If you’re a creative writer, you’ve probably wondered what the best remote writing jobs might be. Still, you want to make an effort to turn your craft into a living. While it’s probably a lot easier said than done (I know from experience), there are a lot of options and some exciting opportunities for you to explore. Below are some of my top recommendations for people who are trying to break into some type of writing career, with hopefully some satisfactory degree of creativity involved.
The Best Remote Writing Jobs in 2023
1. Freelancer
Average salary (USD per hour): $23.96
Freelancing takes some time and patience to really get into. You have to craft profiles and portfolios to display for potential clients and you will inevitably get a lot of rejection. But, you are a writer, so that’s something you’ll have to get used to. There are tons of freelance writing and editing jobs out there for you to apply to. I do recommend using Fiverr or Upwork, as these in my experience tend to be the most accessible and popular.
I recommend building a portfolio before you start. And it depends on the type of freelance writing you’re doing. If you want to be a ghostwriter, then you will want to have some pages of creative fiction to display. If it’s screenplays, then you’ll need something formatted in a script. If you’re using Upwork, craft a well-written cover letter and an eye-catching service description. Then, all you need to do is start submitting applications for jobs. Remember, this will take some time and strategy for you to land one. I recommend submitting to entry-level jobs and ones that have minimal application volume. Here are some freelancing options that you should consider:
2. Reviewer
Average salary (US per hour): N/A
There are lots of sites out there that will pay you to read and review books by new authors. Now, I’m keeping this on the last although you will not really make a living from doing this. It’s more for some side cash if anything. But you still get paid for it and you can use your reviews for portfolio content. Most of the time, all you need to do is sign up and start reading. There might be some information for you to fill out, and then you might have to do some unpaid reading before you can be verified. But, I still think this is a worthy opportunity for some people who are avid readers. Here are some sites for you to consider:
3. Copywriter
Average salary(US per hour): $26.77
This is another writing job that you don’t necessarily need experience for. You also don’t need a degree, although it helps with prospects. A copywriter’s job is to create text for the purpose of marketing and advertising. Usually, these individuals create blogs, social media content, email marketing campaigns, and advertisements. They often work closely with graphic designers. The goal is to generate clicks and sales from the words you put on whatever platform or page you’re contributing to.
To become a copywriter with no experience, I recommend building a portfolio with examples of copy for different platforms. Blog Posts, emails, video scripts, etc. You can create a mock ad for a company you like. For example, you can write ad scripts for Keurig. Or you can start your own website or social media page and start accumulating followers. Proof that you can turn copy into clicks and potentially sales is a really valuable thing for employers. You can check out job boards like Indeed or LinkedIn to see who’s looking for copywriters of various levels.
4. Content writer
Average salary (USD per hour): $20.03
Content writers are similar to copywriters, and in some cases, they kind of do the same thing. Although content writers are solely focused on producing things like blog posts, stories, and articles. Typically you will work in a specific niche, like lifestyle. Then all your content will be geared toward lifestyle topics. There are a lot of entry-level content writing positions that don’t require experience, but they will likely not pay very much. But, if you accept a freelance position that doesn’t pay well, it’s a good place to gain experience and build a portfolio.
This worked for me. I took a few freelance writing positions that didn’t pay very well, and then once I had enough experience, I was able to land a contract position that I could make a living on.
5. Translator
Average salary (USD per hour): $21.76
This is obviously a position that not everyone can do. If you are bilingual, however, becoming a translator might be something worth considering. There are also lots of content writing jobs that involve translation on the market currently. Speaking another language is a highly sought-after skill in more jobs than one. Of course, the job of a translator can vary, but in a general sense, you will be translating words over various mediums into a different language. In most cases, simply knowing multiple languages is enough to land a job.
6. Tutor
Average salary (USD per hour): $24.21
Tutoring is an option for some who may have academic credentials. There will be chances for writers without academic credentials to tutor or teach, but you will likely need a teaching certificate. I think this can be another great option for students especially who want to gain some experience helping others with the English language. I like this one in particular because it’s convenient, you can do it online and it’s a job that will always be in demand, but also, you’re helping yourself by reinforcing writing concepts that you’ve been practicing.
Honorable Mentions (Not Remote)
1. Library assistant/employee
Average salary (USD per hour): $15.86
If you’re like me, the idea of working in a library is a very romantic one. There are a number of really beautiful locations in my area and it’s nice to go to read and write for a couple of hours when I have time. If you really like being in a quiet environment, surrounded by books and other people who are passionate about books, then working at a library is a good fit for you. Now, I’m referring to entry-level positions that don’t require a library science degree. These positions are often referred to as “pages”, and typically these positions are available for high school or college students. Responsibilities are typically just to shelve and organize materials. The best way to find these jobs would be to go to the careers section of your local library and see what openings they have.
2. Barista
Average salary (USD per hour): $14.82
This one might be a bit of a stereotype and it involves no writing whatsoever (except for maybe the names you write on to-go cups for customers) but I think that working in a coffee or lounge has some major benefits for aspiring authors. The main thing is that you get to meet lots of different people. You can quietly observe them and mull over story ideas while you do so. Being observant and designing characters that are based on actual people and their behavior is important for creating them in your books. The other nice thing about working as a barista is that you never take your work home. When your shift is over, it’s over. Then you can get to writing.
Conclusion
These are just a few remote writing jobs that I think aspiring writers might like to pursue, mainly because these are all things that at one point or another I’ve considered or actually tried. Obviously, there are many other options, and lots of you will already be in positions that are ideal for you as a writer. I do think that for some writers, the ideal job will not involve any writing at all. When you’re job seeking, I would urge you to look beyond jobs that appear to have transferable skills, as you will gain a lot of life experience in non-writing jobs that will enrich your narratives.
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