by Vinil Ramdev
Building a successful blog takes time and effort. On an average, it takes about 24 to 36 months of time and effort before one can start earning money from their blog. However, the good news is that you can earn a decent freelance income on the side while your blog is still growing.
I know several bloggers who earn most of their income from freelance jobs than from their blog.
The wonderful thing about freelancing is that your costs are low. There is little to no marketing spend, all you need is a laptop and an internet connection.
First, let’s take a look at the kind of jobs that are available to you as a freelancer.
#1 SEO Professional
The big bloggers get most of their traffic from search engines. As a blogger, it might be a terrific opportunity to learn about SEO by working as an SEO professional. If you learn even the basics of SEO, you could apply for various SEO jobs online.
A typical SEO professional is involved in researching keywords with a high probability of ranking high on search engines, rewriting and optimizing content, and identifying backlink opportunities.
#2 Writing
Writing is a natural extension for a blogger. Almost every company has a blog, and there is high demand for good writers. You can focus on areas you’d like to master because writing is a broad field. You could write blog posts, case studies, white papers, product descriptions, ebooks, or even provide translation services if you are a non-native English speaker.
Choose categories that suit you best and the ones you enjoy learning and writing about. The worst mistake you can make is picking up a gig for a category you dislike. You may want to check out David Webster’s article 3 Ways To Boost Your Success With Online Writing Jobs.
#3 Social media manager
If you are social media savvy, you could manage social media pages for companies. Social media is a wide field with so many social networks like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, etc.
I am a believer in specialization.
Pick a network that you are most familiar with and become an expert at it, rather than dabble with too many things.
It might also be wise to invest a small amount of money reading and educating yourself about the various strategies in social media marketing.
#4 English Tutor
If you are a native English speaker and can speak the language, well then, being a freelance English tutor (sign up here) can be a way to earn some extra money. The beauty of the internet is that you can coach people from anywhere in the world, not just in your neighborhood.
#5 Manage blogs for clients
Setting up a blog might seem simple for experienced bloggers, but there are people who need help. And there are others who don’t have the time to manage their own blogs, which creates an opportunity for bloggers to earn some loose change by managing other people’s blogs.
I’ve seen people earn about $1000 a month part-time just managing someone else’s blog.
Some of your responsibilities could include responding to comments, installing and updating plugins, adding pages and posts, and troubleshooting if there are any problems.
#6 Graphic Design
If you have an eye for design, you can create logos, brochures, book covers and graphic ads for clients. There are several courses online where you can pick up design skills quickly.
#7 Web developer
If you are a coder and know how to build websites, then web development can be an option. A lot of companies are looking for someone to be a webmaster. The job of a webmaster is to ensure that the company’s website is up and running at all times, and functioning as prescribed. Charging an annual or monthly maintenance fee also ensures that you have a steady income. Another option is to build and set-up websites for clients.
It is evident that there are numerous opportunities for a blogger to make freelance income on the side. However, a lot will depend on your sales ability, presentation, work skills, experience, and reliability.
Having freelance income on the side puts less financial strain on a blogger when his blog is still struggling to make money.
Where to find freelance opportunities?
#1 The Large Platforms
The most obvious places to find freelance jobs are on platforms like Upwork and Freelancer. They are one of the largest platforms with the highest number of job listings. Most gigs in these two places are low paying. However, if you weed through their job listings, you should find a small number of good opportunities in there. The trick is to find a niche with low competition and high paying employers.
#2 Niche Job Boards
Two other freelance job boards that are good and have better quality freelance job postings are ProBlogger and Blogger Hangout. Job postings are not free on both these sites, so it is likely that listings are from serious employers.
#3 Cold Emails
Other ways to get freelance jobs is by sending out cold emails to companies. Search on the internet and find companies that have blogs but are not well maintained. Send them a proposal that explains the benefits of your service. Everyone appreciates a good suggestion about their website.
#4 SEO and Digital Marketing Companies
SEO and Digital Marketing companies to hire freelancers. Try emailing them about the services you provide and ask them if they are looking to hire freelancers.
Getting freelance clients is a game of numbers. It’s about sending out emails and applying for gigs. If you apply for 100 jobs online, and 8% of those converts to a sale, that’s eight clients. If each of them pays you $600 a month, that’s $4800 a month. Not bad for someone who is starting off as a freelancer.
Conclusion
Freelancing is a lot of work. But it is a great means of supporting yourself while you are growing your blog on the side. It provides numerous opportunities to learn and become a better blogger.
What are your experiences with freelancing? Let us know in the comments below.
About the Author
Vinil Ramdev is an entrepreneur, blogger, and a self-publishing consultant. You can follow him on Twitter or Facebook
Readers, please share so bloggers learn Vinil’s tips about the kind of freelance jobs available to you and where you can find them.
This post was made possible by the support of our readers.
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hey JANICE WALD
Recently i have started the life of blogging , and may be your tips will help me in my future , i hope you will guide me in my future
Hi Janice,
Great tips, it will be very helpful for us.
Now, I started blogging as a full-time, so these tips gonna help me to earn money for living.
But at the upwork or freelancer like platform, the first time work is getting so hard.
Thank you so much for sharing this article!
Ashutosh singh recently posted…7 Best Ways to Build Quality backlinks (Without Guest Posting)
Hi Ashutosh,
Thanks for commenting on my post freelance jobs. Your comments have inspired me to pursue writing a post about how to get jobs at Fiverr and Upwork.
Janice
I’m glad that my comment inspires you. I’m waiting of your article about “how to get your first job at fiverr and upwork?”.
Thank you again! 😊
Ashutosh singh recently posted…Blogging is Hard! Do you think so?
Hi Janice my BBFF! You still cruising?
Thanks, Vinil for all the information. I’ve been blogging 4 years, and still haven’t decided to try to make money. SEO, and all that other stuff still boggles my mind, and scares me!
Melinda Mitchell recently posted…July’s Journey
Writing as a career has been a life-long dream…I do love selling real estate because of the fabulous interaction with those making major life decisions. BUT writing is, well, another thing altogether.
Hey Janice,
So nicely crafted and well explained post it is.
I do agree that it takes time to build authority and make money from blog so it is good idea to pursue some freelance work on the side to support financial condition.
Bit I have also seen some bloggers who started earning within a month or two after launching their blog.
I don’t know how they make but Things are different for everyone.
Blogging is smart way to make money. Yes of course it take time to make some good money. But all we need is to do hard work as well as smart work. Effort never goes waste. Nice article. Really making sense. This is useful for many who are looking out know how to make money by writing.
Hi Janice, it all started with a tweet then a blog for me. I’m now FULL time. I do some consulting, social media management and sponsored posts. I LOVE IT. I love helping others succeed online and help them with tasks they do not have time for.
There are so many different directions one can take to make money after they start blogging.
I hope you had a great vacation – hope to see some pictures from it!
Hi Lisa,
I haven’t had a chance to put my pix on Facebook yet, but I will. I did not know you were a V.A. I’m glad you love it. Thanks for writing to share how you freelance.
Janice
Janice Wald recently posted…Inspire Me Monday Linky Party #189
I love getting tips from you I need more hahaha so demanding but at least the point is that is so helpful in freelancing the way you can earn can’t wait also to promote my website https://estamps.co.nz
Hi Janice,
Thanks for a great post. I was looking at section regarding writing and what I have discovered in my own experience is to learn a little about a particular topic, then write as if you were trying to explain it all to a friend. I have found this not only to be the most natural way to write more unique content but also the fastest way. Many people have trouble with writing but when you consider that everyone can speak a good conversation, why not write down what they speak on their chosen topic and write some good content..
Works for me
dave recently posted…Traffic Genius Pro Review
As expected, you have great tips here. I look forward to reading your posts and trying……trying to implement all your suggestions into my repertoire. You are amazing and also…..my guru.
What kind words Carol! Much appreciated! Thank you!
Janice
There’s a lot of opportunities online for bloggers who want to get extra income. The thing is they just have to be wise in managing their time. Anyways, as always great tips!
Diego Monterey recently posted…How Digital Marketing in the Philippines has Changed Over the Years
Hi Diego,
Thank you for the compliments. I agree, there are many opportunities. Bloggers just need to pursue them.
Janice
Janice Wald recently posted…Creative Design: How to Be a Designer and Promote Your Talents
Digging this post Janice. I advise bloggers write their butts off, online and offline. I landed freelance jobs back in the day – before my eBook was my focus – by practicing writing like crazy. Improve skills; the pay day arrives.
thank you for sharing this, this is valuable information! choosing a career can really be a hassle at first but once figured out things won’t be easy but at least you know what path to take
Blogging is the one of the best way to earn extra income but you know the time management .above information is the very useful and important those who want to earn extra income from blogging.Thanks for Sharing the useful information
above information is the very useful and important those who want to earn extra income from blogging.Thanks for Sharing the useful information
Thanks for sharing a great post with us it is very interesting and amazing. It also very helpful for lots of freelancers.
Career Coach recently posted…Create a Powerful Presentation that Moves Mountains Using These 9 Tips
I am very thankful for sharing such a great content. I will surely enhance my writing skills to earn millions of dollars as a freelance.
I would love to be in touch with you.
Are you interested in working with me to monetize your blog? Thanks for writing to tell me you appreciated my article.
Janice
hey! its an amazing blog. it will surely help to lot of young brains to identify their job or working niche. ill suggest to everyone to once should try doing freelancing. visit to search freelancing opportunities.
hey! its an amazing blog. it will surely help to lot of young brains to identify their job or working niche. ill suggest to everyone to once should try doing freelancing. visit Fixpocket to search freelancing opportunities.
visit Fixpocket its an best freelancing website.
thanks for sharing an informative blog. visit Fixpocket its an best freelancing website.