Do you want to earn real money with a real high paying online job?

Notice the emphasis is on real – we’re talking about an online job that can pay you as much, if not a lot more, than a regular 9 to 5 and that’s important.

You don’t want to waste your time with something that pays pennies and you can never hope to develop into a liveable income.

In this article, I’ll show you the way to do this properly and avoid the mistakes most newcomers to online working make.

Why should you listen to me? (a valid question).

I’ve been working in a high paying online job, supporting myself and my family, for over 10 years now and hopefully that should be a good enough reason for you to spend a couple of minutes reading this article to discover how to do the same.

I have a lot of information to share with you, so let’s start with a definition.

What is a high paying online job?

Let’s get one thing clear right from the start.

You’ll never make real money doing fake online jobs like the following:

• Online surveys
• Stuffing envelopes
• Sticking labels on envelopes
• Medical billing (big scam)
• Website testing
• Clicking on spammy links
• Watching videos
• Commenting on blog posts

Even if these kinds of jobs were legit in the first place (they’re not) they pay peanuts, like cents/hr peanuts. They’re seriously not high paying online jobs that are worth any kind of effort. You may as well get on the next available shift at Macdonald’s – you’ll certainly make more money!

So, with that out of the way, it’s time to think bigger – much bigger.

Impatient to get started? Click on the button below and get a free copy of my eBook that contains 10 opportunities to build a high paying online job PLUS an invitation to my exclusive webinar.

What kind of online work pays well?

Here are some examples of high paying online jobs I’ve taken directly from Upwork.com, the largest freelancing network on the planet:

• Web, Mobile & Software Dev
•  IT & Networking
•  Data Science & Analytics
•  Engineering & Architecture
•  Writing
• Translation
• Design & Creative
•  Legal
•  Admin Support 
•  Sales & Marketing
•  Accounting & ConsultingCustomer Service

Within each of these categories, there are many subcategories. If we take writing, as just one example, it breaks down into:

• Article & Blog Writing
• Copywriting $50-$150/hr
• Creative Writing
• Editing & Proofreading
• Grant Writing
• Resumes & Cover Letters
• Technical Writing
• Web Content
• Academic Writing & Research
• Other – Writing

As you can see, there are freelance opportunities to choose from, and you’ll see I’ve highlighted copywriting, read on…

My high paying online job

I earn my full-time income freelance copywriting for online clients and, trust me, you can do the same.

I started with no clients, no income, and no real idea of what I was doing, to be honest.

Fast forward to today and I’ve educated myself, invested time and effort in my business and I work with some top clients making $1,000’s every month. 

Here’s some proof, a snapshot of typical earnings from just one freelance site I’m using right now.

I quickly took the above snapshot today to give you a feel for what a typical week looks like for me on Upwork. It’s only Tuesday – I still have the rest of the week to go (see Work in progress).

This is just part of my income, some of my biggest clients are “direct” and don’t go through job sites.

Okay, the first screenshot was an exceptional contract and I’m not suggesting you’ll make that kind of income right away. But, I’m showing it to you to make a serious point – freelance copywriting is real, it works and the rewards can be substantial.

What is a freelance online copywriter?

A freelance online copywriter is a self-employed writer who works remotely for clients who need copy for their website, blog, or other areas of their business.

You get to choose who you work for, the hours you want to work, and how much or how little you want/need to earn.

What kind of copy can you write?

One of the reasons online copywriting is such a high paying online job is that the demand for copy is huge and will never be saturated – ever. Here’s a list of just some of the copy/content you can write for paying clients:

• Sales pages
• Landing pages
• Articles
• Blog posts
• Email sequences
• White papers
• Case studies
• Website content
• Social media
• Online ads
• Reports
• eBooks
• Annual reports
• Technical copy
• Product descriptions
• Infographics
• Training courses
• Video scripts

And, that’s just a selection, I could probably add another 50 at least!

The key to success in your high paying online job

A great way to approach freelance copywriting is to think of yourself as a problem solver.

Your potential reader has a problem and your job is to convince them you can solve it for them quickly and without hassles.

If you get this right, you’ll get work.

If you can make yourself indispensable to your clients, you’ll get lots of work.

Here’s a short YouTube video I made that gives more tips on how to succeed in your high paying online job as a copywriter, I hope it helps you get some perspective.

What’s in it for the client?

When you get started freelance writing, it’s easy to underestimate your value to potential clients, but there are several benefits they get out of the arrangement:

• The opportunity to access an affordable alternative to a full-time employee.
• They can cherry-pick the skills they need.
• Deal with a responsive, highly skilled specialist for a fixed cost.

And clients are prepared to pay well for the services of a competent freelance copywriter.

How well? Personally, I earn a minimum of $150 per hour.

Others have earned more, $200, $300 per hour, and yes even $500 per hour in some cases, they have a seriously high paying online job I think you’ll agree!

But, we’re getting ahead of ourselves, let’s start planning your own freelance copywriting journey.

Understand your comfort zone, but don’t make excuses

Everyone has a different appetite for, or aversion to, risk when they get started freelance writing.

Very few freelancers study how to make money freelancing online and become successful immediately. It takes time to organize your freelancing business, reach out to clients, and land work.

How long? That’s not an easy question to answer as the time taken to build a job replacing income varies for everyone.

That said, a reasonable rule of thumb would be to allow 3-6 months to get established and start seeing a steady income stream. Some people do it as quickly as their first month.

Important: It’s a bad idea to quit your job and dive into freelancing expecting to make quick money. It can happen, but a better approach is to make sure you have 3-6 months of funds available to cover your expenses as you build your freelancing business.

So, work out your budgets and make sure you don’t run out of cash before you’ve mastered how to make money freelancing online. If that means you need to continue working for a while and build your business around your job, then that’s the way to go. Many successful freelancers have done just that.

Equally important: If you’ve just found your first excuse not to get started freelance writing, then I suggest you walk away now. Really. Your journey to financial freedom through freelancing will not be without its challenges. If you’re the type of person who…

1. Is lazy and not prepared to put in the effort.
2. Looks for excuses and someone else to blame at every turn.
3. Wants a silver bullet to make a quick buck.

…then freelancing is not for you. You need to want it enough to make it happen.

Enough said.

Don’t swap one boss for another

Being in control of your own destiny and the opportunity to earn money when you get started freelance writing is available to everyone.

The harder (or smarter) you’re prepared to work while you master how to make money freelancing online, the more money you’ll earn.

To make the most of that freedom it’s important to remember that it’s YOUR business and YOU make the decisions.

You don’t need to work for unreasonable clients who treat you as if you’re a lowly paid employee.

My best advice – fire them!

Don’t become anyone’s doormat and definitely don’t swap one boss for another.

Raise your prices as soon as possible

Stay focused on expanding and improving your client base as your experience and confidence grow.

As you grow, take your existing clients with you AKA raising your prices.

If they appreciate your work (make sure they do) and the value you bring to their business, they’ll grow with you.

If they absolutely won’t or can’t financially, consider replacing them with more lucrative work. After all, why would you continue to work for $30/hour when you could be earning $75/hour or more? Makes no sense, right?

Your goal is to build a genuinely high paying online job after all.

I’m not suggesting you treat clients as a disposable commodity, far from it, but you make money online freelance writing and you can only work so many hours a day, week, or month.

You absolutely need to maximize your return for the work you do.

You’re building a real business

Freelance copywriting is a real high paying online job and a business capable of providing you with a substantial income if you take it seriously, and taking it seriously means setting goals. It’s important you know where you’re at and where you’re going.

Using the SMART system is a good way to set goals.

Specific – make sure what you’re planning to achieve is clearly stated.

Measurable – you have a way to determine if you’ve achieved your goal or not.

Attainable – don’t set unrealistic goals.

Relevant – set goals that directly enhance your business.

Time-based – daily, weekly, monthly

An example of a bad goal:

I will increase my turnover by getting new clients.

An example of a good goal:

By the 30th of this month, I will secure another regular client who will pay me a retainer of at least $1,000 per month.

Making the right connection with potential clients

It’s essential to approach clients the right way, here’s some good advice.

Let’s start with what not to do:

Mistake #1

One of the biggest mistakes I see being made is writing in a deferential tone (bowing down to the prospect). This is huge.

Think about it. You’re a businessman running your own business, as is your prospect. A business relationship should be built on mutual respect and calling a prospect “sir” (as I’ve seen many times), immediately puts you on a lower level.

You’re equal to your prospect, so use language that reflects this and if you want to succeed in your high paying online job never beg for work 

Mistake #2

The second big mistake I see is immediately hitting your prospect with a long list of how great you are, your qualifications, why you’re the best thing since sliced bread, and why they should hire you and no one else.

95%+ of freelancers do this and it’s wrong.

You need to make the right connection with a potential customer. You do this by talking about how you can help them and not by talking about yourself.

Okay, now we’ve covered what not to do, let’s discuss the right approach.

Focus on “YOU” the most important word in copywriting

• Your communications should be centered around the client, try to use the word “you” as often as possible, make them feel good, and make them the center of attention.
• Make sure you’re personable, approachable, and friendly.
• Explain clearly everything you can do to help their business.

Empathy & Emotion

• Show you understand what the client wants and needs – try to get inside their head.
• Use the same words and phrases you think your client might use – try to talk their language.
• Target an emotional response from the client – do you make them feel confident about you? Do you trigger other emotions such as excitement, hope, and relief? Do you connect?
• Do you capture the client’s interest and make them nod with agreement as they read your proposal?
• Make sure your text doesn’t contain anything that interrupts the flow or engenders a “No” thought in the client’s head.

Talk about benefits

• Ensure your potential client clearly understands the benefits he’ll enjoy by working with you.
• Try to answer the “what’s in it for me?” and “why should I care questions?”
• Can clients clearly see that by trusting you with their business they’ll get the result they want, on time and without fuss.

Call to action

• Have you told clients exactly what to do when they’ve finished reading your proposal?

Summing it all up

There’s no doubt about it if you approach freelance copywriting in the right way, armed with the right mindset and solid guidance you have the keys to a well paying online job.

You can take it as far as you want and shoot for six figures a year if that’s what motivates you.

Freelance copywriting is not a get-rich-quick scheme. If you’re prepared to put in the effort, build and refine your business over time and continually educate yourself so you can deliver outstanding results to clients, you’re on the right track.