Find the best Freelance Writing jobs

It takes just one job to develop a successful relationship that can propel your career forward.
Find work Interested in hiring?

Professionals on Upwork rate clients
Rating is 4.9 out of 5.
4.9/5

on average from 2M+ reviews

Trusted by

Check out a sample of the 3,281 Freelance Writing jobs posted on Upwork

Less than 30 hrs/week
Hours needed

1 to 3 months
Duration

Intermediate
Experience level

**Job Opportunity: Freelance Research Article Editor in Architecture** We are looking for a skilled freelancer to help prepare and ref…

Freelance Writing Research Papers Content Writing Academic Writing Article Writing
See more

Script Writer for KPOP Documentary YouTube Videos

Fixed-price ‐ Posted 24 days ago

$20
Fixed-price

Intermediate
Experience level

I'm looking for a long-term script writer who watches KPOP and can write engaging, emotional KPOP documentary with deep research. Our…

See more

$8
Fixed-price

Intermediate
Experience level

Read the entire job post carefully We are looking for dedicated and experienced scriptwriters for faceless YouTube automation channels…

Freelance Writing Explainer Video Scripting Content Writing
See more

Grant Writer

Hourly ‐ Posted 25 days ago

Less than 30 hrs/week
Hours needed

1 to 3 months
Duration

Intermediate
Experience level

augustnoa.com is a lifestyle and travel brand focused on designing thoughtful, functional bags. We’re seeking an experienced grant writ…

Freelance Writing Essay Writing Editing & Proofreading Content Writing English Grant Application
See more

Hours to be determined
Hours needed

Less than 1 month
Duration

Expert
Experience level

I am seeking dedicated tutor for my two kids a fifth grader and a seventh grader, specializing in and language arts. The ideal candid…

Freelance Writing US English Dialect Proofreading English Tutoring English
See more

Less than 30 hrs/week
Hours needed

More than 6 months
Duration

Intermediate
Experience level

Product Research & Content Assistant (FR/EN) – Deals, Writing & Light Social Media for Newsletter Part-time – Start at 5 to 10h/week (…

Freelance Writing Canva ChatGPT Affiliate Marketing Fashion & Beauty Email Design
See more

$1,000
Fixed-price

Expert
Experience level

We are a growing, women owned small business based in the United States, seeking a skilled grant writer to help us identify and apply f…

Freelance Writing Business Plan English Content Writing Grant Application
See more

Tech Article Publishing Specialist

Hourly ‐ Posted 1 month ago

Less than 30 hrs/week
Hours needed

1 to 3 months
Duration

Intermediate
Experience level

We are seeking a skilled professional to assist in publishing tech articles in prominent tech and media outlets. The ideal candidate wi…

Freelance Writing Article Search Engine Optimization Article Writing Content Writing
See more

Less than 30 hrs/week
Hours needed

Less than 1 month
Duration

Intermediate
Experience level

Hello! I have several cases of employment low and professional responsabiliyu that I want to submit to non win no fee firms. Would you…

Freelance Writing Editing & Proofreading Proofreading Academic Editing Professional Tone
See more

Nutrition

Hourly ‐ Posted 27 days ago

30+ hrs/week
Hours needed

More than 6 months
Duration

Intermediate
Experience level

Sure! Here’s a response that addresses each of your points in a structured way: ▎Clear Expectations About Tasks or Deliverables • Def…

Freelance Writing Content Writing Health & Wellness English Nutrition
See more
Writers on Upwork
can earn $15–$40/hr.
Learn more below about how you can earn a career on the world’s work marketplace.
Writer average prices bell curve

$15 $40

Median hourly rates (USD)

How to Become a Freelance Writer

Freelance writers offer their expertise in storytelling, writing, and editing to deliver content such as blogs, articles, press releases, and white papers. If you have a way with words, can articulate a message with impact for a variety of audiences, and can communicate well with potential clients and constituents, you may have what it takes to start freelancing as a writer on Upwork. It can be a great way to earn additional income to supplement your full-time job or as a future career.

What does a freelance writer do?

A freelance writer may be asked to do everything from developing topics to write about to providing an outline for an article or blog post to writing an article or blog post that exhibits proper spelling, sentence structure, and flow.

A freelance writer may be asked to manage the overall content direction of a company or to simply write and deliver individual pieces. In addition, freelance writers are often asked to conduct research about the topic they are writing about. This can range from doing a simple Google search to interviewing subject matter experts. Furthermore, freelance writers are often asked to rewrite content from others that does not meet the brand or editorial standards of the business. In these situations, companies rely on senior writers with a great deal of experience and an ability for excellent sentence structure and story flow.

Freelance writers might be asked to work with other writers and editors as part of a client’s editorial process. This could include some back and forth with the client’s staff to achieve an acceptable level of content that meets predetermined editorial standards. Part of the process might also include asking the freelance copywriter to upload approved guest blog posts to the client’s website. Finally, freelance writers may choose to start blogging to build their portfolio of work and hone a daily writing practice. Launching your own blog is an excellent choice if you’re just starting your freelance career.

What skills do I need to become a freelance writer?

To start your freelance writing business, you’ll want to achieve a certain level of proficiency in content development. Several years of experience copywriting for different organizations or within certain industries can position a freelance writer for an exceptional career. In addition to experience, obtaining a formal education is usually an excellent starting point for those interested in offering their content writing services as a freelancer.

With that said, there are a number of common skills a freelance writer should possess.

  • Excellent writing skills. A freelance writer will be relied upon to develop content with little to no editing help. Basic skills such as spelling and sentence structure are requirements for even an entry-level freelance writer.
  • Ability to provide quick turnaround. When clients work with freelance writers, it’s often with the understanding that projects should be turned around rather quickly. Clients might request that a 1,000-word article or blog entry be turned around in as few as 24 hours. The submitted copy should be in its final form, having been reviewed and edited to ensure proper grammar, spelling, and flow.
  • Being a self-starter. Freelance writers should know how to do things such as research, structure content, social media, and SEO development without a great deal of hands-on direction from the client. It’s important for the freelance writer to ask questions up front. This allows for a smoother process overall and less back and forth between the writer and the client.
  • Ability to write short- and long-form content. While many freelancers can write short-form content, those who are highly marketable can also write long-form content. The ability to successfully craft content with a word count of 2,500 or more will place freelancers near the front of the hiring queue.
  • Excellent editing skills. Though it’s understood that freelance writers should edit their own work, it’s worth mentioning that freelancers with excellent editing skills might be asked to take on more projects, including editing copy by other writers.
  • Ability to meet deadlines. Clients expect freelance writers to meet deadlines. They will also work with the writer, if they possess excellent skills, by providing additional time if the writer needs it or the subject warrants it. But if the client is willing to be flexible and extend a deadline, they will usually do so up front with the expectation the writer will meet that new deadline.
  • Ability to multitask. Most freelance writers have several projects going at one time for multiple clients. It’s important for the freelance writer to not allow work from one client to disrupt work from another client. The writer must be adept at handling multiple projects at once while meeting multiple deadlines.

What are the core freelance writer job responsibilities?

Freelance writers can be tasked with a number of responsibilities by their clients. In addition to writing, tasks can include editing, topic creation, and SEO management. Typical responsibilities for freelance writers include:

  • Writing content designed to engage the client’s audience
  • Researching and fact-checking information included in the content, ensuring the accuracy of data and all claims made
  • Adhering to the client’s brand and editorial guidelines by writing content that fits with the company’s positioning and furthers its key objectives
  • Pitching potential topics for a variety of audiences across multiple media and platforms

Should I get a freelance writer degree or certification?

In addition to developing your skills, obtaining a degree or professional certification can help your Upwork profile stand out. Many freelance writers have a formal education from an accredited university. A bachelor’s or master’s degree in English, journalism, communications, or literature can be an excellent foundation for freelance writers. In addition, popular certifications or courses for freelance writers include:

  • Online Creative Writing from Skillshare
  • Creative Writing Certification from Wesleyan-Coursera
  • Writing with Flair: How to Become an Exceptional Writer from Udemy

Jump-start your freelance writing career on Upwork and start looking for your first job. Eager to learn more about freelance writing jobs on Upwork? Check out these additional resources:

Upwork is not affiliated with and does not sponsor or endorse any of the tools or services discussed in this section. These tools and services are provided only as potential options, and each reader and company should take the time needed to adequately analyse and determine the tools or services that would best fit their specific needs and situation.

Your next job starts right here

Set up a free profile to showcase your skills, experience and desired pay rate to clients. You choose the payment method that's best for you to easily get paid for your work.

Find work
Upwork Payment Protection
Gives you security and peace of mind
See how it works