Over the past few years, our country has experienced a sharp rise in the cost of living. Food prices have skyrocketed, as well as prices for vehicles and housing. Let’s face it, times are hard. This realization leads us to question if there is light at the end of the tunnel. We might just find that light with side hustles. One of the more popular options for fighting the rising cost of living is taking on a side hustle or second job to bring in additional income. With so many remote work options available, many are turning to pursuits that can be done online, such as writing. This has led to a sudden interest in side hustles like grant writing. So, can grant writing be a profitable side hustle? GrantWriterTeam is here for it with a resounding “Yes!”
According to Salary.com, the average hourly pay rate for a grant writer in the U.S. is $35 an hour. Of course, there are experienced grant writers who would likely charge more than that. Zippia reports that the need for grant writers is expected to grow 8% between 2018-2028. If you think grant writing may be for you, there are tools and resources available online that can help you on the road to making your grant writing side hustle a success.
Grant Writing Skills
The most important skill needed to launch your grant writing career is to have strong writing skills. If you have a degree in English, Creative Writing, or a related discipline, this will be helpful. If not, it may be a good idea to brush up on your writing skills by reading books or taking online courses. Beyond being a competent writer, it’s important to note that there are other specialized skills that will help you thrive as a grant writer. Some of these include good organizational skills, creativity, and passion for the issues at hand.
Gaining Grant Writing Experience
If you don’t have previous grant writing experience, it is a good idea to find a small local business or nonprofit that will let you write a grant on their behalf for free or a reduced rate in exchange for the experience you’ll gain. You may also find a nonprofit or business that will allow you to intern in their grant writing department. That would allow you to gain experience in researching and writing grants. In order to find jobs that pay market rates, most grant-writing clients will want to see at least a few successfully funded grants under their belt.
Focusing on a ‘niche’ is also a good way to start your grant writing career. This is a specialized segment of the market or industry where you can ‘stand out’ from others in your field. If you have written successful grants for a certain category of nonprofit like ‘healthcare’ or ‘education,’ you may want to look at what kind of niche within those industries will help you give you an advantage when people are seeking out a grant writer.
Grant Writing Promotion Avenues
- GrantWriterTeam– The new GrantWriterTeam model allows writers to pay a small fee to publish their grant writer profile on the site for grant seekers to see, as well as have access to the contact information of the grant seekers who have put up a classified ad requesting a writer.
- Social Media- It makes sense to be active on multiple social media platforms. LinkedIn is popular for professional networking. It is a good idea to have profiles on other platforms as well such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. Use these accounts to promote your grant writing work and find clients.
- Personal or Business Website– Even though people find freelance jobs through boards and social media, having your own website makes gives you a more professional look and provides an internet home base. On your website, you can post details about your background and the services you offer to help the client feel more comfortable hiring you. You can use your own name or set yourself up with a business name that reflects your brand or service.
- Email List– You may want to start a newsletter. You can provide useful free downloads, tips, and/or promotional (discount) offers for your services, as well as listing your business email, which can help encourage website and social media account visitors to subscribe.
- Job Boards– These boards are another good way to find work as a grant writer. You can use one of the general job or freelance project boards.
In Conclusion
If you are considering grant writing as a side hustle, there are many online tools that can be helpful in your journey. Many are free or very reasonably priced. And remember, even if you are a pro at writing, it helps to use grammar and spell check software. There are free and paid plans available.
Another useful resource that most grant writers will find helpful is a grant search database. GrantWatch is an easy-to-use and affordable option that lists close to 8,000 currently available grants. GrantWatch has grants from private foundations, as well as local, state, and federal government agencies.
As you can see, grant writing can be a profitable side hustle and there are many tools out there to help! So, to answer the question — Can grant writing be a profitable side hustle? The answer is — it sure can!
About GrantWriterTeam
Are you a nonprofit or small business in need of some help? If you are searching for grants but are feeling overwhelmed, hiring a grant writer may be the perfect choice for you! Grant writers thoughtfully grant opportunities and consider the pros and cons of applying and the chance of success. Consider your writer an extension of your organization. They will coach you throughout the entire process and curate the project to fit your needs. Your grant-seeking success is our priority at GrantWriterTeam.
Disclaimer: There is no guarantee that grants will be awarded as a result of this information.
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