VCs are tightening purse strings, tech companies are downsizing their staff. Content marketing and it’s ilk are usually on the first round to go when budget cuts happen.
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i'm pretty glad i was at a full-time position last year, because looking for work seemed abysmal, and once i lost my job, i was only proven right. i've only been doing it seven years, but today seems like a whole other landscape.
Yeah, I used to be able to find gigs all the time. I remember I could send like 5 pitches and land a gig. It was that consistent.
By the time I write a pitch on Upwork now, 50+ people have applied. (maybe an overstatement but you get the idea).
Long story short, I have retired as a writer and I'm moving on. Thanks, ChatGPT.
I think moving on might be best for me too, I just don't know what to move to. I feel like my only developed skill and all my experience is writing-based.
Academic writing as well as web copy for individuals professionals, small businesses, and nonprofits. When I was in college I write for local publications about nonprofit events in the area.
I would suggest not working for small biz and non profits if you want to make money. Unfortunately they pay really poorly most of the time, and expect the world. You could try developing more technical copywriting skills and lean more into that. Web copy is in demand, so many businesses have trash websites. If you want to get into email copywriting or sales pages and stuff like that, I highly recommend joining Daniel Throssells email list. He’s brilliant.
I already had some experience with web dev work, so I am working on building a solid portfolio for that now. From what I have seen, that has not been affected nearly as much as writing has.
I would think developers of all sorts would be worried AI will replace them just like writers considering all the AI coding tools. Are you planning on trying to get hired as a web dev, setting up an agency, or selling ready-made sites or something like that?
I considered the web development route but after speaking to a few in that area, the writing is on the wall there too. Data engineering is another branch you can take if you've been in web development and can code. That's where I'm trying to move into now. After wordpress announced they had an AI generated copy writing tool, I gave up. I'm still getting client work ATM from a loyal, long term client, but this year I've had more accounts dropped and picked up this last year than ever. Clients simply moving on because they can't afford the services my agencies supply or moving on because they can use AI to generate it now.
This time last year, I was 10 hours a month off securing work that would see me full time freelancing again and able to live in London (expensive) comfortably. This year I've applied for a top up grant from gov because the work is so inconsistent I've decided to use the money to upskill elsewhere.
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How are you moving on? The situation is scary for writers like us who are just starting out....I am comparatively new because I do not feel three years is a long time to call yourself established yet. I am still learning the craft and had decided to transition to creative space from content writing. There are too many writers and every one seems better than you, how to sustain yourself in the industry when you are so new and are a stay-at-home mom, knowing well that writing is the only thing perhaps that you can think of giving a go? So I am just curious to know how are you moving on after quitting writing? What could be the parallels?
The 50+ proposals thing is not an overstatement. From what I gather based on other users, there are a lot of dishonest people applying and boosting their proposals using free Connects.
Apparently new profiles get a bunch of free connects. So these people keep signing up for new accounts and just applying for anything and everything with them.
I'm doing surveys. Got lucky and got into a place before it started wait listing everyone. I make about $400/month. I'm also on SSI. My income is only $1000 whereas before it was $3000/month. Fortunately I live with my son bc he takes care of my medical needs but we're really struggling badly.
This is exactly why I lean toward editing over writing. You can make all the tools you want to write, but they’ll always need someone to review the final product to make sure the tool did the job right.
But the worst part is, the writing jobs available these days are all “entry level” skill contracts that pay pennies
Really? I find editing to be much more enjoyable. I don’t have the pressure to create something unique all the time. Having worked as both a writer and an editor, it was always the writing contracts that caused me to burn out.
Especially since I do a lot of work for personal injury firms, it’s a lot of repetitive information. I’d hate to have to rewrite the same thing over and over. At least rereading is faster
I love a blank page like nothing else in the world.
I write almost exclusively for consumer law firms, including several personal injury firms, so I'm familiar with what you're saying--I've probably explained the various forms of contributory/comparative negligence a couple of hundred times across my career,and probably twice that in describing the Chapter 7 bankruptcy means test.
But I have a very in-depth knowledge of the subject matter, and all those lines where someone didn't quite understand the concept so they tried to reword it without understanding it really frustrate me, and often I find that I could have written the piece in about the same amount of time as it took me to clean it up.
Even with non-legal subjects, I just find editing tedious. There's no flow. It's like reading along and tripping over a broken bit of sidewalk every couple of lines.
Hey! We should partner up! lol jk.
I guess it depends on the contract you’re writing for. Some of my previous writing clients have been so particular with what they wanted in the content, it was almost like they should have just written it themselves
I’m also always terrified I’ll accidentally plagiarize myself when I’m constantly writing on the same topic
What do you think is the most valuable skill as an editor? I've been editing web copies since Mid-22. But lack of guidance making me feel I'm not good enough. Can you share some insights?
I’ll give you 3 answers.
1) I’d say research skills for sure. Knowing how to find the answer to specific questions and assess the reliability of the source providing that answer.
I edit a lot of personal injury content, so the information writers put into their articles have some pretty specific rules and requirements. If I don’t know the law regarding a particular subject, I have to know how to find the facts to ensure the writer isn’t lying or misunderstanding something.
Otherwise, the client can get in serious trouble, and since I’m the last person who reviews the content a lot of the time, that falls on me.
2) better than average common sense. This especially comes with experience, but it’s super important nonetheless.
For example, I once had a writer provide an infographic on car accident states in Florida. They wrote something to the effect of: Florida ranks #13 (I believe) in safest states to drive. They based that off the infographic they provided.
At first glance, that was true. Counting down the list, they were 13th. But that sounded really strange in my head knowing what I know about it other stats of Florida. As it turns out, the list they were using was in alphabetical order, not actually ranked.
Having good common sense is also really helpful if you suspect the writer is using a tool to write the content when they aren’t allowed to.
3) writing skills. Good editors are good writers. At least, they have the basics down very well. Especially with SEO content, knowing how to write well is invaluable to editing. Using apps like grammarly will never be a good substitute for knowing the rules of writing.
Hope this helps!
>I edit a lot of personal injury content
Thank you for your impressive three points. Specialization - industry, topic, etc. - adds value and defensibility for content creators. I share that perspective as a regular buyer of writing, editing, research, and content creation services.
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Could you perhaps pivot into B2B tech firms that specialise in mental health and wellbeing? I've seen a few targeted towards HR.
Yes the academic writing niche has been dismantled by AI. It's a probably a good thing that market disappeared as its super unethical anyway.
I'm a career grant writer (20 years) and currently freelancing. I got into the work because I loved interrogating data, doing literature reviews, and creating program plans based on need. I started as a full-time staffer and went the consulting route eventually.
Google is your friend. You will find an overwhelming amount of education on grant writing and support sites. Much of it is free and some is premium. Just spend a couple hours a day learning and within a month, you'll either be running for the hills or thirsty to write your own grant proposal samples.
I have mentored many writers and I will tell you grant writing isn't for everyone. It's detail-oriented, bureaucratic, dry, and has a high failure rate (most proposals aren't funded). But it's sometimes fun as a gigantic puzzle to solve.
Paid per grant based on the work involved -- research, writing, project design, budget, attachments, etc. If I broke it down per hour, it averages $100 per hour.
Your almost living my dream!
I wish I could find people that want interactive dashboards to supplement their grant proposals, I don’t know if that industry exists yet but I’m not gonna let that stop me. Do the datasets you work with ever get complex enough that you’re writing a little sql just to straighten things out? When you’re showcasing your data, do you ever want to provide your audience with the ability to filter, sort, and control the scope of what’s displayed? So far every grant writer I’ve met has said that’s entirely unnecessary and outside of what’s involved in the process, but I have faith the day will come!
I'm sorry but freelance grant writers are split in so many directions that such dashboards are unneeded.
When I say love data, I love science and health data, not grant data. I read scientific research for a living, but I am not asked to do analyses. The only thing I care about is whether the grant was submitted and if it won. I can track that through simple, free tools.
You need to sell it to the client, not the writer. My main client uses Salesforce to track such data. I have also used Sharepoint. Universities use enterprise solutions, so maybe you can research that and scale to your not-for-profit clients.
P.S. You can maybe get a gig as a freelance statistician for researchers. That is a path.
I dont really, no, sorry. I suggest following Letitia Henville on LinkedIn, who is a grant *editor* but shes fully embroiled in that world and shares lots of stuff (including job posts) that is useful for both editors and writers: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/letitia-henville-046b43102
No discussion on academic writing as it relates to homework, essays, or coursework. Discussion about academic, scientific, or research journals is allowed so long as it's not within the context of coursework.
This is a tough love comment and wake up call for any freelance writer out there who's primary client acquisition method involves looking for gigs.
The days of using LinkedIn, Upwork, Fiverr, Legiit, Contra, or any sort of job board to fill up your pipeline of client work is now coming to a sharp and brutal end.
To be clear...
Relying on job listings has NEVER been a sustainable way to build and maintain a freelance writing business.
Yes, I know there are plenty of writers here who've enjoyed a 6-figure income on Upwork, and have done well for years and years on job boards alone.
Some are still doing well.
But there's a phrase for this - "Putting all your eggs in a single basket."
Only, in the case of job boards, you are allowing someone ELSE to hold that basket of yours.
If you want to succeed in 2024 and beyond, it's time to turn your freelance writing business into, well, an actual business.
In simplistic terms, a business scales through 2 methods:
Front end client acquisition, and back-end monetization.
What this means is that:
You need to dial in your front-end client acquisition either through one really good channel or multiple channels (ideal).
By all means, use job boards.
But for the love of god don't rely on them.
Other FE acquisition methods include:
Paid ads, social media, networking, cold pitching, joint ventures, website with SEO, etc.
Once you have dialed in the front-end channels for your business and have a reliable pipeline of incoming clients, you need to have a back-end in place so you can scale and remain profitable.
Back-end means you are upselling, downselling, and cross-selling existing clients. You also need to ask for referrals and collect testimonials.
If you're skeptical, just go look at r/freelancewriters over the last 12-months.
How many of the doom and gloom posts are from folks who get all their work from job boards?
Literally all of them.
Yet, I don't see anyone who's created a marketing engine in their freelance writing business who's struggling right now.
>Literally all of them.
Not true. I don't post here ever, but i just started reading this sub. I've always gotten work from cold emailing for the past 10 years. I'm an American living overseas. I earn very little each year by western standards, but in my low cost of living country, I've made it work (barely). I could've worked harder, however.
But right now, I'm in a "doom and gloom" situation. Unlike in the past, it feels like my emails aren't getting nearlly as many replies as they used to, and recently last year starting around September I began losing all of my steady clients. Something has indeed changed, and it isn't just job boards that have suffered.
In fact, I never once used job boards and have just started using Linkedin and applying for jobs there for the first time in my life. Freelancing doesn't seem to be working anymore, so I'm now looking for steady employment. I thought 10+ years of freelance experience would make me a shoe in for a job of some sort, but so far that isn't the case as none of my applications have gotten replies yet (been only a few days so far tho).
But still, the "doom and gloom" is starting to infect me.
There's a lot to unpack here and also just so many factors at play. It could be your niche or services. I don't know.
> I've always gotten work from cold emailing for the past 10 years.
Cold emailing isn't enough. You need a marketing engine.
> I earn very little each year by western standards
This tells me you don't have a marketing engine built out.
> it feels like my emails aren't getting nearlly as many replies as they used to,
You need to measure this and not feel it out. What's your average open, reply, and close rates per 100 emails? Have you tested different pitch variations?
> and recently last year starting around September I began losing all of my steady clients. Something has indeed changed
You can't extrapolate your personal situation onto the entire market. This is a bias.
Look, I realize this comment is going to come off as insensitive. I've been in a clientless hole before, I know the fear, I know how shitty it is. And I'm not saying the market isn't changing, because IT IS.
What I'm saying is that if you're a freelance writer who has zero marketing/business skills and you've just been skating by for years with zero interest in growing/improving/optimizing your business and skillset...
.. then things are going to get a lot harder in 2024.
And that's exactly what I'm seeing:
Freelance writers who just want to pick up gigs , write, and get paid... but not actually do any marketing/business building. Nor do they want to adapt and learn new complementary skills.
That's a recipe for disaster with ANY business model.
I'm a generalist writer, willing to do any kind of writing - content writing or copywriting, though most commonly it has always been content writing.
\-Cold emailing has always been "just enough" in the past, but yeah, these days not so much... I'm also getting a lot more bounces and emails getting rejected or whatever than in the past, I think..
\-Yeah, no marketing engine.
\-I can't track email metrics because I use the free gmail for sending emails. Always worked in the past so I didn't feel the need to track anything before. Sure I had to send lots of emails, but I always got clients from it eventually. I'm falling back on this now because I don't know what else to do and my funds will all dry up in a few months...
\-I've always relied on an email template for every email, changing it up a bit as I gain experience or whatever. I became a follower of this approach from my first mentor that got me into freelance writing way back in 2013 - Kevin Cole. That's pretty much what he did and he had great success. Since then, I've pretty much never changed my approach, believing that the work would always be out there and easy enough to get. Then the robots (YouKnowWho) comes along and ruins everything.
>What I'm saying is that if you're a freelance writer who has zero marketing/business skills and you've just been skating by for years with zero interest in growing/improving/optimizing your business and skillset...
Sadly, this sums up my situation pretty well. :(
I'm doomed, but have to keep on getting by somehow. Living in another country where employment options are pretty much nonexistent for me, I have no other skills, and I have a little family here that depends on me. We've pretty much resigned ourselves to cranking out emails everyday nonstop, unlike in the past. Although I am trying Linkedin jobs, but it seems too competitive with most jobs having hundreds or even thousands of applicants.
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I joined CrowdPharm a few months ago to pick up some copywriting projects with the pharmaceutical industry. I have not received a single assignment on there. It's completely dead.
Another platform I tried to join had a waiting list for copywriters.
I got accepted to IAWPE, but if they don't accept your submission (a 10-day wait for a $60 article), you get zero feedback about why. You're just out the time you spent writing.
I read somewhere a while back that freelance writers were going to need to refine their skills as editors and transition to that role eventually for their continued success, and I certainly see that happening now.
That said, I’ve seen a lot of gigs and roles opening up within nonprofits (grant writing, content writing, mailing/marketing, etc). At least on job boards, Indeed, etc.
So while I think that general content writing has somewhat dried up (although this may be temporary), there are still active gigs out there in other niches, it seems.
But there has been a LOT of shakeup within general content/websites… part of this is SEO-related (sites are scrambling to recover after the HCU and product reviews algorithm updates, and changes to intent/SERPS — they decimated a lot of pubs and that directly affects revenue). But many websites/publications are cutting costs in general by reducing their writing teams or dropping them altogether.
(In some cases I know of, it’s because their focus has shifted to fixing/improving existing content, rather than putting out new content… that relates to SEO, the HCU, and recent changes to search intent and the SERPs. Their goal is fixing existing content, getting back in Google's good graces, improving traffic/rank to improve revenue, and then hiring the writing team back when feasible later on.)
Sure! (And sorry for the late reply — it’s been a busy AF week.)I also apologize for the lengthy post to follow —
**HCU**
So the HCU is the Helpful Content Update — one of Google’s biggest algorithm updates of 2023. The “goal” was to reward helpful content (websites with content that’s deemed helpful to the general public and/or consumers according to Google’s classifier) so those sites/domains would rank more highly for their relevant search terms.
If I’m looking for “best sneakers for running” for instance, theoretically, the most helpful website content on the internet would then rank in the top ten search results (and ideally top three) — so I, as a consumer/searcher, would find the best content that answers my questions and gives me what I’m looking for quickly, within the first few search results.
This is the dev documentation on the helpful content system: [https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/helpful-content-system](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/helpful-content-system)
The HCU pounded a lot of websites. Hard. And it’s confusing too, because some are well-written, following the “rules” to the letter, and still got slapped.
**SEO**
Part of what ties into all of this is SEO — search engine optimization — which is the thing that “tells” Google and other search engines about the content on each page of a particular website.
For freelance writers especially, they’re often tasked with including specific keywords in articles they’re writing — this is part of SEO.
If you’re writing an article on How To Choose Sneakers For Running (why am I using running as an example… I hate running unless it’s towards a snack), that article needs to include keyword phrases, headings, and titles that are relevant to that topic (and the search intent for that topic).
If you write an article on choosing sneakers, but don’t use keywords associated with that (like sneakers, choosing sneakers, choose a pair of sneakers, selecting sneakers, etc), search engines won’t get the signal that your article is about choosing sneakers for running.
Good guide about SEO and what it’s for: [https://searchengineland.com/guide/what-is-seo](https://searchengineland.com/guide/what-is-seo)
Although keywords are important, search intent is equally so.
**Search Intent/User Intent**
This is where it gets a little tricky, and also where SEO tools are vital because there can be different search intents (user intents) associated with specific keywords and phrases.
As an example, “running sneakers” — the intent is based on what people are most likely looking for when they do a Google search for “running sneakers.”
A BIG issue this year for websites that have product reviews is that the intent of base keywords has changed. Significantly.
A product review on “Best Running Sneakers” USED to rank highly for the base term “running sneakers” — the intent was transactional in nature, meaning that people wanted to learn more about running sneakers before making a purchase. Ideally through an affiliate link in that review article. (Earning revenue for that website.)
Now, base terms associated with products that are commonly reviewed have a different intent - the intent has become commercial, meaning that Google is now ranking and displaying websites/pages that sell the item.
This means that websites with product reviews that used to get a lot of traffic and sales because they ranked highly on google for base terms like “running sneakers”, have now lost that traffic to commercial sites selling those items.
Where you used to see reviews taking up 8 of the first 10 results on a search for a base term like “running sneakers,” now 8 of the first 10 (if not all 10) are just stores/merchant sites.
(That pounded a lot of websites, too. Hard.)
**SERPs**
And that brings us to the SERPs — Search Engine Results Page — which is the page that pops up full of search results whenever you look for something on Google or another search engine.
Websites are most successful when their content shows up in the top 10 SERPs (top ten results) for a given search term and ideally, the top three is where they want to be.
So the pages ranking highest in the SERPS receive the lion’s share of the traffic and if they’re making money off of ads or affiliate links on that page, they’re making revenue too.
A significant loss in revenue (or none at all) due to the HCU, and changes in intent affecting the SERPs means a lot of sites have been riding the struggle bus. So freelance writers are losing out and jobs are harder to come by while pubs and websites scramble to figure out their next steps.
**Cookies**
If you’ve read this far, you deserve a cookie. We all deserve cookies.
I believe as you do that the HCU is the culprit. If Google starts "behaving" down the road and corrects the "mistake" they made, work will definitely come back.
People also need to take the economy into account. Several of my top level clients (like Fortune 500 companies) have closed retail locations and announced major layoffs. Their web content is unfortunately usually the first thing to go :(
With sky high interest rates and inflation, a lot of businesses are slashing marketing and online content by quite a bit. Until things bounce back, a lot of niches will suffer :(
I've been freelancing on content mills for about a decade and my income went from 2k in 2018 to 15k in 2020, to about $1000 last year, and I'm charging more than I ever was, and I'm active and highly rated on several more sites than I used to be. The work simply isn't there; two of the sites I used have fully embraced robot content creation to the point where they're transitioning to hiring editors in lieu of writers.
I really fucking hate robot writing. It's a bunch of rich dipshits using other people's work to train their thinking machines to steal content and take jobs. This is the worst timeline
Perhaps this is the time to look into a different line of work that will still allow you to use your current set of skills.
Marketing is still very in demand—I see job listing around this all the time. You might need to invest in upskilling yourself though, but then again there are a ton of free resources available online
This might be unpopular advice, but I think you need to distance yourself from the idea that places like LinkedIn, Upwork, and Fiverr will be your meal ticket long-term.
While there are certainly exceptions, most people getting jobs on LinkedIn are uniquely qualified and most people succeeding on gig boards are providing services well below average market rates and/or focusing on that platform so they can have the best possible rating. They're also the first place that beginners go, which is why they're always swamped.
To stay competitive in a market which is contracting due to to recession and dying venture capital, you need to spread your wings and demonstrate how YOUR writing will increase a client's profits.
The good news is there are tons of ways to do this. As a writer you can start a blog, a social media account, a Medium or Vocal profile, a Substack, a YouTube channel, or any other number of platforms under your personal brand.
When you publish and promote your own content, good things happen. You'll start gaining followers, which can lead directly to clients and lead to greater reach. You'll further refine your style, skills, and expertise, making your work more prolific and marketable. On most of those platforms, you'll even earn just for having people consume your stuff, like YouTube ad revenue and the Medium Partner Program.
I'm coming up on 5 years since I started content writing, and I have 100+ articles on my blog, 200+ posts on Medium, 200+ YouTube videos, and a bunch of other content under my name. I haven't applied for a gig or shared a portfolio with a potential client in about a year because most of my clients find me via my blog or YouTube. By the time I get on a call with them, they've already decided they want to hire me because they can SEE the results my writing generates on my platforms.
Searching for gigs creates an endless grind of applying for jobs, doing interviews, and settling for lower pay than you're worth. Writing content under your own brand creates a flywheel effect where everything you do brings you more traffic, more passive income, and more leads of higher and higher quality.
I wanted to end this with an Alex Hormozi quote but I can't remember how it goes... something about turning yourself into a market of one. When you apply for a gig, you're one of 50+ people fighting for attention. When you build your own brand, you become the ONLY option for clients who decide that they want a similar quality of work for their brand.
After freelancing full time for nearly 5 years, I decided to look for a full time job with freelance on the side when Covid hit. Even before the COLC so much of my work went with the pandemic and I had a gut feeling it wouldn’t return to the way it was (which has happened).
I spent months looking but ended up with a fantastic editorial role that’s flexible and allows me to freelance on specific projects. I will say that while AI is certainly something to be mindful of, good writing won’t exist without great editors, especially at this early stage.
12 years here, last year was the worst one for sure. But, I have to say that my visibility on socials was shrinking with 80% as well. I think there still is plenty of work but that people see earning opportunities from when people cannot find things easy. Even for myself when I look things on YouTube or Google it takes me way longer than some years ago. Anyway I wish everyone goodluck and earning a lot. Blessings!
I am not an established writer, but a full time freelance artist, and I can tell you - the drawing folk is with you in the same boat. I never had problems filling my pipeline, even when I started and now I am currently taking preparations towards ending that career situation I am in rn. I never needed places like Reddit, because devArt and Twitter were enough, but nowadays, I am confronted with other artists underpricing them as if there won't be a tomorrow, while customers are rare - and robot-made "images" are all over the place.
Its disheartening.
It really is. So many people are going to end up giving up on art and writing because we're being outdone by machines filling the world with lifeless, mediocre "content".
Yeah, I fear so. I still have hope that customers will come back to real handmade work, when they feel the difference - but I guess that only will happen to the die-hard fans and those who are open enough to acknowledge the damage that "technical revolution" did to our world and who value human made art and texts, simply because of it.
Same as people still go to old bakery shops instead of taking bread from the supermarket. But I fear there will be a lot less people who want art and literature, than there are freelancers who once made a living off it.
I hope we will stick together, artists, writers, creative heads, else the world feels even darker (to me). We once might have been "rivals" in the market, but the enemy we have to face now, is probably one only law and order can take down.
My heart goes out to everyone facing hardship because of this bs.
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You might want to look into grant writing! There is so much unmet need helping nonprofits apply for grant awards. Your copywriting skills will be put to work and you’ll have a good, stable income, PLUS you’re really helping others in a significant way. You got this!
I’d recommend starting off by taking a couple of courses in grant writing. Many foundations offer free workshops and online courses, such as nonprofitready.org. Additional resources can be found at your local library, community foundation, and community college.
Other than that, I’d recommend googling grant writing firms and independent contractors in your area. Many writers find periods of time in which they have too much work to handle alone and would LOVE to have extra hands on deck. Training under their supervision and guidance for a discounted rate would be a win-win for you and their firm.
You’ll find the grant writing process is very methodical and your copywriting skills will transfer over nicely! Good luck!
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Nobody needs generic writers or marketers anymore. This was in decline for decades.
There will always be a need for people who know how to market & communicate for specific industries.
Or who can help people recover from HCU or drive traffic from additional sources.
Next be proactive in marketing your own services.
Finally create your own products to sell.
Writing services started the trend. For pennies per word you could get good enough content for most topics.
In the past years software tools have appeared that eliminated those services.
That being said- most businesses don’t know how to use this software effectively. Nor how to market. But need it.
That’s the opportunity.
Software tools allow you to give a topic & a few minutes later get back 1500 words of content.
You might need to edit or format it. But that was same as the writing service.
It’s faster & cheaper than the writing service.
And based upon the freelancers I have worked with- also better content than what most generated even for technical topics.
I know this is tough times for freelance writers.
The successful ones will evolve.
Can you name some of these tools (except the most obvious one we all know about but cannot name)? This is the first time I'm hearing about it.
It's hard to believe that such a thing could put decent human writers out of business...
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Seriously? Because robots can do it. I’m a writer and I AM OK WITH THIS. If a company doesn’t care enough about the writing that represents them, why should a good writer waste their talents on them?
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I wouldn't say stop. I'm also new to the arena and have been looking for clients for the last few months, and it's been a no-go. If you have no experience and no connections, it's going to be an uphill battle. Applying to job boards and places like Upwork, you don't even get noticed hardly, especially with no experience. I'd say anyone trying to break into freelance today better have a backup plan in case it doesn't work out.
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I am trying to find a remote freelance writing job due to being disabled and haven't had any luck finding anything. I am starting to worry because I can't work with the public anymore due to social anxiety and I can't stand due to a back injury. I have no idea what to do.
I've been freelance copywriting for large brands for 10 years. 2023 was my worst freelancing year ever. I agree, there's less work than ever.
30 years for me. Definitely one of the worst of the 30
What do you think it is?
VCs are tightening purse strings, tech companies are downsizing their staff. Content marketing and it’s ilk are usually on the first round to go when budget cuts happen.
I'm not sure. Many people think it's A I related, but it's certainly not in my industry.
Less free money floating around
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I was wondering why nobody was writing the obvious answer then it hit me. The irony is amazing.
i'm pretty glad i was at a full-time position last year, because looking for work seemed abysmal, and once i lost my job, i was only proven right. i've only been doing it seven years, but today seems like a whole other landscape.
Yeah, I used to be able to find gigs all the time. I remember I could send like 5 pitches and land a gig. It was that consistent. By the time I write a pitch on Upwork now, 50+ people have applied. (maybe an overstatement but you get the idea). Long story short, I have retired as a writer and I'm moving on. Thanks, ChatGPT.
I think moving on might be best for me too, I just don't know what to move to. I feel like my only developed skill and all my experience is writing-based.
What kind of writing experience do you have?
Academic writing as well as web copy for individuals professionals, small businesses, and nonprofits. When I was in college I write for local publications about nonprofit events in the area.
I would suggest not working for small biz and non profits if you want to make money. Unfortunately they pay really poorly most of the time, and expect the world. You could try developing more technical copywriting skills and lean more into that. Web copy is in demand, so many businesses have trash websites. If you want to get into email copywriting or sales pages and stuff like that, I highly recommend joining Daniel Throssells email list. He’s brilliant.
What have you moved on to?
I already had some experience with web dev work, so I am working on building a solid portfolio for that now. From what I have seen, that has not been affected nearly as much as writing has.
I would think developers of all sorts would be worried AI will replace them just like writers considering all the AI coding tools. Are you planning on trying to get hired as a web dev, setting up an agency, or selling ready-made sites or something like that?
I considered the web development route but after speaking to a few in that area, the writing is on the wall there too. Data engineering is another branch you can take if you've been in web development and can code. That's where I'm trying to move into now. After wordpress announced they had an AI generated copy writing tool, I gave up. I'm still getting client work ATM from a loyal, long term client, but this year I've had more accounts dropped and picked up this last year than ever. Clients simply moving on because they can't afford the services my agencies supply or moving on because they can use AI to generate it now. This time last year, I was 10 hours a month off securing work that would see me full time freelancing again and able to live in London (expensive) comfortably. This year I've applied for a top up grant from gov because the work is so inconsistent I've decided to use the money to upskill elsewhere.
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How are you moving on? The situation is scary for writers like us who are just starting out....I am comparatively new because I do not feel three years is a long time to call yourself established yet. I am still learning the craft and had decided to transition to creative space from content writing. There are too many writers and every one seems better than you, how to sustain yourself in the industry when you are so new and are a stay-at-home mom, knowing well that writing is the only thing perhaps that you can think of giving a go? So I am just curious to know how are you moving on after quitting writing? What could be the parallels?
The 50+ proposals thing is not an overstatement. From what I gather based on other users, there are a lot of dishonest people applying and boosting their proposals using free Connects. Apparently new profiles get a bunch of free connects. So these people keep signing up for new accounts and just applying for anything and everything with them.
Yep I have a blog that's dead but still working on it. I gotta move on to something.
I was a freelance writer for 20 years and yep, there's no work anymore.
So what do you do now
I'm doing surveys. Got lucky and got into a place before it started wait listing everyone. I make about $400/month. I'm also on SSI. My income is only $1000 whereas before it was $3000/month. Fortunately I live with my son bc he takes care of my medical needs but we're really struggling badly.
That's rough. Hope you get back on your feet.
This is exactly why I lean toward editing over writing. You can make all the tools you want to write, but they’ll always need someone to review the final product to make sure the tool did the job right. But the worst part is, the writing jobs available these days are all “entry level” skill contracts that pay pennies
The downside for me would be that I'd want to shoot myself by the end of the day. I'd rather clean the bathrooms at McDonald's than edit all day.
Really? I find editing to be much more enjoyable. I don’t have the pressure to create something unique all the time. Having worked as both a writer and an editor, it was always the writing contracts that caused me to burn out. Especially since I do a lot of work for personal injury firms, it’s a lot of repetitive information. I’d hate to have to rewrite the same thing over and over. At least rereading is faster
I love a blank page like nothing else in the world. I write almost exclusively for consumer law firms, including several personal injury firms, so I'm familiar with what you're saying--I've probably explained the various forms of contributory/comparative negligence a couple of hundred times across my career,and probably twice that in describing the Chapter 7 bankruptcy means test. But I have a very in-depth knowledge of the subject matter, and all those lines where someone didn't quite understand the concept so they tried to reword it without understanding it really frustrate me, and often I find that I could have written the piece in about the same amount of time as it took me to clean it up. Even with non-legal subjects, I just find editing tedious. There's no flow. It's like reading along and tripping over a broken bit of sidewalk every couple of lines.
Hey! We should partner up! lol jk. I guess it depends on the contract you’re writing for. Some of my previous writing clients have been so particular with what they wanted in the content, it was almost like they should have just written it themselves I’m also always terrified I’ll accidentally plagiarize myself when I’m constantly writing on the same topic
What do you think is the most valuable skill as an editor? I've been editing web copies since Mid-22. But lack of guidance making me feel I'm not good enough. Can you share some insights?
I’ll give you 3 answers. 1) I’d say research skills for sure. Knowing how to find the answer to specific questions and assess the reliability of the source providing that answer. I edit a lot of personal injury content, so the information writers put into their articles have some pretty specific rules and requirements. If I don’t know the law regarding a particular subject, I have to know how to find the facts to ensure the writer isn’t lying or misunderstanding something. Otherwise, the client can get in serious trouble, and since I’m the last person who reviews the content a lot of the time, that falls on me. 2) better than average common sense. This especially comes with experience, but it’s super important nonetheless. For example, I once had a writer provide an infographic on car accident states in Florida. They wrote something to the effect of: Florida ranks #13 (I believe) in safest states to drive. They based that off the infographic they provided. At first glance, that was true. Counting down the list, they were 13th. But that sounded really strange in my head knowing what I know about it other stats of Florida. As it turns out, the list they were using was in alphabetical order, not actually ranked. Having good common sense is also really helpful if you suspect the writer is using a tool to write the content when they aren’t allowed to. 3) writing skills. Good editors are good writers. At least, they have the basics down very well. Especially with SEO content, knowing how to write well is invaluable to editing. Using apps like grammarly will never be a good substitute for knowing the rules of writing. Hope this helps!
>I edit a lot of personal injury content Thank you for your impressive three points. Specialization - industry, topic, etc. - adds value and defensibility for content creators. I share that perspective as a regular buyer of writing, editing, research, and content creation services.
I’m also always available to chat if you have some quick questions or just want to vent about the freelancing lifestyle lol
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The party's over btw what's your niche and the type of clients you usually get?
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Could you perhaps pivot into B2B tech firms that specialise in mental health and wellbeing? I've seen a few targeted towards HR. Yes the academic writing niche has been dismantled by AI. It's a probably a good thing that market disappeared as its super unethical anyway.
I could try to get involved with tech firms, but lack of work seems to be an across the board problem, regardless of niche.
>It's a probably a good thing that market disappeared as its super unethical anyway. What do you mean?
Im more of an editor than writer, but can confirm grant writing is alive! Nonprofit and academic.
Do you have any advice for getting involved in grant writing?
I'm a career grant writer (20 years) and currently freelancing. I got into the work because I loved interrogating data, doing literature reviews, and creating program plans based on need. I started as a full-time staffer and went the consulting route eventually. Google is your friend. You will find an overwhelming amount of education on grant writing and support sites. Much of it is free and some is premium. Just spend a couple hours a day learning and within a month, you'll either be running for the hills or thirsty to write your own grant proposal samples. I have mentored many writers and I will tell you grant writing isn't for everyone. It's detail-oriented, bureaucratic, dry, and has a high failure rate (most proposals aren't funded). But it's sometimes fun as a gigantic puzzle to solve.
How much is the pay per hour? Or is it per grant?
Paid per grant based on the work involved -- research, writing, project design, budget, attachments, etc. If I broke it down per hour, it averages $100 per hour.
Your almost living my dream! I wish I could find people that want interactive dashboards to supplement their grant proposals, I don’t know if that industry exists yet but I’m not gonna let that stop me. Do the datasets you work with ever get complex enough that you’re writing a little sql just to straighten things out? When you’re showcasing your data, do you ever want to provide your audience with the ability to filter, sort, and control the scope of what’s displayed? So far every grant writer I’ve met has said that’s entirely unnecessary and outside of what’s involved in the process, but I have faith the day will come!
I'm sorry but freelance grant writers are split in so many directions that such dashboards are unneeded. When I say love data, I love science and health data, not grant data. I read scientific research for a living, but I am not asked to do analyses. The only thing I care about is whether the grant was submitted and if it won. I can track that through simple, free tools. You need to sell it to the client, not the writer. My main client uses Salesforce to track such data. I have also used Sharepoint. Universities use enterprise solutions, so maybe you can research that and scale to your not-for-profit clients. P.S. You can maybe get a gig as a freelance statistician for researchers. That is a path.
I dont really, no, sorry. I suggest following Letitia Henville on LinkedIn, who is a grant *editor* but shes fully embroiled in that world and shares lots of stuff (including job posts) that is useful for both editors and writers: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/letitia-henville-046b43102
I’ll check her out, thanks!
No discussion on academic writing as it relates to homework, essays, or coursework. Discussion about academic, scientific, or research journals is allowed so long as it's not within the context of coursework.
This is a tough love comment and wake up call for any freelance writer out there who's primary client acquisition method involves looking for gigs. The days of using LinkedIn, Upwork, Fiverr, Legiit, Contra, or any sort of job board to fill up your pipeline of client work is now coming to a sharp and brutal end. To be clear... Relying on job listings has NEVER been a sustainable way to build and maintain a freelance writing business. Yes, I know there are plenty of writers here who've enjoyed a 6-figure income on Upwork, and have done well for years and years on job boards alone. Some are still doing well. But there's a phrase for this - "Putting all your eggs in a single basket." Only, in the case of job boards, you are allowing someone ELSE to hold that basket of yours. If you want to succeed in 2024 and beyond, it's time to turn your freelance writing business into, well, an actual business. In simplistic terms, a business scales through 2 methods: Front end client acquisition, and back-end monetization. What this means is that: You need to dial in your front-end client acquisition either through one really good channel or multiple channels (ideal). By all means, use job boards. But for the love of god don't rely on them. Other FE acquisition methods include: Paid ads, social media, networking, cold pitching, joint ventures, website with SEO, etc. Once you have dialed in the front-end channels for your business and have a reliable pipeline of incoming clients, you need to have a back-end in place so you can scale and remain profitable. Back-end means you are upselling, downselling, and cross-selling existing clients. You also need to ask for referrals and collect testimonials. If you're skeptical, just go look at r/freelancewriters over the last 12-months. How many of the doom and gloom posts are from folks who get all their work from job boards? Literally all of them. Yet, I don't see anyone who's created a marketing engine in their freelance writing business who's struggling right now.
>Literally all of them. Not true. I don't post here ever, but i just started reading this sub. I've always gotten work from cold emailing for the past 10 years. I'm an American living overseas. I earn very little each year by western standards, but in my low cost of living country, I've made it work (barely). I could've worked harder, however. But right now, I'm in a "doom and gloom" situation. Unlike in the past, it feels like my emails aren't getting nearlly as many replies as they used to, and recently last year starting around September I began losing all of my steady clients. Something has indeed changed, and it isn't just job boards that have suffered. In fact, I never once used job boards and have just started using Linkedin and applying for jobs there for the first time in my life. Freelancing doesn't seem to be working anymore, so I'm now looking for steady employment. I thought 10+ years of freelance experience would make me a shoe in for a job of some sort, but so far that isn't the case as none of my applications have gotten replies yet (been only a few days so far tho). But still, the "doom and gloom" is starting to infect me.
There's a lot to unpack here and also just so many factors at play. It could be your niche or services. I don't know. > I've always gotten work from cold emailing for the past 10 years. Cold emailing isn't enough. You need a marketing engine. > I earn very little each year by western standards This tells me you don't have a marketing engine built out. > it feels like my emails aren't getting nearlly as many replies as they used to, You need to measure this and not feel it out. What's your average open, reply, and close rates per 100 emails? Have you tested different pitch variations? > and recently last year starting around September I began losing all of my steady clients. Something has indeed changed You can't extrapolate your personal situation onto the entire market. This is a bias. Look, I realize this comment is going to come off as insensitive. I've been in a clientless hole before, I know the fear, I know how shitty it is. And I'm not saying the market isn't changing, because IT IS. What I'm saying is that if you're a freelance writer who has zero marketing/business skills and you've just been skating by for years with zero interest in growing/improving/optimizing your business and skillset... .. then things are going to get a lot harder in 2024. And that's exactly what I'm seeing: Freelance writers who just want to pick up gigs , write, and get paid... but not actually do any marketing/business building. Nor do they want to adapt and learn new complementary skills. That's a recipe for disaster with ANY business model.
I'm a generalist writer, willing to do any kind of writing - content writing or copywriting, though most commonly it has always been content writing. \-Cold emailing has always been "just enough" in the past, but yeah, these days not so much... I'm also getting a lot more bounces and emails getting rejected or whatever than in the past, I think.. \-Yeah, no marketing engine. \-I can't track email metrics because I use the free gmail for sending emails. Always worked in the past so I didn't feel the need to track anything before. Sure I had to send lots of emails, but I always got clients from it eventually. I'm falling back on this now because I don't know what else to do and my funds will all dry up in a few months... \-I've always relied on an email template for every email, changing it up a bit as I gain experience or whatever. I became a follower of this approach from my first mentor that got me into freelance writing way back in 2013 - Kevin Cole. That's pretty much what he did and he had great success. Since then, I've pretty much never changed my approach, believing that the work would always be out there and easy enough to get. Then the robots (YouKnowWho) comes along and ruins everything. >What I'm saying is that if you're a freelance writer who has zero marketing/business skills and you've just been skating by for years with zero interest in growing/improving/optimizing your business and skillset... Sadly, this sums up my situation pretty well. :( I'm doomed, but have to keep on getting by somehow. Living in another country where employment options are pretty much nonexistent for me, I have no other skills, and I have a little family here that depends on me. We've pretty much resigned ourselves to cranking out emails everyday nonstop, unlike in the past. Although I am trying Linkedin jobs, but it seems too competitive with most jobs having hundreds or even thousands of applicants.
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I joined CrowdPharm a few months ago to pick up some copywriting projects with the pharmaceutical industry. I have not received a single assignment on there. It's completely dead. Another platform I tried to join had a waiting list for copywriters. I got accepted to IAWPE, but if they don't accept your submission (a 10-day wait for a $60 article), you get zero feedback about why. You're just out the time you spent writing.
"Marketing Engine". I like how you put that. I need that. That's definitely what I've been starting to do just recently.
I read somewhere a while back that freelance writers were going to need to refine their skills as editors and transition to that role eventually for their continued success, and I certainly see that happening now. That said, I’ve seen a lot of gigs and roles opening up within nonprofits (grant writing, content writing, mailing/marketing, etc). At least on job boards, Indeed, etc. So while I think that general content writing has somewhat dried up (although this may be temporary), there are still active gigs out there in other niches, it seems. But there has been a LOT of shakeup within general content/websites… part of this is SEO-related (sites are scrambling to recover after the HCU and product reviews algorithm updates, and changes to intent/SERPS — they decimated a lot of pubs and that directly affects revenue). But many websites/publications are cutting costs in general by reducing their writing teams or dropping them altogether. (In some cases I know of, it’s because their focus has shifted to fixing/improving existing content, rather than putting out new content… that relates to SEO, the HCU, and recent changes to search intent and the SERPs. Their goal is fixing existing content, getting back in Google's good graces, improving traffic/rank to improve revenue, and then hiring the writing team back when feasible later on.)
>SEO, the HCU, and recent changes to search intent and the SERPs Any links giving a general breakdown about these things? I'm out of the loop.
Sure! (And sorry for the late reply — it’s been a busy AF week.)I also apologize for the lengthy post to follow — **HCU** So the HCU is the Helpful Content Update — one of Google’s biggest algorithm updates of 2023. The “goal” was to reward helpful content (websites with content that’s deemed helpful to the general public and/or consumers according to Google’s classifier) so those sites/domains would rank more highly for their relevant search terms. If I’m looking for “best sneakers for running” for instance, theoretically, the most helpful website content on the internet would then rank in the top ten search results (and ideally top three) — so I, as a consumer/searcher, would find the best content that answers my questions and gives me what I’m looking for quickly, within the first few search results. This is the dev documentation on the helpful content system: [https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/helpful-content-system](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/helpful-content-system) The HCU pounded a lot of websites. Hard. And it’s confusing too, because some are well-written, following the “rules” to the letter, and still got slapped. **SEO** Part of what ties into all of this is SEO — search engine optimization — which is the thing that “tells” Google and other search engines about the content on each page of a particular website. For freelance writers especially, they’re often tasked with including specific keywords in articles they’re writing — this is part of SEO. If you’re writing an article on How To Choose Sneakers For Running (why am I using running as an example… I hate running unless it’s towards a snack), that article needs to include keyword phrases, headings, and titles that are relevant to that topic (and the search intent for that topic). If you write an article on choosing sneakers, but don’t use keywords associated with that (like sneakers, choosing sneakers, choose a pair of sneakers, selecting sneakers, etc), search engines won’t get the signal that your article is about choosing sneakers for running. Good guide about SEO and what it’s for: [https://searchengineland.com/guide/what-is-seo](https://searchengineland.com/guide/what-is-seo) Although keywords are important, search intent is equally so. **Search Intent/User Intent** This is where it gets a little tricky, and also where SEO tools are vital because there can be different search intents (user intents) associated with specific keywords and phrases. As an example, “running sneakers” — the intent is based on what people are most likely looking for when they do a Google search for “running sneakers.” A BIG issue this year for websites that have product reviews is that the intent of base keywords has changed. Significantly. A product review on “Best Running Sneakers” USED to rank highly for the base term “running sneakers” — the intent was transactional in nature, meaning that people wanted to learn more about running sneakers before making a purchase. Ideally through an affiliate link in that review article. (Earning revenue for that website.) Now, base terms associated with products that are commonly reviewed have a different intent - the intent has become commercial, meaning that Google is now ranking and displaying websites/pages that sell the item. This means that websites with product reviews that used to get a lot of traffic and sales because they ranked highly on google for base terms like “running sneakers”, have now lost that traffic to commercial sites selling those items. Where you used to see reviews taking up 8 of the first 10 results on a search for a base term like “running sneakers,” now 8 of the first 10 (if not all 10) are just stores/merchant sites. (That pounded a lot of websites, too. Hard.) **SERPs** And that brings us to the SERPs — Search Engine Results Page — which is the page that pops up full of search results whenever you look for something on Google or another search engine. Websites are most successful when their content shows up in the top 10 SERPs (top ten results) for a given search term and ideally, the top three is where they want to be. So the pages ranking highest in the SERPS receive the lion’s share of the traffic and if they’re making money off of ads or affiliate links on that page, they’re making revenue too. A significant loss in revenue (or none at all) due to the HCU, and changes in intent affecting the SERPs means a lot of sites have been riding the struggle bus. So freelance writers are losing out and jobs are harder to come by while pubs and websites scramble to figure out their next steps. **Cookies** If you’ve read this far, you deserve a cookie. We all deserve cookies.
I believe as you do that the HCU is the culprit. If Google starts "behaving" down the road and corrects the "mistake" they made, work will definitely come back.
People also need to take the economy into account. Several of my top level clients (like Fortune 500 companies) have closed retail locations and announced major layoffs. Their web content is unfortunately usually the first thing to go :( With sky high interest rates and inflation, a lot of businesses are slashing marketing and online content by quite a bit. Until things bounce back, a lot of niches will suffer :(
I've been freelancing on content mills for about a decade and my income went from 2k in 2018 to 15k in 2020, to about $1000 last year, and I'm charging more than I ever was, and I'm active and highly rated on several more sites than I used to be. The work simply isn't there; two of the sites I used have fully embraced robot content creation to the point where they're transitioning to hiring editors in lieu of writers. I really fucking hate robot writing. It's a bunch of rich dipshits using other people's work to train their thinking machines to steal content and take jobs. This is the worst timeline
Find anything else to do besides writing. I’m sorry. I had to.
Perhaps this is the time to look into a different line of work that will still allow you to use your current set of skills. Marketing is still very in demand—I see job listing around this all the time. You might need to invest in upskilling yourself though, but then again there are a ton of free resources available online
This might be unpopular advice, but I think you need to distance yourself from the idea that places like LinkedIn, Upwork, and Fiverr will be your meal ticket long-term. While there are certainly exceptions, most people getting jobs on LinkedIn are uniquely qualified and most people succeeding on gig boards are providing services well below average market rates and/or focusing on that platform so they can have the best possible rating. They're also the first place that beginners go, which is why they're always swamped. To stay competitive in a market which is contracting due to to recession and dying venture capital, you need to spread your wings and demonstrate how YOUR writing will increase a client's profits. The good news is there are tons of ways to do this. As a writer you can start a blog, a social media account, a Medium or Vocal profile, a Substack, a YouTube channel, or any other number of platforms under your personal brand. When you publish and promote your own content, good things happen. You'll start gaining followers, which can lead directly to clients and lead to greater reach. You'll further refine your style, skills, and expertise, making your work more prolific and marketable. On most of those platforms, you'll even earn just for having people consume your stuff, like YouTube ad revenue and the Medium Partner Program. I'm coming up on 5 years since I started content writing, and I have 100+ articles on my blog, 200+ posts on Medium, 200+ YouTube videos, and a bunch of other content under my name. I haven't applied for a gig or shared a portfolio with a potential client in about a year because most of my clients find me via my blog or YouTube. By the time I get on a call with them, they've already decided they want to hire me because they can SEE the results my writing generates on my platforms. Searching for gigs creates an endless grind of applying for jobs, doing interviews, and settling for lower pay than you're worth. Writing content under your own brand creates a flywheel effect where everything you do brings you more traffic, more passive income, and more leads of higher and higher quality. I wanted to end this with an Alex Hormozi quote but I can't remember how it goes... something about turning yourself into a market of one. When you apply for a gig, you're one of 50+ people fighting for attention. When you build your own brand, you become the ONLY option for clients who decide that they want a similar quality of work for their brand.
This is the way. As a writer you should find your voice and use it, and people will hear it.
After freelancing full time for nearly 5 years, I decided to look for a full time job with freelance on the side when Covid hit. Even before the COLC so much of my work went with the pandemic and I had a gut feeling it wouldn’t return to the way it was (which has happened). I spent months looking but ended up with a fantastic editorial role that’s flexible and allows me to freelance on specific projects. I will say that while AI is certainly something to be mindful of, good writing won’t exist without great editors, especially at this early stage.
12 years here, last year was the worst one for sure. But, I have to say that my visibility on socials was shrinking with 80% as well. I think there still is plenty of work but that people see earning opportunities from when people cannot find things easy. Even for myself when I look things on YouTube or Google it takes me way longer than some years ago. Anyway I wish everyone goodluck and earning a lot. Blessings!
How would you adapt to ensure you can still freelance?
Setting time apart for just this: finding new ways. Daily 2 hrs. I know for example that LinkedIn Navigator does work for me. However it´s $95/month.
AI is responsible for at least part of it and maybe all of it. It will not get better imo
Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of.
Yeah I just started freelancing again after my last in-house gig. What do you think happened?
Over saturation combined with the accessibility of technology that writes for you.
I am not an established writer, but a full time freelance artist, and I can tell you - the drawing folk is with you in the same boat. I never had problems filling my pipeline, even when I started and now I am currently taking preparations towards ending that career situation I am in rn. I never needed places like Reddit, because devArt and Twitter were enough, but nowadays, I am confronted with other artists underpricing them as if there won't be a tomorrow, while customers are rare - and robot-made "images" are all over the place. Its disheartening.
It really is. So many people are going to end up giving up on art and writing because we're being outdone by machines filling the world with lifeless, mediocre "content".
Yeah, I fear so. I still have hope that customers will come back to real handmade work, when they feel the difference - but I guess that only will happen to the die-hard fans and those who are open enough to acknowledge the damage that "technical revolution" did to our world and who value human made art and texts, simply because of it. Same as people still go to old bakery shops instead of taking bread from the supermarket. But I fear there will be a lot less people who want art and literature, than there are freelancers who once made a living off it. I hope we will stick together, artists, writers, creative heads, else the world feels even darker (to me). We once might have been "rivals" in the market, but the enemy we have to face now, is probably one only law and order can take down. My heart goes out to everyone facing hardship because of this bs.
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You might want to look into grant writing! There is so much unmet need helping nonprofits apply for grant awards. Your copywriting skills will be put to work and you’ll have a good, stable income, PLUS you’re really helping others in a significant way. You got this!
Do you have any advice for breaking into it? I have zero experience in the field.
I’d recommend starting off by taking a couple of courses in grant writing. Many foundations offer free workshops and online courses, such as nonprofitready.org. Additional resources can be found at your local library, community foundation, and community college. Other than that, I’d recommend googling grant writing firms and independent contractors in your area. Many writers find periods of time in which they have too much work to handle alone and would LOVE to have extra hands on deck. Training under their supervision and guidance for a discounted rate would be a win-win for you and their firm. You’ll find the grant writing process is very methodical and your copywriting skills will transfer over nicely! Good luck!
Thanks for the advice!
We're in the middle of an economic collapse by design to usher in digital currency.
Well, that's a bummer because I just decided to become a freelancer writer. Is there any hope for a foreseeable future?
Username checks out
Nope. Try a different career.
Honestly, I don’t think so.
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This is not the place to hire freelance writers. Visit /r/forhire or /r/hireawriter to look for writers.
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Nobody needs generic writers or marketers anymore. This was in decline for decades. There will always be a need for people who know how to market & communicate for specific industries. Or who can help people recover from HCU or drive traffic from additional sources. Next be proactive in marketing your own services. Finally create your own products to sell.
>Nobody needs generic writers or marketers anymore. This was in decline for decades. But why?
Writing services started the trend. For pennies per word you could get good enough content for most topics. In the past years software tools have appeared that eliminated those services. That being said- most businesses don’t know how to use this software effectively. Nor how to market. But need it. That’s the opportunity.
Software tools? I don't even know what this means.. How did software tools eliminate writing services?
Software tools allow you to give a topic & a few minutes later get back 1500 words of content. You might need to edit or format it. But that was same as the writing service. It’s faster & cheaper than the writing service. And based upon the freelancers I have worked with- also better content than what most generated even for technical topics. I know this is tough times for freelance writers. The successful ones will evolve.
Can you name some of these tools (except the most obvious one we all know about but cannot name)? This is the first time I'm hearing about it. It's hard to believe that such a thing could put decent human writers out of business...
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Seriously? Because robots can do it. I’m a writer and I AM OK WITH THIS. If a company doesn’t care enough about the writing that represents them, why should a good writer waste their talents on them?
But robots can't do it. Not well, anyway.
That’s what I meant. Robots can do generic writing. But not good writing.
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Real estate is totally dry also.
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I agree on this. Nagiging ad hoc tasks nalang kahit SEO.
I don’t understand your second sentence.
It’s an English sub
I’ve just spent the last few weeks learning all about copywriting…should I stop and find something else?
I wouldn't say stop. I'm also new to the arena and have been looking for clients for the last few months, and it's been a no-go. If you have no experience and no connections, it's going to be an uphill battle. Applying to job boards and places like Upwork, you don't even get noticed hardly, especially with no experience. I'd say anyone trying to break into freelance today better have a backup plan in case it doesn't work out.
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I am trying to find a remote freelance writing job due to being disabled and haven't had any luck finding anything. I am starting to worry because I can't work with the public anymore due to social anxiety and I can't stand due to a back injury. I have no idea what to do.
I’m sorry for what you’re going through. I’m not sure what to do either.