When you look up the salary of a website content writer, you’re likely to see something like this:
Glassdoor reports an average salary of $84,062 per year, or $40 per hour.
Comparably says it’s $57,056 per year.
Acadium puts the average at $58,358, with a floor of $43,875 and a ceiling of $95,000.
Randstad has a median of $69,510 per year.
There are many reasons why these numbers differ. One is that different companies have different methodologies for calculating their figures. Another is that some companies include only certain types of website content writers (e.g., only those who work on marketing copy), while others include all sorts of writers. But in general, these differences aren’t huge — they’re usually within a few thousand dollars. And they’re definitely not within a few hundred.
The biggest reason why the salaries reported by these sources vary so much is that each one includes a different range of possible salaries. For example, Glassdoor says that the top 10% of website content writers make over $145,000 per year, but Comparably says that the highest earners make as much as $260,000.
Of course, there are other factors that determine how much money you’ll make as a website content writer. These include your level of experience, the type of writing you do, and whether you’re self-employed or employed by a company. Freelancers often earn less than salaried employees, because they can’t take advantage of the benefits offered by employers. And although freelance writers may be able to charge more per word, this doesn’t necessarily mean that they’ll make more money overall. In fact, freelancers tend to earn less than full-time employees, because they don’t get paid for holidays or sick days.
A technical writer, for instance, can expect to earn about $76,060 per year, which is above the general content writer median. And if you move into a management role, the pay can jump much higher, with digital content writing managers averaging around $130,780 per year.
So what do you think? Are you going to choose the job offer that pays the most, even if it means working fewer hours? Or will you opt for a lower-paying job with more flexibility?
If you’re unsure which path to take, then here are some tips on how to increase your chances of making more money as a website content writer:
Get certified as a professional writer. Many websites pay higher rates for writers who hold certifications from organizations such as the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA). This shows potential clients that you know what you’re doing and that you can deliver quality work consistently.
Write regularly. The more you write, the better your skills will become. You’ll also learn what works best for you, and you’ll start to see patterns emerge in your writing style.
Develop your own niche. There are plenty of niches where you could specialize, but it’s important to find one that you enjoy writing about. If you don’t enjoy writing about a particular topic, then you won’t want to write about it very often, which means you won’t get good at it.
Work with other writers. Working with other writers can help you improve your skills, and it can also give you access to new clients and projects. Plus, you’ll get to learn from each other.
Be open-minded about the type of writing you do. Some people prefer to write fiction, while others prefer to write nonfiction. It’s important to try out different genres until you find one that suits you best.
Build a strong portfolio. Your portfolio should showcase your best work, so that potential clients can see exactly what you’re capable of producing. Make sure that your portfolio is updated regularly, so that it reflects your current abilities.
Use social media to promote your services. Social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram can be great tools for promoting your writing services. Simply post updates about your latest projects, and encourage people to follow you.
Stay positive. Writing can be frustrating at times, especially when you’re trying to meet deadlines. Don’t let negativity affect your work ethic; instead, focus on the positives and keep yourself motivated.
Remember that writing is a skill that takes time to develop. Don’t expect to become a world-class writer overnight; instead, focus on improving your skills gradually. With dedication and hard work, you’ll eventually reach the point where you feel comfortable taking on bigger projects.
In conclusion, there are many ways to increase your chances of making more money as a website content writer. By getting certified, writing regularly, developing your own niche, working with other writers, being open-minded about the type of writing you do, building a strong portfolio, using social media to promote your services, staying positive, and remembering that writing is a skill that takes time to develop, you’ll significantly increase your chances of success.
I’m Jieyi, and I’ve been writing professionally since 2007. My blog posts are published every Tuesday and Thursday, and I welcome comments and suggestions.