Are you a seasoned freelance writer looking to boost your monthly income?
Or perhaps you’re just starting out and wondering what types of freelance writing gigs could actually help you earn a full-time living.
Either way, I’m here to share some real-life examples of the freelance writing work that can consistently bring in £1,000 or more per month.
Now, I know what you’re thinking – £1k a month from freelance writing?
That seems like a lofty goal.
But I’m here to tell you that it’s absolutely achievable, even if you’re just starting out (FYI, I know plenty of freelancers making £10k+ a month). The key is finding the right types of writing work and then putting in the effort to build up a steady client base and portfolio.
1. Copywriting
One of the most lucrative forms of freelance writing is copywriting.
Copywriters are responsible for crafting engaging, persuasive copy for things like websites, email marketing campaigns, sales pages, advertisements, and more. Copywriting requires strong persuasive writing skills as well as an understanding of psychology and buyer behaviour.
But master these skills, and you could easily command rates of £50-£150+ per hour.
Mike Peake charges at least £2,000 for a 5-page website or anywhere between £750-£3,000 for a single homepage.
Here’s an example of a piece of copywriting from Mike:
2. Content marketing
Another lucrative freelance writing niche is content marketing.
Brands and businesses are always on the lookout for talented writers who can create blog posts, long-form articles, white papers, ebooks, and other valuable content to attract and engage their target audience.
Content marketing writing often pays better than standard blog post rates, with the potential to earn £300-£1,000+ per project.
I charge a minimum of £600 for a short blog post. Those prices increase to £1,000+ for 2,000 words. But, as you can see, it’s not just about the “writing”. My prices also include statistics, SME quotes, reports, and a ton of research.
Here’s an example of a piece of content I wrote for Klaviyo:
3. Technical writing
This freelance writing niche involves crafting instruction manuals, how-to guides, and other documentation for tech companies and software providers.
The rates are high – typically £50-£100+ per hour.
Here’s the catch: technical writers need strong writing skills combined with deep knowledge of the product or technology they’re documenting. Companies are willing to pay premium rates for writers who can translate complex topics into clear, easy-to-follow guides. With the right expertise, technical writers can consistently earn £1,000 or more per month.
Craig Wright charges upwards of £420 per day for his technical writing skills. Here’s an example of a piece of technical content from his portfolio:
4. Grant writing
This freelance niche involves researching and writing grant proposals for non-profits, charities, and other organizations. Projects typically pay £500-£2,000+. Grant writers need strong research and proposal-writing skills to secure funding for their clients. With the right expertise, grant writers can earn £1,000 or more per month from this type of work.
Beckie Irvin charges $1,200 for her grant writing services.
5. E-learning course creation
One of my first writing gigs in the marketing niche was for a company that wanted to create online marketing courses.
It was the start of something beautiful – my niche pivot into marketing, tech, and SaaS.
E-learning course creation is pretty self explanatory. It involves developing scripts, lesson plans, and other written content for online courses. Rates are typically around £500-£1,500+ per course.
E-learning writers need strong instructional design skills to create engaging, effective learning materials, as well as a conversational tone to be able to write scripts with ease.
Here’s how one writer charged $1,500-$5,000 per e-learning project they worked on.
6. Ghostwriting
This high-earning freelance writing niche involves crafting books, articles, and other content on behalf of thought leaders and public figures. Ghostwriting projects can pay £2,000-£10,000+. Ghostwriters need exceptional research, writing, and interview skills to capture a client’s unique voice and produce compelling content for them.
Charlotte Peacock starts her ghostwriting prices at £5,000 but these can go up to £75,000 for a book-length manuscript.
How to earn £1k a month as a freelancer
Earning £1,000 a month as a freelancer is totally achievable, whether you’re starting out or already have a couple of clients under your belt. But it’s about more than just landing work; it’s about understanding how to price yourself, build repeatable processes, and find clients who see your value. Here’s a step-by-step roadmap to hitting that first milestone.
1. Set clear income goals and plan your pricing
Before you jump in, break down what £1,000 a month looks like in terms of work and pricing.
Let’s say you charge £100 per piece: you’d need to secure 10 pieces a month to hit your target. Or, if your rates are closer to £250, then you’re only aiming for 4 projects.
Make sure you’re setting prices that reflect your skills, the value you bring, and the time you invest—don’t undersell yourself just to secure work. It’s a common trap, but setting a fair rate from the start will help you build a sustainable freelance business.
2. Build an offer that attracts clients
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel to start making an income as a freelancer.
Think about the skills you already have and how they can help clients solve a problem.
What do businesses struggle with that you can make easier?
For instance, if you’re a writer, think about offering quick-turnaround blog posts, email sequences, or social media captions.
By narrowing down your services to specific, outcome-driven packages, you’ll make it easier for clients to understand what you offer—and you’ll be able to get projects through the door faster.
3. Warm pitching and networking
Now that you know what you’re offering and how much you need to charge, it’s time to find clients.
Instead of waiting for work to come to you, take matters into your own hands with warm pitching and networking.
Warm pitching means reaching out to people who you already know or who might be connected with your work.
Think about old colleagues, companies you admire, or even small businesses in your network. Start conversations and let them know about your services—often, clients prefer to work with people they already have some trust in.
4. Build repeatable systems
Earning £1k a month consistently isn’t just about getting clients; it’s about streamlining your processes so you’re not scrambling each month.
Start by creating repeatable workflows for each service you offer, from onboarding clients to delivering final work.
Set up templates, checklists, and even canned responses for common questions to make each step quicker.
With solid systems in place, you’ll be able to increase your productivity and take on more work, ultimately boosting your income beyond that initial £1k goal.
5. Add value and aim for repeat clients
One-off projects are great, but to build a reliable freelance income, you’ll want clients who come back.
Adding value—whether it’s through offering a little extra advice, delivering stellar service, or simply making their life easier—will help you stand out.
Ask clients if they need ongoing work or suggest how you can support them with future projects. Not only will this make it easier to hit your income goals, but it also frees you from constantly finding new leads, so you can focus more on doing the work you love.
Earning £1k a month as a freelance writer is completely possible
The bottom line is this: Earning a full-time income from freelance writing is absolutely possible. You just need to be strategic about the types of writing work you pursue and how you position yourself in the market.
If you can develop in-demand skills, build a strong portfolio, and effectively market your services, there’s no reason you can’t be making £1,000 or more per month as a freelance writer.
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