What Is a Remote Writer and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

Remote writers are content creators who use language to entertain, inform, or persuade audiences. Writers produce all written work available to the public, including books, newspaper articles, blog posts, website content, social media posts, and advertising copy. Examples of conventional writer careers are journalists, novelists, poets, screenwriters, technical writers, and copywriters. Instead of working in the office, remote writers complete their tasks from home or another location of their choice with wi-fi connectivity. But their job duties are the same as in-house writers. As a remote writer, your responsibilities include researching, organizing, planning, and outlining written work, in addition to writing, editing, and revising the pieces. To create quality content, remote writers need excellent language skills, proficiency in computer programs, and a mastery of online tools and resources.

There are no formal education requirements to become a remote writer, though some employers prefer candidates with a degree in English, journalism, creative or technical writing, or a related field. Some remote writers even earn a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree. These programs help you cultivate your writing style and improve your skills. Decide what industry you would like to work in and practice creating different kinds of pieces for that audience. The more you write, the better your portfolio. Take freelance writing jobs or acquire an entry-level position that has an emphasis on writing. With or without formal training, you need a mastery of the language and a healthy imagination to succeed in a career as a writing professional.

You find writers in almost every industry; businesses, governments, and other organizations all have information to communicate in some way. Depending on your qualifications and interests, you may work for a newspaper, a healthcare company, a marketing agency, or a research facility, either as a staff writer or a freelancer. Remote writers do not work in the office; they typically work from home or a different location of their choice with wi-fi connectivity. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about two-thirds of writers are self-employed. Staff writers typically focus on one industry, while freelance writers may choose to take assignments on a variety of subjects.

Being a remote writer means you are a communicator, and your job is to spread ideas and knowledge to a target audience. As a remote writer, you work from home or another location outside the office with wi-fi connectivity. One of your primary responsibilities is to put words together in a way that creates meaning for your readers, whether they are short blog posts, newspaper columns, or epic novels. You research, write, edit, and revise your work regularly. Specific writing assignments vary, depending on your employer. You often write on topics you are passionate about, but for some projects, you need to create pieces on things that do not interest you at all. For writing jobs with strict deadlines, you write even when you feel uninspired.

To be a good remote writer, practice writing every day. You can focus on one subject or experiment with different styles and genres. The more you write, the better your mastery of the language. Make sure you learn how to work well independently; working remotely means you need to push yourself to finish assignments on time. Good writers also read many different kinds of writing regularly—fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and articles. Reading shows you different ways to use words to convey your message. Take plenty of notes to capture ideas that inspire you from books and everyday life. Find an editor you trust to give you feedback on your writing to help you improve. Then rewrite, edit, and revise your work. A great writer is always trying to become better.

Job Summary

We are currently filling Remote Writer positions. In this role, you will produce written content that adheres to our style guide, submitting your drafts for revision and approval. Depending on the assignment, you may have to conduct additional background research. If you are not on a specific assignment but would like to submit content, you can pitch new ideas to your editorial supervisors. This off-site job is perfect for someone who is looking for a flexible schedule, but is still able to submit content on deadline. You must submit a portfolio of writing samples to be considered for this position.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Produce written content that adheres to our style guide
• Develop and pitch content ideas
• Submit drafts for revision and approval
• Submit final drafts in the correct format on deadline
• Conduct background research for pieces

Requirements and Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED certificate
• Bachelor's degree in journalism or another relevant field (or equivalent experience)
• Writing or editorial experience, preferably in a similar industry
• Strong grammar and proofreading skills
• A reliable internet connection
• Ability to work with minimal supervision