Here are the Best Online Courses for Freelance Writers

Freelance writing is a pretty great career. I get to write fun articles, learn cool things, and work from anywhere. But it can be a tricky field to break into.

Thankfully, freelance writers are always willing to share their knowledge. There are tons of great classes out there for learning about freelance writing. Here are our top picks.

A quick note before we start: we are affiliates for some of these programs, so the links in this article are affiliate links and we get a small commission if you click and sign up. Don’t worry – there is no extra cost to you. That being said, we wholeheartedly support these courses and wouldn’t recommend them if we didn’t think they’d be a huge help.

#1: 30 Days or Less to Freelance Writing Success

Gina Horkey of Horkey Handbook became a successful freelancer in a matter of months. Now she teaches people how to break into the same field.

She provides more than just lessons. There are tons of resources included with your membership, and you get lifetimes access. The cost is $249, but she has a three-month payment plan option.

If you’re interested in diversifying your freelance career, Gina also teaches people how to become virtual assistants and how to offer writing as a VA service.

#2: Write Your Way to 1K

Elna Cain is a freelance writing guru. She knows what she’s doing, and she’s been around for a long time. But she started just as inexperienced as the rest of us.

Her Write Your Way to 1K is a course to help you earn your first thousand dollars as a freelancer. It includes 50 lessons, a pitch review, and a private Facebook group, plus many other resources. This course is $195, and it includes a three-month payment plan.

Elna is well-known as one of the pros. Learning how to find clients, pitch, and earn money writing from her is a wonderful opportunity.

#3: Freelance University

Kelly and Craig Cannings launched Freelance University back in 2008 to provide a one-stop professional development platform for Freelancers, Virtual Assistants and Online Professionals. Since then, they've trained over 16,000 freelance professionals.

Freelance University offers three semesters of powerful certifications, courses and workshops. Each semester features 1 new certification, 1 core course and 4 interactive workshops.

With Freelance University, you will:

• Discover the most lucrative service niche and specialization
• Develop the most sought after skills in any industry
• Create a flexible and rewarding business from scratch
• Connect with instructors, mentors and peers who will always be there for you
• Live your dream life with a business that gives you freedom

#4: Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting

I don’t know about you, but earning six figures as a writer sounds pretty great to me. Copywriting is one of the most lucrative writing fields out there. But it requires knowing how to write to sell and show up in search results. It’s a specific type of persuasive writing that can be hard to master.

The American Writers and Artists Institute, or AWAI, offers this online, self-paced course. You get access to an insane amount of resources to help you learn how to break into copywriting and be successful. Plus you get access to their exclusive job board to help you find high-quality clients.

It’s $497, which is payable in 5 installments of $99. That might sound pricey, but when you’re making six figures, you’ll know it was a great investment.

#5: Elite Blog Academy

Have you ever wondered how people make money blogging? Learning to monetize your blog is an art. Ruth Soukup’s Elite Blog Academy has been the gold-standard for blog courses for years. Many of your favorite bloggers have used her program to build their blogging empires.

Elite Blog Academy is Wordpress-focused, so be prepared to purchase your domain name and hosting. You’ll also learn the secrets to using blogging as content marketing. You can take those skills to other sites and get paid for guest posts.

It’s so popular that Ruth only opens the course once or twice a year. Enrollment is only five days, so sign up for the waitlist! The next opening is in March 2021. It’s worth the wait. I couldn’t find the most recent price, but the last time I checked it was around $500. You’ve got months to save up!

#6: Create and Market a Successful Blog

There are over 200 million blogs on the Internet, so how do you cut through the noise and stand out in the crowd? A quality blog boasts great content, a powerful voice, and relevant, useful information. The problem is, putting all of those pieces together, understanding how to find the right audience, and marketing your blog is no easy juggling act.

This course will teach you how to find your own voice and get more comfortable writing like yourself. You’ll learn how to develop a strong editorial strategy, attract the right readers and write engaging headlines that will drive traffic to your site

#7: Learn How to Transform Your Passion For Words & Reading Into a Thriving Proofreading Business

In this free 76 minute workshop you'll discover:

• The 5 signs proofreading could be a perfect fit for you
• How proofreading can be your ticket to lifestyle freedom and financial security
• The surprisingly easy way to attract your ideal proofreading clients

Caitlin is a proofreader with a passion for helping proofreaders develop their own successful businesses. More than 4,800 students have watched and learned from this free training.

#8: Filthy Rich Writer: Learn How to Land Freelance Copywriting Work

You can turn your writing talent into regular income! Join professional copywriter Nicki Krawczyk for this free training with tips and tactics taken directly from the Filthy Rich Writer's signature course, the Comprehensive Copywriting Academy. You'll learn:

• Secret #1: How to land tons of copywriting work (that isn’t even advertised to the public)
• Secret #2: How to (ethically) copy the exact steps you should take to make it to 6 figures as a copywriter
• Secret #3: How to build a copywriting career in less time than it takes to have a cup of coffee

Nicki is the founder of Filthy Rich Writer and a copywriter with more than 15 years of experience working with clients including Hasbro, TripAdvisor, T.J.Maxx, Keurig, adidas, Reebok, and many more. Since 2012, the Comprehensive Copywriting Academy has helped thousands of students transform their lives and build thriving copywriting careers of their own.

#9: 3 Steps To $1,000 Freelance Writing in 45 Days or Less

Jorden Roper of Writing Revolt is a freelance success story. She was broke and jobless with no degree, but she was earning $5,000 a month within three months. Now she shares her expertise.

She has more detailed paid courses, but the 3 Steps class is free! If money is an obstacle, this is a great resource. Jorden keeps it real with her “no-BS” approach. She’s genuine, foul-mouthed, and knows her stuff.

She will help you figure out exactly what you need to pitch even with no experience. She’ll also teach you how to find clients who pay well and how to avoid content mills.

Get writing!

Which freelance writing course looks the most appealing to you? Let us know in the comments.

Now is a wonderful time to be a copywriter. Download this free book to learn how: