Freelancing is an ever-changing industry, and as freelancers, part of our job is to change with it and adapt to changing trends in a way that can help our continued success. That being said, adapting isn’t always fun and comfortable, but having an idea of what to expect might make you feel a bit more chill. That’s why we’re setting some freelance writing trends for 2025 to help you have a sense of what might come down the pike in our industry.
When I got into freelancing in 2019, I had no idea what I was doing and started out writing about beekeeping for some clients and luxury properties in Spain for others. After that, I shifted into writing about real estate and building materials with no idea that 2020 was coming and, amongst other changes, the real estate industry was about to go crazy.
Looking back, I was in the perfect position and there was plenty of content to write. As the real estate craze settled down, there wasn’t as much of a need for content in that niche, and I shifted my focus to more home improvement, personal finance, and commerce.
A lot of the time, it feels like riding a wave and trying to keep my head above water and taking things as they come while simultaneously being proactive and getting ahead of trends, so I can position myself to be in the right place at the right time to get clients and projects — if that sounds like a lot, it is!
With that in mind, I was so excited to write this article about upcoming freelance writing trends in 2025, so we can all be ready for a new year!
The 2025 Freelance Writing Trends Freelancers Should Be Aware Of
I talked with freelance writers and looked at recent survey findings to figure out what’s coming in 2025. But the freelance industry is still ever-changing, so while this is what we see coming, it can always shift and change in ways we don’t expect.
AI is here to stay, but not in the way that we thought as freelance writers
“AI is here and it’s not going anywhere,” says Kaitlyn Arford, a freelance writer who curates a newsletter with freelance writing opportunities. “I think at this point the companies that want to use AI for content are going to use AI, while others have returned to hiring writers. I’ve also seen opportunities for writers to work with AI and I would expect to see some of that next year. (For example, brands wanting writers to edit AI copy or train AI models.)”
While general sentiment has moved away from the panicked AI will take our jobs freak-out that occurred when ChatGPT rolled out, AI is still impacting the freelance industry. Ashley Cummings, founder of the boutique content marketing agency, Searchlight Content, who along with freelancer, Emma Siemasko, conducted a survey on the state of AI in content marketing, says, “With the rise of AI, I think the freelance writing world will see more of what I’m calling Content Conductors, or good writers and editors who are hired to prompt AI, tweak, and reword. I think it’s unfortunate, but I think it’s coming.”
LinkedIn is the place to be for freelance writing jobs
“Twitter/X used to be a stable place to connect with editors and find pitch calls,” says Arford. “That’s not true anymore. LinkedIn is the place to be.” She recommends that “your LinkedIn profile reflects what you do as a freelancer and clearly shares that you’re available for hire.”
The professional social platform isn’t just a place where you explore how to find freelance clients on LinkedIn, though it can be very helpful for that. Freelance writer Kat Boogaard says she’s been approached about doing some LinkedIn ghostwriting projects for company executives who want to build their personal brands. Ghostwriting LinkedIn posts (and articles) or generating thought leadership content for executives to post may also be an upcoming freelance niche to explore.
Add to your freelance client services
Speaking of niches, it might be time to broaden yours. I’m predicting this is a freelance writer trend for 2025. While there’s a lot to be said about niching down and focusing on a topic that you know well, there is a time and a place to explore other niches, and 2025 might be the time.
As content budgets for freelance writers have become tighter in recent years—I just had an editor tell me their budget is small this year and another client paused content one month to wait for their budget to renew — you may need to get creative with freelance business offerings.
“Experiment and do whatever you have to to stay afloat,” says Arford. “That might mean working in multiple niches or in different types of work, like offering more services.” Consider one of these 10 passive income for freelancer streams to bulk up your bank account.
Freelancers have to be proactive to maximize 2025 freelance writing trends
We’ve all seen that perfect call for pitches on LinkedIn or X/Twitter only to glance down at the hundreds of comments announcing people have sent pitches. It’s frustrating, but that freelance trend likely isn’t going anywhere, at least we don’t expect it to disappear by 2025. What does this mean for your business?
Ditch the feelings of discouragement and get proactive with pitching freelance articles and services via cold emails.
Building relationships with local businesses and other people in your area is a great practice to try, recommends Arford. (Check out local ‘Chamber of Commerce’ groups, local meetup events, and professional organizations in your town or city.) You can also reach out to editors and potential clients with a letter of introduction that shares who you are, what you do, and how you may be able to help them with their content needs.
[Steph’s tip: I started using ChatGPT to ask for editor emails, and it actually works!]
Relationships are key to making 2025 freelance writer business strides
Building relationships with editors, other freelancers, and public relations teams will be your winning ticket to generating more work in 2025. While there are still freelance job boards and newsletters that share calls for freelance pitches, there’s a lot to be said for cultivating your own relationships. You never know who might become your next anchor client for 2025.
Building relationships with editors, not just for work but to genuinely connect, can mean that you’re top of mind when they need a writer. Connecting with other freelancers can lead to work down the road if someone they work with needs help. And PR reps are a great source of ideas and can connect you with products and experts to enhance your stories.
Take freelance relationships a step further and work together to take on larger projects, suggests freelance writer Andy Strote, agency founder and author of How to Become a Successful Creative Freelancer. “Freelancers can propose a ‘virtual agency’, a team of freelance experts brought together for [a] project,” he says. The team might include a writer, designer, and developer who can take on larger projects for a client. This is a good strategy to explore as a freelance writing trend for 2025. Work connecting with those freelancers you’ll team up with in 2024 so you have your team in place.
Bring On 2025 Freelance Writer Trends
Obviously, none of us can actually predict which trends will take hold in 2025, but it does help to be proactive, take a look at where things are now, and predict where they might be headed. It’s also a good time to start planning—and pad your bank account as best you can.
If you want to start offering more or different freelance writing services, this is a good time to start researching who needs them and how you can reach potential clients. You might even want to spend a slower holiday work season brushing up on new work skills.
You can also research up-and-coming niches for 2025 or explore an area that you think would be a good fit and compile a list of potential clients or editors. The new year is just around the corner, and now is the time to start preparing for 2025 freelance trends to hit.
