Freelance writing can be anything you want it to be. A full-time career. A simple side hustle. Or a flexible part-time job that works around your schedule.
Unfortunately, most part-time writers never build a truly sustainable income.
Why?
Because they treat it like a hobby, not a business. They take random gigs, undercharge, and scramble for work every few months. It’s why so many writers burn out or quit before seeing real results.
If that’s been your experience, you aren’t alone.
Luckily, if you structure it right, a part-time writing business could be the key to unlocking exactly what you want in life. Supporting your family. Fueling your travel obsession. Adding income in retirement.
It’s not about working harder, but working smarter.
I’ve helped nearly 100 writers turn their gig-to-gig side hustle into a blossoming part-time business that provides steady, stress-free income. In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to do that.
Step 1: Stop Taking Random Gigs. Start Building a Niche
If you’re saying yes to everything, you’re saying no to stability.
Many freelancers think casting a wide net means more work. In reality, it leads to low-paying gigs, no clear authority, and constantly hunting for new clients.
Instead, you need to pick a niche.
You don’t have to be married to it forever. But choosing one or two industries or types of content to focus on will make you more valuable.
Today’s clients don’t want “just a writer.” They want a writer who understands their audience’s needs and the nuances of their industry.
If you don’t have a niche yet, start by:
- Looking at your background. Do you have past experience in tech, marketing, health, or finance? Use it.
- Follow the money. Some industries (B2B, SaaS, finance, healthcare, legal) pay $300-500 per article. Others barely hit $50.
- Start small. If you’re unsure, start testing pitches in 2-3 niches and see what sticks.
If you’re interested in more guidance, check out our free course “Niche to Rich” and walk away with your ideal niche in just one hour.
Step 2: Build a Reliable Client Pipeline
If your plan is to keep taking jobs that fall in your lap, or worse, finding them on Upwork or other job boards, the result won’t be pretty.
Relying on this method of landing clients creates feast or famine cycles. You get work, then nothing. You never know where the next payday is coming from.
For a side hustle, it can be good enough. For someone who wants a reliable part-time gig, it’s exhausting.
If you want the latter, focus on building a client pipeline that brings work to you more steadily. Start with these three avenues:
1️⃣ Use LinkedIn the Smart Way
Most people post their portfolio and… wait around. Successful writers engage. Follow decision-makers in your niche and learn their pain points. Leave insightful comments on their posts (like this killer strategy Anna shared). Post your own content that delivers value and demonstrates your expertise.
2️⃣ Use Warm Outreach (Not Cold Pitches)
Cold emails are easy to ignore. Warm outreach—where you engage first, then pitch—works better.
After a few interactions on LinkedIn or an industry forum, send your leads a message. This approach feels natural and less spammy. And it works.
3️⃣ Ask for Referrals
If you’ve done even one paid writing gig, you have a referral network. Reach out to your past clients and say, “Hey [Name], I loved working with you! If you know anyone looking for content, I’d really appreciate if you could connect us.”
Many opportunities come this way. Sometimes, all you need to do is ask.
Step 3: Price for Sustainability
Every time I see a part-time freelancer undercharging because they’re afraid of scaring clients away, I die a little inside. It’s an easy mistake to make. But what you think is getting you more clients may actually be costing you opportunities.
If your rates are too low, clients won’t take you seriously. Good news: pricing higher attracts better clients. Unlocking the psychology tricks behind pricing your work can set you up for long-term success.
Step 4: Structure Your Workload to Avoid Burnout
Another mistake many part-time freelancers make is trying to squeeze in work whenever they “find time.” Maybe you have kids and are working around their schedule. Maybe you’re battling a chronic health condition and only have so much energy for the day. Maybe you just don’t want to work 40 hours a week.
That’s a recipe for burnout. It also leads to rushed work, missed deadlines, and lots of stress.
That’s why I recommend what I like to call the “Core Client” strategy.
Instead of juggling 10 random clients at once or picking up one-off gigs, aim to find 2-3 core clients who provide steady work.
- What’s a core client? A company or publication that gives you regular assignments (weekly or monthly) at a regular rate.
- Why does this work? Less time spent hunting for new gigs = more time actually writing (and earning).
- How do you get them? Start by approaching your existing clients and offer them a custom package for set work (bundle discounts work great here).
Your Next Steps (Do This Now)
Learning is great, but action gets results. If you’re serious about turning freelance writing into a part-time job that provides steady income and freedom to do what you want without working 40 hours, do these three things this week.
✔️ Pick (or refine) your niche.
✔️ Reach out to ten potential clients using the warm outreach method.
✔️ Assess your rates and increase them if they’re too low.
