A Complete Guide to Writing Side Jobs: Work, Income & How to Start

Have you wondered, "I'm interested in a writing side job, but what kinds of work are there?" or "How much can you earn, and where do I start?" Writing side jobs cover a wide range of work, from article creation to sales copywriting, and they are a popular, low-risk option you can start with no experience. This article gives a complete guide to writing side jobs, covering the types of work, income guidelines, and how to get started, organized so that those just starting out can grasp the big picture.

What Is a Writing Side Job?

A writing side job is a general term for earning income by writing on the side of your main job. What you write varies—website articles, sales copy, product descriptions—but they all share the common point of providing value through writing.

With a PC and an internet environment, it can be completed at home and worked on in spare time, so it is chosen by a wide range of people, from company employees and homemakers to students. A major feature is that it requires no special qualifications and is easy to start with no experience.

Main Types of Writing Side Jobs

Even within writing side jobs, the work varies widely. Here are the representative types.

Web Writing (Article Creation)

Writing articles for websites and blogs—the type with the most available work. The content is wide-ranging, including product reviews, columns, and how-to articles, and it is a classic entry point for beginners.

SEO Writing

Writing articles aimed at ranking high in search engines. It requires skills in handling keywords and building article structure, and tends to pay more than general web writing.

Sales Copywriting

Writing landing pages (LPs) and ad copy with the goal of getting people to buy products or services. Because it is directly tied to results, it is highly specialized and a field where high rates are easier to aim for.

Copywriting

Creating text that leaves an impression in a few words, such as catchphrases and brand messages. It draws on imagination and a sense for language, and pay structures vary widely by project.

Interview Writing

Writing articles based on interviews. It requires the ability to draw out information and organize it, but pay is correspondingly higher, with demand from specialized media.

Testimonials / Review Writing

Writing short pieces based on your own experiences or impressions. The per-item rate is on the lower side, but it is easy to take on with no experience and suits those who first want to build a track record.

Income Guidelines for Writing Side Jobs

Pay for writing side jobs is generally set by "rate per character multiplied by the number of characters" or a "fixed amount per article." While inexperienced, projects at around 0.5 to 1 yen per character are common, and it often starts from around several thousand to several tens of thousands of yen a month.

On the other hand, once you build skills in highly specialized fields such as SEO writing or sales copywriting, you can start taking on projects at 2 to 5 yen per character or more, and it becomes possible to aim for 100,000 yen a month or more. The key to growing your income is stepping up to higher-paying genres and increasing the number of ongoing projects.

Advantages of Writing Side Jobs

• No special qualifications required—you can start with no experience if you can write
• Almost no startup costs, so you can take it on at low risk
• Can be done at home in spare time, easy to balance with your main job
• You build writing, research, and marketing knowledge, which also helps your main job and career

Disadvantages and Points to Note for Writing Side Jobs

• While inexperienced, rates are low, and it is hard to earn a substantial income at first
• Self-management is required, such as managing deadlines and quality
• If your side-job income exceeds a certain amount, a tax return becomes necessary
• Be careful of malicious projects, such as those that demand registration fees

If you are a company employee, check your work rules in advance to confirm that your workplace does not prohibit or restrict side jobs.

How to Start a Writing Side Job [5 Steps]

1. Decide on the type of work: first choose one easy-to-start job, such as web writing
2. Learn the basics: acquire readable writing and SEO fundamentals through books or free materials
3. Register with crowdsourcing: fill out your profile and highlight your areas of strength
4. Build a track record with small projects: accumulate reviews even at low rates and connect to the next job
5. Aim for higher rates and ongoing projects: expand to higher-paying genres based on your track record

Tips to Grow Your Income with a Writing Side Job

• Have a strong or specialized genre and aim to become a writer who gets chosen
• Acquire higher-paying skills such as SEO or sales copywriting
• Increase the number of clients who hire you continuously to stabilize your income
• Compile your work into a portfolio to make applications and rate negotiations more favorable

Frequently Asked Questions About Writing Side Jobs

Q. Can I earn money with a writing side job even with no experience?

Yes. There are many jobs you can start with no experience, such as testimonial writing and web writing. If you prioritize building a track record at first and raise your rates while improving your skills, you can grow your income substantially.

Q. Which writing side job is best to start with?

We first recommend web writing, which has a lot of available work and is easy to start. Once you are used to it, step up to higher-paying fields such as SEO writing and sales copywriting.

Q. Do writing side jobs require a tax return?

If you have income above a certain amount, a tax return is required. Keep records of your pay and expenses regularly, and check the latest information with a tax office or tax accountant as needed.

Summary: Writing Side Jobs Are Easy to Start with No Experience

Writing side jobs cover a wide range of work, from web writing to sales copywriting, and are a popular, low-risk option you can start with no experience. Income may be modest at first, but if you hone specialized skills and increase ongoing projects, you can steadily grow it. First, choose one easy-to-start type, and take a step to build a track record from small projects.