Here are the Best Online Courses for Freelance Writers (2024)

Here are the Best Online Courses for Freelance Writers (1)

Freelance writing is a pretty great career. I get to write fun articles, learn cool things, and work from anywhere. But it can be a tricky field to break into.

Thankfully, freelance writers are always willing to share their knowledge. There are tons of great classes out there for learning about freelance writing. Here are our top picks.

A quick note before we start: we are affiliates for some of these programs, so the links in this article are affiliate links and we get a small commission if you click and sign up. Don’t worry – there is no extra cost to you. That being said, we wholeheartedly support these courses and wouldn’t recommend them if we didn’t think they’d be a huge help.

Contents:

  1. #1: 30 Days or Less to Freelance Writing Success
  2. #2: Write Your Way to 1K
  3. #3: Freelance University
  4. #4: Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting
  5. #5: Elite Blog Academy
  6. #6: Create and Market a Successful Blog
  7. #8: Filthy Rich Writer: Learn How to Land Freelance Copywriting Work
  8. #9: 3 Steps To $1,000 Freelance Writing in 45 Days or Less

#1: 30 Days or Less to Freelance Writing Success

Gina Horkey of Horkey Handbook became a successful freelancer in a matter of months. Now she teaches people how to break into the same field.

She provides more than just lessons. There are tons of resources included with your membership, and you get lifetimes access. The cost is $249, but she has a three-month payment plan option.

If you’re interested in diversifying your freelance career, Gina also teaches people how to become virtual assistants and how to offer writing as a VA service.

#2: Write Your Way to 1K

Elna Cain is a freelance writing guru. She knows what she’s doing, and she’s been around for a long time. But she started just as inexperienced as the rest of us.

Her Write Your Way to 1K is a course to help you earn your first thousand dollars as a freelancer. It includes 50 lessons, a pitch review, and a private Facebook group, plus many other resources. This course is $195, and it includes a three-month payment plan.

Elna is well-known as one of the pros. Learning how to find clients, pitch, and earn money writing from her is a wonderful opportunity.

#3: Freelance University

Kelly and Craig Cannings launched Freelance University back in 2008 to provide a one-stop professional development platform for Freelancers, Virtual Assistants and Online Professionals. Since then, they've trained over 16,000 freelance professionals.

Freelance University offers three semesters of powerful certifications, courses and workshops. Each semester features 1 new certification, 1 core course and 4 interactive workshops.

With Freelance University, you will:

  • Discover the most lucrative service niche and specialization
  • Develop the most sought after skills in any industry
  • Create a flexible and rewarding business from scratch
  • Connect with instructors, mentors and peers who will always be there for you
  • Live your dream life with a business that gives you freedom

#4: Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting

I don’t know about you, but earning six figures as a writer sounds pretty great to me. Copywriting is one of the most lucrative writing fields out there. But it requires knowing how to write to sell and show up in search results. It’s a specific type of persuasive writing that can be hard to master.

The American Writers and Artists Institute, or AWAI, offers this online, self-paced course. You get access to an insane amount of resources to help you learn how to break into copywriting and be successful. Plus you get access to their exclusive job board to help you find high-quality clients.

It’s $497, which is payable in 5 installments of $99. That might sound pricey, but when you’re making six figures, you’ll know it was a great investment.

#5: Elite Blog Academy

Have you ever wondered how people make money blogging? Learning to monetize your blog is an art. Ruth Soukup’s Elite Blog Academy has been the gold-standard for blog courses for years. Many of your favorite bloggers have used her program to build their blogging empires.

Elite Blog Academy is Wordpress-focused, so be prepared to purchase your domain name and hosting. You’ll also learn the secrets to using blogging as content marketing. You can take those skills to other sites and get paid for guest posts.

It’s so popular that Ruth only opens the course once or twice a year. Enrollment is only five days, so sign up for the waitlist! The next opening is in March 2021. It’s worth the wait. I couldn’t find the most recent price, but the last time I checked it was around $500. You’ve got months to save up!

#6: Create and Market a Successful Blog

There are over 200 million blogs on the Internet, so how do you cut through the noise and stand out in the crowd? A quality blog boasts great content, a powerful voice, and relevant, useful information. The problem is, putting all of those pieces together, understanding how to find the right audience, and marketing your blog is no easy juggling act.

This course will teach you how to find your own voice and get more comfortable writing like yourself. You’ll learn how to develop a strong editorial strategy, attract the right readers and write engaging headlines that will drive traffic to your site

#7: Learn How to Transform Your Passion For Words & Reading Into a Thriving Proofreading Business

In this free 76 minute workshop you'll discover:

  • The 5 signs proofreading could be a perfect fit for you
  • How proofreading can be your ticket to lifestyle freedom and financial security
  • The surprisingly easy way to attract your ideal proofreading clients

Caitlin is a proofreader with a passion for helping proofreaders develop their own successful businesses. More than 4,800 students have watched and learned from this free training.

#8: Filthy Rich Writer: Learn How to Land Freelance Copywriting Work

You can turn your writing talent into regular income! Join professional copywriter Nicki Krawczyk for this free training with tips and tactics taken directly from the Filthy Rich Writer's signature course, the Comprehensive Copywriting Academy. You'll learn:

  • Secret #1: How to land tons of copywriting work (that isn’t even advertised to the public)
  • Secret #2: How to (ethically) copy the exact steps you should take to make it to 6 figures as a copywriter
  • Secret #3: How to build a copywriting career in less time than it takes to have a cup of coffee

Nicki is the founder of Filthy Rich Writer and a copywriter with more than 15 years of experience working with clients including Hasbro, TripAdvisor, T.J.Maxx, Keurig, adidas, Reebok, and many more. Since 2012, the Comprehensive Copywriting Academy has helped thousands of students transform their lives and build thriving copywriting careers of their own.

#9: 3 Steps To $1,000 Freelance Writing in 45 Days or Less

Jorden Roper of Writing Revolt is a freelance success story. She was broke and jobless with no degree, but she was earning $5,000 a month within three months. Now she shares her expertise.

She has more detailed paid courses, but the 3 Steps class is free! If money is an obstacle, this is a great resource. Jorden keeps it real with her “no-BS” approach. She’s genuine, foul-mouthed, and knows her stuff.

She will help you figure out exactly what you need to pitch even with no experience. She’ll also teach you how to find clients who pay well and how to avoid content mills.

Here are the Best Online Courses for Freelance Writers (2)

Get writing!

Which freelance writing course looks the most appealing to you? Let us know in the comments.

Now is a wonderful time to be a copywriter. Download this free book to learn how:

Here are the Best Online Courses for Freelance Writers (2024)

FAQs

What is the best site for freelance writers? ›

Popular Freelance Writing Websites
  • Twine.
  • Upwork.
  • Freelancer.
  • Fiverr.
  • ProBlogger Job Board.
  • Contena.
  • Freelance Writing.
  • Textbroker.
Aug 9, 2023

Where do I start to become a freelance writer? ›

Here are some simple steps to get started:
  • Choose your freelance writing specialty. ...
  • Set up a website or blog. ...
  • Write great sample work. ...
  • Pitch yourself everywhere. ...
  • Check writing job boards. ...
  • Collect testimonials from your clients.

How do I train to be a freelance writer? ›

Here are the steps you can take if you are interested in becoming a freelance writer:
  1. Research the freelance writing industry. ...
  2. Develop necessary business skills. ...
  3. Ensure you have the tools of the trade. ...
  4. Understand current writing conventions. ...
  5. Work on improving your writing skills. ...
  6. Decide on a writing niche.
Mar 10, 2023

What degree should I get for freelance writing? ›

There is no single accepted educational pathway to becoming a writer. Educational programs that can help prepare you for a future of freelance writing include English, communications or journalism.

How much should I charge for a 500 word article? ›

Your pricing quotes will depend on your experience and the complexity of the work. For a 500-word article, beginner writers might charge between $3 to $25, while more experienced writers might charge between $30 to $150, and expert writers might charge up to $1,000 or more.

Which freelance website pays highest? ›

1. Upwork. Trusted by big brands like Nasdaq and Microsoft, Upwork is one of the most popular freelancing sites around—and for good reason! This site features freelance jobs in a variety of industries, including development, design, creative, finance, admin, engineering, legal, sales, marketing, writing, and more.

Can I make $1000 a month freelance writing? ›

It is possible to earn decent money writing quality content. Even in the age of AI. I now write for a handful of clients and earn $1,000 or more per month, all while living a busy life and holding a “regular” day job.

How much do beginner freelance writers make? ›

We recommend beginner freelance writers charge no less than $0.05 to $0.20 per word. If you consider the example of a 1,000-word blog post, this means you'll range from $50 to $200 per post. In reality, many beginning writers make $0.01 to $0.04 per word, which is an unreasonably low fee.

Do you need certification to be a freelance writer? ›

A common question many aspiring writers ask themselves is “do you need a degree to be a freelance writer?” The short answer is no, but that doesn't mean there aren't things you can do, and skills you can hone, to improve your chances of success in this exciting freelance career.

How do I become a freelance writer with no experience? ›

10 Ways to break into freelance writing without experience
  1. Write samples. ...
  2. Find a writing agency to support you. ...
  3. Launch a blog. ...
  4. Write for friends and family. ...
  5. Network with other freelance writers. ...
  6. Get your start with a content network. ...
  7. Revise and refresh your grammar. ...
  8. Learn about SEO.

Is there a demand for freelance writers? ›

"As AI continues to advance, the need for human creativity remains strong," the Freelancer.com report found. "Employers are once again seeking freelancers to support with Creative Writing and Content Writing projects, which are up 22.4% and 19.4% respectively.

What is the most demanded freelance jobs? ›

12 best freelance jobs
  • Web designer. ...
  • Videographer. ...
  • Editor. ...
  • Tutor. ...
  • Writer. ...
  • Marketing specialist. ...
  • Financial consultant. ...
  • Business consultant. National average salary: ₹ 4,79,558 per year Primary duties: A business consultant gathers data about the business practices of their clients and prepares analytical reports.

What is the easiest type of freelance writing? ›

Content Writing

This can include blog posts, personal essays, Op-Ed pieces, journalistic feature articles, and social media posts. It's likely one of the most common forms of freelance writing and it's a good place to start if you're a beginner in the industry.

How long does it take to learn freelance writing? ›

Becoming a Freelance Writer in 1-3 Months

Within one to three months, you should be able to establish a portfolio. This is a realistic timeframe for building up a few consistent clients and getting comfortable with the freelancing process.

How do freelance writers find work? ›

How to Find Entry-Level Freelance Writing Jobs for Beginners
  • Rewrite local small-business websites.
  • Find abandoned business blogs.
  • Write business emails.
  • Create a newsletter or brochure.
  • Report articles for local news media.
  • Write for local magazines.
  • Turn your former employer into a client.
  • Write for local marketing agencies.

What is a good rate for a beginner freelance writer? ›

The average freelance blog writer charges between $15 and $40 per hour, though technical writers typically charge between $20 and $45 per hour. A more detailed study from Upwork showed that beginners charge about $20 per hour, intermediate writers charge $41 per hour, and expert-level writers charge $85 per hour.

Where can I publish my writing online and get paid? ›

Get Paid to Write: 12 Websites That Pay Writers $100+
  • FreelanceMom. ...
  • Transitions Abroad. ...
  • Christian Science Monitor. ...
  • A List Apart. ...
  • Barefoot Writer. ...
  • Income Diary. ...
  • Earth Island Journal. ...
  • Great Escape Publishing.

Who will pay me to write? ›

Get Paid to Write: 23 Sites That Pay Freelancers $100+
  • Copyhackers.
  • The A.V. Club.
  • Bustle.
  • Sport Fishing Magazine.
  • The Escapist.
  • Freelance Mom.
  • Healthy Living.
  • Worthpoint.

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