If you’re curious about becoming a freelance writer, you’re likely wondering: What does freelance writing actually look like?
From crafting blog posts for businesses to writing scripts for videos, freelance writing covers a wide range of opportunities and the answer to ‘what is a freelance example’ can be a number of things.
Whether you’re just starting out and exploring how to find freelance writing jobs or looking to level up, understanding the different types of freelance writing jobs is key to shaping your career.
Let’s dive into the various types of freelance writing, examples of freelance writing work for each, and what you can expect to work on as a freelancer.
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Here are some examples of freelance writing work to show you what types of freelance writing you might want to explore.
1. Blog Writing
One of the most common and accessible types of freelance writing is blog writing. Whether you’re ghostwriting posts for businesses or running your own blog, this form of writing allows you to educate and engage readers on a wide array of topics. Blog posts typically range from 600 to 1,500 words and can focus on anything from SEO-optimized how-tos to personal experiences that gain a following and keep readers coming back for more.
Example of Freelance Blog Writing:
Blog writing can be a great way to start your freelance career and it’s one of the best ways to showcase your writing talents. It’s a smart move to specialize in a freelance niche like health, technology, or lifestyle, you can increase your rates and gain consistent clients.
2. Article Writing
If you’ve ever flipped through a magazine or found yourself on an online magazine’s website reading about a recent celebrity trend and how you can try it, you’ve seen examples of article writing. Freelance writers often contribute articles to print or digital outlets. This type of writing can involve in-depth research, interviews with experts, and producing content that is educational, entertaining, or both. This is one of the most popular searches someone looks into when learning how to find freelance writing jobs.
Example of Freelance Article Writing:
While article writing can be competitive amongst other freelancers, the pay can be higher than blog writing depending on the outlet you write for, especially if you land work with well-known publications.
3. Copywriting
Copywriting is the art of writing persuasive content for advertising and marketing purposes. Bottom line? You’re trying to sell something. Examples of freelance copywriting can include product descriptions, email campaigns, landing pages, or social media ads. The goal? To get the reader to take action, like purchasing a product, signing up for a service, or subscribing to a newsletter.
Example of Freelance Copywriting:
- Landing page copy for a brand, like the landing page(s) I wrote for GNC Routines.
Copywriters often charge premium rates, especially if they’re skilled at crafting compelling calls to action that drive conversions.
4. Content Marketing Writing
Content marketing writing involves creating valuable content that informs, educates, or entertains readers while subtly promoting a product or brand. Think of this as storytelling with a purpose. Content marketing can take many forms, from blog posts and articles to case studies and white papers. Sometimes you’ll need to interview subject matter experts (SMEs) from the company or find them on your own. Other times, it’ll be a research only article. Ask teh editor for freelance examples to show you what they’re looking for.
Example of Content Marketing Writing:
If you’re good at knowledgeable advice with brand messaging, content marketing can be a lucrative freelance writing avenue. It’s one of my favorite freelance writing example types.
5. Ghostwriting
Ghostwriting involves writing content for someone else without receiving public credit. In other words, your name or byline won’t be on it. You could be hired to write blog posts, eBooks, speeches, LinkedIn posts, or even entire books under someone else’s name. Ghostwriters need to be skilled at capturing their client’s voice and tone.
Example of Freelance Ghostwriting:
- A CEO’s blog posts on leadership strategies for their website or LinkedIn posts is a freelance example of ghostwriting.
Ghostwriting often pays well since the writer is often working on high-profile or in-depth projects. One of the biggest challenges is getting the client’s voice and tone down, and finding new clients if you signed a NDA can make it difficult to show off samples to new clients.
6. eCommerce Writing
You’ve likely noticed more articles these days featuring lists of products with handy “Buy Now” buttons. This is eCommerce writing, where freelance writers create product roundups, reviews, or shopping guides that incorporate affiliate links. Brands and publications use these articles to drive revenue through product sales. Simply put, if you research “best running shoes” and find yourself on a website like Health.com and then decide to buy a product from a link on that page, the publication might get a cut of that sale.
Example of eCommerce Writing:
- “The Best Running Shoes for High Arches” for a health and fitness site
eCommerce writing can be a stable source of income if you’re comfortable researching products and writing compelling descriptions.
7. Video Script Writing
If you love creating content that comes to life through visuals, video script writing might be for you. (Those of you who perhaps wanted to pursue a career in TV journalism might enjoy this example of freelance writing.) With the rise of YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram Reels, brands are investing in video content more than ever, and they need skilled writers to craft their scripts.
This type of freelance writing requires strong storytelling skills and the ability to convey a message clearly and concisely through visuals.
Example of Video Script Writing:
- A script for a company’s promotional video on Instagram Reels or TikTok is an answer to what is a freelance example.
Video scriptwriters are in high demand, and the pay can be substantial, especially if you work with larger brands or production companies. Come up with package rates and add this freelance example on to other services for a serious freelance rate boost.
8. Technical Writing
Technical writing is perfect for those who enjoy diving deep into complex subjects and explaining them in simple terms. This type of writing includes creating user manuals, product instructions, or detailed how-to guides. Technical writing often requires expertise in a particular field, such as technology, finance, or healthcare.
Example of Technical Writing:
- A user manual for a new smartphone could be a great freelance writing example of technical writing.
While technical writing may require specialized knowledge, it also tends to pay higher rates due to the complexity of the work.
9. Social Media Writing
In today’s digital age, social media writing is one of the fastest-growing types of freelance work. From writing Instagram captions to crafting entire social media campaigns, freelance social media writers help brands maintain a strong online presence. The goal is to engage followers and boost brand awareness through clever, shareable content. Staying on stop of social media trends is a must for this type of freelancer.
Example of Social Media Writing:
- “Top 5 Skincare Tips for Glowing Skin ✨ #SelfCareSunday” (for a beauty brand on Instagram)
This freelance example of writing requires snappy, concise content and often pays per post or campaign. You can offer social media writing services as an add-on to freelance clients after writing an article for them to boost your income.
