own company. I do, so it’s a good fit for me.

When You Say “Writing”, You Don’t Mean Shakespeare

The most lucrative areas for freelance content writing include:

SEO writing
Copywriting (selling with words)
Email writing
Writing case studies
Marketing proposals

If this is the type of writing you’re keen to explore, then you’ll have a lot of options to earn big.

You’ll use many similar skills that a journalist or short story writer would use — but the types of writing you’ll be doing are very different.

And, actually, ignore what I said about Shakespeare. He had the freedom to write so much because of his business savvy.

You’re a Big Picture Thinker

There are two types of writer:

Writers who take assignments.
Writers who make assignments.

It’s the second kind of writer who earns big.

Writers who take assignments look for gigs, then deliver according to the client’s wishes. Your client wants an article about cat allergies, so you write up the article as requested.

Writers who make assignments take time getting to their potential clients. They sit down with their clients over coffee. Then they listen. They want to understand the client’s needs. Then — with the client — they come up with a strategy for how their writing skills can help the client’s business.

As a writer who makes assignments, you take the initiative. You outline content and marketing plans that will give your clients the biggest bang for their buck. You help clients see the value of your work.

Lucrative Contracts are Available to Skilled Writers with the Right Mindset

With the above mindsets, you’ve got what it takes to succeed as a freelance writer. The first step is to get your name out there and start winning clients.

So, go get ‘em! Your dream awaits.