Barry Lopez, an American essayist, quotes, “Sometimes a person needs a story more than food to stay alive.” Writing maketh a man, but gone are the days when incomprehensible poems and conventional prose were regarded, rewarded, and heralded as writing. In an era where technology changed everything, changed humans and their intellectual approaches as well. Likewise, writing has evolved as dynamic expertise. In ancient times where writers weren’t paid enough, now are they paid more than enough.

Freelance writing has been revolutionary in the past few years. People with writing expertise and craze are turning into content writers, copywriters, and ghostwriters. It is since the digital revolution has helped monetize writing and writing services. Novice writers across the globe have a chance at making it big with the right recipe. So has Pakistan! Pakistani freelance writers are delving into it and offering their best.

In a state where poverty and unemployment upsurged in recent years, Pakistani freelance writers have paved out their way. Proudly saying, now Europeans outsource their writing projects on many different freelancing platforms, such as Upwork and Fiverr, to Pakistani freelance writers as they have proved their stellar skills and are acknowledged. They earn and learn and play a pivotal role in helping the country’s economy by bringing Euros and Dollars. With the right mix of words and some expertise in marketing, people can make it big. Pakistan ranks 4th in the world in terms of the number of freelancers. They considerably helped strengthen foreign exchange and flows by earning $150 million in which freelance writers make a bigger name. (source: Start-Up Pakistan)

The world was shifting online gradually. The pandemic acted as a catalyst for expediting the process of businesses moving online. Shops, businesses, and services are shifting online. It has opened a new land of opportunities for affiliate marketers. Affiliate marketers are online salespersons that promote products and provide helpful insight into their content. You get paid for promoting products. Pakistani freelance writers also assumed writing as a great source of income and stepped inside. With physical business and its complexities, and the risks involved, online marketing has seen an upward spike. Writers and blog owners have become influential. Not only do they promote products of value, but they also guide and inform the masses.

On top of that, students across the country opt for content or copywriting instead of other digital skills because writing aids in their academics, too. It turns them into great communicators while dealing with clients professionally. Freelance writing offers a helping hand in becoming aware of the world and its cutting-edge inventions. It does benefit you with abundant vocabulary. Besides, it elevates your research. Hence, It hones your skills on many levels.

Unlike other skills, freelance writing requires a proper understanding of the English language, a strong command of grammar, and the knowledge of cohesion and coherence. Also, one has to be acquainted with the use of computers. Nowadays, it’s pretty easy to ask for help and groom yourself as social sites like Facebook and LinkedIn have groups where experts pen down the tips and motivate the newbies. Many novice writers begin with their freelancing journey from Facebook and LinkedIn, where they read, observe, ask, and learn the basics. Once they get acquainted with the pursued skill, they move on to specific platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr, Guru, etc. However, most Pakistani freelance writers work for local clients through direct emailing, or affiliate marketing companies hire them.

In a nutshell, with the advent use of technology and paradigm shift – people have learned how to earn while sitting at homes; freelance writing is one. It is rightly said that working from home has two pros; home and work both. Consequently, if you can write and want to be one of the breadwinners for your family, so start writing – as Louis L’amour states, “Start writing, no matter what. The water doesn’t flow until the faucet is turned on.”

Amir Taj Khattak__The writer is an undergraduate student of BS English in GC Peshawar.