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

Published:
Last Updated:
Category: Side Jobs, Work Styles
Authors: Shusaku Yosa

Published:
Last Updated:
Category: Side Jobs, Work Styles
Authors: Shusaku Yosa
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.
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.
Even within writing side jobs, the work varies widely. Here are the representative types.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
If you are a company employee, check your work rules in advance to confirm that your workplace does not prohibit or restrict side jobs.
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.
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.
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.
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.

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