Are you looking to turn your writing skills into a side hustle or maybe even, ultimately, a profitable career? Over the last six years, I’ve increasingly moved from volunteer writing roles to paid opportunities. Here’s how you can take your passion for writing and make it professionally rewarding.
Moving from Volunteer to Paid Contributor
When I joined the blog in 2018, I’m not going to lie. I was scared. I didn’t think of myself as a writer, and I still don’t. I was craving connection and sharing experiences. Reading the blog made me feel seen. So, I started writing with that in mind–that sharing my experiences may help others connect and feel seen. My goal was to share the truth, the “both ands” of parenting, in an effort to let others know that we, YOU, are not alone.
As it turns out, I was already a professional writer, and you may be, too. I just didn’t see myself that way. As a professional fundraiser at the time, I spent more than half of my time writing grant proposals, appeals, newsletters, marketing content, and even professional correspondence. Upon volunteering with IMB, my knowledge and skills grew. I learned how to write to varied audiences and on multiple platforms.
Over the years, I’ve parlayed that learning into several regular paid opportunities. From becoming an editor for a local university’s publications to interim gigs as the vice president of content marketing for local software companies, these positions involve everything from blogging to educational content with a focus on demand generation. I’ve taken what I’ve learned at IMB to share best practices on content calendars, style guides, SEO, and more.
Understanding Pay Variations by Industry
Understanding how pay varies by industry is crucial. Here’s a breakdown of some common writing roles and their pay scales:
University Pay
Universities often pay between $250 for a 350-600 word blog post and $400 for 600-1000 words. They usually pay by the hour or per word for longer formats or pieces requiring interviews. You can be efficient and create highly profitable resources for business development by keeping the word count low and the pay high. No matter your subject area expertise, you may find a paid writing gig here. Each individual school–Education, Nursing, Business–typically has its own marketing team, alumni blog, etc.
Copywriter Pay
In sharp contrast, copywriting for blogs or website content can wildly vary. For example, a 500-700 word blog might pay around $20. Websites like Estes Services provide a great example of the type of content you may be asked to write.
PR/Marketing Pay
Pretty consistently, public relations and marketing roles typically pay between $50 and $75 per hour. These roles often involve creating press releases, marketing materials, and ad copy. They are typically on-demand and asynchronous. This can be a dreamy work-from-home gig.
Proposal Writing Pay
Super specific and clearly related to what I do for a living, grant writing is another lucrative option, though pay can vary widely based on the organization and the complexity of the grant. I love sharing this example because it is a skill that you can easily learn. It seems intimidating, but if you are a natural writer, you can learn the on-the-job ins and outs of proposal writing for a specific organization or a set of organizations. Bonus if you are a subject area expert, let’s say a teacher, who wants to transition out of the classroom but writing for education-based organizations. This is a type of writing, like PR, that is frequently outsourced as a fractional staffing function and flies under the radar for most writers I know.
Op-Ed Pay
This is the one that comes to mind most often and is the toughest to get. Writing opinion pieces can be highly rewarding. For instance, publications like The New York Times, Slate, The Sun, TIME, and The Washington Post pay between $300 to $1,500 per piece. This article breaks down how to break into this type of paid writing opportunity.
Key Questions to Ask Before Signing On
I was lucky enough, early on, to have a mentor coach me on what to ask. I’ve used her advice faithfully for nearly a decade now, and it’s never steered me wrong. Before committing to any writing role, ensure you ask the right questions to protect your interests and set clear expectations:
- Content Ownership & Editorial Review Process:
- Who owns the content after it’s written?
- What does the editorial review process look like?
- Byline Strategy:
- Will you be writing under your name or someone else’s?
- Are you responsible for getting blogs placed in external publications?
- Rounds of Edits:
- How many rounds of edits are expected?
- Review Timeframes:
- Clarify the timeframe for reviews, feedback, and turnaround.
- Payment Terms:
- Are you paid on delivery of the draft or the publish date?
- Layout & Graphic Design:
- Will the publisher supply these resources?
- Editorial Calendar & Production Schedule:
- How many pieces are required, and how often?
- Idea Generation:
- Are you responsible for sourcing article topics, or will the client provide them?
- Brand-Building Opportunities:
- Can you still produce articles, appear on webinars, and build your own personal brand?
- Non-Compete Clauses:
- Are there any restrictions on working with other brands, agencies, or publications?
Becoming a paid writer is entirely achievable with the right strategy and mindset. Some of our very own writers have gone on to live their wildest dreams, publishing books and more! Nurture your connections, leverage your experience, and always ask the right questions before committing.
Happy writing!
