Become a Freelance Writer: The Terms You Need to Know

As you start looking for freelance writing jobs, there are certain freelance-specific terms that you're going to run across constantly. If you aren't familiar with these terms, then you're going to be at a disadvantage in the job market. Here are some common freelance writing terms and their definitions:

What is a byline?
A byline is a term for an article or piece of writing that bears the author's name (by: Jessica Elliott). If an employer says that you'll receive a byline, it means that your name will be attached to your work.

What is a ghostwriter?
A ghostwriter is a writer that does not receive a byline. Typically, if a company hires you as a ghostwriter, it means that they're going to purchase all rights to your work and use it as their own with no representation of you as the original author. There are many different types of ghostwriters. For example, some people hire ghostwriters to write their book for them. The book does not display the actual writer's name; instead, it bears the employer's name as author.

What is a keyword?
A keyword is a word or a series of words that a person is likely to type in to a search engine in order to pull up results that are relevant to what they are looking for. For example, a person looking to buy a home in Louisville, Kentucky, might type in the keyword "Louisville Mortgages" or "Louisville Real Estate."

What is SEO?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. In the freelance writing world, a SEO article writer is someone who writes keyword-rich articles that will stand out in search engine ranks. Keyword research is often a part of a SEO article writer's job.

What does telecommute mean?
Telecommute basically means work from home. If a job says that telecommuting is okay, then it means that you are not required to work on-site.

What is a grant writer?
A grant writer is a person that writes and develops grant proposals. Places that typically hire grant writers include non-profit and community-based agencies as well as universities and colleges -- in other words, organizations that rely on grant funding.

What is a screenwriter?
A screenwriter is a person who writes scripts for television, movies, etc.

What is a technical writer?
A technical writer is a person who writes about technical topics (medical, technology, math-based, etc.). A technical writer is generally someone who has experience in the field and can write detailed articles on intricate topics.

What is a content writer?
A content writer is a person that writes some form of web content. This may be the content that appears on the home page of a website, or it may simply be articles that an employer submits to an article database in order to gain page views.

What is a copywriter?
A copywriter's job ranges from article writing to pay-per-click ad writing. Sometimes a copywriter is hired to create SEO-based content for a website, and sometimes a copywriter is hired to write short, catchy ads or product descriptions. Job postings should give you some idea of the type of copywriter they're looking for, as the term is so general in nature.

What is a blog?
Blogs contain user-generated content, are typically written in journal-format, and are generally updated frequently. Blogs have recently surged in popularity and are kept by both individuals and corporations alike.

What is a blogger?
A blogger is a person who writes and maintains a blog.

What is a press release?
A press release is an announcement that is typically forwarded to news-media providers in order to promote interest and inform consumers about a company's products or services.