Online Writing Jobs in the United States

Online Writing Jobs Overview

Do you love writing? Do you dream of a career without geographical constraints? Perhaps you have specific sectorial knowledge or you’re comfortable switching between many topics. Either way, online writing jobs sound like what you’ve been looking for.

Online writing jobs provide almost infinite opportunities if you’re gifted in persuasive and effective writing. And, if you’re not a pro yet, you can always learn these skills. After all, they say “practice makes perfect”. Plus, this profession is not going anywhere. Demand for writers is going to be at a stable 4% over the next decade.

Types of Online Writer Jobs

What are you waiting for? Write your future today as:

• A technical writer: working on clear and concise documentations, explaining complex technical information in a user-friendly manner.
• A copywriter: crafting persuasive and compelling written content for advertisements, marketing material, and other promotional messages.
• A blogger: publishing engaging and informative content on specific topics or niches, sharing insights and experiences.
• A ghostwriter: writing content on behalf someone else, often a public figure, while remaining anonymous.
• A video script writer: creating dialogue, narration, and visual cues for a video production.
• An SEO writer: crafting content optimized for search engines, strategically incorporating relevant keywords for your market.
• An email marketing writer: utilizing effective copywriting techniques to connect with your audiences and promote products and services.
• A social media writer: developing captivating content for various social media platforms to engage with audiences and build brand awareness.
• An editor: reviewing and refining written content, ensuring clarity, coherence, and readability.
• A freelance writer: being a self-employed professional who creates content on a wide range of topics and for various clients.

The writing profession also offers great flexibility. Once you learn the basics, it's relatively easy to pivot in different directions. It’s also often flexible with options to work full-time, part-time or on custom hours.

Salaries for Online Writing Jobs

How much you can earn in online writing jobs depends on many factors including:

• the industries you’re specialized in
• your experience
• the type of contract you have
• the size of the company you work for

Even your location can sometimes impact your pay. While online roles give you the freedom to work anywhere, your rate may be dependent on where you or the company is based.

To get a general idea, here are some example salary ranges:

• writers: $16.35 to $37.15 per hour, or $34,024 to $77,309 per year.
• technical writers: $25.48 to $42.9 per hour, or $53,023 to $89,274 per year.
• copywriters: $47,469 to $78,487 per year.

You’ll be paid the most for writing jobs online in the following industries:

• motion picture and video: $136,690 per year
• securities and other financial investments: $123,150 per year
• non-depository credit intermediation: $115,440 per year
• schools and instruction: $114,990 per year
• educational support services: $110,740 per year

Wondering how much online writing jobs pay in your area? Simply check out Monster’s Salary Calculator. This free resource helps you compare salaries for similar roles. Plus, it provides insights into the best skills to work on to advance in your field.

How to Find the Best Online Writing Jobs

Having a proper strategy for your online writing jobs search reduces overwhelm and saves time. Here is what to pay attention to for a stress-free experience:

Narrow Down Your Areas of Expertise or Interest

To screen job ads easily and efficiently, first determine which types of writing you enjoy and excel at. There might be more than one, but you should have a clear idea if you prefer copywriting, content creation, technical writing or something else.

Research Companies

It’s crucial to do your research and be selective to find reputable companies so that you don’t fall victim to scam jobs that can occur in the online space. Gather information by checking their websites, social media pages, and online reviews from previous employees.

How to Apply to Online Writing Jobs

Ensure your resume and cover letter are well-crafted to stand out from the crowd and capture attention. Here’s how to do it:

Update Your Resume for Writing Jobs Online

Can you write pages and pages about any topic but struggle to write your own resume? The trick is to approach this writing task like any other, think of yourself as the client and your resume content that sells. You can even use a template like our copywriter resume sample to save time on the layout.

Start by researching the skills that companies ask for in job listings. Then, include those specific keywords in your resume. Some of the most common include:

• creativity
• attention to detail
• familiarity with writing style guides like AP Style or Chicago Manual of Style
• CMS knowledge such as WordPress
• proofreading
• familiarity with basic HTML and web formatting
• ability to meet deadlines and work independently
• a clear understanding of your audience

Next, add some objective facts about your past writing accomplishments. Include metrics about engagement, SEO performance, conversion, and performance, such as:

• page views
• bounce rate
• social media shares
• keyword rankings
• organic traffic
• conversion rate
• click-through rate
• readability scores
• Since a resume can only be so long, put your most persuasive writing into a brief professional summary and save the rest for a well-argued cover letter.

Need more help with your resume? Let the experts at Monster’s Resume Writing Services do their magic. They’ll find the best keywords for your target job and showcase your experience and skills in the most powerful way.

Tips for Online Writing Job Cover Letters

In a cover letter, you can let your creativity run wild. However, you should still follow our cover letter best practices, including:

• Tailor the cover letter to the specific role. Make sure to customize the letter and explain why you’re the right fit for that specific business. Your writing style should also be in line with the requirements of the job posting, use the cover letter as an opportunity to showcase this.
• Highlight relevant experience. Refer to specific samples in your portfolio (that you’ll attach to your application) to provide real testimony of your skills.
• Address the employer’s needs. Show that you understand what the company needs and that you have the knowledge and the tools to help them achieve their goals.
• Show enthusiasm and professionalism. Make your passion for writing for that specific industry come across your letter. But always, maintain a professional tone and proofread to ensure your document doesn’t contain any errors. Employers are often harder on writers for typos that may slip through.

Tips to Prepare a Portfolio

Especially if you’re looking for freelance writing jobs online, a portfolio is a true must-have for you. To prepare your portfolio, start by selecting a range of your written pieces that prove your diverse skills and writing styles.

You could store these on a professional website, in a shareable document, or other portfolio platform that allows you to showcase your work. Then, attach the file or include the link in your applications.

Make sure to include the following in your portfolio:

• blog post links, PDF articles, or scanned hard copies
• a brief bio
• a photo or freelance logo
• contact information
• client testimonials
• links to any professional social media profiles

Once your resume, portfolio, and cover letter are ready, upload them to your free Monster candidate account. In a couple of clicks, select the roles you’re interested in, and we’ll send you all the latest listings, so you’ll never miss an opportunity.

How to Follow Up with an Employer

If you’ve applied to an interesting online writing position but haven’t heard back, take the initiative, and send a follow-up email. Some helpful tips to write an effective message include:

1. Wait for the right time. Reach out after a week has passed. Leave recruiters some time to go through every application.
2. Address the hiring manager. Look up the contact details for the recruiter or hiring manager in the job ad or on the company website. Can’t find them anywhere? Simply call the company and politely ask. As an alternative, you could also use “Dear hiring manager” but avoid the generic “to whom it may concern”.
3. Craft a friendly, polite, and short message. At this stage there’s no need for lengthy messages. Mention which role you submitted your application for, your remaining interest in the opportunity and ask for an update. Then, briefly, highlight which broad qualifications and experience make you a good fit. Attach your resume and invite the recruiter to contact you for an interview.

Interview Tips for Online Writing Jobs

How nice would it be to get online writing jobs without interviewing? The truth is no matter how rich your portfolio is, you’ll likely have to face an interview to land an ongoing position.

The Interview Process for Writing Jobs Online

Securing online writing jobs might involve multiple stages to assess your writing skills, creativity, and ability to adapt your tone to the target audience. Below are the most common recruiting phases you should be aware of when preparing for the interview:

• Phone screening: If your writing samples and resume interest the employe, you’ll may have a phone screening. In this interview, they’ll briefly ask about your experience and qualifications to get a feel for if you’d be a good fit and worth taking to the next phase.
• Writing assessment: They might ask you to complete a writing assessment or provide extra writing samples to prove your skills in a specific style.
• Content strategy interviews: One or more interviews with the editors and the team leader of the project will likely follow. You’ll discuss your approach to research, writing, and ensuing engagement with your texts. Be ready to also talk about how you target specific audiences and which online writing tools and publishing platforms you’ve used.

Common Interview Questions for Writing Jobs

Ace the interview by practicing answers to the most common interview questions. Focus on the questions most relevant to a writer, such as:

• How do you stay updated on industry trends and best practices in web writing and online publishing?
• Describe your approach to tailoring content for different online platforms and target audiences.
• How do you handle tight deadlines and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced online writing environment?
• How do you handle constructive criticism and feedback on your writing?

Have a look at our technical writer interview questions for sample questions and tips on how to answer.

As a last step, write down your own questions so you can clarify any important details. The interview should help you understand if the company is a good match for you, as much as the other way around.

Following Up After the Interview

After the interview, send a personalized thank-you email to the interviewer within 24 hours. Express appreciation for the opportunity and reiterate interest in the writing job.

Then, if you don’t receive an update within a week or any specified timeframe, follow up with the hiring manager. Above all, remain professional and enthusiastic about the possibility of joining their team.

What to Do When You Get an Offer

Have you received one or more offers for writing jobs online? Be proud, your hard work paid off. If you’re looking at freelance writing jobs online, you’ll be able to set the conditions yourself and will likely hit the ground running. If however, you have an offer from an employer, do the following before deciding to accept or decline the job offer:

• Respond promptly to the job offer. Show professionalism and enthusiasm at the opportunity of working for the client or company.
• Inquire about the expected timeline for an answer. Let the employer know that you need a little time to review the offer and align on expectations around when you will decide.
• Consider the entire compensation package. If you’re going to work as an employee, make sure not only the salary, but the benefits too are in line with the industry standards and your experience.
• Look out for red flags. Be cautious when dealing with online writing jobs. Especially if they request personal or financial information early in the process or they offer you the role with little to no vetting. Follow your gut and if something feels off, search for more information online or network with other professionals for advice.

Online Writing Job Career Paths

After working in online writing jobs for a while, you could pursue various career paths that accommodate all interests, skills, and aspirations. Here are just a few examples:

• Content manager: Are you ready to take on broader responsibilities beyond writing? Why not look into becoming a content manager? You’d help create content strategies, monitor performance, and oversee a team of writers.
• Social media manager: Do you have a passion for social media? You could move into handling brand accounts and executing social media campaigns in these roles.
• SEO specialist: Do you have a strong understanding of SEO principles and keyword research? You could transition into SEO specialist roles. You’d focus on optimizing website content to improve search engine rankings and organic traffic.
• Teacher: Are you seasoned in freelance writing jobs online and want to share your knowledge? You could start teaching, conducting writing workshops, or creating online writing courses.

Similar Occupations

Can’t find what you’re looking for among the offers for online writer jobs? Explore other similar media job listings such as:

• creative writing jobs
• copy editor jobs
• freelance writing jobs