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The Daily Insight

Can you be a full-time freelance writer?

Author

Mia Ramsey

Published Feb 10, 2026

Anyone with solid writing skills, a healthy work ethic, a laptop, and a plan can become a freelance writer. Freelance writing is a great side project or full-time career: It’s fun, it’s flexible, and it can even be lucrative.

How much do full-time freelance writers make?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), writers and authors (as a general category) make, on average, $61,820 annually. This sum works out to a little less than $30/hour ($29.72 to be exact.) The folks over at Glassdoor have the average for “freelance writer” down a bit to $42,120.

Is it possible to get paid for freelance writing?

It is possible to quit your full-time job and get paid to write as your main hustle! Join 20,000+ writers who’ve taken my insanely valuable FREE 6-day course. Learn freelance writing from scratch & make money from your writing! Please enter a valid email. Sign me up! What Is Freelance Writing?

How to land your first freelance writing client?

When you land your first freelance writing client, you want assurance that you’ll get paid. Typically it goes like this: The prospect emails you back wanting more details (samples of your writing, your rate, your availability) You email them back your rate and anything else they request.

Which is the best form of freelance writing?

Copywriting is another popular form of freelance writing. This typically pays more because it’s closer to where the money is, i.e., people buying. This is what you’ll see on a typical sales page.

What are the different types of freelance clients?

This might mean you take different types of freelance writing jobs in the beginning and work with different clients to see which one you click with. Here are some other types of clients you might come across in your freelance writing business: Publications – These are magazines, newspapers or trade magazines.