Why I Believe Freelance Writing Courses Are Bad For Writers
By: Daniel Rosehill
Tags: Writing, Freelance Writing, Freelance Writer, Freelance, Online Courses

Course-Giving As The Pinnacle Of Freelancing Writing Success

The above is partially why I feel strongly that writers need to stick up for other writers. It’s also something that we see a lot of in practice. Freelance writers write about writing in publications (like The Book Mechanic!), help each other out in Facebook groups, and mentor each other through the grueling aspects of working in the business.

Most of us face a tough industry, especially those of us in the freelance world: pressure from clients to produce more work in less time is commonplace, sometimes unrelenting. The globalization of the freelance marketplace in particular has had an overall erosive effect on rates.

But ultimately, and in spite of these challenges, many writers write because they love writing and want to inspire the next generation to make a go of working as one.

Freelance writing courses frustrate this cycle of knowledge sharing. One writer’s desire to monetize their knowledge becomes a barrier for the next in line. Which is another reason why I don’t believe it’s reasonable to use those that want to join the industry as cash-cows to be milked.

More presciently, the skeptic in me finds it very hard to believe that it’s possible for most writing courses to offer any independent value.

Why? Firstly, there isn’t all that much to learn — at least to the extent that we’re talking about objective truths, which is what many would agree courses should consist of.

Secondly, because most How To Become A Freelance Writer In 30 Days courses are almost certainly simply sharing information that has been written about before: in other courses, in books, and in podcasts. Or more likely in all of them. Niche down, you reckon? You didn’t say!

Many freelance writing courses are also liable to create unreasonable expectations among entrants to the writing market.

No certification program has ever managed to distinguish itself as the gold standard for writers, especially for generalists. It is highly unlikely that one ever will— if most writing success comes down to a mixture of grit, networking, and experience, what exactly is there to be certified in?

Even many graduates of third level journalism programs — including the author — are skeptical about the value of their training. In an increasingly crowded market, experience, connections, and portfolios are what help many writers stand out.

Marketed through glitzy landing pages adorned in red ink selling the dream of making tens of thousands of dollars while decked out in pajamas, many freelance course authors promise a life of luxury (after passing through their course). Even though, often, that dream contradicts their own path to success.

Of course, when you think about, this makes total sense — because selling a formula to success that simply consists of lots of hard work, a desk littered with coffee cups and writing briefs, and occasionally scouring Google and Reddit for information like the rest of us isn’t going to lead to many signups (“couldn’t we do that ourselves,” they might ask. The answer: “yes!”)

Freelance Writing Courses Undermine Freelance Writing

Finally, it is my strong belief, even if it’s an unpopular one, that the mushrooming of copycat freelance writing courses we’re currently witnessing actually undermines the profession of freelance writing.

Hear me out on this last one.

Judging by the courses on the market today — and the names behind them — one would be led to believe that the pinnacle of success as a freelance writer today is to teach other freelance writers how to … be freelance writers.

To my mind it makes the industry look predatory, mercenary, and bereft of a sense of collegiality.

The message it sends out is also clear: writers don’t help other writers … unless they’re paying a subscription fee.

Most freelance writing courses are good … for lining the pockets of those offering them.

Like many courses, they are built upon shaky logic. If freelance writing were truly the path to success those selling courses about it were claiming that it is, why would those that have climbed the mountain need to operate passive income schemes in the first place?

If they loved writing and other writers and wanted more than anything for them to succeed — a common claim — then why would they be monetizing their information rather than offering it pro bono?

These are good tough questions to ask any course-giver — after validating the fact that they’ve been working as a freelance writer for more than a year.

It’s possible (I’ll admit) that there are a select few offering genuine value that can’t be found elsewhere.

But I assert that the vast majority of writing courses are simply repackaging open source information adorned with the bowtie of attractive marketing and well A/B-tested landing pages.

Independent research is a valuable skill to have as a writer. Those thinking about making a living from it could start by figuring out how to get the same information from unbiased (and free!) sources.

Most “How To Make A Living As A Freelance Writer Courses,” in my estimation, are bad for the world — and for the professional image of writers.

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