How to Make Money from Content Writing in 2026

So, whether you want to know how to earn money from content writing, don’t blame me—I’m a professional content writer and earn a lot of money from writing. For me, this is a dream come true—I love writing, and working from home, not having the pressure of 30+ hours a week, and being my own boss suits me perfectly.

Good news: Content writing is in high demand right now. There are many ways to earn money from writing.

The bad news: Competition is fierce, scams are rife, and there are plenty of ways you’ll waste time writing content but not make any money.

In this guide, I’ll show you step-by-step how to earn money from content writing.

A warning first: Earning money quickly through content writing isn’t easy. It will take some time. Therefore, I recommend starting this journey only if you truly have a passion for writing.

Quick Summary: How to Earn Money from Content Writing (8 Steps)

Don’t want to read the whole blog post? No worries, here’s the short and simple version.

1. Earn money by writing content for clients
2. Learn SEO, copywriting, and sales basics
3. Join content writing platforms
4. Apply to LinkedIn and freelance sites
5. Don’t pay someone just to teach you
6. Figure out the nitty-gritty
7. Keep learning new things
8. Rinse and repeat

Step-by-Step Guide: Make Money Writing for Clients

1. Decide What Type of Content You Like to Write

It’s a good idea to start blogging, like on Medium. (It also builds your portfolio!)

2. Learn SEO, Copywriting, and Sales Basics

YouTube has endless free content for this. I’ve even created some videos on SEO and sales. Try some recommended YouTube channels for copywriting.

3. Join Content Writing Platforms

Join platforms where you can write paid articles for small amounts. Examples: Scripted, Textbroker, Medium, Copify. I covered these platforms in detail in my article “How beginners can get paid to write articles.”

4. Apply on LinkedIn and Freelance Sites

Update your LinkedIn profile and apply for content writing jobs—on Fiverr, Upwork, and similar platforms.

5. Don’t Pay Someone Just to Teach You

I want to stress this: don’t pay someone just to teach you content writing or a freelance job—unless you try it yourself. If you’re struggling and need cheat sheets/shortcuts, you can take a trusted course or coaching. But try it yourself first.

6. Figure Out the Nitty-Gritty

Do you want to pitch or receive pitches? What should your rates be? What type of freelance writing is your specialty? All of this will take time, but it’s important.

7. Keep Learning New Things

You know the basics—great! But what about domain authority? How strong are your editing skills? Can you subtly sell products or services in your content? Always keep improving.

8. Rinse and Repeat

I’m a freelance writer myself and, honestly, I’m still improving my process. If it takes you time to understand the process, that’s totally fine. Sometimes go back to basics, take a low-paying job at Scripted, and learn new skills. It’s all part of the journey.

How to Earn Money Writing Content for Yourself (Build Your Own Brand)

I have a few freelance clients, but I generate the majority of my income from my own brand/website. If you want to do this too, the steps are quite similar:

• First decide what type of content you enjoy writing. If you’re creating content just for yourself, there’s no need to choose a niche yet—just have fun!

Start a Website and Email List

For a website, I recommend Durable AI—it’s sleek and easy. For a newsletter, ConvertKit is a good option.

Learn the Basics

SEO, copywriting, and sales. SEO gets your content views. Copywriting keeps people on the page. Sales are how you earn.

Start Writing Content

Write for your website and email list—don’t overthink it; try once weekly at first.

Start Social Media

Instagram, YouTube, X—choose platforms where you can post consistently and grow your audience.

Don’t Pay to Learn

I stress this—don’t pay anyone to become a content creator. If you’re struggling and want shortcuts, you can take a trusted course or coaching. But try it yourself first.

Figure Out the Nitty-Gritty

What is your niche? What types of affiliate products do you want to recommend? Do you want to sell courses, ads, or sponsorships? You can try multiple things.

Always Keep Learning

Learning never ends—keep improving your skills.

Rinse and Repeat

I’ve recently been learning affiliate marketing. It’s all part of the journey.

Pro tip: These two—writing content for clients and for yourself—aren’t mutually exclusive. You can do both.

What Is Content Writing Exactly?

Many people Google “how to write content” because it sounds like a good gig… but they don’t know what content writing actually is.

A content writer’s job is to transform information into content—for a brand. (And you can be the brand yourself!) This content should engage an audience and drive them toward a specific product or service.

Content examples:

• Social media posts
• Thought leadership content
• Blog posts

As a freelance writer, you’ll be hired by a company to create this content, or you’ll write content for your own website/brand.

Example: A real client of mine sells a backend development course for beginners. The client wants content created about backend careers so that potential customers visit the blog, read expert advice, and sign up for the course. This is content writing.

Content writers aren’t just focused on marketing or selling. They spark emotions, educate, inspire, and entertain. By writing good, engaging content, content writers build brand trust, establish thought leadership, and forge strong connections with their audiences.

Essential Skills Needed to Earn from Content Writing

1. Ability to Hook Readers A skilled content writer knows how to grab a reader’s attention in the first line. Creating a compelling intro is crucial so readers keep reading.
2. Mastery of Brand Tone Writers must be able to adapt their style to the brand’s tone and voice—whether professional, casual, or conversational. You must effectively convey the brand’s personality through your writing.
3. Attention to Details Grammar, punctuation, spelling—everything must be perfect. Delivering accurate and consistent content is crucial.
4. SEO Knowledge Know the basics of SEO. Optimize content with relevant keywords, meta tags, and backlinks to improve search engine visibility and attract organic traffic.
5. Creativity Creativity is crucial to engaging readers. Bringing fresh ideas and unique perspectives makes content interesting.

How to Start Content Writing with No Experience (Beginner-Friendly)

1. Just start writing
2. Identify your niche
3. Be online and findable
4. Build a portfolio
5. Start pitching

Detailed steps:

• To earn money from content writing, you need to be good at writing. Practice, see what resonates with your audience, and find your voice.
• Choose topics of your passion and knowledge. This will greatly help you get clients and establish authority.
• Create profiles on platforms like Medium and LinkedIn. Share your thoughts and expertise, showcase your writing skills, and build an online following.
• No experience? No problem! Write sample articles or blog posts and create a portfolio. (Medium is a good option—you can even earn $5/month through the Medium Partner Program.)
• Once your portfolio is ready, start sending pitches to potential clients or publications. Be persistent and don’t be demotivated by initial rejections.

Tips for Beginner Content Writers

• Network: Connect with other writers and professionals in your niche. I recommend Superpath for starting a Slack community. Medium is also good for finding writing buddies.
• Offer free or discounted services: Initially, do free or discounted work to gain experience and build a solid client base.
• Keep improving your writing skills: Get feedback, join workshops, and stay updated with industry trends.

Remember, starting content writing for beginners requires perseverance, dedication, and a willingness to learn.

How Much Do Content Writers Really Earn?

According to a PayScale survey, the average salary of a content writer in the US is $50,000 per year. Indeed reports an average of $20.20/hour (or $42,016 per year).

I’ve been writing content myself for 5 years, and 3 years full-time, and I earn $100,000+ per year.

Income depends on:

• Self-promotion skills
• Outreach
• Specialty skills
• Speed and quality

Will AI Kill Content Writing Jobs?

Short answer: No. Writing content will still remain a human monetizable skill.

Why? Because AI cannot understand emotions, which is crucial for creating compelling and engaging content.

AI tools are coming, but they cannot match the creativity and emotional intelligence of humans.

Best AI Tools for Content Writers (Pros & Cons)

Pros

• Time-saving
• Grammar and readability improved
• Content optimization through data analysis

Cons

• Lack of emotional intelligence
• Cannot replicate human creativity
• Sometimes content may appear robotic

Main Ways to Monetize Content Writing

1. Monetizing a Blog
   • Rank for keywords → AdSense, Mediavine, Ezoic
   • Affiliate marketing
   • Sponsored content
2. Freelance Writing Platforms: Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer. My advice: Build portfolio on Medium/own blog/LinkedIn first, then pitch directly for better rates.

Conclusion: Yes, You Can Make Real Money from Content Writing

You can truly earn real money by writing content. And this content can be about anything—literally any topic in the world—and it will find an audience through the internet.

Your job is simple: a) Find an audience b) Monetize your content

The biggest obstacle is often yourself. But if you keep working consistently, learning, and improving—you can make money online from content writing.

FAQs – Content Writing for Money

How do I start as a content writer? Just start writing, and keep writing. See what works—what samples get you hired, what content resonates—and then adjust accordingly.

How much should I get paid for content writing? You should get paid what you deserve. If you’re working for clients, I’d suggest no less than 10 cents per word, or $50/hour.

Which content writing pays the most? Ghostwriting is the highest-paying type. It involves a bit of an ego check—because you’re writing under someone else’s name. Start with low-paid gigs on Reedsy to gain experience and grow from there.