Making Ends Meet: 5 Great Side Jobs for Writers
The side hustle is on the increase.
In a recent survey of 1,000 Americans who worked a side job, CreditLoan discovered that people were willing to give up recreation, time with friends and family, and even sleep to earn a supplemental income.
While some of these great side jobs mean leaving the house, for example driving an Uber or babysitting, others can be done from the comfort of your couch with a laptop. And for writers, there’s plenty of opportunities to use your skill with words in part-time jobs to supplement income.
Here, we spotlight a few:
1. Copywriter
Writing great copy needs creativity and skill, something that fiction authors have in spades. If you’re able to craft a compelling narrative, then you can tell a story for a company which encourages people to use their services. That’s what copywriting is, in a nutshell.
While some companies have a full-time copywriter on the payroll, for small businesses who can’t justify that, freelancers are the solution. Look out for freelance copywriting opportunities on job sites, or freelancing sites like Upwork.
2. Blogging
You could set up your own blog, invest the necessary time and effort into making it popular and then monetize it, but that’s a long-term project. In the shorter term, with the rise of content marketing, many companies are looking for original and compelling content.
Job boards are another place to look for freelance roles, but there are several websites dedicated to connecting writers with opportunities. Although rates vary, writing a few blogs a week is one of the great side jobs for extra income.
Protip: You’ll earn a little more if you can find your niche.
3. Resume Writer
The best weekend jobs for extra income give you the flexibility to take work, or not to take it, so you can fit it around your personal life. Revamping resumes for paying clients is one of those jobs — busy executives use an executive resume service to get them ready for their next move.
There are a number of services available that you can sign up to, and it can be interesting work to see what other people have done with their lives and help them to get to the next stage.
4. Transcription
Most people who spend any decent amount of time at a keyboard develop a keen touch-typing speed. If this is you, then transcription might be an interesting opportunity.
Assignments vary from business meetings to legal proceedings, but be aware that the hourly rate quoted is ofter per hour of audio, not per hour it takes you to transcribe and proof.
5. Writing Tutor
Teaching can also offer opportunities for part-time jobs for extra money. Whether you tutor children going through school, or help an adult to master some of the finer points of creative technique, this job can be rewarding.
If you feel that you have plenty to offer, you could also consider organizing workshops and charging attendees to come along and spend some time refining their skills with you to act as a mentor.
More Great Side Jobs for Writers
These aren’t the only opportunities available for good writers. You could consider ghostwriting, proof-reading and editing, or offering developmental edits for other writers.
The opportunities are out there! Pack your home office with the essentials, and start looking for your lucrative side gig. For more writing advice, check out our writing blog.
