Last updated on January 22nd, 2024 at 08:24 am
This article provides 18 different ways to make money writing online in Canada, from starting your own blog to taking on one-off projects.
Whether you’re looking for some extra pocket cash or want to take your career as a freelance writer to the next level, these strategies can help you earn money while doing something you love.
Online writing is an excellent way for Canadians to supplement their income or even make a full-time living.
a. Freelance Writing
It can be a lucrative option if you have excellent writing skills and an understanding of the Canadian market.
Here, your job will be to write content for clients remotely.
To get started with freelance writing, create an account on job networks such as Upwork or Freelancer that allow you to search through jobs posted by employers in need of content.
You can also reach out to website owners directly about providing content for them or check classifieds websites for opportunities.
Once you find something interesting, create a portfolio showcasing your best work and apply for the job!
How much money can I make doing this?
As a freelance writer, you can make anywhere from $$21.46 an hour to several thousand dollars per article.
The amount you earn will largely depend on the type of content you’re writing, the amount of work required, and your experience level.
b. Blogging
Blogging is a great way to share your thoughts, opinions, and experiences with a growing audience.
And it is a perfect way to make money writing online in Canada!
The process is quite simple if you’re wondering how to start blogging in Canada.
You can sign up for a free blog platform like WordPress or Blogger and create your own blog page.
But if you want something impactful, you must pay for a domain name and hosting.
From there, post interesting content regularly and promote it on social media sites such as Twitter and Instagram.
Once you have built up a following, you can monetize your blog by selling ad space or partnering with companies for sponsored posts.
Depending on the size of your audience and the type of content you produce, blogging can be an extremely lucrative career path with limitless growth potential.
The best part?
You can start blogging from anywhere in the world, so you don’t have to relocate to Canada to get started.
Here’s a guide: How to Start a Successful Blog in Canada.
c. Copywriting
You must have seen these advertisements online, right?
Well, they probably came from a copywriter.
Copywriting is writing business promotional material, such as website content, advertisements, and brochures.
And according to Talent.com, The average copywriter salary in Canada is $50,000 per year or $25.64 per hour.
That’s why copywriting is becoming a popular way to make money writing online Canada.
If you’re interested in copywriting, here are a few tips on getting started:
First, understand what makes good copywriting.
Copywriters need to be able to write engaging content that draws readers in and encourages them to take action.
Additionally, they must know how to effectively use keywords and SEO techniques so that their work appears prominently when people search for related topics.
Once you’ve covered the basics, create a portfolio showcasing your work and build an online presence through LinkedIn or Upwork.
You should also consider attending networking events or joining industry forums where potential clients can find you.
d. Ghostwriting
This is a version of freelance writing with a significant twist.
Ghostwriting involves writing for someone else without taking credit for the work.
Yes, many people hire ghostwriters to help craft articles, blog posts, books, speeches, and other written works.
The pay is good as well.
According to SalaryExpert.com, the average ghost writer’s salary in Canada is $74357, or an equivalent hourly rate of $36.
That’s over $10 better than freelance writing.
If you’re interested in making money as a ghostwriter, you may wonder how I start?
The first thing you should do is create your profile on websites where clients can find you.
Make sure your profile includes the type of content you specialize in (e.g., blogs, articles, short stories) and any relevant experience or qualifications.
Once your profile is set up, start pitching potential clients with ideas that match their needs – this could include article topics or book proposals – and establish yourself as an expert in the field with samples of your existing work.
e. Technical Writing
Technical writing is a form of freelance writing which involves creating documents or content for various fields, such as technology and science.
If you love technology and are looking for a way to make money writing online in Canada, technical writing could be the perfect option for you.
But how do you get started?
Firstly, understand what is involved in technical writing.
It requires understanding specific topics and creating accurate and concise documentation on those topics.
Technical writers may be asked to create instruction manuals, user guides, white papers, research papers, and website content related to complex topics or products related to technology or science.
Before you are hired, potential clients may want to see proof of your quality work.
You will need excellent attention-to-detail skills combined with good grammar and spelling abilities.
As per data on Indeed, the average salary for a technical writer is $37.63 per hour in Canada.
f. Editing and Proofreading
If you’ve been writing for a while, you know that editing and proofreading are important steps in the writing process.
And the pay reflects that.
According to Talent.com, the average proofreader’s salary in Canada is $39,731 per year or $20.38 per hour.
Entry-level positions start at $31,346 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $53,625 per year.
Yes, it is a good payday!
If you’re interested in getting paid for this type of work, here’s how to get started.
The basics of editing and proofreading involve providing feedback on written content, checking for errors, ensuring clarity and consistency of style, as well as making sure that grammar and spelling are correct.
It’s a meticulous job requiring patience and attention to detail, but it can be lucrative if you understand the process.
To begin with, look online for websites or publications that accept freelance submissions.
There are many opportunities available where you can start your editing career.
You could also consider joining a content marketing agency.
Considering they already deal with writing work, they might appreciate your expertise and hire you to polish their work.
g. Content Marketing
Talking of content agencies, content marketing is a type of digital marketing that focuses on producing and sharing high-quality content to attract, engage, and retain customers.
It involves creating blog posts, articles, videos, podcasts, ebooks, and other forms of media that are focused on informing or entertaining the audience.
Content marketing can be used to promote products and services as well as build brand awareness.
According to the Content Marketing Institute, 73% of B2B marketers and 70% of B2C marketers use content marketing as part of their overall marketing strategy.
This means if you are into such, you won’t be idle.
To deliver gold for your clients, you first need a thorough understanding of their target audience.
You need to think about who you’re writing for and what kind of topics will interest them.
Once you’ve identified the audience’s needs and interests, you should create a schedule for publishing content regularly so it stays fresh in readers’ minds.
You can create original content or curate existing content from sources like YouTube videos or webinars to provide value to their readership.
h. Content Mills
Still, on content, do you know where they find work?
Enters content mills.
They are the easiest ways to make money writing online in Canada.
You see, content mills provide opportunities to write articles or content on a wide range of topics.
They are what you hear called ‘freelancing platforms.’ Especially those dedicated to content creation.
The work is usually freelance and often pays by word or per article.
How do I start?
To get started with content mills, you’ll need to sign up and create an account at one of the many available sites, including Textbroker and iWriter.
Once your account is set up, you can browse through various projects that fit your skill set and interests, apply for them and begin writing once accepted.
Such sites can be great for those new to freelance writing, as most sites will offer guidance on creating well-written pieces that meet their criteria.
But as you grow, you might want to look elsewhere for work.
Related: 10 EASY Ways To Make Money in Canada As An Immigrant
i. Magazine Writing
Writing for magazines is another excellent way to make money writing online in Canada.
It offers opportunities for freelance writers to produce articles on a variety of topics and can be highly lucrative.
Instead of sticking and being underpaid on content mills, you can venture into this territory and earn up to $42,520 per year or $21.81 per hour.
To get started, first understand what magazine writing entails, and how best to go about it.
In a nutshell, the key element of writing for a magazine is the ability to research and write compelling stories.
Writers must be able to take a brief from an editor or publisher and create content that meets their expectations.
This could mean researching topics thoroughly before beginning a piece and ensuring accuracy when reporting facts or quotes within the article.
At the same time, being creative with structure and choosing appropriate language will help ensure your work stands out among other submissions
Once you are confident you have what it takes, start pitching your ideas to local magazines in Canada.
For instance, Atlantic Business Magazine is a magazine that focuses on business in the 4 provinces along the Atlantic Ocean in Canada.
According to an article online, they pay around 40 cents a word (with stories from 700 to 4000 words).
j. Social Media Writing
This involves creating content and engaging with people on different social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.
Writing for social media can involve crafting witty posts or captivating stories that will draw attention and create engagement among the users of these platforms.
But where is this coming from?
Well, with over 20 social platforms, brands are overwhelmed with creating content for all the platforms they are in.
And remember, they don’t actually have a choice.
They need to be there.
One, because their competitors are there. And two, their clients expect them to be there.
And that’s where you come in.
You can pocket around $21 -$22 hourly crafting captions for social media platforms.
If that sounds interesting, a good place to start is by familiarizing yourself with the popular platforms and understanding how they work.
Then you’ll need to decide which platform your target audience uses most frequently and craft your writing style accordingly.
You’ll also want to think about what kind of content would be interesting and valuable to your target audience – such as informative articles, humourous blog posts, or creative images – so that you can attract them with your content.
Finally, start looking for clients.
A good place to start is reaching out directly to brands, especially those getting way low engagements on their posts.
k. Grant Writing
I know you might not have heard about this.
Grant writing involves researching and writing proposals for clients seeking grants from the government, corporations, or foundations.
It is a lucrative writing niche, with an average salary of $52,500 per year or $26.92 per hour🤑.
For those wondering how to start with grant writing in Canada, the first step is to build your knowledge base on the types of grants available in Canada.
You also need to know the criteria required for each type of grant.
Secondly, you will need to develop a set of skills such as research techniques and persuasive writing, that will help you create high-quality applications.
Once you can identify potential opportunities and have developed the necessary skills, you can begin searching for clients needing assistance with their grant writing process.
This shouldn’t be hard, considering many entrepreneurs are always looking for more capital for their startups.
To ensure success working as a freelance writer in this field, thoroughly understand each client’s requirements.
Couple that with strong communication skills so that you can be sure all instructions are followed accurately.
L. Write Scripts For Video Creators
Another way to make money writing online in Canada is by writing scripts for video creators.
Like any writing, it requires creativity, an understanding of the platforms and videos being created, and individual style.
To get started, determine who your target audience is.
Know what type of content you want to create and how to structure a story or message around this content to fit the audience.
Go on to develop characters and research topics.
Create a simple outline and show it to the client. If you get the go-ahead, start fleshing it out.
Again, like other writing fields, you need to create sample scripts that showcase your skills so potential clients can see your writing style before hiring you.
m. Product Description Writing
This type of writing involves creating detailed product descriptions that accurately reflect the features and benefits of a product, service, or experience.
Did you know that 85% of shoppers surveyed by Google say product information and pictures are important to them when deciding which brand or retailer to buy from?
Yes, the description plays a huge role in converting the visitor a buyer.
It also helps the product page rank on Google.
So you can understand why top eCommerce brands are willing to pay up to $20.85 an hour to get the job done.
When you get a client, don’t overthink how to go about it.
To start, ask yourself what it is about the item that makes it special, different from similar products on the market, and worth buying.
Describe its features in detail, explaining why each one is important.
Include any unique selling points that could encourage potential customers to choose your product over competitors offerings.
For example, highlight any extra functionality not found elsewhere or emphasize convenience and ease of use.
Your description should also include relevant keywords so it can be easily discovered by search engines when potential customers are looking for what you have to offer.
ABOVE all, try using creative language to bring the product’s story to life while ensuring accuracy—this will help draw readers in and ultimately increase sales.
n. E-Book Writing
There are two ways you can make money doing this.
The first one is writing your own e-books and selling them.
The other way is ghostwriting e-books for clients.
Whichever way, you can make money writing online in Canada doing this.
E-books can be written about any topic imaginable, and authors can decide whether to self-publish or go through a publisher.
The first step in e-book writing is deciding on the topic and structure of the book.
Researching popular topics will help determine what readers may find interesting and valuable.
After selecting a topic, consider the format – will the book include images or illustrations? What type of narrative style should be used?
Once these elements are decided upon, you can begin creating content for the e-book.
Then you can deliver the eBook to the client or offer it for sale on places like Kindle.
Either way, you get paid!
o. SEO Writing
If you’re looking to make money writing online in Canada, SEO writing can be a great option.
SEO stands for search engine optimization, and it involves creating content that is strategically designed to rank highly in Google’s search engine results.
This type of writing requires understanding how search engines work and the ability to craft engaging copy that speaks directly to your audience.
So how do I start?
First, familiarize yourself with the basics of SEO such as keyword research and optimizing titles and headings.
Then start writing content for clients that are optimized for specific keywords related to their topics.
p. Review Writing
This type of writing involves reviewing products, services, and experiences from a variety of industries.
The goal is to provide the company or individual feedback on how the product, service, or experience can be improved.
Review writers need to be able to assess the quality of something objectively and provide honest and thorough feedback.
Like eBooks, you can make money doing this for yourself or charge clients for it.
If you’re wondering how do I start?
The first step is to find review writing opportunities in your area by searching for job postings online or through freelance platforms such as Upwork or Fiverr.
Once you have identified an opportunity, you must create a portfolio showcasing your review writing skills and submit it with your application.
And get your hands on the raw data you will need to craft an honest review of the product or service.
If you are doing this for a client, ask her to provide the data. But if this is for your own business, get the product/service and use it for a while.
q. Transcription
Transcription is the process of converting audio recordings into written text.
It is not hard as it sounds.
All you need is to pay attention to details and accuracy, as well as have good typing skills.
Transcription services are in high demand from organizations, businesses, and even individuals who need their audio recordings converted into detailed, easily searchable documents.
You should have a good knowledge of English grammar, punctuation rules and formatting conventions so that the transcriptions are grammatically correct and easy to read.
And you can choose to specialize in specific areas, such as medical, legal, or research transcription, which may require additional training or certifications.
Better part?
You can work remotely from home on your own schedule with competitive rates depending on the volume and complexity of work required.
r. Travel Writing
Travel writing is a genre of writing that focuses on recounting personal experiences and observations while traveling.
It can be a narrative, an anecdote, or even poetry.
Travel writers often document their journeys through photos, videos, and other forms of media; however, the written word remains essential in conveying the writer’s emotions and impressions of their travels.
What makes travel writing so captivating is its ability to transport readers to faraway places and let them experience different cultures from a unique perspective.
In Canada, there are many opportunities for aspiring travel writers to make money online by creating compelling content about their trips for blogs, magazines, and websites.
As a travel writer, you could share your stories about visiting world-renowned attractions or experiencing local customs, all while providing useful tips along the way.
Read also: How to Make Money Online Canada Free (No Investment)
Final Thoughts
Writing online in Canada can be a great way to earn extra income.
With the right amount of effort and dedication, it is possible to make money writing online regularly.
Whether you’re looking for freelance work or want to create your website, plenty of options are available for those who want to write and make money from home in Canada.
The 18 ways described above provide an overview of the online writing opportunities in Canada – from working as a content writer for businesses to starting your own blog or e-book business.
It is important to research each option before diving headfirst into any particular venture to know what works best for you and your skill set.
When it comes down to it, making money with writing requires patience and consistency but can be very rewarding when done correctly.