Remote Writing Jobs

The amount of content on the internet gets bigger by the minute, with a growing number of businesses allocating time, money and resources toward producing content that informs and persuades their target audience. With this growth of content comes an increased need for quality writing–and, in turn, a rich new market for remote writing jobs.  

Remote writing jobs offer ambitious writers an unprecedented opportunity to make a living doing what they love while enjoying the flexibility and independence of working from home (or anywhere, for that matter). Here, we’ll delve into the field of remote writing and share some pointers for those interested in breaking into it. 

How Does Remote Writing Work?

As we mentioned above, content marketing forms a growing segment of marketing budgets across many industries. It’s not uncommon for enterprise-level companies to staff entire departments that are dedicated solely to planning and creating content. 

For small- to medium-sized businesses, however, that’s not practical. It’s also not usually feasible for a core team member to take time away from running the business to work on activities like writing blogs and creating white papers. That’s where remote writers come in. 

Remote writers are freelance or part-time employees who help manage the content needs of a business while working off-site. 

For the company, it’s a great way to incorporate content marketing into its marketing strategy without the overhead of hiring and training for such a specialized position. 

For the writer, it’s an opportunity to work on a diverse range of material and enjoy recurring income without being tied down by long hours, a commute, or any of the other commitments of a full-time position. 

The bulk of work for remote writing jobs takes place online, with communication and the transfer of files happening via email or other online messaging platforms. Remote writers may work on a consistent basis (i.e. a set number of hours/assignments per week) or on a project basis according to the client’s needs. 

Here are a few examples of the types of writing you might do in a remote writing job:

• Sales emails
• Ad copy
• Marketing materials
• Product descriptions
• Blog posts
• Articles
• E-books
• White papers
• Website copy

These are just a few of the most common categories; you can find remote writing jobs for pretty much any type of writing that exists. 

Skills Required To Be A Remote Writer

If you’re thinking that being a remote writer sounds like a dream job, you should know it’s more than just rolling out of bed and working from the couch in your pajamas. Remote writing isn’t for everyone. 

To be a successful remote writer, you’ll need a strong level of initiative. Because remote writing jobs are in high demand, you’ll need to be committed to consistently pitching yourself to clients for work (more on how to do this using a writing portfolio below). 

You’ll also need strong time management skills. Part of the beauty of working remotely is that no one’s checking when you punch in and out every day, but this is a double-edged sword. 

It also means that no one will be looking over your shoulder to make sure you get your work done on time. It’s up to you to prioritize diverse projects for multiple clients so that all of them get done on time. 

Finally, to be a remote writer you’ll need to be versatile. This means one day you might need to write material on highly technical B2B subject matter, while the next day you’re working on lighthearted B2C sales content. The more versatile you are as a writer, the greater the number of remote writing jobs you’ll be able to land. 

How To Find Remote Writing Jobs

Most companies post their remote writing opportunities online just like any other job openings. You can begin finding remote writing jobs by searching on popular employment forums like Monster and Indeed. You can also find remote writing jobs on platforms dedicated specifically to freelance work, like Upwork, Textbroke, and Freelancer.com.

As we mentioned above, there’s an element of hustle that goes into landing remote work that’s a bit different from when you have a full-time job. Jobs that are posted on mass forums will draw dozens or even hundreds of interested candidates, so it can be easy to get lost in a sea of resumes. 

That’s why in addition to submitting for job postings, it’s also a good idea to actively pitch your remote writing services. Reach out to professional colleagues to let them know you’re in the market for off-site content creation jobs. 

Reconnect with clients you’ve worked with in the past to see if you might be able to contribute to new projects they’re working on. The secret to success as a remote writer is to be consistently pitching yourself. 

Once you’ve found a few openings you’re interested in, it’s time to gather samples for your portfolio. In addition to a resume–and sometimes even instead of one–your portfolio will be your main tool to land remote writing jobs. 

You’ll want to tailor your writing portfolio to the type of work you’re looking to do (sales writing, blog posts, editorial, etc.) You don’t necessarily need to have worked remotely in the past; clients will be looking primarily at the strength of your writing to determine if you’re a good fit. 

If you’re looking to break into remote writing, it’s especially important to have strong references. Because remote work requires a certain level of self-sufficiency, it’s a good idea to have a few professional colleagues who can speak to your independence and skills as a self-starter. 

Build a Quick Remote Writing Portfolio Before You Apply 

Ready to get started building your portfolio? The first step is to register for an account with Clippings.me. Clippings.me is a free service that allows writers to easily create sleek online portfolios without complicated coding. The platform is specifically for writers, so you’ll find all the features you need and nothing you don’t. 

Once you’ve registered, the next step is to complete your writer bio. This is a great place to highlight that you’re looking for remote opportunities and to include some of the selling points that make you a strong candidate. For example, you might indicate where you live and whether you’re willing to travel, or share companies you’ve worked remotely for in the past. 

The final step is to add your writing samples. This can be done with just a few clicks. You can add samples via an outside link to where your writing is published online, or by uploading a file from your computer. Add dividers to break your samples into categories. If you have previous remote writing samples, you might consider creating a section specifically to spotlight them. 

Clippings.me offers a customizable theme and up to ten samples for users with free accounts, which is perfect for getting up and running to apply for remote writing jobs. 

Once you’ve gotten your feet wet, you can take your portfolio one step further by upgrading to a Clippings.me subscription. This will give you access to many additional portfolio features like unlimited samples, custom domains, and the ability to add a spam-protected contact form. 

With a little effort to sell your skills and a strong writing portfolio to back it up, you can position yourself to land remote writing jobs and enjoy all the benefits remote work has to offer.