₦airaland Forum

WeMoveNow:
But you haven't said anything yet. Why not spill the beans let's know what's up.

Depends on what you want to know. I said to ask your questions.

alexvic12:
That's true!

Can you go a bit deeper on how to find those clients in your niche?

I do that with LinkedIn search. Look for posts where prospects need freelance writers, send them personalized invites and start chatting with them.

I often see new writers ask this specific question over and over again. Starting out as a writer and determining your rates can be difficult because you don't want to undersell yourself or chase the client away.

I'll address this issue in this instructive post. It's gonna be an opinionated piece so feel free to disagree smiley

Note: These rates all depend on the clients. You'll get more from an established company than a random blogger.

Now let's look at it from the Naira and Dollar perspective. That's basically because a lot of Nigerian writers now earn in dollars. I'll tell you how later. Just read on.

Nigerian Rates:

Now, as a Nigerian writer, whether you are into copywriting, SEO writing, technical writing or even content writing, there are certain rates you should avoid. N1 per word is a very valid example. That's because it's a very poor rate. Even if you are given 2000 words to write daily, N2000 is more like a labourer's work because you are working so hard for a little pay.

So what should you charge? Here are some ideas:

Beginner = N2.5 - N3.9 per 1000-word

This rate could be for those who wants to delve into freelance writing. The aim is to get more useful experience as a newbie while working on new projects.

Intermediate - N4.0 - N9.9 per 1000-word

A lot of writers fall within this category as this range is the most accepted in Nigeria. While it can't be compared to the international market, writers who feel like they're more than newbies could start with this rate.

Advanced- N10.0 - N50.0 per 1000-word

A few Nigerian writers earn this way. Usually rates like this are gotten from outsourced jobs from foreign clients. Magazines, top publications &/conpanies also pay this rate although they're quite rare.


Dollar Rates:

If you are looking forward to earn in dollars, you should understand that this can be a difficult journey but one that's very rewarding. A lot of companies from countries like the U.S, U.K, Australia, Canada, Spain, Dubai e.t.c need freelance content writers and copywriters so if they check and find you worthy for the gig, that could be some cool cash.

When charging in dollars, $10 per 1000 words should be your bare minimum cos this includes the charge to withdraw the money to your local bank account. You may find lower gigs which you may be forced to take to get more experience and reviews but your minimum should be $10. International clients pay well, some pay as high as $1000 for the same article but this is not as easy as it looks.

Beginner - $10 - $40 per 1000-words
Intermediate- $50 - $100 per 1000-words
Advanced - $100 - $2000 per1000-words.


Want to earn well in dollars, here are a few tips:
1. Niche down. Don't just go by the title "SEO writer" or "Content Writer" because that's generalised. Niches like B2B Tech SaaS, CyberSecurity, Whitepapers, Grant proposals, IoT, AR/VR, Metaverse, Crypto, Blockchain, Web3, Biotech pay mad money.

2. Be active on LinkedIn. That platform is a gold mine for getting freelance gigs from foreign clients.

3. Show up. Let people see your stuff and look at you as an authority in your field. That'll surely set you apart.

P.S - Just in case you are wondering, As a freelance B2B tech writer, I charge $200 -$250 (80-100k) per 1000-words. It's that lucrative.

P.S.S - This is not some bragging or a slicky ad. I just thought to share this so that you don't undersell yourself as a writer.

Feel free to like and share (with credits). Let me know if this writeup helped.


T for thanks.

I often see new writers ask this specific question over and over again. Starting out as a writer and determining your rates can be difficult because you don't want to undersell yourself or chase the client away.

I'll address this issue in this instructive post. It's gonna be an opinionated piece so feel free to disagree

Note: These rates all depend on the clients. You'll get more from an established company than a random blogger.

Now let's look at it from the Naira and Dollar perspective. That's basically because a lot of Nigerian writers now earn in dollars. I'll tell you how later. Just read on.

Nigerian Rates:

Now, as a Nigerian writer, whether you are into copywriting, SEO writing, technical writing or even content writing, there are certain rates you should avoid. N1 per word is a very valid example. That's because it's a very poor rate. Even if you are given 2000 words to write daily, N2000 is more like a labourer's work because you are working so hard for a little pay.

So what should you charge? Here are some ideas:

Beginner = N2.5 - N3.9 per 1000-word

This rate could be for those who wants to delve into freelance writing. The aim is to get more useful experience as a newbie while working on new projects.

Intermediate - N4.0 - N9.9 per 1000-word

A lot of writers fall within this category as this range is the most accepted in Nigeria. While it can't be compared to the international market, writers who feel like they're more than newbies could start with this rate.

Advanced- N10.0 - N50.0 per 1000-word

A few Nigerian writers earn this way. Usually rates like this are gotten from outsourced jobs from foreign clients. Magazines, top publications &/conpanies also pay this rate although they're quite rare.


Dollar Rates:

If you are looking forward to earn in dollars, you should understand that this can be a difficult journey but one that's very rewarding. A lot of companies from countries like the U.S, U.K, Australia, Canada, Spain, Dubai e.t.c need freelance content writers and copywriters so if they check and find you worthy for the gig, that could be some cool cash.

When charging in dollars, $10 per 1000 words should be your bare minimum cos this includes the charge to withdraw the money to your local bank account. You may find lower gigs which you may be forced to take to get more experience and reviews but your minimum should be $10. International clients pay well, some pay as high as $1000 for the same article but this is not as easy as it looks.

Beginner - $10 - $40 per 1000-words
Intermediate- $50 - $100 per 1000-words
Advanced - $100 - $2000 per1000-words.


Want to earn well in dollars, here are a few tips:
1. Niche down. Don't just go by the title "SEO writer" or "Content Writer" because that's generalised. Niches like B2B Tech SaaS, CyberSecurity, Whitepapers, Grant proposals, IoT, AR/VR, Metaverse, Crypto, Blockchain, Web3, Biotech pay mad money.

2. Be active on LinkedIn. That platform is a gold mine for getting freelance gigs from foreign clients.

3. Show up. Let people see your stuff and look at you as an authority in your field. That'll surely set you apart.

P.S - Just in case you are wondering, As a freelance B2B tech writer, I charge $200 -$250 (80-100k) per 1000-words. It's that lucrative.

P.S.S - This is not some bragging or a slicky ad. I just thought to share this so that you don't undersell yourself as a writer.

Feel free to like and share (with credits). Let me know if this writeup helped.


T for thanks.

It's been a while I posted here.

Just here to make freelance writers out here know how to up their game when it comes to writing for money.

Rather than stay satisfied with a measly 1/2 naira per word, you can actually find clients on LinkedIn that'll pay you someone's monthly salary for one article.

I can bodly say this because I've experienced this over and over again.

Take LinkedIn serious guys.
Let me know if you have any questions and I'll try to answer them.

learnoflixx:
Interesting

Thanks

rainlover:
Would you please help me with some courses � I heard copywriting is dope, what do you think?

I now have a lot of materials on copywriting but it goes for just 1k. You can DM if interested.

kalex0:
fully understood.


How did you get your first job without the relevant sample?


I really need to know

Thanks

I already had articles I wrote just for myself so when I started freelancing, it was not hard to reference these articles to clients.

Creamz:
I just joined upwork. I haven't gotten any gig. I am guilty of usual copy and pasting the previous proposals I had sent out. I will do better now. Thanks a lot for your insights. One question though. Does coming from Nigeria limit you from getting jobs? Like should I ask someone abroad to open the account for me so I can use his address and all?

It'll be foolish to ask someone abroad to help you open an account. You don't need to lie about it, there are Nigerians there on Upwork making six figures, it's not about your location. It's just about "Can you do the work?"

Dear Freelancer,

Have you ever made up to a million naira in your entire career?

Skip this like you skipped other life changing opportunities...

You have a digital skill, yet find it hard to earn from your skill. You are then left with having to settle for peanuts which can barely sustain you.

Interestingly, this was my situation about a year ago. I had been sacked from my 9-5 job where I was paid a measly 20,000 naira monthly until I stumbled across freelancing.

3 months in, I made my first $1k on the Upwork platform and proceeded to earn another $3k in the next few months. Since then, I've been able to build a strong network of clients gotten from platforms like Upwork, LinkedIn and Indeed.

Can you relate with this? Currently in a difficult situation where you're seeking a side hustle to boost your income? Or you have good digital skills but don't know how to monetize them?

Or you are a student, worker, stay-at-home mom or an entrepreneur struggling with your personal finances and trying to make ends meet?

Well, this shouldn't be a bother anymore.

Presenting Freelancing Essentials Class, the first edition of Be Your Own Boss (BYOB) series.

This class will take you through the basics of freelancing and show you how you can earn your first $1000 dollars on freelancing platforms like Upwork, LinkedIn and Indeed.

Send a DM to the number on the flyer for more details.

eboy540:
How can one create verified upwork account

It's not hard tbh. Just appear as a professional and follow some tips and you'll be accepted. You can chat me up to know more.

Ammishaddai:
Wow... I'm impressed. Hope there's a steady supply of jobs for you. I often here people say that Upwork is competitive and there is a huge crowd of writers that tends to make earning difficult

I don't need much clients. Just 2-3 per month paying me that rate is okay. Not everyone can afford it.

About the huge crowd, that's why it's important to niche down. I charge this much because of my expertise in my niche.

Ammishaddai:
On Upwork?

Yeah, Are you surprised? I write mainly on data science, artificial intelligence and machine learning and I charge clients 20 cents per word...i.e $200 for a thousand words.

chisyluvly:
I have verified up work account but don't know how to earn with it

Lol, chat me up on WhatsApp. Number is in my signature.

Emperor2020:
What service do you offer and you are training people on upwork..much better u create WhatsApp group

Well, I try to give people tips and guidelines on how to make money on the platform. If they then need a one-on-one training, then that'll come at a cost.

Ammishaddai:
Nice. Are you into copywriting?

Not really. I do tech content writing.

MostImportant:
Put me on bro. I beg you.

You can chat me up on WhatsApp 08107496875

bullabong:
Good bless you. I have joined upwork on your advice and i am on my first interview already. Let's keep in touch. Bigups!!

I'm really glad to hear this tbh. Well done and keep me updated!

Masterito:
The real problem is location.

What do you mean by location? Forget that myth...Clients can work with anyone from any country. Just have the skills, be an expert at what you do and you are good to go!

Amadi84:
Whats the ($) conversion rate used by Upwork

Depends. But it should be around 380,390.

In freelancing, you need a spirit of consistency and optimism.

The goal is be unfazed by rejections, ugly reviews, deteriorating comments...just name it.

It's not so simple in real life, but try to adopt the mentality of "I'm going to keep pushing, no matter what".

Your future self will thank you.

I have quite a number of money-making skills

- Tech Content Writing and Copywriting
- Affliate marketing
- Blogging

Looking forward to learning more like:
- writing user manual documentation
- UX/UI writing

Hi guys,

It's John, the Upwork guru here again.

If you have been following my threads, you will understand that I am a great fan of freelancing. It's still very profitable.

I will be sharing some proofs of payment this month.

Just here to tell you that Upwork works!