November 5, 2025
When you’re thinking about earning extra income as a freelance writer by starting a freelance side hustle or starting a company so you can become a freelance writer and be your own boss, you might start considering the question, “What is freelance?”
Or, a friend might ask you to “define freelance” when you say you’re interested in pursuing freelance writing.
You might also want to know “what does it mean to freelance,” “how do you become a freelance writer,” and “what exactly do freelance writers do?
You’ll often hear a freelancer described as an “independent contractor,” especially when a business sets you up in their system for payments. In that setup:
And yes, freelancers often get wrapped up in media talk about the “gig economy,” especially when people talk about freelance writing jobs. But, driving for UBER Eats as a gig worker is much different than freelance writing for a magazine or brand.
You may hear of freelancers lumped into the “gig economy” topics as well in the media in topics about freelance writing jobs.
The beauty of becoming a freelancer and securing freelance jobs in today’s digital age is that you can do it right now. When you’re done reading this, start calling yourself a freelancer, launch a freelance writer portfolio website, tell everyone you know that you’re a freelancer and own a freelance writing business.
Answer the question “What do freelance writers do?” confidently.
(Here’s how to launch your freelance business and website in one weekend.)
Once your website (or some kind of freelance profile) is live, consider that “hanging your shingle” that you are open for business and on your way to become a freelance writer.
After you’ve figured out the answer to “what is freelance” and “what is freelance writing”, you’re probably thinking, “How do freelancers find work?” and “How do freelance writers find jobs?”
There are so many ways to find freelance writing jobs and freelance work. I cover a lot of this in my eBook “100+ Tips for Beginner Freelance Writers” as well as in my freelance writing e-course “Get Paid to Write.”
Here are some ways freelance writers find freelance writing jobs:
Wondering what freelance writers actually do? How do businesses define “freelance”? And how do side-hustlers define freelancing for themselves?
Freelance writing is the service you, the freelancer or independent contractor, provide to your clients. Usually:
What freelancing means will vary from person to person. Ask five freelancers and you’ll get five different takes. Here’s how I define “freelance” and “what freelance writers do”:
Here’s what it usually looks like when I get a freelance writing job from a client:
That’s the brief version of how to be a freelance writer in a nutshell.
One of my favorite responses to the question of “what is freelance?” is that it can be whatever you want it to be. That’s why I love being a freelance writer.
In simplest terms: working for yourself. When you freelance, you offer your services (writing, design, consulting, etc.) as an independent professional—usually on a project or contract basis—not as a regular employee. You’re free to set your own schedule, choose your clients, and manage your own business.
A freelancer (also called an independent contractor) usually: takes payment as gross (no automatic tax withholding), has no employee-benefits through the hiring business, and works under a contract or project rather than a traditional employer-employee relationship. The business doesn’t treat you like a staff member; it treats you like a vendor. In the U.S., you’ll be given a 1099 tax form at tax time and might be referred to as a 1099 worker.
Lots of things, including: pitching ideas or responding to job posts, researching topics, outlining pieces, writing drafts, editing, turning in final copy, invoicing clients, following up for edits and future work. You wear many hats (writer + marketer + business owner + accounting department + publicity team) when you freelance. And yes, naps, coffee breaks, workouts, walks and snacks.
Good news: you can start freelancing now. Steps include: choose your niche (e.g., blog posts, magazine features, email content), build a simple website or portfolio, let your network know you’re available, apply to freelance writing jobs, send thoughtful cold emails, and consistently market yourself. Over time, your work and referrals will bring more clients your way.
A balanced approach works best when looking for freelance writing jobs:
Because it is both. Flexibility is one of the biggest benefits: you choose clients, hours, and sometimes location. On the flip side: you don’t have the guarantee of a salary, benefits, or a boss telling you what to do (which some people miss). It helps to treat freelancing like a business: build your client base, project your income, and build buffers (savings, contracts) so the scary bits feel less scary.
Absolutely. Many freelance writers start part-time, but with strategy, including good clients, repeat work, marketing, setting freelance rates, it’s possible to build a full-time freelance writing business. The key: treat it like a business, not just a hobby.
Tags: freelance, freelance writer, freelance writing, freelance writing tips, freelancer, writing tips
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