How to Make Money Online as a Resume Writer: 10 Actionable Ideas

The digital age has opened up numerous avenues for individuals to monetize their skills and expertise online. One such skill that has seen increasing demand in recent years is resume writing. A well-crafted resume is often the key to landing a job, and many job seekers are willing to pay for expert help to improve their chances in a competitive job market. If you have a talent for writing and an eye for detail, becoming a resume writer can be a profitable venture.

In this article, we will explore 10 actionable ways to make money online as a resume writer. Whether you are looking to start a freelance business, create digital products, or offer specialized services, there are plenty of opportunities to capitalize on this in-demand skill.

Freelance Resume Writing on Marketplaces

Freelance platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer provide excellent opportunities for resume writers to connect with potential clients. These platforms allow you to showcase your skills, bid on relevant projects, and build a client base.

How to Get Started:

• Create a Strong Profile: On platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, your profile is your first impression. Make sure to craft a compelling bio that highlights your writing experience, industry expertise, and your passion for helping clients land their dream jobs.
• Offer a Range of Services: Start by offering a variety of resume writing services---entry-level, mid-career, and executive resumes. Additionally, consider offering related services like LinkedIn profile optimization, cover letter writing, and personal statement writing.
• Build a Portfolio: Having a portfolio of past work is essential to build credibility. Offer discounted or even free services to friends, family, or acquaintances to create samples of your work. Once you have a few testimonials and samples, you can confidently pitch to clients.
• Price Competitively: Research other resume writers on these platforms to set competitive rates. You can start with lower pricing to attract clients and gradually increase your rates as your experience and portfolio grow.

Freelancing on these platforms provides a steady stream of work and offers flexibility. As you build a reputation, you can charge premium rates for your services.

Launch a Personal Resume Writing Website

While freelancing platforms are a great way to get started, having your own website provides a more professional appearance and allows you to keep a larger portion of your earnings.

How to Get Started:

• Set Up a Professional Website: Use website builders like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace to create a clean, user-friendly site. Your website should clearly outline your services, pricing, and process. Including testimonials and a portfolio of past work will help build credibility.
• Optimize for SEO: To attract organic traffic to your website, you should optimize it for search engines. Focus on keywords like "resume writing services," "professional resume writer," and "job application help." This can drive traffic from job seekers looking for professional help.
• Offer Free Resources: Provide value to potential clients by offering free resources, such as resume tips, templates, or blog posts. This can establish you as an authority in your field and encourage visitors to book a service.
• Include Clear Calls to Action: Your website should make it easy for visitors to hire you. Include prominent calls to action (CTAs) throughout the site, such as "Get Your Resume Written Today" or "Request a Free Consultation."

Having a personal website gives you full control over your brand and allows you to directly engage with your target audience without the limitations of third-party platforms.

Create and Sell Resume Templates

If you enjoy the design aspect of resume writing, creating and selling customizable resume templates can be a highly profitable venture. Many job seekers prefer to use templates as a starting point, and they're willing to pay for professionally designed templates that help them stand out.

How to Get Started:

• Design Professional Templates: Use tools like Canva, Adobe InDesign, or Microsoft Word to create visually appealing and professional resume templates. Make sure they are easy to edit and include sections that accommodate a variety of job types and experience levels.
• Sell on Marketplaces: Platforms like Etsy, Creative Market, or Gumroad allow you to sell digital products like resume templates. You can list your templates for a one-time fee, and once they are uploaded, you can earn passive income as customers purchase them.
• Offer Customization Services: Along with the sale of templates, you can offer additional services, such as customizing a template for an individual client's needs. This can be a higher-ticket service, as many clients will prefer a more personalized touch.
• Promote Your Templates: Use social media, SEO, and your website to drive traffic to your templates. You can also collaborate with influencers or bloggers who specialize in career advice to promote your templates to their audiences.

Selling resume templates is a great way to earn passive income once the templates are created, while also offering customization services for more active engagement.

Offer LinkedIn Profile Optimization Services

LinkedIn is a powerful tool for job seekers, and many professionals are willing to invest in improving their profiles. As a resume writer, you can extend your services to include LinkedIn profile optimization, which involves optimizing a client's profile for visibility and effectiveness.

How to Get Started:

• Learn LinkedIn Best Practices: Understand how to craft an effective LinkedIn profile, including writing compelling summaries, optimizing headlines, and selecting appropriate keywords. Familiarize yourself with the LinkedIn algorithm and best practices for profile optimization.
• Offer LinkedIn Optimization Packages: Package your services to offer a full LinkedIn profile revamp, including writing a standout summary, improving experience sections, and advising on photo selection and cover image design.
• Promote Your Services: Market your LinkedIn optimization services through social media, your website, and platforms like LinkedIn itself. Offer samples of before-and-after profiles to demonstrate the impact of your work.

LinkedIn profile optimization is a valuable service that complements resume writing and helps job seekers increase their chances of being noticed by recruiters.

Specialize in a Niche Market

Specializing in a particular industry or job level can help you stand out from the competition and attract clients who need expertise in specific areas. For example, you could specialize in resumes for executive-level professionals, technical roles, or creative fields.

How to Get Started:

• Choose Your Niche: Select an industry or job level that aligns with your skills and interests. For instance, if you have a background in technology, you could specialize in writing resumes for IT professionals, developers, or engineers.
• Tailor Your Services: Once you've chosen your niche, tailor your resume writing services to the needs of that audience. Research the key skills, industry terminology, and job requirements relevant to that field, and ensure your resumes reflect this knowledge.
• Market to Your Niche: Use industry-specific language in your website copy, blog posts, and promotional materials. You can also join online communities, forums, and LinkedIn groups specific to your niche to engage with potential clients.

Specializing in a niche market can allow you to charge higher rates, as you will be seen as an expert in that area.

Provide Resume Review and Feedback Services

Not all job seekers need a full resume overhaul. Some may only need a professional eye to review and provide feedback on their existing resume. Offering resume review services can be a quick and easy way to make money online.

How to Get Started:

• Create a Review Process: Develop a structured process for reviewing resumes, including checking for formatting issues, grammar mistakes, clarity, and relevance to the target job. Provide actionable feedback and suggestions for improvement.
• Offer Multiple Tiers: Consider offering different levels of review services. For example, a basic review could be a quick check for grammatical errors, while a premium review might include a more in-depth analysis of the resume's content and structure.
• Advertise Your Services: Promote your resume review services on your website, freelance platforms, and social media. Encourage satisfied clients to leave testimonials that can boost your credibility.

Resume reviews are a great entry point into the world of resume writing, as they require less time and effort than creating a resume from scratch.

Create an E-Book or Course on Resume Writing

If you have extensive experience in resume writing, creating an e-book or online course can be a profitable way to share your knowledge while generating passive income.

How to Get Started:

• Write an E-book: Write a comprehensive guide on resume writing, covering topics like how to structure a resume, what to include, and common mistakes to avoid. Sell the e-book on your website or platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing.
• Create an Online Course: Develop a video-based course that walks students through the resume writing process. Platforms like Teachable or Udemy allow you to host your course and sell it to a wide audience.
• Market Your Products: Promote your e-book or course on your website, social media, and through email marketing. You can also offer discounts or bonuses to encourage early buyers.

Creating digital products allows you to reach a large audience without the constraints of one-on-one services, and they can provide a steady stream of income.

Offer Interview Coaching Services

Once a client has a polished resume, the next step in the job search process is often preparing for interviews. As a resume writer, you can extend your services to include interview coaching, helping clients prepare for tough questions and present themselves confidently.

How to Get Started:

• Understand Common Interview Questions: Familiarize yourself with common interview questions for various industries and job levels. Develop strategies to help clients answer these questions in a clear and confident manner.
• Offer Mock Interviews: Conduct mock interviews with clients to help them practice answering questions and to give them feedback on their performance.
• Promote Your Coaching Services: Advertise your interview coaching services as an add-on to your resume writing services or as a standalone offering.

Interview coaching can be a natural extension of resume writing services, and it allows you to provide additional value to your clients.

Offer Cover Letter Writing Services

A well-written cover letter can make a significant difference in a job application. As a resume writer, you can offer cover letter writing services to help clients craft personalized, professional cover letters that complement their resumes.

How to Get Started:

• Understand Cover Letter Best Practices: Learn the key components of an effective cover letter, including how to highlight a client's strengths, explain career gaps, and express enthusiasm for the position.
• Offer Package Deals: Package your resume and cover letter services together at a discounted rate to attract more clients.
• Advertise Your Services: Market your cover letter writing services on your website, social media, and freelance platforms.

Cover letter writing is another valuable service that can boost your income while helping job seekers improve their chances of landing interviews.

Collaborate with Job Search Agencies

Many job search agencies and career coaches partner with resume writers to provide a full suite of services to job seekers. By collaborating with these agencies, you can gain access to a steady stream of clients.

How to Get Started:

• Research Agencies: Look for job search agencies, career coaches, or HR consultants who may need resume writing services for their clients.
• Reach Out: Send a well-crafted email introducing yourself, explaining your services, and offering a partnership.
• Build Long-Term Relationships: Foster ongoing relationships with agencies by providing high-quality work and delivering on time.

Working with job search agencies provides you with access to a steady flow of clients while allowing you to focus on writing resumes.

Conclusion

Becoming a successful resume writer requires more than just strong writing skills---it also involves understanding the needs of job seekers, staying current with industry trends, and effectively marketing your services. Whether you choose to freelance, create digital products, or offer specialized services, there are many ways to make money online as a resume writer. By diversifying your income streams and providing valuable services, you can build a rewarding and profitable business helping people achieve their career goals.

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