How To Actually Make Money Freelance Writing as Beginner in 2024
Elna Cain shows how to become a freelance writer in 2024 – work from home as a mom, no experience needed.
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I want passionate writers everywhere to understand that you can earn good money from writing.
It's a common misconception that:
"Writers can't earn a decent living."
“Writing with AI is the only way to go.”
"Writing isn't a legitimate profession."
"Success in writing is purely luck."
🙄🙄🙄
I disagree.
That's why every week, I showcase examples of writers who prove otherwise.
Here’s the reality...
Writing-related jobs have INCREASED by 50% since the beginning of last year.
Companies are looking for human writers. AI can’t replace creativity.
You can make $250 an hour with freelance gigs.
You don't need luck or a formal degree to succeed.
Elna Cain is a mom of twins and a six-figure freelance writer
She began in 2014 when her maternity leave was ending.
She wanted to stay home with her newborn twins, so she started looking for a way to earn money remotely.
Back then, she didn't know what made money and had no idea where to start, so Elna had to learn from her mistakes.
After a decade, she knows the gigs that pay well, what to do, and don't when you're brand new to freelance writing or want to find higher-paying clients.
Elna has proof of work with brands like Walmart, OptinMonster, and Blogging Wizard.
Here are three highlights from this week’s interview I picked for you:
#1 Elna's success secret
Let’s start with her “secret sauce” because I bet that’s what you want to know.
Here’s what Elna says:
“Make it super clear what SERVICES you offer, what PROBLEMS you can solve, and why you are uniquely QUALIFIED to solve them.”
#2 80 cents per word
When you’re new to freelancing, you often wonder how much money you can make with your words.
Elna shared:
“The most highest paying is paying 80 cents a word that added up to $3,200 for an article. So there are opportunities out there. It's just a lot of people don't know where they are.”
#3 Guest posts aren’t dead
Early on Elna did guest posting and she still does it.
“You know, what I did early on was guest posting. So, if you're a Medium writer, you can put your Medium blog there. You can do other guest posts. If you write for other guest posting sites, they most likely have a company page you can link to, and then you can add that. So it looks like you're a writer. It looks like you have clients. I've been to other LinkedIn profiles from new writers and it is very bare bones. So just realize that you want to have as much content on your profile as possible.”
Based on guest posts she also gained several freelance clients.
Elna’s life in 2024 is different than in 2024
If you are looking for a sign to start your own business, then this is your sign.
Writing is the most in-demand skill employers are hiring for right now.
It’s always easier if someone has gone before you.
So in our interview, Elna Cain shares her inspiring journey with you to take action:
Table of Contents
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:24 How Did Elna Start Writing?
00:05:48 What Lessons Would Elna Tell Beginners?
00:09:39 What to Do if You’re Afraid to Start Writing
00:14:13 How to Find High-Demand Topics
00:16:51 How to Create an Optimized LinkedIn Profile
00:26:29 How You Can Make Sales in DM’s
00:28:42 Which Platforms Should Writers Be On?
00:31:32 What Elna’s Funnel Looks Like
00:34:21 How Elna Created Her Website
00:42:51 How Elna Gets Her Clients
00:48:08 What Sites Pay for Writing?
00:51:14 How Elna Became a Full-Time Writer
00:52:20 Is $1,000 a Good Amount to Make as a Writer?
00:54:38 Does Elna Use BeeHiiv?
00:55:33 How Elna Has Got 20,000 Newsletter Subscribers
00:57:20 How Important is Having a Business Plan?
01:00:12 Results from Elna’s 10-Day Challenge on YouTube
01:01:20 What Marketing Tools does Elna Use?
01:04:20 What Does a Day in the Life of Elan Look Like?
01:10:11 How Many Websites Does Elna Have?
01:14:16 Personal Questions for Elna
Any questions about freelance writing? Platforms you’re trying or failures, guidance you can share? Let us know in the comments!
Greetings from the Baltic Sea! 🐟
I’d love to tell you I lie lazily on the beach… well, our first vacation with our baby and toddler isn’t all waves and seagulls, ice cream, and beach soccer, it’s an anti-Instagram highlight reel.
As
shared:Good to take a break, although a holiday with kids is hardly a ‘break’ 🤣🤣
Here I am trying to read the newspaper:
Where am I? We’re visiting the Baltic Sea.
Follow me on Notes for more.
I’ll share a picture with sea turtle Speedy.
How I can help you this summer!
Writing-related jobs have INCREASED by 50% since the beginning of last year.
Companies are looking for human writers. AI can’t replace creativity.
You don't need luck or a formal degree to succeed.
A community of like-minded writers, guidance from me, and the people I invite to our live sessions can help you!
In addition, you can book a 1:1 session with me this summer.
Online Writing School
Most don’t know about my paid writing community for future Substack, Medium and freelance writing superstars.
If you upgrade and become a paid subscriber you get an invite to this community called “Online Writing School”.
It’s on my community side with on-demand videos, coaching access, live sessions, and Q&As.
Meet Elna LIVE on July 31st – a rare opportunity as she doesn't typically attend live sessions!
Get access to bonuses:
5 Sites That Pay You $250 Per Article in 2024
Top 5 Freelance Writing Niches in 2024
Freelance Writing Checklist for Beginners
Summer Bootcamp and 1:1 support
If you say, you want to get access and join my “Substack Kickstarter Bootcamp” this summer, you can get access by clicking “Kickstarter Bootcamp”.
Day 1 - Setting Up Your Substack for Success and with a Bang
Day 2 - Writer Emails that Get Opened and Don’t Suck
Day 3 - The Power of Substack Notes and Recommendations
Day 4 - 7 Ways to Monetize Your Substack
Day 5 - The 3 Keys to Run a Healthy and Thriving Email List
BONUS CONTENT: Create a Money-Making Content Flywheel (Medium/blog and Substack content flywheel)
July 15-19
1 pm EST, 5x 60 minutes, replays available
$57 (you can buy it via Substack (annual membership + Bootcamp + Substack Kickstarter Guide as PDF)
*If you want to purchase it separately, let me know and I’ll share the link to only join the Bootcamp without getting ongoing support from me in 2024/2025.
Greetings from the sea,
Kristina
P.S. If you read my newsletter and say to yourself “Yes, I love that!”, hit the like, reply, or re-stack button to let me know! 🥰
It means the world to me to get a little bit of positive feedback. “It’s just a spark, but it’s enough to keep me going.”
Kristina, your interviews with Veronica, Ayo and, now, Elna are such Indiana Jones treasures for me. I'm early on in my new career (weeks) and to have what you put in front of me is such a blessing. I have a lot of studying to do this week. Thank you!
This is very useful, thanks!