how to become a writer in uk

Accounting & Banking

Company News

Virtual Office

Tips & Advice

Call Answering

Address Services

Remote vs Hybrid vs On-site

10 January, 2024

8 Tips on How to Become a Professional Freelance Writer in the UK

Today, freelance writing activities take place on virtual platforms, where distance is never a barrier. However, working as a freelance writer isn’t without its challenges. While calling the shots in your career sounds great, it takes hard work, incredible focus, and dedication, with no guarantee of pay or success. 

In this article, we’ll share insights from 5 top UK writers with over 50 years of combined writing experience and approximately £100k+ MRR on how to start a freelance writing career. We’ll show real success tips on getting your first freelance writing gig, building your writing brand as a freelancer, and charging what you’re worth. So, be sure to stick around. 

Main Types of Freelance Writing Business You Should Know

Before taking the plunge, you need to determine a specific writing style and the form of engagement you’re excited about. Here are the most common types of freelance writing business in the UK: 

1. Content writing

Content writers create interesting content for informational purposes, primarily used to instil trust in customers and improve SEO rankings. Writing style and format and length vary, depending on the specific client and their search engine optimisation goals. Common examples of content writing include social media copy and blog articles.

2. Copywriting 

Copywriters are marketers with great writing prowess. They create sales copies that drive conversion and generate revenue. However, copywriters should be conversant with the buyer’s journey business model to target a specific audience with such a copy. Examples of copywriting include email copy, product descriptions, and reviews, case studies, offer pages, etc.

3. Freelance journalism and news writing 

Freelance journalism and news writing are for people who are keen on researching and sharing factual information with the public. You’re expected to do field work, get pictures, collect info, and write a publication. 

4. Ghostwriting

Ghostwriting is the process of writing content for other people without taking credit. This means you don’t get by-lines or have any evidence you wrote the content. You’ll work with clients who have a story to tell but don’t have the right words to put it on paper or are just too busy to do so.

5. Other forms of writing

Other freelance writing types include:

• Editing and proofreading
• Social media writing 
• Academic writing
• CVs writing

Main Skills a Freelance Writer Needs to Succeed

Not everyone in the UK is cut out to be a freelance professional writer, but if you have the following five must-have hard and soft skills, you have a better shot at succeeding:

• Good writing and research skills: Writing is not only about putting words together to make grammatical sense; your content should be logically presented and supported by various studies. Veteran freelance writers always advise newbies in the game to read their writing aloud. If you do this exercise, and it doesn’t flow naturally, it still requires fine-tuning. 
• Proofreading and editing skills: As a freelancer, submitting your best work at all times means editing and proofreading your content before submission. This cuts across checking correct punctuation use, great tone, and style if you want to hand over a clean and crisp copy. You can partially automate this process using editing tools like Grammarly and Hemingway, but you shouldn't rely on them too much. 
• Search engine optimisation (SEO) skills: It’s critical to have a good grasp of basic SEO knowledge, including keyword research, infusing keywords naturally into content, developing meta descriptions, and optimising web copy for SEO best practices. 
• AI skills: Knowing how to use modern artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT is a huge plus. These tools will help you automate certain parts of your writing process. 
• Soft skills: Other skills you need to succeed as a freelance professional writer in the UK include prompt communication, self-discipline, networking, responsiveness, time management, and the ability to meet deadlines, accept and learn from criticism, and handle rejections well.

How to Start a Freelance Writing Business: Top Tips for Taking the Plunge

Now, let’s spill the tea on how to become a freelance writer in the UK with no experience:

1. Choose your niche 

The only thing UK professional freelance writers are doing differently is writing consistently and being audacious about their art on social media. We recommend you do the same and write daily about anything that interests you and post it on your social media or website. 

However, we’ve noted that many up-and-coming writers stray at this point and write about areas with zero client base. While you should still be excited about the topic, it's better to choose trendy areas like finance, lifestyle, travel, tech, or health. This also helps you build up experience to jumpstart your career. 

2. Take a writing course

Before you work as a freelance writer, it’s important to take online writing courses to sharpen your writing skills. Otherwise, only low-budget clients and content farmers will hire you for peanut-paying jobs. It’s not even necessary to invest in paid writing courses if you have the time, motivation, and a plan to learn and practice through the wide range of free online courses available. Some examples of valuable free writing courses include Surfer SEO’s writing masterclass and Hubspot’s free content strategy course. If you want your SEO skills to go from zero to hero, you can go crazy with Aleyda Solis’ free learning SEO roadmap.

3. Make a working portfolio and a website 

Almost every client wants to see past work samples when hiring a freelance writer. As such, you need to create a professional-looking portfolio that showcases your expertise. You can take advantage of freemium portfolio builders like Journo Portfolio and Muck Rack. It will help you maintain a professional look, demonstrate your skills, and impress clients. Here’s a good example:

Important mention: While creating a website is optional when testing out the freelance writing world, many successful writers swear by it. It doesn’t have to be designed with over-the-top layouts and can be a pretty simple page for showcasing your personal blog, testimonials, and contact info.

 4. Register your freelance writing business 

If you become a freelance writer in the UK, your business category is designated self-employed. You’re expected to register your business and fill out tax returns. Be sure to tick all the boxes in the following checklist:

• Register with HMRC for self-assessment 
• Set up a free UK business bank account  
• Ensure good bookkeeping hygiene for proper tax filling
• Set a budget
• Set up a business insurance. Use our superscript discount code to enjoy 10% off your insurance premium

5. Start pitching 

Pitching an article means reaching out to potential clients with content ideas. You can research the brands and send them pitch ideas featuring your writing samples and a proposed deadline. 

The freelance writing community strongly kicks against writing for free. However, if you must, we recommend doing it for top websites with a domain authority of at least 80 to give your portfolio a good clout. 

6. Start networking

Top tips on how to become a freelance writer should feature networking and mentorship. Go where your clients and other freelance writers hang out, including LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook freelancing communities, and Slack groups. Apart from pitching, another sure-fire way of landing writing roles is by getting fellow writers to recommend you. 

7. Actively search for roles

Platforms where you can begin writing articles for money in the UK include OnSite for content writing, Journalism.co.uk for freelance journalism, LinkedIn, Upwork, and Contently. As you get more work and recognition, we recommend niching down to a specific writing field. As we always say, niche is where the money is.

8. Get a virtual office 

If you choose to become a freelance writer in the UK, you’ll run into old-fashioned clients requiring in-person meetings from time to time. If getting a physical space is above your means, you can simply get a virtual office in London or a co-working space. Apart from looking professional, other benefits of a virtual office for freelancers include reduced overheads and improved privacy. 

Freelance Writer Average Income in the United Kingdom 

Based on 200+ salary entries sourced from salary surveys and databases across the country, the average freelance writer salary in the UK is £22.93 per hour or £44,720 per year. However, many A-list UK freelance writers reported earning as much as £120k per year. But it’s also possible to earn less than £100. Basically, to be employed as a writer means earning based on your experience and brand authority. 

Top-of-the-shelf advice on how to be a freelance writer is to charge what you’re worth. First, work out your rates, add 20% to compensate for taxes, and choose your payment methods. Since you’re just starting, charge per word and eventually raise your rate to match your expertise. You can also charge per project, but be sure to calculate the time and labour it requires before giving a quote. 

Consider The Hoxton Mix as Your Trusted Partner 

Unleash your creativity! Get access to our virtual office space and increase your chances of receiving more money from prospective clients. If your home office feels like it's closing in on you, get away and work with like-minded people in our co-working space on Old Street . Sited in natural environments, our flexible virtual office rooms are a breath of fresh air for freelance writers stuck in a rut and dealing with writer’s block. Contact us today >>>

Final Thoughts

Starting and running a successful freelance writing business in the UK takes careful planning, practice, networking, and consistency to reach the mark. Yet many have done it and are still doing it, so you can, too. Ignore the imposter syndrome crawling into your head and just write.  As the famous quote by Hemingway goes, “write drunk, edit sober”. Maybe don't take this advice literally, but don’t forget to proofread your work at least twice. Go n’ grab high-paying clients; we at the Hoxton Mix can’t wait to share the creative space with you.

What degree or qualifications do you need to become a freelance writer in the UK? 

All you need to become a freelance writer is good writing and research prowess, an understanding of content marketing, and a basic SEO background. Most successful freelance writers in the UK didn’t receive further or higher education.

How can I start a freelance writing career in the UK? 

Before setting the balls rolling in your freelance writing business, determine your desired type of writing, write every day, take courses, network with like-minded people, and get a quality portfolio.

What types of freelance writing can I choose?

Freelance writing offers a diverse range of opportunities to choose from, depending on your passion and area of expertise. That is, you can be: Content writer, Copywriter, Journalist, Ghostwriter, and many more.

Hand-picked related articles

How to Start an Interior Design Business in the UK

15 January, 2024

Complete Guide on How to Get a Virtual Office Address for Amazon Business

04 December, 2023

How to Get a Virtual Address for Your Shopify Store

01 December, 2023

PO Box Alternatives in the UK: Cheap Options for a Small Business

30 November, 2023

Top 4 Legal Requirements to Open an Estate Agency in the UK

2023 Autumn Statement: What this means for business

22 November, 2023

Virtual Office Plans

Prime London business address with 10 Minute Setup + NO Postage Fees!

Not a Virtual Office customer? Why not sign-up today.

41p per day + VAT

Virtual Office London

Get a Prime London business address 10 Minute Setup + NO Postage Fees!

Our meeting rooms are located at our Paul Street office, and it’s just a few minutes walk from Old Street tube station…

Our address.

3rd Floor, 86-90 Paul Street, London,EC2A 4NE Directions

Opening hours

Monday - Friday 9am - 18.00pm

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Word perfect: how to become a freelance writer

If you’re a graduate wanting to start your career in writing or journalism, freelancing could be for you. Here is some advice on finding opportunities, and building your portfolio

• Looking to become a writer? Browse and apply for a range of writing jobs at Guardian Jobs?

There are more graduates than ever entering an increasingly diminished job market. With opportunities in the arts and media as scarce as they've ever been, graduates are having to be more creative in the ways they earn money and gain experience in their chosen field. Although for many, freelancing is synonymous with living in your pyjamas and rejoicing you're not stuck in a 9-5 job, this wears off pretty swiftly, usually around rent day. However, for those with a flair for the written word, freelance writing can be worthwhile.

Everyone's path to getting freelance work is different, but as long as it leads to money in the bank, they're all just as viable. When starting out, many people turn to websites such as Freelancer , Elance or oDesk where you can bid for work. These can be great for building experience and a portfolio while getting paid for it. Just make sure the employers are verified to avoid getting into a situation where you've spent hours on work for them to conveniently disappear.

When looking to get work for magazines and newspapers, keep pitches short, sweet and interesting. Even if you're sending your fifth in a row of rejected pitches, be polite and professional. If your writing and ideas are interesting and relevant, then you will eventually get a response.

Whichever way you get into freelancing, the absolute key to success is persistence. Chances are you'll get knocked back a fair bit but keeping going is the only way to ensure that you get noticed. Once you've managed to get your foot in the door with a good idea, things should get a little bit easier and more work should start coming your way. Building contacts and maintaining a good relationship is important in any profession but when you're responsible for finding your own work everyday this is even more essential.

The positives of freelancing as a graduate are numerous. It's incredibly satisfying to be working for yourself and having the responsibility of determining your own workload. Making a living doing what you love is hugely rewarding, and of course it's extremely flexible work. New graduates are generally used to working unusual hours thanks to energy drinks and 24/7 library opening hours. So, if you're most comfortable working late at night or at the weekend, then freelancing may be the way to go. Depending on how much work you manage to get, which can vary wildly, especially when you're just starting out, it also leaves open the possibility of working part-time in something which might pay you a steadier wage.

It is not steady and it is not always a money maker. Graduate writers are notorious for always working for free, and it's because there are so many people willing to do it that companies simply choose not to pay. This is often wrapped up as a "great opportunity" but it's important to be wise about what's an opportunity to get some great experience, and what's an opportunity for them to get some work done for free. Websites and magazines which don't make a profit but have a wide audience are usually worthwhile writing for, as you're likely to get bigger exposure for your piece than on your own blog or online platform. However, any commercial publication worth its salt should be paying professional writers, just like they pay their designers, printers and publishers.

Freelancing is probably not for people who lack self-motivation. If you don't go looking for work, spending your days shooting off emails and writing pitches, then it is very unlikely the work will come to you. For most people, freelancing does not provide regular work at the beginning. So if you find it stressful not having a steady income then it's worth looking at other options, or indeed getting a second paid job for some initial security.

Graduates should not be afraid of freelancing, in the field of writing it's a fantastic option. It may take a while to break into but this world isn't as closed as you might initially think. The key is to write constantly, pitch all your ideas clearly and concisely to the appropriate publications and don't give up when you get knocked back. Rejection will become like water off a duck's back, which is pretty handy in all areas of your life, and when your work does get the green light, it will all be worth it.

This content is brought to you by Guardian Professional . To get more content and advice like this direct to your inbox, sign up for our weekly update and careers ebook .

• Guardian Careers
• The Careers Blog
• Career choices

Comments (…)

Most viewed.

Home » How to become a freelance writer

How to become a freelance writer

By -->Dan Thornton -->

Writing can seem like the quickest, easiest, and more attractive way to start a self-employed career. Especially with online courses promising you can work remotely from a tropical beach, and earn a good living from a laptop in just a few hours each day. And while it may be possible for a tiny number of people, the reality of how to become a freelance writer is a bit different.

There are legitimately wonderful things about being a self-employed writer or author . But these tend to come from a passion for creativity, research and writing itself, rather than a luxurious lifestyle. It may be a fairly accessible career, given that most of us have been writing in one form or another since starting out at school. But it also means it’s often undervalued as a skill, especially with many people offering low-priced articles on freelance job boards.

Why become a freelance writer?

What types of self-employed and freelance writing work exist, what skills do you need to become a freelance writer, how much can freelance writers earn, how to start freelance writing with no experience.

• More support and resources for freelance writers

Most successful creative freelancers have never asked themselves this question. They have a compulsion to write (or paint, make music or capture photos), and want to be able to devote their time to their passion, rather than fitting it around a day job.

But there are other benefits to becoming a freelance writer. You may want to find your own balance between your work and personal life. Or to be able to work remotely some, or all, of the time.

If you’re lucky enough to already be employed as a writer, you may decide to switch to freelancing either to focus on one particular subject, or in search of more variety. It really depends on what you want to achieve as an individual.

There are a huge variety of ways to earn a living as a freelance writer. But almost all of them require a passion for research, creativity, and endlessly tweaking words and grammar to fit a brief, please a client, entertain readers, and work for search engines at the same time. Good writers tend to combine boundless curiosity, and a desire to share interesting facts and information with as many people as possible.

One benefit of freelancing writing is that you can generally be more flexible with scheduling your time, as long as you ensure you meet client deadlines. Many people fit their writing into the early morning or late evenings around families, jobs, or other commitments.

Words are used and required in a huge variety of ways, leading to a number of specialist disciplines within freelance writing. Some offer more demand and higher rates, but require more proven experience to secure projects. And you will often find clients, and even writers themselves, confused about what it is they’re actually looking for.

In all of the examples of freelance writing opportunities, the work may be published under your own name. Or it might be shared under the name of someone else, such as a senior figure at a company or a celebrity, which is referred to as ‘ghost writing’. A high percentage of freelancers will produce huge amounts of ghost-written content.

Copywriting: This refers to writing text for advertising and marketing. Copywriters provide the words for billboards, brochures, tv scripts and jingle lyrics for adverts, direct mail marketing and more. It can also include social media content, which can mean also knowing how to include images, video and specific information for social networks, such as right hashtags.

Blogger: Self-employed and freelance bloggers tend to focus on specific areas of expertise, creating regular content for client blogs or their own sites. These will tend to feature more individual or brand personality in the writing style.

Article and Feature Writers: Longer, more detailed articles and features can be published across various digital and print formats. These usually require more research and interview skills, and need to provide a comprehensive and more objective look at a subject. You’ll often find guides and longer ‘how to’ articles included in this category.

Journalist, reporter, or news writer:  Journalist is a broad term for anyone involved in gathering, investigating and sharing news and information, whereas a reporter will be focused on directly collecting and communicating material to the public. A journalist could be a reporter, editor, or TV news anchor, and will tend to include commentary and context, but a reporter will generally publish factual information. And to make this slightly more confusing, many publications and sites outside mainstream news media will now hire ‘news writers’ rather than reporters.

Freelance Authors: Some freelance writers will be credited as co-authors if they work with celebrities and notable figures to create full length books or e-books. Others will work as ghost writers on behalf of the named figure.

SEO writers: If you’re writing for websites in any capacity, a knowledge of search engine optimisation is important. But SEO writers tend to focus on this area, which can mean crafting content for product descriptions, landing pages and other areas where it’s particularly important to attract readers from search results.

There are also a range of other opportunities related to freelance writing, including proof reading and copy editing (or sub-editing for newspapers and magazines). Working for yourself means you’re able to choose to focus on specific areas, or across various disciplines.

If a client has paid you to produce words, then you’ve become a freelance writer. But to be successful, or to be offered specific projects or roles, you’ll need to demonstrate a range of skills and qualifications.

The most important is a love of the written word. Despite the availability of software tools and AI assistance, you need to enjoy what you do. That includes reading for inspiration, research and acquiring new techniques. And then spending time crafting your content to be as good as possible. Especially when being a writer means spending hours agonising over the structure of a particular sentence, before deleting the entire thing and writing something different.

Communication and interpersonal skills are important to not only maintain a good relationship with clients, but also build a rapport with interview subjects, colleagues and other writers. You may need to deal with designers and editors before your work is published. And a good network of other freelance writers is invaluable in finding out about projects and opportunities.

Organisation is important in two ways. The first is the obvious need to manage clients, projects, deadlines and invoices, which can often be a challenge for anyone who prefers to focus on creativity. But it’s also key to making use of your research effectively and creating well-structured articles.

Most freelance writing projects will focus on experience rather than qualifications. But you may find larger publications and longer-term contract work requires you to have formal education, including a degree or postgraduate qualification in journalism.

Before you commit to potentially expensive and long-term training, it’s worth researching the projects you’d like to be winning, and seeing what types of qualification they typically require. You can then look at the recognised and often official bodies for those specialisms to decide which courses and education will be most suitable and valuable. There’s no point in signing up for a three- year journalism degree if you want to mainly write blog posts. But courses from organisations like the Press Association, or the Publishing Training Centre can be a useful justification for increasing your rates, and help you beat the competition for a particular opportunity.

In addition to research and writing, an increasing number of clients will also expect you to upload articles, add images, and include elements for SEO such as meta descriptions. So having a basic understanding of the most popular website content management systems (such as WordPress), and simple photo editing software will be useful. Common examples include Photoshop (or the free alternative GIMP ), and Canva for creating social media imagery.

You should have a good understanding of grammatical rules,  along with a grasp of the relevant SEO best practice for articles. Most word processors and writing tools will include checks for spelling and grammar, but they won’t catch everything.

It’s hard to estimate an average income for freelancers in the UK, as tasks and rates can vary wildly from recent graduates working for free to the top tier of self-employed authors and copywriters.

The average freelance writer income based on 17 salaries submitted to Glassdoor is £24,470, and Indeed put it at £26,913 per year. But Indeed also has Freelance Copywriters at £43,721 per year, so the amount can vary quite a bit between individuals.

Your income will also depend on whether you price individual projects, use an hourly rate or invoice a cost per word. It’s important to think carefully about which pricing model  you use for a piece of work as you need to ensure it’s financially worthwhile. (Freelance Corner members can access a guide on How to set your freelance rates, here )

One useful resource is the Rate for the Job page on the National Union of Journalists London freelance website. This provides examples of publications and fees paid for various freelance columns, features and more. There’s also Who Pays Writers , which is more focused on American publications.

As with any freelance career, the more you can prove relevant skills and experience, the more you can justify charging. And you’ll also gain a better idea of roughly how long a particular article may take, although it’s not always guaranteed to be the same, even for very similar topics. Challenging clients, writer’s block or other issues can slow things down unexpectedly.

A problem which can seriously impact the profitability of a freelance project is if you get bogged down in endless requests for edits and changes. A clear and detailed brief at the start of the work will help avoid this, but it’s also important to agree how many rounds of revisions will be included in your quoted price before work begins. If a client knows they’ll have to pay extra for more than one set of edits, they’re more likely to provide comprehensive feedback straight away.

One of the best things about freelance writing is that you don’t have to wait for clients to start building up experience and a portfolio. You can start straight away by writing about subjects that interest you. Or pick a company you’d like to work with, and try to create something suitable for their publication or website.

And it’s never been quicker or easier to share your writing. It’s fairly simple to start a quick blog or website to publish your content using a popular CMS such as WordPress , which also allows you to learn about adding images, SEO, and other relevant skills. Or you can use a platform such as Medium , which was created for people to share their writing.

Starting your own website can even become so successful you might not need to work for clients. Many writers and journalists have also started email newsletters which bring in substantial amounts of income if they become popular.

There’s a strong case to argue against writing for free to gain exposure. Not only does it mean giving away your time and effort, but it also undervalues the whole industry. And this is also the case if you’re massively undercharging for your articles.

You need to make your own judgement on whether submitting free work might pay off in the long run. But a good rule of thumb is that you shouldn’t offer free content to someone who will try to make money from it. Writing for your own site, on social media, or somewhere like Wikipedia can be useful and fun. And it can potentially lead to paid work in the future. But writing for commercial publications and businesses should always be rewarded financially at an acceptable rate.

It’s useful to start networking with other writers either online, or in the real world. And it’s easy to find friendly groups like our own Creative Freelancers UK to get started. But it’s also worth checking out local non-writing meetings, as you may be the only creative person in the room. And that means anything related to writing will definitely be directed towards you.

And make sure that you store all of your published work, and reviews or testimonials from happy clients. Take screenshots in addition to storing the urls of any online articles, as websites can disappear, or older content can be removed over time. There are also online writer portfolio sites (for example Clippings.me ) which allow you to save your best work to share with potential new clients.

The final element of building a freelance writing career is becoming comfortable and effective at pitching to businesses and publications. There are various resources for finding editors and publications looking to receive pitches, such as the Freelance Writing Jobs newsletter . But you need to know how to contact and persuade those people to select you as a writer.

Various examples and templates exist for writing pitches, but essentially you need to quickly introduce yourself, explain your incredible idea, and include some links to previous writing. The key is to make sure you explicitly link your knowledge and abilities to the proposed content, showing why you’re the perfect person to write that particular article.

It’s also important to do any required research before pitching. This includes lining up any essential interviews, or submitting any necessary Freedom of Information requests. Editors are unlikely to risk planning articles weeks or months in advance if you’re never going to get the subject to speak to you, or some basic research will probably reveal a problem with your idea.

Creativity can produce an amazing article, but drive and determination build a successful career. Even established journalists and writers know that most of their pitches are likely to be rejected, but they understand from experience that it might just be down to bad timing, changes in editorial budgets, or just a commissioning editor in a bad mood on a particular day.

More support and resources to become a freelance writer

• Freelance Corner – our site filled with advice on all aspects of starting your freelance career and finding more success, along with resources, tools and practical benefits for members. Including a range of freelance guides including getting work and being paid, here .
• IPSE – the UK’s only not-for-profit association dedicated to the self-employed.
• Creative Freelancers UK – our Facebook group to network with other novice and experienced self-employed business people.
• Freelance Writing Jobs newsletter – a weekly collection of writing opportunities.
• The National Union of Journalists – the independent journalists’ union.
• The Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) – a non-profit body for editorial professionals.

Researching other freelance careers? Why not check out our other guides:

• How to become a freelance web designer
• How to become a freelance SEO consultant
• How to become a freelance Virtual Assistant (VA)
• How to become a freelance structural engineer
• How to become a freelance photographer
• How to become a freelance business analyst
• How to become a freelance event planner or organiser
• How to become a freelance coach
• How to become a freelance proofreader
• How to become a freelance bookkeeper
• How to become a freelance content creator
• How to become a freelance illustrator
• How to become a freelance photojournalist
• How to become a freelance hair stylist
• How to become a freelance recruiter
• How to become a freelance translator
• How to become a freelance editor
• How to become a freelance music producer
• How to become a freelance WordPress developer
• How to become an author
• How to become a freelance tutor
• How to become a freelance makeup artist
• How to become a freelance animator
• How to become a freelance photo editor
• How to become a freelance model
• How to become a freelance digital marketer
• How to become a freelance network engineer
• How to become a freelance chef
• How to become a freelance fundraiser
• How to become a freelance data scientist
• How to become a freelance graphic designer
• How to become a freelance accountant or financial consultant
• How to become a freelance interior designer
• How to become a freelance personal trainer
• How to become a freelance HR consultant
• How to become a freelance filmmaker
• How to become a freelance transcriptionist
• How to become a freelance game developer
• How to become a freelance first aid trainer
• How to become a freelance video editor
• How to become a freelance project manager
• How to become a freelance musician
• How to become a freelance massage therapist
• How to become a freelance social media manager
• How to become a freelance 3D artist or modeller
• How to become a freelance AI prompt engineer
• How to become a freelance dog groomer
• How to become a freelance location scout

And you can get support and help if you’re starting out with self-employment, or still in the early stages of building your career, with the IPSE Incubator . The 12-month programme is currently free with IPSE membership, and includes advice, events, webinars, networking and more, tailored to anyone just beginning their freelance business.

Related Articles

Opinion: Don’t chase perfection when you start freelancing

Opinion: Putting freedom back into freelancing

How to become a property developer

Online marketplaces will now share your income with hmrc, tips for freelancing during a cost-of-living crisis.

• Log in
• Site search

Successful writers are creative, organised, disciplined, have excellent research skills and a passion for sharing the written word

As a writer, you'll be involved in the creation and development of works of fiction and non-fiction.

This covers various forms of writing, including:

• children's stories
• life writing
• magazine and newspaper articles
• non-fiction
• screen and radio
• scripts for theatre
• short stories
• web content.

New media is also opening doors for writers in areas such as mobile phone content and computer game scripts.

Most writers work freelance and are self-employed. As income from writing may be low and unpredictable, most writers supplement their income with other related activities such as author visits, workshops and events.

Some writers may find avenues to diversify their writing and write in different forms, such as published novelists also writing reviews and literary criticism.

In addition, many writers manage their writing work alongside full or part-time jobs, which may be related to their writing (such as lecturing on creative writing courses) or entirely unrelated.

For more information on the role of a technical writer in the science, engineering and pharmaceutical sectors, see technical author .

Responsibilities

Your typical work activities are likely to include some or all of the following:

• researching the market including reading relevant publications or blogs, and staying up to date with writing that is being produced in your chosen field
• selecting subject matter based on personal or public interest, or commissioned by a publisher or agent
• undertaking background research including desk-based research and conducting site visits or interviews
• writing individual pieces, including using the technical skills of writing and being able to structure and plan individual projects
• editing, revising and reviewing work especially in response to feedback
• working to tight deadlines, especially for theatre, screen and radio
• submitting material for publication in the required and expected format
• networking with other writers, as well as others involved in the industry such as publishers, booksellers and organisers of literary events
• liaising with publishers, agents, script editors, producers and directors
• finding, pursuing and maintaining knowledge of publication opportunities
• marketing, including maintaining an online presence through a website, blog or social media presence
• talking about your work at events, such as literary festivals, and conducting readings or book signings
• teaching writing in further or higher education settings or running workshops privately
• critiquing the work of other writers including sometimes providing mentoring or coaching services
• managing the business side of writing including maintaining financial records, checking contracts and submitting invoices and tax returns.
• Starting salaries for writers are generally low. The median earnings for professional writers (those who dedicate more than 50% of their time to writing) is under £10,500 a year, and only 13.7% of professional writers earn their incomes solely from writing.
• The median salary of all writers (the majority of whom don't dedicate all their time to writing) is only £3,000 a year.
• However, there may be exceptions to this rule, and there are well-publicised cases of writers gaining significant advances (into six figures) for first novels.

Check the Society of Authors - Rates and Guidelines for writers and the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) Freelance Fees Guide , which sets out indications of average rates for different kinds of freelance writing. The BBC offers standard rates, which are available on The Writers' Guild of Great Britain (WGGB) - Rates and Agreements .

Having a good agent, business manager and/or accountant is essential for most high-earning writers.

Income data from the Authors' Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS) . Figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Working hours typically include regular unsocial hours. Writers often use weekends and evenings to work, fitting their responsibilities around other employment commitments. However, some writers may adopt a disciplined approach, keeping strict office hours and working away from home to avoid distractions.

What to expect

• While the majority of writers are self-employed freelancers, they may be taken on for short-term contracts in television, radio, screen or theatre. There are also some opportunities to be employed as writers in residence in particular communities or organisations.
• Professional writers supplement their income in a range of ways. This can be through teaching, lecturing and self-publishing, for example, or from prizes, fellowships, grants and bursaries. Many writers have a portfolio career, with writing being just one aspect.
• Writers live and work throughout the UK, but the highest concentration of writers is in London and the South of England.
• Research shows that there are pay gaps in relation to social class, gender, ethnicity and geographic region. For more information, see The Royal Society of Literature report, A Room of My Own: What writers need to work today .
• Although most writers are based at home, there may be some travel required for attendance at conferences, author events and literary festivals.

Qualifications

Although this area of work is open to all graduates, the following subjects may increase your chances:

• communication and media studies
• creative writing
• English language or literature
• performing arts.

Entry without a degree, foundation degree or HND is common.

Most academic qualifications will help you to develop strong writing skills, and provide a good grounding in grammar and the structure of language.

Literature, media, journalism and performing arts may help to give you knowledge of different styles and genres of writing.

Courses with a practical element, such as many creative writing courses, may also give you relevant practical experience. However, creative talent, drive and determination are equally, if not more, important to work as a writer.

A pre-entry postgraduate qualification is not essential, but there are a number of Masters courses available. These courses typically combine academic study with practical experience and mentoring.

To get a place on a postgraduate course aimed at potential writers, you'll usually need a portfolio of recent creative writing, published or unpublished. The subject of your first degree is not always relevant, as course providers are generally more interested in the quality of your portfolio. Some institutions, however, will ask for a degree in English or a related discipline.

You may be able to get a place on a course without a first degree if you have creative writing experience or other creative writing qualifications.

Many courses have a specific focus, such as novel writing, screenwriting or writing for performance. Do your research carefully to make sure courses match your career aims.

Search for postgraduate courses in creative writing .

To succeed as a writer, you'll need:

• literary skills
• imagination
• a clear, entertaining style
• excellent written English skills
• the ability to work to tight deadlines, while maintaining attention to detail
• excellent research skills, both literary and business-related
• self-discipline and time management skills
• the ability to work alone for long periods of time
• verbal communication and networking skills in order to develop media contacts
• marketing skills and an understanding of new media as a tool for self-promotion
• commitment and the desire to succeed
• IT, web, typing and editing skills
• the necessary financial skills to manage yourself in the employment market
• the ability to understand and accept criticism
• persistence, determination, resilience and enthusiasm.

Work experience

Pre-entry experience in related industries such as bookselling, publishing, film or television may be helpful but isn't necessary. It is, however, important that writers build up a portfolio of work, published or unpublished, in order to have material to showcase to potential publishers or contacts.

Securing a publishing contract can be challenging with significant levels of competition.

Students can improve their chances by getting relevant experience while at university, including writing for student newspapers or magazines, or taking part in student radio or a drama club.

You can break into the profession by winning local or national writing competitions. These include fiction, poetry, screen and playwriting and usually can be found by a simple web search of 'creative writing competitions,' or 'screenwriting competitions.'

Some publishers run competitions to find new talent, and the prize can include publication. For example, the children's fiction publishers Chicken House , in conjunction with The Times , run an annual children's fiction competition.

Other useful ways to gain experience include joining a local writers' group. For a list of groups, see the National Association of Writers and Groups (NAWG) . You could also start writing a blog.

Find out more about the different kinds of  work experience and internships  that are available.

Because writing is largely a freelance occupation, very few vacancies are advertised and most opportunities are found by making speculative approaches or by answering calls for submissions.

It's important that you make speculative approaches in the style that is appropriate to the opening.

Writers of fiction and non-fiction who want to be traditionally published will need to seek an agent before seeking a publisher as most publishers will not look at uncommissioned work unless it comes via an agent.

Approaching a literary agent usually involves submitting the first three chapters of a novel with a synopsis and a cover letter (for fiction). It's important that you do your research when you're looking for an agent. This involves looking closely at the agent and their list. Do they represent the genre of fiction that you write in? If not, submission could be pointless.

Check out the other writers on their list. Do you think you could fit in there somewhere? If not, it may be best to keep looking. The writer/agent relationship is an important one. It's worth taking the time to find one that is right for you.

Another possibility is to self-publish or produce an e-book. These methods are increasing in popularity as e-books become more popular and technological developments are making it easier to publish work yourself.

Self-publishing can be an effective way of showcasing ability and achieving independent sales through local book shops or by using online retailers. However, taking on the role of both writer and publisher can be demanding and require you to understand issues such as permissions and rights.

Short-story writers may find their style of writing is suited to, and regularly accepted by, certain magazines or websites. Short story competitions may provide additional income and can help showcase your work.

There are several outlets for the publication or broadcast of poetry, although they are unstructured. Examples are specialist poetry magazines and occasional radio programmes. Generally speaking, little or no pay is involved.

A list of poetry magazines is published on the National Poetry Library - investigating back copies is recommended. Poetry readings and festivals can provide a forum for publicising work, while competitions can be lucrative and lead to opportunities for publication.

As a script writer, you may find temporary contracts with:

• commercial and independent television and radio companies
• facilities houses
• large advertising companies
• film and video production companies.

Writers for theatre often work on attachment to a particular theatre or company, or may even form their own theatre company.

For submission guidelines for many agents, publishers and magazines, see the Writers' and Artists' Yearbook .

Many writers supplement their income with writing-related employment and there are teaching opportunities in:

• community and adult learning centres
• therapeutic centres
• training courses
• universities and schools.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Arts Council England
• Arts Council of Wales
• British Council - Arts
• Creative Scotland
• National Association of Writers in Education

A basic web search will also uncover forums and other sites aimed at, or run by, writers where opportunities are listed and advice, support and critical feedback are available.

Professional development

There's little in the way of formal training for writers. However, most writers stress the importance of staying in contact with peers for feedback as well as support, which can also be found through:

• critical appraisal services
• writers' circles
• writers' courses and workshops.

Because of the solitary nature of the work, membership of organisations can be useful for peer review and maintaining contact with the literary world. See the Society of Authors and WGGB for more information.

Some organisations will only accept members who have been published or offered a contract. However, the Society of Authors and WGGB also offer student membership and associate/candidate membership for emerging and aspiring authors.

It's also important to keep abreast of what is happening in the sector you want to contribute to. For example, if you want to write for radio, it's useful to listen to radio programmes to get a feel for what is successful. If you want to write poetry, it will help if you're a keen reader of poetry and subscribe to poetry magazines. If you're interested in scriptwriting, visit the BBC Writersroom website for a range of resources, including interviews, advice and toolkits.

Attending conventions and conferences, such as Crimefest , the international crime writers' convention in Bristol, can help you develop your knowledge of the industry, as well as providing a good opportunity to meet people and develop your networks.

For more specific training, you could consider the following:

• Organisations such as the Arvon Foundation and Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre provide regular courses where practising and published writers run workshops.
• Look out for courses in creative writing or novel writing at your local adult education centre.
• Some towns and cities have a resident writer who runs courses and gives advice. Ask at your local library for details.
• There are many literary consultancy agencies, such as Cornerstones , which for a fee offer detailed feedback and advice to writers seeking publication.

Career prospects

According to The Royal Society of Literature report A Room of My Own: What writers need to work today , the life of a writer is becoming harder, and writers from particular backgrounds and experiences are facing greater challenges when trying to establish their careers. Key factors that contribute to a writer's success include:

• a space to write from
• support and mentoring from peers
• emotional support from family and friends.

As you gain a back catalogue of publications, income from new work (often in the form of advances) may be complemented by income from previous work, in the form of royalties on published works, public lending rights payments, payments for anthologising and so on.

As your profile increases there may also be more potential for earning income from teaching, lecturing and appearances at events.

In addition, some organisations offer salaried posts for writers in residence, and these are often restricted to published writers with a strong track record.

The career of a writer can be unpredictable so you must be resilient, producing a steady output of work. It's also important that you keep a close eye on the market, staying up to date with what kind of writing is selling and considering how to meet market demand.

Alongside producing work, it's critical that you also work on marketing yourself and your work. An agent or a publisher is likely to help with publicity, but it's important that you also look for opportunities for publicity yourself, such as:

• writing a blog
• creating a presence via social media
• setting up your own website
• workshops and signings.

Discipline and determination to succeed are prerequisites for career development, but writers stress that the rewards of seeing their work in print or production make it all worthwhile.

How would you rate this page?

On a scale where 1 is dislike and 5 is like

• Dislike 1 unhappy-very
• Like 5 happy-very

Thank you for rating the page

• Free Course
• Creative Elements Podcast
• Creator Science Newsletter
• Marketing for Freelancers
• Selling for Freelancers
• Business for Freelancers
• Course Bundle

How to Become a Freelance Writer

In Freelance Jobs , All Posts , Business Essentials by Jay Clouse July 5, 2021 Leave a Comment

If you’re reading this, you’re probably curious about how to become a freelance writer.

Maybe you’re tired of receiving vague advice instead of real steps that actually help you get started too.

Well, I have good news. Becoming a freelance writer doesn’t have to be a lengthy or confusing process.

In this article, I’ll cover all the need-to-know with actionable steps so you can begin your freelance writing career right away.

Anyone can follow along and become a freelance writer too. You don’t need a degree or expensive certificates already under your belt.

Sure, having strong writing skills helps to get started, but you can (and should) continue to improve those as you go along.

In fact, if you’re equipped with a keyboard and internet connection, you’re already capable of getting started as a freelance writer wherever you are in the world.

So let’s get right to it then!

Table of Contents

What is freelance writing?

You might be wondering, what is a freelance writer, anyway?

And what is freelancing , for that matter?

Simply put, a freelancer is someone who’s self-employed and contracts their services out to individuals or companies, often on a short-term basis.

So, as a freelance writer, you’ll typically work with individual clients, agencies, companies, or publications, contracting your writing services to them.

Freelance writing is a flexible and potentially lucrative way to make money online, whether as a side hustle, a full-time career, or anything in between.

It’s true—freelance writers can take full rein over their career growth by choosing their own schedule, who they work with, what projects they take on, where they work, and so on.

Pretty great, huh?

Not to mention, there are multiple different kinds of freelance writing you can pursue, providing a wide range of specializations and project opportunities at any given time.

Let’s go over the most common types of freelance writing you’ll want to know.

Freelance content writer

A freelance content writer produces content online that informs, educates, or entertains. Great content writers need to be able to write in a variety of different tones and styles and typically need a solid understanding of search engine optimization (SEO).

Some types of content they create are blog articles, web pages, video scripts, white papers, and more.

Freelance copywriter

Though there’s some overlap, copywriting differs from content writing in that it’s all about persuasion; copywriters take a strategic, data-driven approach to writing that’s meant to convince people to buy a product or service.

Freelance copywriters write things like search engine and social media ads, slogans and taglines, website landing and product pages, email marketing campaigns, and more.

Freelance columnist

A freelance columnist works regularly with a specific publication, providing journalistic articles through the lens of their own opinions and worldviews. Whether a newspaper, magazine, or website, columnists usually contribute to a specific section, like cooking, sports, or politics.

Freelance ghostwriter

Freelance ghostwriters create written work on behalf of and credited to another individual or company. Ghostwriters often work closely with those they’re writing for, following their voice, style, and other specifications to a T.

Freelance ghostwriters can work on a variety of projects, from fiction and nonfiction manuscripts, online articles, manuals, or speeches.

Freelance academic writer

As the name suggests, freelance academic writers write academic content that’s rooted in evidence-based facts. Because of this, academic writers need exceptional grammar and research skills as well as an understanding of referencing styles, like APA, MLA, and Chicago/Turabian.

Some common content types freelance academic writers create are articles, scholarly journals, and class materials.

Becoming a freelance writer: Savannah’s story

The only downside to having so many opportunities is that it can make getting started as a freelance writer feel somewhat overwhelming.

One of the biggest initial challenges people face is trying to picture what the process of becoming a freelance writer actually looks like.

While the origin story of every freelance writer can—and does—look a little different, it’s helpful to ask around in person and look at stories online to visualize the process and get some inspiration.

To illustrate the process, I asked my friend Savannah how she got started as a freelance writer, and here’s what she shared:

“Like many people, I wasn’t too sure what to do with my life as a college student. Despite being an English Literature major, I ended up going down the path of becoming a digital marketer because it felt ‘safer,’ and I decided to pursue my love of writing in my free time by creating a lifestyle blog.

While I really enjoyed the analytical side of things with digital marketing (and those skills certainly came in handy later), I found myself longing for more creativity and a better schedule.

I started to travel a lot and grow my blog more as I went along, and I realized that I didn’t want to give those things up.

Basically, the freedom of working wherever I wanted and doing what I loved as a freelance writer grew more and more appealing.

I had no idea how to be a freelance writer, though, so I turned to a friend who was already working as one and asked her for advice. She led me to a freelancing platform called Upwork and was kind enough to give me some tips and share her profile to reference.

Soon after talking with her and putting in some solid market research, I started pitching myself to a ton of potential clients on the platform.

Nerve-racking as it was to put myself out there (and rejections are an inevitable part of the process), it wasn’t long before I found someone who wanted to work with me.

Since then, I’ve continued to grow my own blog and have worked with multiple clients across industries, writing blog articles, social media posts, web pages, and much, much more. As of today, I’ve happily been a freelance writer for the past three and a half years.”

Now, with an idea of the process in mind, are you ready to create your own freelance writing story?

How to start freelance writing – your first 5 steps

1. explore freelance writing job opportunities.

The best way to get started is to see what kind of freelance writing opportunities already exist.

There are multiple online freelance marketplaces you can explore, with thousands of job opportunities posted every single day. Upwork, Contena , and Freelancer.com are some popular choices, to name a few.

You can learn more about the best places to explore writing jobs online here.

I suggest starting with an online platform instead of attempting to grow your own website and do your own networking upfront.

By taking the first steps of your freelance writing career in an existing marketplace, you’ll be able to get paid writing opportunities and build legitimate connections right away.

Upwork is one platform I often recommend getting started with. You’ll find a ton of writing opportunities there, making it an awesome place to get a feel for the freelance writing market and, of course, actually begin your career.

Start by scrolling through some of the job listings and taking notes on what clients are asking for.

Here are some specifics to pay attention to:

• Job type (blog post, social media copywriting, etc.)
• Rates offered
• Popular industries
• Popular niches
• Problems and objectives
• Skills desired

Through this process, you’ll learn what desirable opportunities exist for you and how you can position yourself to appeal to those posting them.

So, instead of picking a niche from the get-go, as many suggest, use this research to inspire and guide you. What’s currently in demand might surprise you.

And while you’re doing this research, you should begin brainstorming which of your existing skills and interests align with the opportunities available.

The takeaway here is, it’s important to get a thorough idea of what clients want first so that you don’t waste any time crafting an irrelevant profile, pitch, or portfolio.

Gaining this solid understanding will give you a clear sense of direction to start from.

2. Create your freelance writing site profile

Now that you have a great idea of what freelance writing clients are looking for, it’s time to create your profile.

After taking a few minutes to sign up, there are three sections in your profile we’re going to focus on that will help you stand out from other freelancers:

Your overview

I’ll walk you through each one of these to make sure your profile is the one winning clients.

When picking out a photo for your headshot, a great trick is to choose a smiling one with your teeth showing. This communicates on a subconscious level that you’re a friendly and even trustworthy person.

Moreover, a genuine smile makes you seem more approachable, which will help clients feel comfortable reaching out to you.

And, of course, the goal is to have clients coming to you.

Create a job title that directly addresses clients’ needs instead of writing what you think your role is.

For example, instead of calling yourself a “Freelance Content Writer,” use a title like “Blog Content That Gets You More Traffic.”

The idea behind this is to put yourself in your target client’s shoes and use language they’re actively thinking about and searching for.

By doing so, you’ll show them that you might be the solution to the problem they’re trying to solve, inspiring them to take a closer look at your profile and potentially hire you.

Likewise, you want to take a client-focused approach in your profile overview too.

This is a chance for you to go further into detail on what you can do to solve your client’s problems and how.

So, rather than talking a lot about yourself, where you like to go on holiday, and your cat, Greg, tailor your profile overview to focus on clients’ needs, positioning yourself as the solution to their problems.

Because you’ve already done your research, you should have some specific ideas on problems clients are currently dealing with, and which skills or experience you have that can help solve them.

To give you a clear idea of what a great profile looks like, let’s take a closer look at Alex’s profile , shown in the picture above.

In his overview, he uses a specific formula for success that you can follow too.

I’ll break this formula down for you with snippets from his overview as examples:

Describe the client

The first step in writing your overview is to describe who your target client is.

Paint a clear picture of who they are so that they can immediately identify themselves as they’re reading what you have to say.

By speaking directly to them, you’ll effectively establish a connection right off the bat.

Example: “ If you’re like most of my clients, you know creative content marketing and killer copywriting are fundamental to the success of your business. ”

Describe their pains

Then describe the problems, difficulties, and annoyances that are plaguing your target client.

By describing these pains, you’ll begin strengthening your established connection with them.

If a client can relate to the problems you mention, they’ll see that you get it and can potentially help.

Example: “ …You’ve been disappointed with your traffic and conversions so far, but with an overwhelming number of things to do, you’ve put off doing anything about it until now. ”

Describe the gains they want

Client “gains” are the value they’re looking for from a freelancer.

Here you’ll put the results they’re looking for into words, showing that, once again, you’re the best person to help.

Example: “ You need content so valuable to your target audience, they’re practically compelled to share (and consume) each and every piece … ”

Position yourself as the solution

Now, you want to tell clients explicitly that you’re the exact solution to their problems—the answer to their unique needs.

Example: “ This is where I come in…

Imagine generating more sales with copywriting so good, your customers will thank you for making them an offer… ”

Provide validation (testimonials and results)

At this point, it’s a good idea to provide validation that backs up your claims. Doing this will help establish trust and can really win over a potential client on the fence.

An example of validation might be a glowing testimonial from someone you’ve previously worked with or proof of positive results you’ve achieved.

Example: “ Alex did a great job on this project. He not only created great work but added additional value and ideas to the project! Really great to work with! ”

End with a call to action (CTA)

Finally, make sure to end with a call to action.

Believe it or not, people like being told what to do—or, better said, they like having a clear option that says, “do this, and you’ll get what you want!”

And that’s exactly what a CTA is.

A good CTA serves as a nudge for a potential client, guiding them from inaction to action—above all, encouraging them to work with you.

CTAs usually use an active voice, speaking directly to the reader with specific instructions on what to do next and implying the benefits that will follow.

So, an example of a CTA might look like, “contact me today” or “get more conversions now;” however, there are several ways you can play around with it to showcase your unique personality and stand out (like Alex does).

Example: “ …I guarantee you’ll be satisfied with the results – or I won’t charge you a thing. So take a deep breath and relax (for a moment at least). ”

3. Make your freelance writing portfolio… while you apply for writing jobs

Once you have your profile all set up and a solid understanding of what clients are asking for, you’re ready for the fun part: pitching yourself.

As you start sending out your proposals, this is also when you’re going to create your first portfolio sample.

Yes, I advise waiting until you’re actually applying to jobs before putting any effort into a portfolio.

Why? Because this way, you’ll know which content is currently in demand with real, paying clients, and you can create a targeted sample that’s relevant to the exact job you’re applying to.

This strategy is called the MVP method , or “Minimum Viable Portfolio.”

Basically, instead of wasting your time coming up with random ideas, like “101 Ways to do Underwater Basket Weaving” that might not be relevant to anyone, you’ll create an effective writing sample that aligns with what a client is looking for in their listing.

And the best part of the MVP method is, all you have to do is spend half an hour or so writing just one highly efficient 200-400 word sample, as opposed to spending days or even weeks writing several long portfolio samples that could potentially lack any significant appeal.

It’s the age-old advice of “quality over quantity” in practice—you’ll be showing your target client a small glimpse of what they can expect when you’re working with them.

Keep in mind to make sure your sample is just similar enough to be relevant to the topic and content type mentioned in the listing but not so exact that the client could rip off your work.

For example, if a client is looking for blog articles on pet care for dogs, you could create your sample on “3 Simple Tips to Survive Bathing Your Cat.”

When clients see that you have writing experience similar to their needs, they’ll be so much more likely to hire you over your competitors.

And even if you don’t get the job this time, you’ll now have the benefit of an existing portfolio sample to your name.

4. Take a freelance writing course or two to hone your skills

So, you’re all set up now: you have a compelling profile, you’ve been applying to jobs and building your portfolio, maybe you’ve already done a couple of gigs too.

This is the point when it’s time to start focusing on improving yourself as a freelance writer.

This means really honing your skills so that you can grow your freelancing business, ensure seamless experiences that will wow your clients every time, and, of course, land higher and higher-paying jobs.

So, how do you advance your freelance writing skills? Perhaps the best, most straightforward method is to take a freelance writing course.

You might be thinking, why should I wait until now to take a course?

The important reason why I suggest waiting until this point is this: you don’t want to put spending tons of time and energy taking courses ahead of actually getting started as a freelance writer.

Now, look at you, you already have an established momentum going, and the only place to go from here is up.

And the right freelance writing courses will give you a structured path—or staircase, if you will—to elevate your skills and help you evolve your business.

Speaking of, here are three awesome courses I recommend that can help you do just that:

Freelance Article Writing: Start a Freelance Writing Career!

If you want to learn more about article writing, this is a valuable course to learn how to become a profitable freelance article writer. It includes hands-on advice on how to write and structure your articles, mistakes to avoid, how to secure the best-paying writing jobs, and much more.

Learn more about this course here .

Freelance Copywriting: Write Dirty. Go Big. Start Now!

For newbie copywriters, take this course to discover which steps you need to take to make money copywriting, tactics to grow quickly, the four types of copywriting you need to know, amateur mistakes to avoid, and other helpful tools.

Grant Writing for Nonprofits and Freelance Writers

If you’re interested in diving into the world of grant writing, this is a great course to learn practical techniques like identifying relevant funders, writing successful proposals, drafting efficient boilerplate language, and other essentials you’ll need to succeed as a freelance grant writer.

5. Grow your freelance writing business with your own marketing funnel

Now that you’re established as a freelance writer and have achieved a certain level of success on freelancing platforms, your next step is to build a marketing funnel of your own.

There are several reasons why learning to market yourself off freelance platforms is a great idea at this point.

By doing so, you’ll be setting yourself up for success by building your own brand and reputation; you’ll own your services without being dependent on external marketplaces to keep working, and you’ll be able to avoid any middle-man fees that take away from your income.

Sounds like a good idea, right?

If you want to learn crystal-clear, actionable steps on how to market yourself as a freelance writer, be sure to sign up for my Marketing for Freelancers course .

By taking this course, you’ll gain valuable insight on:

• How to represent your work with confidence
• Attracting the clients you want
• How to set your rates effectively

And, perhaps most importantly, you’ll set your freelance writing business up for long-term success by learning how to lead clients directly to YOU.

Even more advice on becoming a freelance writer

There you have it, your first five steps to becoming a freelance writer. That wasn’t so bad, right?

By now, you should have a much clearer picture of how to begin your freelance writing career.

Let’s take a look at the steps we covered one more time:

• Explore freelance writing job opportunities
• Create your freelance writing site profile
• Make your freelance writing portfolio… while you apply for writing jobs
• Take a freelance writing course or two to hone your skills
• Grow your freelance writing business with your own marketing funnel

This framework can help you get started right away and take you from landing your first paid gig to elevating your freelance writing business in no time.

There’s always going to be a learning curve when starting a new career, so take it one step at a time and enjoy it. You’ll continue to improve and grow as you go along.

If you’re still unsure whether writing is the route for you or want a broader overview of what it looks like to get started as a freelancer in general, then don’t worry—I have you covered.

Head over to my How to Start Freelancing article for even more advice and a walk-through on how to begin your freelancing business as a whole.

• Student login

Free Course: 5 Ways in 5 Days to Make More Money Freelancing

We use cookies to collect information about how you use the National Careers Service. This information is used to make the website work as well as possible and improve our services.

You’ve accepted all cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

beta Complete an independent survey to give us feedback about our website.

There is a problem

• Home: Explore careers

Screenwriter

Alternative titles for this job include screenplay writer, script writer.

Screenwriters write the stories for feature films, TV programmes and computer games.

Average salary (a year)

Typical hours (a week).

37 to 39 variable

You could work

freelance / self-employed managing your own hours

How to become

How to become a screenwriter.

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• applying directly
• specialist courses run by private training providers

You could do a degree or postgraduate qualification to improve your job prospects, though this is not essential. Useful subjects include:

• creative writing
• media and communications
• film studies

You should aim to get as much experience of reading other people's and writing your own scripts, alongside your studies.

Your university careers service can give advice on societies, work experience, internship and year placement opportunities that will help you build your creative network and develop your skills.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

When you're starting out you may find it useful to take a college course to help develop your skills and understand dramatic structure and production.

Courses are available in:

• scriptwriting
• creative and digital media

Adult education centres, colleges and universities sometimes run short courses in writing for screen.

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

• funding advice
• search for courses

Direct Application

If you want to get directly into this job, you may have an advantage if you have writing and storytelling experience from another field like journalism, advertising copywriting or acting.

You'll normally start by coming up with your own screenplays and ideas, and trying to sell them to agents and producers. Once you've had some work accepted and started to build a professional reputation, producers might then commission you to produce scripts for them.

Other Routes

You could take short courses in screenwriting run by film schools, regional screen agencies and private training providers.

Career tips

As a new writer, you could get yourself noticed by entering screenwriting competitions. These competitions are run by broadcasters and regional screen agencies to discover new talent.

You can also find advice about submitting your work to the BBC at BBC Writers .

Create a LinkedIn profile to connect with people in the industry and make sure you have a portfolio to show your skills.

Further information

You can get more advice on writing careers in film and TV from ScreenSkills .

You can get more information on working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers .

What it takes

Skills and knowledge.

You'll need:

• knowledge of English language
• excellent written communication skills
• persistence and determination
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• knowledge of media production and communication
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

What you'll do, day-to-day tasks.

In this role you could:

• come up with themes and ideas
• research background material
• develop plots and characters
• lay out the screenplay to an agreed format
• prepare short summaries of your ideas 
• sell your ideas or ‘pitch' to producers
• get feedback on your work from producers or script editors
• rewrite the script before arriving at an agreed version
• network with agents and producers
• handle your own tax and accounts, if freelance

Working environment

You could work in an office, from home, at a film studio, at a TV studio or on a film set.

Career path and progression

Most screenwriters are freelance so to develop your career you'll need to network widely in the industry.

You could combine screenwriting with other forms of writing work, teaching, lecturing or editing.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships in england.

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a screenwriter right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Creative writing.

• Provider: EAST SUSSEX COLLEGE GROUP
• Start date: 17 September 2024
• Location: Lewes
• Provider: LEICESTER CITY COUNCIL
• Start date: 08 April 2024
• Location: Leicester

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Not what you're looking for?

Search further careers, related careers.

• Newspaper or magazine journalist
• Advertising copywriter
• TV or film assistant director
• Media researcher

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

• 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
• 10am to 5pm Saturdays and bank holidays

We're closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Is this page useful?

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.

Rate your experience

How satisfied are you with the website?

How do I become a screenwriter?

Some of the UK’s most successful screenwriters offer their advice to young people wanting to work in the film industry.

If you’re looking for next steps and wondering whether you need a screenwriting qualification or how to find screenwriting work, then watch the video to see some of Britain’s best screenwriters, including Abi Morgan, Hossein Amini and Olivia Hetreed offer their advice on a career in screenwriting.

If you’re interested in training courses (and are aged 16 to 19) then the BFI Film Academy Specialist residential programme focuses on the craft and workflow of different specialisms – including screenwriting – with leading industry professionals delivering masterclasses and practical skills training. Participants also receive bespoke careers advice.

Charlie Covell on script to screen highlights

Writer, actress and BAFTA Breakthrough Brit Charlie Covell shares how she made the jump from being in front of the camera to being behind the words. An actor for 10 years and a writer for 3, Covell wrote 2 episodes for Russell T Davies’ series Banana, which aired on E4 .

She then went on to write her first feature screenplay, Burn Burn Burn, which was included in the London Film Festival programme for 2015.

Interviewer: Pelumi Akindude

Daniel Fajemisin-Duncan and Marlon Smith on writing for film and television

Daniel Fajemisin-Duncan and Marlon Smith talk about what made them want to become screenwriters, how they develop their ideas on the page and their tips to budding filmmakers who want to explore a career writing for films and TV . They also explain what a ’vomit draft’ means.

Daniel and Marlon won the breakthrough talent BAFTA for Run (2013), their gritty 4-part drama series about 4 troubled individuals living in London, starring Olivia Colman.

Useful resources

• BFI Film Academy Specialist courses
• BFI NETWORK
• ScreenSkills
• BAFTA Guru screenwriting
• Future Learn: explore filmmaking
• ShootingPeople
• BBC  Writersroom
• The Script Factory
• National Film and Television School

• Major Programmes

How do I become a science writer?

First, there is no set route into science writing, nor do you “have to” be a particular type of person or have any particular qualification to be a science writer. 

One of the strengths and joys of the job is the variety of people and backgrounds in the science writing community. Some people trained in journalism and later specialised in science; some went from working or studying science to journalism; others have no background in either but became skilled science writers thanks to their passion and interest. Your route into science writing will very much depend on you and your circumstances. 

For reference, The Open Notebook has a varied list of background stories .

What skills do science writers need?

Most of all you need a deep interest in science and a flair for clear, compelling writing and storytelling. Basic spelling and grammar for the language you plan to write in is also a given. 

But a willingness to work hard, build up experience and contacts, and never losing that interest and passion for science in the first place are far more important than any formal skills or qualifications. 

Some degree of numeracy (to what extent depends on the areas you choose to cover) is helpful, as is not being scared off by technical jargon, sometimes turgid academic writing and scientific egos. You also have to be prepared to do a lot of research and background reading at times. But these things can be learned on the job, through doing more writing and reporting and speaking to more scientists.

Writers these days have to be flexible. Journalists work online, in print, radio, TV or other multimedia. Irrespective of the nature of their work, they need to be able to be comfortable flipping between different formats, short/long, and sometimes (particularly if freelance) for different audiences and publications with very different tone, style, needs and expectations.

Freelance science writers and journalists will need to cultivate additional skills such as financial management and an understanding of how to organise and run a business for yourself. Many freelancers pick these things up through bitter experience, but it’s worth thinking about how to set up and run your own business and find specific advice if you are interested in doing so. In late 2021 the ABSW ran a short session on setting up as a freelancer, and you can watch the playback here .

Formal courses and degrees

Many courses and degrees in science writing, journalism and science communication have been established over the last two decades. 

Some people prefer to enrol on a course since it provides general skills ranging from basic reporting to news and feature writing, radio production, video editing and media law. Many of the courses are from reputable universities and have alumni networks and work placement schemes that can help trainees gain a foothold in a competitive industry. Most valuably, they provide experience and, through the formal act of doing the work, build confidence. 

The big drawback is that fees can be expensive – usually several thousands of pounds a year, and that’s before factoring in living expenses and travel. And they take time – usually a semester for a course, or a whole year for a degree (though some may allow enough time to fit in part-time work alongside it).

Whether a course is right for you will depend on your situation and needs. To reiterate, you don’t need a qualification to work as a science writer. But if you are interested in the option, look at the ABSW courses list and contact the institution providing the course to find out more. It’s worth also speaking to others who have done the course before to see if it is the right fit for you. 

A list of courses the ABSW knows about can be found in the Courses in Science Communications section. 

Guide navigation

Back to the start What is science writing? What do science writers do? How do I become a science writer? ( You are here ) Getting into specific parts of the media General tips for getting started Further reading Courses in science communications Other organisations similar to ABSW Credits

Percival Everett's New Novel Is Destined to Become a Modern Classic

The acclaimed author takes us inside his process for writing 'James,' a subversive new take on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn .

Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links.

Everett’s subject is Jim, the enslaved runaway from Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Blasted clean of Twain’s characterization, Jim emerges here as a man of great dignity, altruism, and intelligence. The new novel opens in Hannibal, Missouri, where Jim teaches enslaved children to run their speech through a “slave filter” of “correct incorrect grammar,” designed to pacify white people. Then the story settles into Twain’s familiar grooves—on the run together, Jim and Huck raft down the Mississippi River, facing danger, separation, and charlatans aplenty. Along the way, Everett fills in the blank spaces of plot and characterization left by Twain, as Jim imagines verbal sparring matches with dead philosophers, falls in love with reading, and begins to author his own story. “With my pencil, I wrote myself into being,” he writes. And so he does: On the road to freeing himself and his family from slavery, Jim becomes more self-determined than ever. Clever, soulful, and full of righteous rage, his long-silenced voice resounds through this remarkable novel.

Subversive and thrilling, James is destined to become a modern classic. But for Everett, the self-effacing author of dozens of daring novels (including Erasure , which was recently adapted into the Academy Award -winning film American Fiction ), the work is simply the work. “I flatter myself to imagine that I’m in conversation with Twain and writing the novel that he couldn’t write,” he tells Esquire. Still, he does harbor a fantasy of sitting side by side with Twain, watching the storied Mississippi River go by.

Everett Zoomed with Esquire from his office at the University of Southern California, where he teaches as a distinguished professor of English. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

ESQUIRE: Do you remember your first encounter with The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn ?

PERCIVAL EVERETT: Only vaguely. As a kid, I read an abridged version. I don’t know how it was abridged; it was just shorter. I’m not even sure if that unfortunate word was included in the text. And I have to say, I wasn’t terribly taken with it. I never liked The Adventures of Tom Sawyer . After Tom Sawyer came Huck Finn , which I liked a little better. Then as a teenager, I read it again. I’m not certain if I read it in school or not. But being a Black kid in America reading that text, that word was problematic. It was clearly a text in which an adolescent in America was trying to come to terms with the defining feature of America’s character: race. And so I was taken with the novel, even though it’s an uneven novel. It becomes an adventure that it doesn’t need to become, but it still deals with those issues. It became an important text to me, but more importantly, it’s such a persistent and iconic feature in our literary landscape.

Why do you think it looms so large in the American imagination, all these years later?

I think because of the use of the vernacular. And also, it’s problematic. It’s not an easy read. Huck is an adolescent American, but it’s ultimately representative of America trying to come of age. It’s really the first time you have a work that’s not about slavery, but about an enslaved person. That’s a significant difference and a departure from the earlier texts.

Have you taught the book in your classroom?

No, I’ve never taught it.

Maybe now you’ll have to.

If I can remember it. I read Huck Finn fifteen times in a row to write James . Now it’s a blur and I can hardly remember it.

You say you didn’t like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer . Why not?

It’s just an adventure novel, and I wasn’t terribly excited about that. But I was influenced by Twain greatly—by Life on the Mississippi and Roughing It , which were both wonderfully funny. The Diaries of Adam and Eve were hilarious, too.

I’ve seen James described as a “retelling” and a “reimagining.” Do those terms accurately describe your vision?

I don’t know. I certainly understand them. I’m relying on an extant text as a source for this world—part of my meaning is made by the fact that Huck Finn exists. I don’t know if the novel would be possible without Huck Finn . I have to say, this doesn’t come from a place of dissatisfaction with or disdain for The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn . I flatter myself to imagine that I’m in conversation with Twain and writing the novel that he couldn’t write.

One of the things I admire about James is how you give a full, rich life and sense of personhood to a character who was underserved, but you don’t destroy the original tale. What was the right balance of speaking to Huck Finn while also departing from it?

I’ve read Huck Finn so many times that I’ve internalized and forgotten it. But there were things I knew James wouldn’t contain. For example, I was trying to excise Tom Sawyer as much as possible, and also trying to make up for the certain narrative dissonance of Twain having stopped and started the text along the way. You can see those demarcations, where he stopped and then came back to it. That’s where the novel encounters some problems—it doesn’t detract from the importance of it, but the novel itself suffers.

One of my favorite qualities about your Jim is his growing love of reading. You write, “It was a completely private affair, and completely free, and therefore completely subversive. Do you think reading is still a subversive act?

Certainly. This is why they always burn and ban books . It’s why education is so frightening to, dare I say, the right wing—why intellectuals are considered an elite group instead of a group to be exploited and used.

You’ve often said that philosophical problems animate your novels. But in the case of this novel, philosophers themselves animate the story, as Jim has imagined arguments with Rousseau, Voltaire, and John Locke. Which of those philosophers would you most like to speak with?

Maybe Voltaire. It’d be less earnest than John Locke and there might be more fun. He wasn’t the same kind of philosopher as Locke—he was probably more open to play and ideas.

Was it fun to play with these real people in a fictional sandbox? It’s certainly fun to read.

I suppose it was. It’s hard for me to think about fun when I’m going to work. But I guess those were probably the parts I personally enjoyed writing the most. The hard work was distilling it, because those guys like to go on and on. They could have taken over the book.

I often feel like your work has a very playful and elastic approach to language, and James is no different. As the story progresses, language comes to mean many things to Jim —sometimes it’s a disguise, or liberation, or resistance against dehumanization. Jim writes, “My interest is in how these marks that I am scratching on this page can mean anything at all. If they can have meaning, then life can have meaning, then I can have meaning.” How were you thinking about language as you wrote James ?

Language is all we have, really. It’s how we think and how we move through the world—not only with other people, but with ourselves. It’s how we explain the world for ourselves. The question of “Is any kind of private language even possible?” is always present in my thinking. But more than that is the idea of language is so amazing—that I can put marks on a page, and you can look at them and have some idea of what I’m trying to say. It’s just remarkable. It’s crazy that we can utter these sounds and they come together and make some kind of sense.

.css-f6drgc:before{margin:-0.99rem auto 0 -1.33rem;left:50%;width:2.1875rem;border:0.3125rem solid #FF3A30;height:2.1875rem;content:'';display:block;position:absolute;border-radius:100%;} .css-1aglugu{font-family:Lausanne,Lausanne-fallback,Lausanne-roboto,Lausanne-local,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:1.625rem;line-height:1.2;margin:0rem;}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-1aglugu{font-size:1.75rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1aglugu{font-size:2.375rem;line-height:1.2;}}.css-1aglugu b,.css-1aglugu strong{font-family:inherit;font-weight:bold;}.css-1aglugu em,.css-1aglugu i{font-style:italic;font-family:inherit;}.css-1aglugu:before{content:'＂';display:block;padding:0.3125rem 0.875rem 0 0;font-size:3.5rem;line-height:0.8;font-style:italic;font-family:Lausanne,Lausanne-fallback,Lausanne-styleitalic-roboto,Lausanne-styleitalic-local,Arial,sans-serif;} Language is all we have, really.

As you were reconsidering who Jim is, you were of course reconsidering his relationships, too. I really enjoyed his complicated affection for Huck. What felt like the right pitch for their dynamic?

I think that perhaps oppressed people might be a little more adept at empathy than oppressors. Even in Huck Finn , Jim is really the only father figure that Huck has. And regardless of their station, he’s the only decent man present in Huck’s life, so that was already present in the text. I’ve made their relationship a little more entwined than Twain did.

In a previous interview, you talked about the role of setting; you said, “You always add an element to a story once you locate it someplace.” How did you conjure Hannibal, Missouri?

Well, I visited Hannibal, Missouri, and it yielded absolutely nothing, so I read a few books by locals, Hannibilians, or however you would refer to them. Really, it was my knowledge of the South and my knowledge of Twain’s text that informed the characters. Reading those books offered a way of being in the land. I didn’t use any particular histories of the place; that all comes from Twain’s text. If anything, this approach freed me to make it up. I think you really do conjure the time and the place.

I wouldn’t call this an adventure novel, but the action scenes —while harrowing and life-threatening— are deeply thrilling. You’re quite the outdoorsman. What did your experience of that lifestyle lend to writing James ?

Well, I know what it’s like to sleep outside or sleep in a cave, so I guess that’s part of it. I don’t know if being outdoors a lot makes me an outdoorsman. I don’t know how well I would do on Survivor , but I know how to pitch a tent. I liked the fact that the novel was set on the river and out in nature—I’m comfortable there.

I don’t know how well I would do on Survivor , but I know how to pitch a tent.

Do you fish?

I do fly-fish.

There’s that thrilling moment where Jim puts his arm down the mouth of a fifty-pound catfish. What was your most memorable catch?

It was fishing for a cutthroat trout that I could actually see—and I was sure could see me—on a rather placid part of the Red River in New Mexico. So I really had to be sneaky. Even if I hadn’t caught him, just the fact that I could fish for him probably would have been enough.

I read that you were watching episodes of Mission: Impossible while you wrote this book. Do you often watch television while you write?

I do, for white noise. I wrote a couple of novels while watching nothing but Korean movies on a corner of my screen while I was typing. I write in longhand and then transfer it to a computer. While I was doing that, I’d watch Korean movies. I’ll watch anything with a narrative that I can learn. I come back to it as a place of comfort, but I’m not paying attention to it.

In the acknowledgments of the book, you make a reference to having lunch with Mark Twain. If you could have lunch with him, what would you like to discuss?

I think I’d mostly be listening. I don’t know if we’d say much. We’d probably just watch the river go by.

I have just one last question for you. When you went to the Oscars to celebrate American Fiction , what was your night like?

Well, I don’t need to do that again. It’s not my world. It was amusing, and it was shocking to everyone that I got cleaned up. My wife and I enjoyed the evening. We lasted about fifteen minutes at the Governor’s Ball, then we were looking for an exit.

@media(max-width: 73.75rem){.css-1ktbcds:before{margin-right:0.4375rem;color:#FF3A30;content:'_';display:inline-block;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1ktbcds:before{margin-right:0.5625rem;color:#FF3A30;content:'_';display:inline-block;}} Books

The Best Books of 2024 (So Far)

The Best Memoirs of 2024 (So Far)

Is It A Betrayal To Publish Dead Writers' Books?

The Best Sci-Fi Books of 2024 (So Far)

A Crime Fiction Master Flips the Script

How to Read the 'Dune' Book Series in Order

Tommy Orange Is Not Your Tour Guide

What to Do If You're 'Divorce-Curious'

Into the Unknown With Kelly Link

Meet Your New Robot Co-Writer

Inside the Hugo Awards Meltdown

Money latest: Major price rises kick in today - everything you need to know

It's National Price Hike Day today, with everything from council tax to broadband going up. Read this and our Weekend Money features below.

Monday 1 April 2024 10:13, UK

• Eight things that are going up in price today - and six major boosts to Britons' pockets
• Extended free childcare rollout begins
• The 'outrageous' minimum wage differences hitting youngest workers
• More young people are pausing pension contributions - this is how much it's costing them
• All the places kids can eat cheap or free this Easter
• Your guide to buying supermarket pasta

As of today, wages are increasing for the lowest paid workers in the country. 

While these changes will be welcomed by many, they could cause problems in the hospitality sector. 

The minimum wage changes will add £3.2bn to hospitality payrolls collectively, according to The Times. 

Payrolls already account for more than half of the industry's operating costs, with licensed businesses paying £40bn in wages and employment costs. 

The industry has already been struggling with soaring costs and openings of licensed premises are at their lowest level for three years, according to UK Hospitality. 

This Easter, chocolate lovers may have noticed they had to pay more for their eggs. 

Now, the cost of chocolate could soar after changing climate patterns hit cocoa supplies in west Africa.

We've been talking to a chocolate maker about what's happening...

The government's extended childcare policy is beginning today - but it starts amid warnings of a lack of funding and not enough staff to fulfil the pledge.

From today, eligible parents and carers of two-year-olds will be entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare per week.

It is the first part of a £8bn package - announced at the 2023 budget - that the government hopes will save "working parents" an average of £3,450 a year and help boost the workforce and the economy.

The 1 April changes mark the start of a staggered rollout, with the plan being that working parents of all children nine months and over will get 15 hours of free childcare from September this year, rising to 30 hours a year later.

While welcomed by parents, it has already come under criticism from providers and the opposition. Read our piece below to find out why...

1 April (today) is nicknamed National Price Hike Day, as it's when government bodies and private companies traditionally increase the cost of goods and services ahead of the new financial year.

So what can we expect this year?

TV and broadband

BT, EE, Plusnet and Vodafone customers are being charged 7.9% more from this month. These companies pin their prices to December's inflation figure plus 3.9%, which is common practice in the industry.

Virgin Media and O2, which merged in 2021, are upping prices by 8.8%, as they use the retail price index from January plus 3.9%. There are caveats which mean some O2 customers will see prices rise by less than this.

Sky is also implementing price rises, meaning most Sky TV and broadband customers will pay an average of 6.7% more from today.

Council tax

Most people who live in councils with responsibility for social care in England will see their bills rise by the maximum of 4.99%.

In areas where the councils don't oversee social care, the rise for most will be 2.99%.

Birmingham City Council, which has declared effective bankruptcy, has been given permission to hike council tax by 21% over two years due to a black hole caused partly by equal pay claims and a botched IT systems rollout.

Council tax has been frozen by the devolved government in Scotland, while rises in Wales range anywhere from 3% to 21%. Northern Ireland uses a rating system instead of council tax, and rises are also expected here.

The annual cost of a standard colour TV licence will rise to £169.50 from today - an increase of £10.50 on the current price of £159 a year.

Rent for social housing

The CPI rate of inflation in September - 6.7% - is used to determine the yearly rise in rents. 

For 2024-25, the limit will be 6.7% plus an additional 1%.

The average household water and sewerage bill in England and Wales will go up by an average of 6% from April . 

Water UK said the increases would leave households with an average annual bill of £473.

Vehicle excise duty will rise on all but the cleanest new and used cars this month.

Increases are generally calculated in line with the RPI rate of inflation and are expected to be about 6%.

Train fares

Rail fares will rise by 8.7% this month for those in Scotland, after the Scottish government argued previous fare freezes were not sustainable. 

For those in England and Wales, fares rose by 4.9% on 3 March. 

The Royal Mail will raise the price of stamps again as the company struggles with a decline in the number of letters being posted.

The price of a first class and second class stamp will increase by 10p to £1.35 and 85p respectively from tomorrow.

It's not all bad news in April

National insurance

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced in the budget last month that the starting rate for NI will change from 10% to 8% from 6 April (Saturday).

This will benefit 27 million workers, he said, and is worth about £450 a year to an employee on an average salary of £35,000.

NI for two million self-employed workers is also being cut.

Their rate will fall from 8% to 6%. The government says that is worth £350 to a self-employed person earning £28,200.

Child benefit

The amount people can earn before child benefit is reduced or taken away is increasing.

At the moment, people lose 1% of the benefit for every £100 they earn over £50,000. At £60,000, the benefit is cut completely.

From this month, the benefit won't be reduced until one parent earns more than £60,000. And it will only go completely at £80,000.

Benefits and tax credits that are linked to inflation will rise by 6.7% this month.

That was the level CPI in September.

For joint claimants over the age of 25, universal credit standard allowances will rise from £578.82 to £617.60 per month.

The basic and new state pension will rise by 8.5% this month - to £11,502 a year.

The new state pension is for those reaching state pension age on or after 6 April 2016. It will rise to £221.20 a week - up from £203.85.

Minimum wage

The National Living Wage for those 21 and over will rise to £11.44 - an increase of £1.02, or 9.8%.

There are larger percentage increases for younger age groups -as well as a 21.2% rise for apprentices (going up to £6.40).

Energy price cap

From today until 30 June this year the price paid by a typical household that uses electricity and gas will go down to £1,690 a year.

This is £238 a year lower than the price cap between 1 January and 31 March this year. 

We're back for another week of consumer news, personal finance tips and all the latest on the economy.

Today we're kicking off with National Price Hike Day - when government bodies and private companies usually increase the price of goods and services ahead of the financial year. 

We'll have some updates for you today on this, although full coverage on the Money blog will start again tomorrow.

Bookmark  news.sky.com/money  and check back from 8am, and through the day, each weekday.

The Money team is Emily Mee, Bhvishya Patel, Jess Sharp, Katie Williams, Brad Young and Ollie Cooper, with sub-editing by Isobel Souster. The blog is edited by Jimmy Rice.

By Bhvishya Patel, Money team

A lot of us don't want to think about it. Getting old, retirement, pensions. It's a lifetime away. 

And with rising bills and rent restricting finances right now , it seems planning for 40 or 50 years down the line is even further from the minds of young Britons.

In the past year alone, the number of financially vulnerable 30-somethings who are failing to set aside money for their retirement has increased by more than 5%, or 72,000, according to data science firm Outra. 

The total stands at 1.43 million.

One of these younger workers pausing contributions is Neha Solanki, 24, who works as an accounts assistant for a PR firm in London. She found opting out of her pension for a while meant her grocery bill - £60 a month - was covered. 

"It would have been nice to have a pension investment but because of the cost of living I think it is very difficult to do that," she says.

"I end up spending about £100 a month on travel. When you add up rent and everything else it builds up. 

"When I was trying to opt out I was advised not to but when you add up the smaller payments it makes a difference."

What could the consequences be?

Peter Jackson, formerly chief data officer at the Pensions Regulator and now in the same role at Outra, says he understands the pressures young people are under but warns...

"If you flip out of your pension you are pushing a cost of living crisis into your retirement. You are not going to have a sizeable pension pot available to you when you come to retire."

Mr Jackson goes on: "It's harder to build that pot when you are 55 or 60 because you have only got a few years left.

"Personally, that would be the last thing I would stop doing."

How much could you lose?

Pausing pension contributions even for a short time can have consequences, the life assurance and pensions company Standard Life has found.

Its analysis suggests a person who began working on a salary of £25,000 per year in 2020 and paid the standard monthly auto-enrolment contributions (5% employee and 3% employer monthly contributions) from the age of 22 could amass a total retirement pot of £459,000.

Opting out for three years would knock off £36,000 from your retirement pot - and six years £71,000.

Missing out on free money

And crucially, Mr Jackson adds...

"With a lot of employers, if you increase your contributions a lot of them will match it up to a certain percentage so it is kind of like free money."

Clare Moffat, pensions and legal expert at Royal London, says pausing pension contributions "might be something people have to do" as bills rise but they should take any pay rise as an opportunity to opt back in.

"A lot of younger people think they are not going to get any state pension or they are not going to see state pension until they are about 70 but then they still want to retire when they are about 60," she says.

"It's up to employers to help a bit as well. Remind people when they get a pay rise that this might be a good time if you have opted out to opt back in."

When it comes to knowing how much to contribute, she says, "it's better to think how much money you would need in retirement" - and there are tonnes of free online retirement calculators.

She adds: "I've never heard someone say I wish I had saved less for retirement - most people wish they had saved more.

"Sometimes, people can be put off and think they need to be saving hundreds of pounds a month but if you're in your 20s, little increases are good."

Money locked away is a good thing

Why not look at saving for a pension differently, suggests Claire Trott, divisional director for retirement and holistic planning at wealth manager St James's Place.

People see it as money being tied up for decades, but "actually that's a real winner".

"We all know we can dip into things we shouldn't but with pensions you can't. They are there, they get their tax relief, they get the growth, they sit there and year on year you will see some change," she says.

"Obviously, we know that markets fluctuate so it may not always look that rosy, but the longer it can stay in there the better.

"Getting it in there in your 30s or ideally in your first job just means you get that compound growth on it over the long-term."

She concludes:

"With pensions, because it's locked away and you are making that good decision, it means you are doing your future self a real service because you can't touch it and it is there to be invested appropriately."

The school holidays are here, and the Money team has been looking at where kids can eat cheap - or even free - this Easter. 

It's by no means an exhaustive list, but here are a few of our highlights... 

Gordon Ramsay restaurants  

During selected times on weekdays at selected eateries, a child under eight can eat for free when an adult dines from the a la carte menu.

Free meal for a child with every footlong sub ordered in participating restaurants until 14 April.

Available Monday-Friday during school holidays, kids can eat free when an adult makes any purchase in the café.

Be aware, though, you will need a Clubcard. 

TGI Fridays

Kids can eat free all day every day with the purchase of an adult main - though you will need to be signed up to their Stripes Rewards app.

For every adult that spends £10 in this Japanese eatery, one child aged 12 or under gets a free kiddo bento box.

Kids meals are just £1 throughout the holidays. 

Heathrow Airport

Going away this Easter? 

There are free children's meals on offer at participating airport restaurants until 14 April.

Angus Steakhouse

Those in London at participating restaurants can have their child (under eight) eat free with a full-paying adult buying a main course anytime until 12 April.

Beefeater 

Cheap breakfasts are the order of the day at Beefeaters - where two kids (under 16) eat free breakfast with any adult breakfast purchased for £9.99 or more.

Available 6.30am to 10.30am midweek and 7am and 11am at the weekend.

If the kids need a pit stop during a holiday furniture shop, parents can pick them up a child's portion of pasta for just 45p. 

Morrisons café

Kids can eat completely free all day over the holidays if an accompanying adult spends £4.50 or more. 

Bella Italia

This one is a real bargain - a two to 11-year-old can get three courses and a drink for just £1 with every purchase of an adult meal.

Available 4pm to 6pm Sunday-Wednesdays and all day Thursday.

Head to the Brazilian outlet's website to download a voucher for one free children's meal (for those under 10) per adult meal purchased.

The deal is available every weekday from 4pm, and all day at the weekend. 

The Real Greek

Kids under 12 can enjoy a mezze or souvlaki wrap, plus a drink and ice cream or sorbet for dessert if an adult spends £10 or more.

Sizzling Pub and Grill

Kids can eat for just £1 with a purchase of every adult meal Monday to Friday from 12pm.

Bill's Restaurants

Until 12 April, up to two children can eat for free all day (excluding weekends) when one adult orders any main. 

Hungry Horse

Every Monday, kids can eat for £1, though larger dishes will cost you £1.50.

Up to two kids can eat with every full-paying adult.

Table Table

Two kids under 16 can get free, unlimited all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast with any adult purchase of £9.99. 

By Ollie Cooper, Money team

It can be hard to balance getting nutritious foods that make you feel good without emptying your wallet.

In this series over the coming months, we're trying to find the cheapest ways to identify the healthiest options in the supermarket.

We've asked  Sunna Van Kampen,  who went viral on social media for reviewing supermarket products in the search of healthier choices, for his input. 

The series does not aim to identify the outright healthiest option, rather how to get better nutritional value for as little money as possible.

Today we're looking at pasta , a staple in many kitchens but often dismissed as just a carb-heavy comfort food. 

The key to transforming your pasta into a protein and fibre-packed meal without sacrificing taste or breaking the bank lies in the variety of wheat, Sunna says. 

"Pasta made from refined wheat strips out the bran and germ, which lowers the protein content as well as fibre and other nutrients," he says. 

"Typical lower-cost pasta varieties therefore contain on average about 5-6g of protein per 100g. Make yourself a nice big plate and you can expect 10-12g per portion - not really a game changer."

Here's where the Italians have it right. 

"Traditional Italian branded varieties are made using local semolina flour from Italy in traditional ways," Sunna says.

"Italian pasta must adhere to strict standards that have been set by the government - meaning a typical branded Italian pasta will select the best durum wheats in terms of gluten quality, healthiness and protein content."

That means a 200g plate of pasta has 24-28g of protein - before you add any meat or protein into the sauce.

Another option that's been popping up on supermarket shelves is legume pasta, made from lentils or chickpeas.

"These help increase the protein content (on average about 12-13g per 100g) but have other important health benefits too," Sunna says.

"Lentil pasta can boast 25-50% more fibre than standard pasta, is gluten-free and helps keep you fuller for longer."

On that note... 

Fibre is vital for gut health and Public Health England estimates as low as 9% of us are getting enough of it in our diets.

"This is where lentil or wholewheat pasta can be a game changer," Sunna says.

With a 200g serving of lentil pasta you'd be getting 6.4g of fibre, which is 21% of your daily intake, or for wholewheat you'd be getting 7.6g of fibre or 25% of your daily intake. 

"Fibre will also help limit the impact of the carbohydrates, so opting for a higher fibre variety can also be helpful if you are focused on weight loss," he says.

The nutritionist's view - from  Dr Laura Brown , senior lecturer in nutrition, food, and health sciences at Teesside University

"Yes, these are good suggestions. 

"It's definitely worth promoting the higher fibre and higher protein types - both of which make you feel fuller for longer and also help to support and encourage a healthy bowel. 

"White versions of pasta also can cause a spike in blood glucose levels, leaving us feeling tired shortly after, as well as potentially hungry again quite soon. 

"This effect is correlated with increasing the risk for type 2 diabetes and should be discouraged."

Own label regular pasta ( low protein, low fibre, gluten ) is usually £1.50/kg at all supermarkets as they price match each other on household staples.

Own label wholewheat pasta ( low protein, high fibre, gluten ) is usually £1.50/kg at all supermarkets.

Branded Italian pasta ( high protein, medium fibre, gluten ) ranges from £2.25-£3.00/kg .

Lentil pasta ( high protein, high fibre, gluten-free ) is where things get pricey at an average of £6.80/kg .

Now you've got the facts and figures, it's up to you to decide what works for your budget and needs. 

April is around the corner - here are the key money dates that could affect you in the next month.

'National price hike day'

TV and broadband customers are likely see rises of between 6.7% and 8.8% depending on their provider. 

Council tax rises by just under 5% for most people who live in councils with responsibility for social care in England. In areas where the councils don't oversee social care, the rise for most is 2.99%. Rises are more variable in Wales, while council tax has been frozen in Scotland.

The TV licence jumps from £159 a year to £169.50, while water, rent for social housing, car tax and (Scottish) train fares also go up. 

Read full details of all the increases  here ...

Minimum wage rise

The national minimum wage for those 21 and over rises to £11.44 - an increase of £1.02, or 9.8%.

There are bigger percentage increases for younger age groups -as well as a 21.2% rise for apprentices (going up to £6.40).

From 1 April, when the new cap kicks in, to 30 June, the price paid by a typical household that uses electricity and gas is £1,690 a year.

This is £238 a year lower than the cap between 1 January and 31 March. 

The Royal Mail increases the price of stamps again as the company struggles with a decline in letters.

The price of a first class and second class stamp go up by 10p to £1.35 and 85p respectively.

5 April - end of tax year

If you're paying into an ISA, funds need to have cleared by this date for it to count towards the 2023-24 year's contributions. The new £20,000 allowance kicks in the following day.

Benefits and pensions increase

Benefits and tax credits - specifically those linked to inflation - rise by 6.7%. 

For joint claimants over 25, universal credit standard allowances rise from £578.82 to £617.60 a month.

The basic and new state pension also go up by 8.5%.

The new state pension is for those who reached state pension age on or after 6 April 2016. It rises to £221.20 a week - up from £203.85.

National insurance cut

After Jeremy Hunt's promise in the budget, a further two pennies in every pound is cut from NI contributions. 

Capital gains cut

The top rate for capital gains tax goes down from 28% to 24%.

8 April - eBay fee

eBay introduces a "regulatory operating fee" for sellers, charging 0.35% of a total sale, including postage. 

It affects anyone listing items in the UK, Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Switzerland.

17 April - inflation data for March

We get insight into inflation in March when the Office for National Statistics releases its latest figures. 

We'll cover that announcement here in the Money blog - see you at 7am on 17 April. 

The Money blog is your place for consumer news, economic analysis and everything you need to know about the cost of living - bookmark news.sky.com/money.

It runs with live updates every weekday (except bank holidays) - while on Saturdays we scale back and offer you a selection of weekend reads.

Check them out this morning and we'll be back on Tuesday with rolling news and features.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free