How do I earn money
as a freelance writer?

You'll already know from looking at our payment rates that freelance writing for Academic Knowledge is an extremely lucrative and profitable way to earn extra money. But in a company boasting one of the most comprehensive and elite collections of writing talent in the world, how exactly can you stand out from the rest and earn decent money? Here's our very best advice...

1. Apply!

You have absolutely nothing to lose by applying to work as a freelance writer for us. Send us your CV and details of your qualifications and see if we'll accept you on to the books. Simply fill in our application form today.

2. So you've been accepted as a freelance writer - what now?

Once you've been accepted, and you've confirmed your ID and qualifications with our HR department, what next? The next step is to get upgraded. Every researcher starts off as a 'bronze' level writer. This means they can only take on low standard simple projects (such as 2.2 undergraduate model answers). There is less bronze level work than higher level work. So to get more work, when you have been accepted, send an email to jennifer@ asking for your level to be raised from bronze to silver (or asking to be considered for gold or platinum level if you have high level/professional qualifications and/or experience). The higher the level of the project, the more money we'll be offering for its completion.

3. So you've been upgraded to silver, gold or platinum .. what now?

Bid, bid and bid. Set your work level (i.e. the number of words you are happy to complete in a week) to something sensible - this depends on your other commitments. For example, if you think you can take on 5,000 words per week, make sure your work level is set to 5,000. You can then bid for any number of projects, with the safe knowledge that you will only be given work up to the work level you have set. This is a really big tip so pay attention! Many of our new freelance writers bid a couple of times and then give up or complain because they get no work. As new writers, they will get less work because they are new writers. But the smart writers bid on everything they could potentially complete and sooner or later, they'll be delegated a piece of work that nobody else has come forward for.

4. So you've been delegated your first brief .. what now?

Read through all the guidance in the login area of this site. Make sure you know EXACTLY what is expected from you. And then... do a really, really, really good job. Even if it's supposed to be only 2.2 standard, make sure your work blows the customer's - and the quality team's - socks off! Mail us and ask us specifically to review your work and grade the piece (every piece gets quality checked but not all pieces get graded - a grading on your record is an advantage to you because the delegations team see it next to your offer to complete projects).

5. So you're finished and everything's submitted .. what now?

Ask for feedback from the quality team. If you get a feedback report from the client (sent out through our database) ask the quality team to also send you any comments - we don't automatically pass these on unless they are requested. If the client requests changes, and these aren't too extensive, consider doing them for free (even if they aren't exactly justified). Remember, your number one goal is customer satisfaction - and if customers like you, they will request you again (we pay 25% more if the customer asks for you specifically).

6. Any more tips?

Become a staff writer. This means we can give you work in your subject area you haven't asked for. So you might have to do a little extra research to complete the piece but the advantage is, the fees are 50% higher than standard fees. It will also broaden your knowledge and expertise. In effect, we'll pay you to learn more!

Ready to get started making money as a freelancer writer? Simply fill in our application form today.