Making money as a freelance writer is probably one of the best ways to earn online. The problem is where to start. Well sites like Barefoot Writer claims to be able to train people to become accomplished freelance writers online. But with so many scams out there you are probably better off checking out a couple of The Barefoot Writer Club reviews to know whether it's legit. Well, we have answered that question plus a whole lot more in this tell-it-all The Barefoot Writer Club review.
What is The Barefoot Writer Club?
The Barefoot Writer Club found at Thebarefootwriter.com is a subscription-based training website and digital magazine that claims to teach people like you and I how to become skilled, professional, well-paid online writers.
Barefoot Writer Club, is owned by Paul Hollingshead and has been in business for 17 years. The company is part of the American Writers Association Inc. (AWAI).
How Does The Barefoot Writer Club Work?
As a Barefoot Writer Club member, you'll be given courses, training, resourceful material and the monthly issue of the Barefoot Writer Club digital magazine. Barefoot Writer Club claims to be able to make you an expert writer, capable of living a high-end lifestyle through writing.
But how?
Well, if you decide to become a member, they'll take you through a training program with all sorts of courses, eBooks and seminars about making it as a freelance writer.
But first, they'll give you a free ”9 Ways To Make A Very Good Living As A Writer” report. This is basically an eBook with ways of making a fortune in the freelance writing industry.
Apparently, these online courses, reading material and interviews from already established writers are all meant to make you a ”well-paid writer.”
According to the website, their team of editors will then help you earn money, which according to them, is well into the six-figure region. But nothing's free, all that comes at a cost.
How Much Does It Cost To Join Barefoot Writer Club?
At the time of this review, It costs $259 a year to become a member of the club. Once you pay the membership fee, you'll get their monthly digital magazine, and 50 past issues of the same.
You'll also be able to access their ”Private Portal”. Apparently you'll get feedback, critique and advice from experts concerning the writing work you'll be doing.
If writing for others is just not your cup of tea, you can make money taking surveys, testing products or completing simple online tasks at Swagbucks.com, Fusioncash.com or SurveyJunkie.com. If you'd like to start making real money online part time or full time, check out My Best Work At Home Recommendation.
Can I Get Paid To Write For Barefoot Writer Club?
It appears you can earn money writing for the Barefoot Writer Club. There's a contest they run where members submit articles for review by their editors.
The best article wins money, and they'll pay you via check or an online payment medium. However, nowhere have they mentioned how much they'll pay you.
What We Like About Barefoot Writer Club
It's a start for beginners
What's good with Barefoot Writer's Club you ask? It's probably a good thing if you don't know crap about freelance writing. I previewed one of the free eBooks they have and it had useful information.
Their Facebook page also has positive reviews from people who got something of value out of these resources.
The Parent Company Registers a Positive BBB
Their parent company American Writers & Artists Inc. has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau at the time of writing this review.
Barefoot Writer Club Complaints
If you've ever fallen for a scam, then you know better. That's why this section of the review is important to you. Indeed, there are a few strong red flags you should know about The Barefoot Writer Club.
The income claims are overly hyped.
The Barefoot Writer claims you can make five, six or seven figures as a freelance writer. Sure, you can but I'm not really convinced they can get you there based on some the front end stuff they offer. For instance my team downloaded their ”Discover 9 Writing Projects You Can Start On Today” ebook.
Some of the information they included is actually good, but most of it is just fluff you can get elsewhere. There's nothing in there showing how or where you'll be making this money.
Maybe this stuff is included in their expensive ass upsells and that's where they reveal how to make the 5-6 figures as they keep hyping up on their site. But since I didn't buy these upsells I can't say for sure. So that's an unknown for me.
At the end of the day my own proven way of becoming a real online entrepreneur is My Best Work At Home Recommendation. Again, a good place to start freelance writing on your own is on sites like iWriter or Upwork. If you are looking for screened freelance work to do, you might want to check out FlexJobs.com.
Tons of Upsells
Barefoot Writer Club claims to enable you make a six figure income, for just $108 a year. What they fail to mention is that once you pay the membership fee, you'll also have to buy lots of other material to reap the benefits of your membership.
Most of the Information is Basic
It seems that many members have argued that the eBooks and information that Barefoot Writer Club sells is more of fluff, than actual useful information. In fact, this information you can get from free self-help books and other places online. There's nothing new or groundbreaking you'll get.
Is Barefoot Writer Club A Scam or Legit?
Personally, I wouldn't recommend Barefoot Writer Club. Unfortunately most of the information you're purchasing isn't anything ground breaking that will lead to the type of income they claim. You end up paying for a membership only to be asked to pay an additional fee for an upsell that should have been included in the initial price.
So, I would definitely keep my shoes on if I were you. In fact, if you are looking for freelance jobs from trusted sources online, you can check out Flexjobs.com. At the end of the day, you don't have to be a trained writer to make money online. You can make money on sites like Swagbucks.com, Fusioncash.com or SurveyJunkie.com.
I make money writing on my own blog which I found to pay more than being a freelance writer. So if that interests you, check out My Top Work At Home Recommendation.
Well that's my two cents about Barefoot Writer Club. Do you have a comment or question you'd want us to know of? Chime in on the comments section below!
Until next time
Eddy ”with a Y”
Thanks for the review. It was honest, simple and an eye open. I am glad to check before investing any money. I appreciate the information you provided. Thanks for your work
You saved me but I was sceptical anyway
I would like to be a medical proofreader so if you can help me I would appreciate.
Thanks again for your fair review.
The cost of the Barefoot Writer’s magazine is $49 a YEAR, not a month.
Jt doesn’t matter when it’s not worth it, does it?!
I just bought the membership before a friend called me. I informed her that I signed up with Barefoot Writer and she suggested to me to check with BBB. By the time I saw the word “scam,” I had already paid. I am reticent to get my money back, because I am terribly shy and self conscious. I don’t know what to do exactly, please help.
Request a refund or call your credit card company to reverse the charge. That’s your only two options.
Thanks!!! I appreciate the information. I plan to check out your recommendations for writing ops.
Writing ‘junk mail’ is NOT how I want to use my writing time or talents. 🙂
Thank you very much. You saved me time and money. I get migraines especially around this time of the year and severe sinus infections which makes it very hard working in an office so working from home is definitely something that has had to become my life. It is new to me and the last thing I want to do is get scammed.
Thanks,
Tina from GA
You’re welcome Tina. I cover a lot of legit ways to make money online.
Be sure to check out my youtube channel and my work at home jobs.
This was exceedingly useful; thanks for providing alternatives as well.
Hi Jen, I’m glad you liked it.
Hello. I was just wondering if you’d looked at the website https://writers.work. It seems similar to Barefoot Writers and I don’t want to get scammed. Thanks much!!
I have never heard of it. But if it sounds similar to barefoot and you’re not a fan of it, you may want to avoid this one too.
HAPPY DANCE! Cha Cha Cha I Just SAVED 50 bucks!
THANK YOU EDDY with a Y
Teresa
Lol, you’re welcome Teresa!
Hi Eddy,
Thank you for the information about Barefoot Writers….I appreciate the other options you provided for those of us who are interested in making money in this field. So many scammers. Thanks for the heads up!
You’re very welcome Lori.
Every business is about sales and selling more courses or whatever they are selling. Why does that make it a scam?
People who think a scam equals businesses trying to sell more stuff are not made out of six figure copywriter material. People are usually scamming themselves by searching for an easy way to make money.
It takes a great deal of effort to actually built a real career in writing. The Barefoot Writer Club is not a scam, it is for people willing to invest more than just their easy wants and needs.
It just bugs me that people are to lazy or cheap to invest real effort in anything, and call legit programs they are not willing to pay for a scam.
People pay for education all the time. You still need apply for job after graduation.
Mabel,
As someone that has spent thousands of dollars on learning and building a business, I’m all for investing in one’s self. I’ve preached for years that just because something requires an investment doesn’t make it a scam. There are plenty of scams out there that don’t ask you for a dime and can be very dangerous (i.e. package forwarding).
So you’re preaching to the choir here. That said I’m very careful where I do invest my money. I want to ensure I’m getting my money’s worth. And the reality is some programs aren’t worth the money. And that’s for the person to decide this.
Thanks for the advice on Barefoot Writer’s Club. I am glad I didn’t invest money in joining and decided to check out reviews first. I appreciate your input and I will check out your recommendations!
You’re welcome Donna.
Many of us over the age of 50 (I turned 70 on my last birthday), fondly remember FAMOUS WRITERS SCHOOL (Westport, Conn.) Also FAMOUS ARTISTS, its sibling entity. Advertised in magazines, the school featured testimonials from a writer with a wonderful name – Mignon Eberhart. I was 18 living in Tucson at the time, and took the ‘Free Talent Test, mailed it back and waited in suspense. Two weeks later, I was informed via letter from Famous Writers School that I had a ‘fine gift of narrative.’ And that a representative would be visiting my home soon. He did. My father discouraged him from trying to get an eighteen year old to sign a contract. And that was that. I have been published several times over the passing years. And even returned to college in middle age, Columbia University General Studies. Nowadays, I write for the pleasure it gives me and my circle of loved ones. And yes – I am still occasionally published! Always a thrill, I grant you. My advice to aspiring writers? Enjoy the journey, write for the fun of it. But please – don’t forget to read the fine print.
I first watch a free seminars you have on line 2014 I have won many award since and that six figures income is also real .My problem however is getting my awards . I have no regrets watch the free workshop.
This review was very helpful to me. I was looking into joining the Barefoot Writers club, after reading your review I have reconsidered. The reason I am taking your advice is because you mentioned the good points of this club as well as the negative. Because you are already an experienced writer I’m taking your advice and not joining because I can learn the information elsewhere for free. Thank you!
Hey Katie,
You’re welcome. Please understand I always encourage people to invest in their learning. But it should from a good source worth paying for. Just because you can get something for free doesn’t mean it’s the right decision. So just keep that in mind. I’d rather pay for something that will help me learn quicker than sifting through tons of free stuff trying to figure out what’s good or not. So although I wouldn’t invest in the Barefoot writer club, it doesn’t mean I wouldn’t invest in other learning resources.
Thank you for this. My curiosity got the better of me when I noted the blurb after my browser search:
“The Barefoot Writer Club found at Thebarefootwriter.com is a subscription-based training website and digital magazine that claims to teach people like you and I how to become skilled, professional, well-paid online writers.”
Here’s a suggestion from a public school teacher: be mindful your use of subject and object pronouns. An easy check is to drop the compounding pronoun. For example by removing the “you” from “you and I” it is obvious which pronoun to use; “…that claims to teach people like I how to become skilled writers.”
Oh, no charge — just improving literacy. 🙂
You’re welcome. I’m good on the grammar advice. I’ve been blogging for over a decade. The lack of proper grammar and/or spelling has never stopped my success in this business. Most people appreciate my reviews and could careless if it is perfect or not. They just want to avoid being scammed. The only people that seem to care are English majors and teachers like yourself. Lol
Hey hey hey, whatever happened to paying after you learn to earn? That just doesn’t exist does it? People will be happy to pay after learning and earning I’m sure…
Eddy with a Y., I’ll do as you mentioned and keep my shoes on. Great article on the Barefoot Writer Club. People seem to fall for these type of programs with all the hype they throw in.
Sounds like your better off, just writing for yourself. Provide solid solutions for people that may have problems. Offer information as you have done here.
I like the way you offer other alternatives. You give folks an option. Your best option that you gave in our opinion was your “My Top work at home recommendation”. No barefootin for me. Thanks for the advice Eddy.
You’re welcome Ken. I definitely believe in providing options for folks. It’s everyone to decide what’s best for themselves.
This seems like a well thought out review, Eddy. I haven’t actually heard of this product but it would be great to take some kind of a course to improve my writing skills.
It’s a shame that they don’t actually tell you how this money is made or what they pay the winners. I have a hunch though that part of “making money” might be from writing for others.
The reason i say this is because you have said that they ‘TEACH YOU” how to write better so if you can write better and do it for others that might be where the money is. Moving Forward,
Wayne
Thanks for this great review about barefoot writer. I guess this seems like a good program if you want to become a better writer and have people look over your work to help you improve.
Also I’m sure after going through the training you could make somewhat good money as a writer, but like you said I don’t think it would be 6 or 7 figures.
I’d much rather write on a website I own and build a business that can work for me even when I’m sleeping.
Thank you for your honest opinion about the Bearfoot writer club. I have actually never heard about it, but it looks like one of typical products that target newbies who want to make money online.
You mentioned it is part of American Writers Association Inc (AWAI). Is it AWA or American Writers and Artists, Inc (AWAI)? AWA is a legit organization but AWAI looks like a scam… So if they are part of AWAI, it will definitely a flag sign, but if they indeed are part of AWA, then it is very sad that the program is part of such a prominent organization.
Or do they try to confuse people to look like they are “legit” by using “American Writers Association” while in fact they are part of AWAI? Hmm… if so, that trick itself looks suspicious…
Thank you for this review of barefoot writer. I found it an intriguing read and I really like the way you presented the case for and against the program. I do like to write but after reading this article I feel I would certainly not trust them with any of my work, as the payment system you pointed out was a bit vague. I also wonder with some of these sites that if you receive payment for an article does it then become their property to use as they will or do you, the writer keep copyright over the article?
You’re welcome Judy. I’m glad you found it helpful. In terms of your question it all depends on the site. I know when I have people write my articles the assumption is they are my articles especially because I usually edit them after they are provided by the writer. But that’s something you discuss with the client beforehand.
Hello Eddy with a “Y”!
I’ve signed up for similar things that seem to be a complete waste of money. I’ve always wanted to make a living as a writer and there are so many companies who sell a fake dream of that. At least, with Barefoot Writers, they give some value (ebooks and so on), but if you claim you’re going to help people make 6-figures, help people make 6 figures!
That’s my opinion.
Hey Tiffany,
I hear ya. I think it’s hard to back up the claim they can help people make 6 figures because so many things are out of their control. So they’re better off not even making that claim at all. But to each their own. Thanks for chiming in.
Thanks for the review. I looked into AWAI last year and realized that their real business was in upsells. They were always promoting the next level that you needed to invest in to make your six figure income. I think their courses are probably good, but they sure are expensive. I’d forgotten about the Barefoot Writer’s Club until I read your review.
You’re welcome Grant! Thanks for chiming in!