By Theresa van Baalen

Are you considering freelance writing as a career? Or are you perhaps already earning an income from your writing, but you want to up your game, get more writing jobs and increase your income? Freelance writing is not only about writing articles. There is a world of opportunity out there which you might not even be aware of. Here is a list of twenty books to inform and guide you on your way. Most of the titles are rather self-explanatory and you certainly don’t have to read all of them, but you are bound to find one or two that is going to pique your interest. For more information, click on a title to visit a book’s Amazon page.

The Freelance Content Marketing Writer by Jennifer Goforth Gregory

What is content marketing writing and how does it differ from journalism? This book will teach you all about finding your niche and landing your perfect clients. Learn to create captivating content, make lots of money and build a writing business you will love.

Freelance Writing Guide – What to Expect In Your First Year As a Freelance Writer by Christine Rice

Do you want to be a freelance writer, but are you unsure of what to expect? This book provides realistic information and lots of resources for getting started on your career as a freelance writer.

The Essential Guide to Freelance Writing – How to Work, & Thrive on Your Own Terms by Zachary Petit

Are you considering a career as a freelance writer? This book aims to answer many of the questions you might have. It takes a closer look at various markets; it teaches you about building your writing platform; about conducting professional interviews in person, by phone or by email; and about writing and structuring different types of articles. It is humorously written and filled with advice from the author’s personal experience.

Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content by Ann Handley

This book starts with the following statement: “There is no one way to write­—just as there is no one way to parent a child or roast a turkey. But there are terrible ways to do all three.” It is a very comprehensive guide filled with advice for writing the best possible content in the best possible way.

The Freelance Writer’s Guide to Pitching With Confidence by Mridu Khullar Relph

This book will teach you to pitch with confidence. It focusses on the part that comes before the actual creative writing—marketing yourself and selling your ideas. Learn to understand why some query letters get a response and others don’t, and how to change that. Discover how to put your bio and clips together in a way that will impress editors.

Book Yourself Solid – The Fastest, Easiest, and Most Reliable System for Getting More Clients Than You Can Handle by Michael Port

This book is all about self-promotion and doing it in such a way that delivers results. Learn how to attract high-quality clients and be booked solid.

The Money Book for Freelancers, Part-timers and The Self-employed by Joseph D’Anese & Denise Kiernan

This isn’t a book about how to do your job as a freelancer. It’s about a much more important subject, money. Learn how to make it and manage it. So many freelancers live from hand to mouth, with financial stress being a very real thing. Don’t let that be you. Appropriate money management is probably the most important skill any freelancer could have.

The Copywriter’s Handbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Copy That Sells (4th Edition)

by Robert W. Bly

This is a book for everyone who writes or approves copy: copywriters, multichannel marketers, creative directors, freelance writers, marketing managers . . . even small business owners and information marketers. It reveals dozens of copywriting techniques that can help you write both print and online ads, emails, and websites that are clear, persuasive, and get more attention―and sell more products.

The Freelance Introvert by Tom Albrighton

A great read if you are an introvert considering a freelancing career. To make a success of freelancing, you’ll need to learn some new skills, push yourself to meet some challenges and build up your confidence.

Survival Skills for Freelancers: Tried and Tested Tips to Help You Ace Self-Employment Without Burnout by Sarah Townsend

The author has spent more than 20 years as a freelance copywriter, building a successful freelancing career with very little outside guidance. This book is not about copywriting, however, but about the highs and lows of freelancing, from isolation, uncertainty and self-doubt to knowing what to charge, when to ask for help, and when to say no. It is a book all freelancers should read.

The Well-fed Writer: Financial Self-sufficiency as a Freelance Writer in Six Months Or Less by Peter Bowerman

Businesses need writers, and are willing to pay for them. You could earn a handsome income writing things like marketing brochures, ad copy, newsletters, direct mail campaigns, web content, sales sheets, case studies, white papers, trade articles and dozens of other project types. This book is filled with useful information to help you reach your goals as a freelance writer.

Warm Email Prospecting: How to use short and Simple Emails to Land Better Freelance Writing Clients by Ed Gandia

Finding and landing freelance writing work is not easy. Fortunately, there’s a faster and simpler way to prospect for clients using nothing but email. This method is perfect if you don’t really enjoy prospecting. The author calls it “warm email prospecting”, which is the opposite of cold calling. It is also very different from the standard, generic email prospecting, with a more personal approach which delivers better results. Let this book teach you how.

Starting Your Career as a Freelance Writer by Moira Allen

This book offers a step-by-step guide to launching a successful freelance career. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, wanting to freelance part-time or full-time, the author explains everything you need to know, including how to develop and pitch ideas, approach editors and other clients, and preparing and submitting material. Also learn about the business side of freelancing, dealing with rights and contracts, as well as managing your income, expenses and taxes.

The Renegade Writer: A Totally Unconventional Guide to Freelance Writing Success by Linda Formichelli and Diana Burrel

This book is for you if you want more acceptances from magazine editors. Learn about breaking the rules and becoming the successful magazine writer you have always dreamed of.

Make a real living as a Freelance Writer: How to Win Top Writing Assignments by Jenna Glatzer

Do you want to write for magazines? This book covers the ins and outs of the magazine industry, teaching you about what high-paying magazines really want. Basic terms like query, clips, and source sheet are defined for beginning writers, and tips on everything from coming up with an idea to pitching a syndicated column are also included. Also learn how to get your first paying assignments even if you have no prior clips, how to negotiate for better pay, and how to find your way to editors’ inboxes even if their e-mail addresses aren’t publicized.

Win At Freelance Writing: Everything you need to know about making your first $1000-$5000 per month as a freelance writer by Gertrude Nonterah

This concise book offers many practical tips for starting your freelancing career. It cuts to the chase, sharing everything a beginner freelance writer should know.

How to Launch a Freelance Copywriting Business: Creative Writing for a Living by Jules Horne

This book teaches you everything you need to know about starting a copywriting business from scratch. It takes a step-by-step approach, showing you both what to do, and what to avoid.

Make Money As A Ghostwriter: How to Level Up Your Freelance Writing Business and Land Clients You Love by Cruz Santana & Sally Miller

According to dictionary.cambridge.org we could define ghostwriting as follows: “To write a book, article or speech for another person to use as his or her own.” Have you ever wanted to break into ghostwriting but had no idea where to start or how to land clients? Then this is the perfect book for you.

Freelance Writing 101: Everything You Need to Launch Your Writing Career by Seraine Page

A very clear, concise guide that covers everything you need to know about starting a freelance writing career. It might just be the best $1.14 you’ll ever spend.

Content Writing 101: Win High Paying Online Content Writing Jobs And Build Financial Freedom With SEO Marketing by Joice Carrera

This book guides you through the process of building a content writing career from scratch. Learn to build your portfolio, land lucrative online content writing jobs and working with your dream clients, even if you have no experience. This is the book for you if you have no idea where and how to find online work; if you are having a hard time planning and coming up with content ideas; or if you would like to add SEO marketing to your skillset.

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