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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019ll delve into the field of remote writing and share some pointers for those interested in breaking into it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As we mentioned above, content marketing forms a growing segment of marketing budgets across many industries. It\u2019s not uncommon for enterprise-level companies to staff entire departments that are dedicated solely to planning and creating content. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For small- to medium-sized businesses, however, that\u2019s not practical. It\u2019s 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\u2019s where remote writers come in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remote writers are freelance or part-time employees who help manage the content needs of a business while working off-site. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the company, it\u2019s a great way to incorporate content marketing into its marketing strategy without the overhead of hiring and training for such a specialized position. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the writer, it\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are a few examples of the types of writing you might do in a remote writing job:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re thinking that being a remote writer sounds like a dream job, you should know it\u2019s more than just rolling out of bed and working from the couch in your pajamas. Remote writing isn\u2019t for everyone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To be a successful remote writer, you\u2019ll need a strong level of initiative. Because remote writing jobs are in high demand, you\u2019ll need to be committed to consistently pitching yourself to clients for work (more on how to do this using a writing portfolio below). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ll also need strong time management skills. Part of the beauty of working remotely is that no one\u2019s checking when you punch in and out every day, but this is a double-edged sword. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It also means that no one will be looking over your shoulder to make sure you get your work done on time. It\u2019s up to you to prioritize diverse projects for multiple clients so that all of them get done on time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finally, to be a remote writer you\u2019ll 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\u2019re working on lighthearted B2C sales content. The more versatile you are as a writer, the greater the number of remote writing jobs you\u2019ll be able to land. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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,<\/a> like Upwork, Textbroke, and Freelancer.com.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As we mentioned above, there\u2019s an element of hustle that goes into landing remote work that\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s why in addition to submitting for job postings, it\u2019s also a good idea to actively pitch your remote writing services. Reach out to professional colleagues to let them know you\u2019re in the market for off-site content creation jobs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Reconnect with clients you\u2019ve worked with in the past to see if you might be able to contribute to new projects they\u2019re working on. The secret to success as a remote writer is to be consistently pitching yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019ve found a few openings you\u2019re interested in, it\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll want to tailor your writing portfolio to the type of work you\u2019re looking to do (sales writing, blog posts, editorial, etc.) You don\u2019t necessarily need to have worked remotely in the past; clients will be looking primarily at the strength of your writing to determine if you\u2019re a good fit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re looking to break into remote writing, it\u2019s especially important to have strong references. Because remote work requires a certain level of self-sufficiency, it\u2019s a good idea to have a few professional colleagues who can speak to your independence and skills as a self-starter. <\/p>\n\n\n\nBuild a Quick Remote Writing Portfolio Before You Apply <\/h2>\n\n\n\n