How to Start a Freelance Writing Business

Freelance writers generate written content about a variety of topics for readers of websites, newspapers, journals, magazines, books, and other publications.

You may also be interested in additional side hustle ideas.

Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.

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Start a freelance writing business by following these 10 steps:

  1. Plan your Freelance Writing Business
  2. Form your Freelance Writing Business into a Legal Entity
  3. Register your Freelance Writing Business for Taxes
  4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  5. Set up Accounting for your Freelance Writing Business
  6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Freelance Writing Business
  7. Get Freelance Writing Business Insurance
  8. Define your Freelance Writing Business Brand
  9. Create your Freelance Writing Business Website
  10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your freelance writing business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Freelance Writing Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

  • Your state’s business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability

It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening a freelance writing business?

You must have a computer, a high-speed internet connection, a desk, and possibly a printer. A laptop, depending on the brand you choose and the word processing software that you use, purchasing a computer can cost up to around $1,500. Wireless internet connect costs an average of $50/month, but the cost can be significantly higher or lower depending on the wifi provider that you use and the speed of the connection that you desire. A desk and a printer are both optional purchases that can be bought at your preference. 

What are the ongoing expenses for a freelance writing business?

Writers must pay for high-speed internet. This costs between $30 and $60 per month. Computer maintenance, repairs and replacement are also necessary. Budget at least $50 per month for these expenses. Ink for a printer will likely cost $20 to $50, depending on how frequently it is used. Certain online content mills force writers to pay fees to obtain access to clients. If you take this route, you will spend between $10 and $50 or more per month to gain access to clients.

Who is the target market?

The ideal client type is an organization that requires a steady stream of written content. Examples of such clients include online content mills, newspapers, magazines, and owners of small to medium-sized businesses who need online content optimized for search engines.

How does a freelance writing business make money?

Freelance writers make money by charging clients for the creation of content. The price of a piece is usually based on cents per word. Alternatively, it is possible to charge a client a specific price for an individual project regardless of its length.

How much can you charge customers?

You can charge a wide range of prices per word or project. The exact price hinges on the client’s budget, the nature of the piece, your experience level and your desire to write about the project in question. In general, a 1,000 word article will pay between $25 and $175.

How much profit can a freelance writing business make?

A freelance writer can make upwards of $20,000 or more in his first year. Stick with the business and you can earn $30,000 or more in subsequent years. Continue to add clients and you might reach the $50,000 mark or higher after several years of hard work.

How can you make your business more profitable?

If you work for an online content mill that gives clients the option of rejecting pieces, do not delete those articles. There are other online content mills where you can post such rejected articles for purchase. Some busy freelance writers decide to outsource certain projects to other writers and skim a percentage of the pay off the top as a “finder’s fee” of sorts.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your freelance writing business is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.

This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.

In practice, this means that if your freelance writing business were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.

Ready to Turn Your Business Idea Into a Reality?

Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.

FORM YOUR LLC

Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

  • Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
  • Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a freelance writing business.  Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.

Find out what types of insurance your Freelance Writing Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Freelance Writing Business.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a freelance writing business

Press the flesh with local business owners and managers as well as those who are involved with local newspapers, magazines and other publications. Pass out your business cards to these individuals. Offer to write an initial piece at a reduced rate to prove your merit as a content creation specialist. If you work for online content mills, be sure to fill out your profile from beginning to end. Many of these profiles can be searched by clients who are on the prowl for new writers with specific talents, interests, and specialties. It will also help to establish social media accounts where you can post links to your published pieces. A friend in your social media circle just might pass on your link to someone who requires online or offline content for his business, website, or other endeavor.

How to keep customers coming back

Take every opportunity to show potential clients examples of your work. Build profiles on social media platforms, online content mills, and other online venues to show off your writing prowess. Retaining customers is as simple as generating thoughtful content that is free of spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors. Be sure to submit each piece before the deadline to keep your clients happy.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
  • Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
  • Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPressWIXWeeblySquarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

This business is right for an individual who has an affinity for the written word and language in general. If you are a voracious reader, enjoy expressing yourself, and have a way with words, you should give consideration to working as a freelance writer. This line of work is also ideal for those who enjoy autonomy. The typical freelance writer does not have to deal with an overbearing boss. However, freelance writers must meet tight deadlines, satisfy clients’ nuanced demands, and create captivating content.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a freelance writing business?

This individual reviews assignments for acceptance or rejection. He researches subject matter for the assignments he accepts. Freelance writers craft intriguing and informative content based on their research, personal opinions, existing knowledge, interviews, and other sources of information. Part of the day is spent interacting with clients. Another portion of the day is spent deep in thought, brainstorming content that will appeal to readers. Freelance writers are also tasked with finding new clients and searching out online platforms for writing opportunities. Most of the day is spent writing.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful freelance writing business?

You should have an expansive knowledge base that empowers you to write insightful content about all different subjects without performing time-consuming research. However, some topics will require a considerable amount of research. If you are an excellent web sleuth who enjoys uncovering information, whittling it down to what matters the most and subsequently crafting completely unique content, you will thrive as a freelance writer. You should also have excellent time management skills as this is a deadline-based business. A formal degree in English or writing can help you gain the skills necessary to succeed at being a freelance writer; however, you can also take classes online or at a local community college if you are looking for a more affordable, less time-consuming writing education. 

It will also help to type at a fast rate of speed. The best freelance writers are able to express themselves in an efficient manner. These professionals typically type between 80 and 100 words per minute. As with writing, there are many affordable online options for training your typing skills. The bottom line is that you will be paid according to the quality and quantity of your output.

What is the growth potential for a freelance writing business?

This business has plenty of upward momentum. Freelance writers who specialize in producing online content have the opportunity to grow their business quite rapidly. As time progresses, people are consuming more and more web-based news, editorials, reviews, and other online material. Yet, there are also opportunities for traditional freelance writers who create offline content for newspapers, magazines, journals, scripts, books, etc. If you have an expansive vocabulary, a unique tone of voice, and a willingness to work hard, your freelance writing business will grow quite rapidly.

Not sure if a freelance writing business is right for you? Try our free Business Idea Generator and find your perfect idea.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

  • Funding
  • Events
  • Guides
  • Support

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a freelance writing business?

Establish a presence on multiple online content platforms. This way, if one platform lacks a steady flow of work, you can secure new writing projects on the other platforms. Get a set of business cards to pass out to those you meet. All sorts of businesses can benefit from an alliance with a freelance writer. The online content you produce for a new friend’s blog, social media page, website homepage, or print publication just might end up paying a portion of your monthly rent. Establish as many relationships as possible. You never know if a friend, colleague, or other acquaintance will befriend someone who requires the services of a freelance writer. The quality of your work is of critical importance. Focus on generating high-quality pieces and submitting them by the deadline. A track record of successful pieces submitted in a timely fashion will convince clients that you are worthy of subsequent projects.

How and when to build a team

There is no need to build a team unless you are so successful that you become overloaded with work. Though it is possible to outsource writing projects to others, it is not advisable. The bottom line is that your name is attached to your submissions. If you outsource the work and the writing is low in quality, you probably won’t receive repeat business from the client.

Useful Links

Industry Opportunities

Real World Examples

Further Reading