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Become a Freelance Writer
You will learn: what a freelance writer does, how to develop your skills to succeed as a freelance writer, how to start your own freelance writing business, how to get hired to write for publication, and how to get hired to write for corporate clients.
What Happens in the Freelance Writer Certificate Course Online
The Freelance Writer Certificate course is an online learning program with suggested readings from the textbook (IAP Career College Guide to Become a Freelance Writer). This course is self directed, which means you may study and complete assignments at times that are most convenient for you from the comfort of your own home.
This part-time Freelance Writer Certificate Course has a recommended completion date of 6 weeks from the start of the program, however, you may choose to complete the course in as little as 2 weeks or as long as 12 weeks, depending on your schedule.
The Freelance Writer Certificate Course has been created to allow you to complete it without any teaching assistance. However, if you have questions or need assistance, you can receive help from a Faculty Member throughout the 6 weeks of the course. Your Faculty Member is a valuable resource person who can provide you with personal teaching assistance to help you succeed in the course and advice to help you succeed in the career.
Register NowCourse Topics
The Freelance Writer Certificate Course Online has been developed to meet high academic standards, ensuring that as a graduate you can display with pride the Freelance Writer Certificate you will earn from the International Association of Professions Career College.
Topics covered in the Freelance Writer Certificate Course include the following:
Introduction
- Freelance Writing as a Career
- Types of Freelance Writers
- The Writing Industry
Getting Ready
- Writing Skills and Knowledge
- Part-Time Freelancing
- Getting a Writing-Related Job
- Learning from Other Writers
- Evaluating Published Writing
Writing for Publication
- Types of Publications (magazines, newspapers, books, online)
- Your Writing Specialty
- How to Find Publications to Write For
- How to Write a Query
- Analyzing a Writing Assignment
- Working with an Editor
- Tips on Writing and Revising Articles
Writing for Clients
- Writing Opportunities with Corporate Clients (copywriting and marketing writing, technical writing, and more)
- Best and Worst Ways to Find Clients
- Getting Writing Work with Corporate Clients
- Preparing Proposals
- Contracts for Writing Clients
Starting Your Own Freelance Writing Business
- Creating a Business Plan
- Setting Your Fees
- Finding Support Staff
- Managing Writing Projects for Clients
Marketing Your Writing Business
- Marketing Tools
- Marketing Techniques
- Freelance Writing Marketplaces
- Free Media Publicity
What Is Included in the Freelance Writer Certificate Course
This all-inclusive Freelance Writer Certificate Course package includes:
- Registration for the Freelance Writer Certificate Course
- Lifetime access to course materials
- Access to a Faculty Member to provide you with personal teaching assistance and career advice
- (Optional) 2025 membership in the IAPO International Association of Professional Freelance Writers for only US$ 2.99 per month
- Downloadable Freelance Writer Certificate personalized with your name and the seal of the International Association of Professions Career College which you may print
- (Optional) Opportunity to order official certificates printed on fine linen paper and embossed with the gold seal of the college
- Textbook: IAP Career College Guide to Become a Freelance Writer (e-book edition)
Your Faculty Member for the Freelance Writer Certificate Course Online
The Faculty Member for the Freelance Writer Certificate Course is Kelly Boyer Sagert, who has written seven books and sold well over 1,000 pieces of her writing to magazines, newspapers, online sites and other publications. Author of the IAP Career College Guide to Become a Freelance Writer, Kelly is an experienced copywriter and grant writer. She also writes for encyclopedias and other anthologies, including publications from Macmillan and Harvard University Press.
Register for the Freelance Writer Certificate Course
FALL SPECIAL
It’s easy to change or cancel your course registration. See our FAQ page for details.
You can have all this for an incredible price. It can cost hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars to take other programs. (We found courses based on old editions of our guides with registration fees of up to $999 and more.) We are able to offer you online courses at a significantly lower cost to you because of our expertise from over 20 years of producing the leading online guides for non-traditional careers.
Our online certificate courses have previously been offered for a registration fee of $297 U.S. and include a textbook and professional membership – a total value of almost $377.
FALL SPECIAL: This all-inclusive registration package for the Freelance Writer Certificate Course is priced as only US$ 149.00 for the October 12, 2026 course.
Associated Courses
Register today for the Freelance Writer Certificate Course. Enrollment is limited and registration is on a first come first served basis, so we recommend that you register early for the Freelance Writer Certificate Course online to avoid disappointment.
If the course is full, please email support@iapcollege.com to be notified when a new course date is scheduled.
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What does a freelance writer do?
Freelance writers create content for clients on a contract basis, working on projects such as articles, blog posts, marketing copy, books, and scripts. They set their own schedules, choose their clients, and often work remotely.
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What will I learn in the Freelance Writer Certificate Course?
You’ll learn how to find and pitch to clients, manage your freelance writing business, and produce high-quality written content. Topics include writing for different markets, pricing your work, building a portfolio, and working with editors.
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How long does the Freelance Writer Certificate Course take to complete?
The Freelance Writer Certificate Course is designed to be self-paced, with a recommended completion time of 6 weeks. However, you have the flexibility to complete it in as little as 2 weeks or extend it up to 12 weeks, depending on your schedule.
Need more time? No problem. All of IAP’s Courses include lifetime access. -
How much can I earn as a freelance writer?
Freelance writer earnings vary widely. Many charge $0.10–$1.00+ per word or $20–$100+ per hour. Highly experienced or niche-specialized writers may earn six figures annually.
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Can I start my own freelance writing career after completing this course?
Yes. This course provides you with the skills and business knowledge to launch and grow your freelance writing career.
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Do I need any prior writing experience to enroll?
No. This course is suitable for beginners and also valuable for those with some writing experience who want to turn their skills into a business.
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Can I take the Freelance Writer Certificate Course from outside of North America?
Yes. The course is 100% online and self-paced, accessible from anywhere in the world.
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Will I receive a certificate when I finish the course?
Yes! Upon completing the course, you will receive a Freelance Writer Certificate from IAP Career College, showing you have the skills to work professionally as a writer.
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What is IAP Career College?
The International Association of Professions Career College (IAP Career College) is a leading online career college offering online certificate courses and professional certifications for non-traditional and “dream” careers.
Since 1999, we’ve helped over 500,000 students across six continents get started in dream careers—from life coaching to event planning to end-of-life care. Our courses are flexible, beginner-friendly, and designed for adult learners looking for practical, self-paced options.
