6 Steps To Become A Highly Paid Freelance Tech Writer

Turn content into cash from the comfort of your couch.

Writing is lucrative, flexible, and scalable. You can write from anywhere in the world for any brand; and once you begin creating your own products, your income scales infinitely.

Of all the niches you can write about, tech is where the money’s at. This is because tech companies are typically backed by venture capital, which means:

1. They have a lot of money to spend on marketing

2. They’re under pressure to grow quickly

This is good news for you, as it means there’s always demand for tech and SaaS writers and you can quickly raise your income.

Depending on how fast your writing quality improves, you can go from $200 per article (1,000 words) to as much as $2,500 per article. 

However, becoming a highly-paid tech writer isn’t as simple as changing the headline on your LinkedIn profile and hoping for the best.

You must first:

1. Decide which niches you enjoy writing for

2. Create a small portfolio of articles

3. Spruce up your online presence

4. Connect with potential clients

5. Showcase your expertise

6. Apply for jobs

Let’s dive in.

#1 Decide which niches you enjoy writing for (1 day)

If you enjoy writing about the topic, it’ll show in your work (and the size of your invoices). It’s important to pick a topic you have some interest in so you don’t get bored or burn out.

There are different sub-niches within the tech space, such as

1. SaaS: Software products, platforms, and services

2. Design: UX design, UI design, product design

3. AI: Artificial intelligence and machine learning

4. Cybersecurity: Networks, security solutions

5. Food: Food tech and AgTech (agriculture)

6. FinTech: Stocks, crypto, Defi, Bitcoin

7. Health: Healthtech and MedTech

You can explore different niches and settle on one or two later.

#2 Create a small portfolio of articles (7 days)

Clients want to see your previous work (also known as ‘clips’), so you’ll need to create 3-5 good pieces. If you write one short article daily, you should be done in a week.

Here’s a simple formula to get you started:

1. Topic 101: At a high level, what’s this topic all about? (This will also teach you about the niche)

2. Challenges: What do people struggle with when trying to accomplish goals in this niche?

3. Jobs: What job titles exist in this niche, and what does one need to attain them?

4. Tools: What are the must-have tools for practitioners in this niche?

5. Trends: What does the future look like for this niche?

These articles will help you stand out when applying for copywriting and content writing jobs in your chosen niche. You’ll also gain a broader understanding of the domain in the process.

To get started, read a few articles on the topic, summarize the main points as bullet points, and rewrite them in your own words. Your first drafts will be shite — that’s expected. Keep editing and polishing until they look good. 

Ask a writer friend of yours to edit your pieces before publication. Publish these articles to Medium (you can create a free account) for SEO traffic and exposure.

#3 Spruce up your online presence (1 day, ongoing)

With your portfolio in hand, it’s time to work on your online presence. Start with LinkedIn (job applications almost always demand a LinkedIn URL).

1. Upload a nice profile pic on LinkedIn

2. Amend your headline to reflect your new positioning (“Freelance AI & Web3 Content Writer For SaaS Brands”)

3. Add a link to your Calendly or website landing page just below your headline

4. In your bio, indicate who you write for (AI/cybersecurity/fintech startups), the problems you help them solve (traffic/leads/conversions?), and how to reach you (DM, email, or phone). Example: “I help SaaS brands attract more customers through SEO-focused content marketing. DM for more info or email me@email.com.”

5. Add the right skills to your profile (content writing, SEO, copywriting) and try to get some endorsements from previous coworkers and clients. See my LinkedIn guide on how to win on the platform.

6. Rinse and repeat for Twitter and any other platform you’re on.

You can complete all the core work in one day, but optimizing your LinkedIn profile is ongoing work.

The 14 Hidden Rules Of LinkedIn: How To Stand Out, Get Hired, And Win New Customers

#4 Connect with potential clients (Ongoing)

Having a decent profile is a great first step, but you still need to connect and engage with people who can hire you. This means connecting with the right buyers of writing services, namely:

1. Content marketing leads

2. Marketing managers

3. Agency owners

4. Editorial leads

5. Founders

These people regularly hire writers, and if you’re in their network, it’s much easier for them to come across your work and request your services directly; or for you to come across their posts and pitch them first.

When you send connection requests on LinkedIn, always add a simple connection note:

“Hi [name], I’m expanding my network with more people in the [niche] space — good to connect with you.”

It’s a simple intro message that builds trust, sparks curiosity, and drives traffic to your profile.

#5 Showcase your expertise (30 days)

Your website, articles, and LinkedIn profile are great, but you still need to show up daily. Through your social media content, you’re trying to show that:

1. You understand the issues your ideal customers face

2. You have a proven method or process for your work

3. You’re an active writer, not just a passive freelancer

4. You’re tuned in to industry changes and news

5. You’re available for new work

Check out my guide on how to overcome sales objections through content. If you need a content template to help you beat writer’s block and plan out content a month in advance, grab my 30-day content calendar template.

#6 Apply for jobs (Daily)

Landing freelance gigs is a numbers game — the more you apply, the more likely you are to land a few.

Because of this, it’s important not to get too hung up on any one application. Apply quickly and move on to the next one. 

Here are five places to find freelance content writing jobs:

1. Content Writing Jobs

2. Sonia’s Newsletter

3. WeWorkRemotely

4. LinkedIn Jobs

5. Angel List

Track all your applications in a spreadsheet like this one, which I’ve used for many years.

Get paid to write today

If you can tweet, you can learn how to write. Writing is a highly transferable skill, and if you’ve worked in teaching, PR, journalism, or comms, you’re well-suited to the job.

If you don’t come from a writing background, that’s fine too — there are many courses you can take online to learn how to write better.

Need more help? Do these 3 things:

1. Book a coaching call with me for advice on breaking into writing

2. Follow me on Twitter for daily insights

3. Catch up on previous newsletters