Creative Writing Jobs And Free Writing Courses that Can Help You Land Gigs

It is not unusual to meet writers who desperately want to find creative writing jobs. It only makes sense to earn a living doing what you love, right? Especially since the internet has made it easy for writers to keep their heads above water.

Also, many youngsters what to know what kinds of creative writing jobs they can get with a creative writing degree or certification. And these concerns are perfectly understandable

You can’t blame parents for not wanting to waste hard-earned money on a useless degree or course. Plus students want to know that their creative writing certificate can earn them a fat paycheck.

And that’s what we’ll be discussing in this article. Creative writing jobs and how you can get them. But before we launch into the details, let’s look at the definition of creative writing jobs.

What Are Creative Writing Jobs?

There are a lot of definitions for creative writing. Some are narrow, while others are more inclusive. Many people think of fiction writing when they hear “creative writing.” More specifically, novels, short stories and poems.

Many people erroneously conjure up images of traditional writers whenever writing jobs are mentioned. 

However, fiction writing and creative writing are not the same things. Creative writing is an umbrella term that includes fiction writing. It also includes many other types of writing.

Creative writing can be found outside the literary realm, and so can creative writing jobs. It’s valuable in business, journalism, education, entertainment, and more.

There’s a creative writing job for everyone who enjoys writing. In 2018, 181,000 writers and authors were employed in the USA. Between 2016 and 2026, that job market is expected to grow by 7.6 percent.

A University of Chicago study also found that authors were one of the top 10 occupations in job satisfaction. Writing is incredibly rewarding.

But deciding to pursue a creative writing job is easier than actually landing one. First, you have to determine what writing job you want. What career would be a good fit for you? Once you decide that, you have to secure a job offer.

Free writing courses and certifications can help you to succeed in your endeavor  Writing degrees and courses will enhance and hone your skills. Also, they will give you credibility as a serious writer.

We’ll first take a look at creative writing jobs. Then we’ll explore five writing courses and certifications to sharpen your resume. You’re on your way to your dream creative writing job!

The Ultimate Guide To Getting Well-Paying Creative Writing Jobs.

Important Tips To Consider When Searching For Advanced Level an Entry-level Creative Writing Jobs.

Below are a few things to consider when selecting creative writing jobs.

Creative Writing Is Broad.

Yes, creative writing has a broad definition. But it does capture the spirit of creative writing.

Study.com defines creative writing as “any writing that is original and self-expressive.”

It’s an art form that comes in endless forms. Creative writing doesn’t necessarily mean writing a plot with characters. Some jobs may or may not include plotting or rounded characters. 

Creative Writing Jobs Can Be Found In Every Industry.

Creative writing can be a rich product description that boosts sales (also called content marketing). Or it can be a moving speech. Creative writing could be a cheerful text on a greeting card. Creative writing could be a blog post about creative writing.

Even creative writing in the “narrative story” form can be used outside the traditional writing industry. A well-placed anecdote can enhance endless written pieces. Stories live in textbooks and academic papers.

Know Your Areas of Strengths and Weaknesses.

Different writers have different areas of strength. Writing jobs are easier to execute if they fall within your area of strength. So before you say yes to that writing job, ask yourself the following questions:

• What skill sets or knowledge do you have?
• Have you attended any creative writing workshops?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• What niche/topics are you interested in?

Some Jobs Are Best Suited For Writers Who Enjoy Conducting Research.

Consider your ability or inability to conduct fast and effective research. Sometimes you may have to research unfamiliar or difficult topics. Take into account your preferred assignment or the preferred length of the writing project.

Lengths of Writing Projects Vary.

Would you be happier with short-term freelance writer jobs? Or would you prefer lengthy projects often reserved for full-time creative writers?

Creative Writing Jobs Are Abundant In The Entertainment Sector.

News articles and blog posts. Video games and board games. Advertisements and commercials. Stories are a part of daily life.

An inclusive definition of creative writing opens up the possibilities for careers. Which possibility is the right one for you?

What Jobs Can You Get With Your Creative Writing Skills and Certificate?

Believe it or not, there are plenty of opportunities for creative writers to earn a living doing what they love/ Ready to see a list of lucrative creative writing jobs?

Below are some well-paying jobs that require a lot of creative writing.

Novel Writing:

This means writing a long work of fiction. You have read Harry Potter? Yes? Or Half of A Yellow Sun. You could write novels and self-publish them online, where readers can buy the soft copy and read.

Copywriting:

Copywriters write texts for the purpose of marketing or advertising. They write about particular products (or copy) in a way that attracts the attention of a particular audience to the product.

Content writing:

Content writers write articles for particular blogs on particular topics. Most times they are not credited as the writers, but they get paid for the job. However content writing requires a lot of expertise and training. You might want to learn more about content writing before you venture into this field of creative writing.

Editorial work:

One way to make money as a creative writer is to edit. There are a lot of people who have manuscripts that they need someone with professional eyes to take a look at, to help them give it shape and colour. Currently, there are editorial job vacancies at MayDay Magazine, Fractured Lit & Voyage and One Story.

Screenwriting / Playwriting:

Yes. The movies we watch are written by creative writers. You could start writing for the screen or stage. This pays well, if you get a good gig.

Advert Writing:

Advert writers write catchy and clear sentences that help a company or an organization attract a particular audience. You could write one-liners for different companies to help them get more customers.

Songwriting:

While we all can’t be singers, some creative writers write songs for singers. This is not new. Poems by writers like Lord Alfred Tennyson have been set to music.

Biography/memoir writing:

We have all read books that detail the lives of influential people, or that detail a particular, crucial moment of their lives that coincided with a crucial moment in history.

You also could help write the stories of some influential people, or help give an account of their lives during a particular moment. Learn more about how to write an autobiography, a biography or a memoir.

Translating:

The work of the translator is needed now, more than ever, as the world has become more of a global community. Are you bi- or multilingual? Do you possess translating skills?

You could start working as a translator. You could work as a book translator or even help translate subtitles for the screen.

Journalism:

Do you like reporting news and events? Do you have the right training and skills? You could work as a journalist, writing for a particular magazine or blog, or even set up your own blog. Like Kola Tunbosun does with his blog.

Technical writing:

This is the kind of writing that involves breaking down technical information so that it is easily accessible to a particular audience. If you are able to write clearly and you possess technical knowledge, you could write instruction manuals and how-to guides for tech companies.

Literary magazine entrepreneurship:

If you love writing or editing, you could start a literary magazine. This could be a print or an online magazine. Or you could work as an editor, or even a social media manager, for already established literary magazines. Check out this opportunity.

Podcast Creating:

Do you possess knowledge on a particular topic? Are you willing to share? You can create a podcast where you share your ideas. With podcasts, you can record these ideas and upload them for others to download and share.

Ghostwriting:

This basically means being paid to help a person write the book they intend to write, without taking the credit for the work. You could help write an autobiography for an influential person. You get your pay and the book is theirs.

Teaching:

A good deal of writers are teachers of creative writing. You could work as a lecturer at a university, teaching creative writing. Or you could start writing workshops (either online or physically), or master classes, where you teach others how to write.

Public Speaking:

A lot of creative writers are also speakers; and others, while not speakers, write speeches for influential people. This could be for politicians or motivational speakers.

And this is not an exhaustive list. Many of the creative writing jobs above also span multiple industries. One important career option that comes to mind is content marketing.

Content Marketing.

In many cases, a content marketer combines five or more of the aforementioned creative writing skills to succeed in their jobs. This makes it a great fit for a creative writer.

Bottom line: You have the flexibility to pursue different specialties. You have the power to pursue writing niches that most interest you.

How And Where To Find An Entry-level or Expert-Level Creative Writing Job?

Once you’ve determined the creative writing jobs you want to pursue, you have to find a vacancy or an opening.

Below are avenues where you can find well-paid creative writing jobs.

Try Traditional (Not Freelance) Job Sites.

Indeed, LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter, Monster and Glassdoor are popular options. These job sites are good for if you want an hourly or salaried job.

Use Your Google Search Engine Effectively.

A Google search can also help with finding expert-level and entry-level creative writing jobs. It will show you a wide range of opportunities, especially those that aren’t being advertised on traditional hiring websites.

Subscribe To Creative Writing Websites.

Another easy way to get creative writing jobs is through creative writing websites. Subscribing to literary blogs can give you n advantage. This way you’ll know where there are vacancies/opportunities for writers.

Creative Writing News, Writer’s Digest, James Marua’s blog and Brittle Paper are examples of literary blogs that advertise jobs for writers.

Join Facebook Groups For Digital Nomads.

Did you know that you could find writing jobs on Facebook? Well, now you know. All you have to do is join the right groups for digital nomads.

You can get writing jobs via the following Facebook groups:

• B2B Bloggers Boost Group (and no, you don’t have to be a blogger to be eligible for membership).
• Digital Nomads Jobs: Remote Job Opportunities.
• Remote Work & Jobs for Digital Nomads–

Seek Membership In The Right Slack Channels.

You’ll be amazed to know that there are hundreds of thousands of creative writing jobs being advertised on Slack, All you have to do is be at the right place at the right time.

Find freelance and full-time writing jobs in the following slack channels:

• Online Genuises.

• #freelance

• #CreativeTribes

Explore Online Hiring Platforms for Freelancers.

If you want more flexible work, consider freelancing. In that case, you’ll be searching for freelance writer jobs or something along those lines.

One advantage of freelancing is its flexibility. You have complete control of your hours, and also you can also be selective about the type of work you want to take. You can even work remotely from home.

All you have to do is sign up on freelance marketplaces and start sending out job proposals. You can start with the following freelance writing sites:

Upwork:

Upwork has three million jobs posted annually. This makes it the largest freelancer marketplace in the world. In its writing jobs section, creative writers are “Some of [the] most in-demand pros.”

Its top skills in the US include copywriters, editors, creative writers, blog writers, content writers, proofreaders, and writers. If you can write, there is a high demand for your expertise.

• Fiverr
• Toptal
• Simply Hired
• PeoplePerHour
• Freelancer.com
• Guru.com

These are just a hand full of platforms where you can get entry-level creative writing jobs online. Although these are the popular options, they aren’t the only options.

Writing Courses That Boost Your Resume And Help You Get Freelance Writer Jobs.

If you’re looking for a creative writing job, you might want to take some courses and certifications. Some of these courses can help make your resume stand out.

It can be daunting to try for a creative writing job. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that there will be strong competition for writers and authors.

This is because so many people are attracted to writing jobs. And it may feel like there’s always a better or more experienced writer than you. But don’t be discouraged.

This is where writing courses and certifications come in. They can help you stand out from other applicants. Writing courses and workshops are a great way to learn new writing techniques. They can also refine the skills you already have.

Writing courses don’t have to be incredibly expensive. Many are very accessible; some are even free. You can find countless courses online. This is especially convenient given the COVID-19 pandemic.

Popular sites for online creative writing courses:

• Coursera
• Udemy
• LinkedIn Learning
• Skillshare
• edX

Plus, there’s a writing course for any topic you desire. There are courses with a narrow, specialized focus. Mary Karr’s course on Memoir Writing is specifically designed for memoirists.

Many other creative writing courses are more general and versatile.

You can start by exploring the sites above. Then you can broaden your search or dive deeper. The courses and certifications in this post are just a tiny fraction of the resources available. 

Some courses also come with a certification that adds value to your resume. Certifications showcase your skills and add credibility. They demonstrate your proven abilities.

Here are five writing courses and certifications that can boost your resume.

High-Impact Business Writing

This High-Impact Business Writing course is from Coursera. Coursera offers courses from top universities and leading companies. This one is taught by an instructor from the University of California Irvine.

This course can help you apply your creative writing skills in a business setting. You’ll learn to select specific formats appropriate for your audience.

You’ll also be able to determine the most effective medium for your message. And you’ll master how to avoid common writing mistakes. 

Ultimately, you’ll communicate objectives and ideas clearly. These skills will apply to a wide variety of business-related writing projects.

Learn to write more effective business documents, memos, yearly reports and more.

You can improve your career outcome with this course. 22 percent of students started a new career after completing this specialization. 12 percent got a pay increase or promotion after they’d completed the course.

This Course Helps You Learn To:

• Communicate effectively to any target audience
• Choose the right format and medium using different techniques
• Edit, proofread and analyze business documents efficiently and effectively
• Spot, correct and avoid the most common writing pitfalls
• Create business reports, press releases, presentations, emails and memos.

Cost of course = Audit for free

Cost of certificate = $50

Copywriting Secrets – How to Write Copy That Sells

This is a comprehensive copywriting course. It covers how to write sales copy, calls to action, White Papers, press releases, and more.

It also helps you target a variety of audiences, from B2B to consumers. Anything you need to know to become a copywriter, this course explores.

Many different learners can benefit from this course. You should definitely take this course if you’re:

• An entrepreneur or start-up founder.
• A small (or large) business owner.
• Involved in marketing.
• Someone who wants to become a successful freelance copywriter.

You can ask questions or seek further explanations directly from the course creators. They usually respond within 24 hours.

This is an extremely valuable resource. The lifetime access you get makes it even more valuable. It is an “insightful and actionable course”, with constantly updated content.

This creative writing-related course teaches you to:

• Generate more sales leads using the power of words
• Understand how to leverage features, benefits, and advantages
• Craft professional press releases that get published
• Create persuasive case studies by interviewing customers with confidence
• Structure and write compelling sales copy.

Cost of course and certificate = $16 – $90 (frequently on sale)

Creative Writing Specialization

This course is also available on Coursera. It’s offered by Wesleyan University, one of the nation’s top liberal arts colleges. The Creative Writing Specialization is comprehensive. It has everything you need to craft a compelling story.

The capstone project is a substantial original story in the genre of your choice. Along the way, you develop skills focused on the four key aspects of writing. They are plot, character, setting/description, and style. You’ll also analyze and constructively evaluate peer writing. Being able to critique and revise is essential to improving.

The University of Iowa through it’s International Writing Program (IWP) often organizes free online creative writing specialization courses. 

The career outcomes from this course are especially promising. 58 percent of students started a new career after completing this specialization. 22 percent got a pay increase or promotion. This could be you.

When you take a creative writing specialization, you learn to:

• Write short stories, narrative essays, and memoirs
• Develop bracing stories, memorable characters and interesting settings
• Refine and critique writing to continuously improve
• Develop your own unique and distinctive writing style 
• Draft, rewrite, and complete a substantial original story

Cost of course = Audit for free

Cost of certificate = $50

Learning to Write for the Web

LinkedIn Learning offers courses from industry experts. This course is only 1 hour and 24 minutes. Yet it’s incredibly valuable for such a low time investment.

Almost 4.57 billion people actively use the web. So it’s important to know how to write for the web to stay relevant.

This course has a Q&A feature. 75 percent of questions are answered by instructors and other learners. 34 percent of questions are answered by the course instructor. So you’ll be supported by a community of learners.

A course in learning to write for the web teaches you to:

• Understand that people read differently on the web, and how to write content that goes viral and stays relevant.
• Identify and include documents that could be used to provide supporting evidence in an article
• Determine the expiration date on seasonal articles
• Assess the reading level that body text should be written at
• Move your target audience to care about your text

Cost of course and certificate = $35

Writing With Flair: How To Become An Exceptional Writer

If you don’t have a specific career in mind, this course is a great option. It’ll help you become a better writer overall. With almost 100,000 students, it’s the most popular writing course on Udemy.

This course helps you achieve a variety of goals. Improve business, sales and marketing writing. Make your resume shine. Craft the best essays in your class. Increase traffic to blogs and other sites.

Writing With Flair Shows You How To:

• Write with simplicity by shedding unnecessary words and complex sentences
• Write with clarity by using precise language and focusing your ideas
• Craft elegant writing that flows smoothly and maintains consistency
• Make your writing more evocative and moving with fresh language and varied sentence structures
• Develop or rediscover a love of writing

Cost of course and certificate = $13 – $95 (frequently on sale)

Wrap Up On How To Get Creative Writing Jobs And Find Free Writing Courses That Help You Get Gigs.

Gone are the days when writers were doomed to a life of eternal poverty. Thanks to the internet, you can make a ton of money from writing.

Creative writing jobs come in a variety of forms. They also span many industries, so the opportunities are endless. If you’ve decided to pursue a creative writing job, consider finding a writing course and certification.

If you’re just launching your creative writing career, consider taking writing courses, and certifications.

Or if you’ve already found a job, courses and certifications can still improve your skills. It makes perfect sense to attend a course or two as often as you can.

These courses improve your talents and employability. And the certifications provide tangible proof of your skills.

The courses and certifications in this article are only a starting point. Sometimes you can only rely on experience to teach you how to make your first $100 as a freelance writer. Or how to earn money from writing and publishing poetry.

And you can find other writing courses and certifications that are more suitable for your career goals.

When most people hear creative writing jobs, they first think of storytelling and poetry/play/novel-writing.

A quick Google search for “creative writing jobs” yields millions of pages. You might’ve expected opportunities like novelist, screenwriter, book editor, and ghostwriter. But there are also less “traditional” writing jobs where creative writing is valuable.

Have you been trying to get creative writing jobs? How successful have you been? Have writing courses helped you in any way? Which writing courses do you recommend? Please share your ideas below in the comments section.