It is not a simple business. Freelance writing's definition is changing constantly. There are several ways of writing online, and being a freelancer - while it provides freedom - comes with several disadvantages.
This is a business that can create a steady monthly income. Most companies are owned by Russians, therefore, not all pay the same way. Some need to be threatened (have done it) to issue the payment.
Pros: relatively easy to get into, constant flow of orders in school time
Cons: you have to live with the knowledge that you might potentially help people cheat in higher education. This means that you might help more incompetent lawyers, doctors, or nurses getting a job.
2. Text broker sites
These content mills used to have hundreds of orders and you could quickly get through a lot when you needed some quick cash. However, with the requirements changing, they have gone quiet; either went out of business or stopped accepting new writers.
Pros: Fast cash and reliable payment systems
Cons: Low quality jobs, mostly SEO articles, and lack of orders recently
3. Revenue sharing sites
HubPages and Squidoo used to be good for some extra income. But they got scared of Google's updates. Therefore, you might get your content ranked higher on your free blogger blog than on these sites today. Not even enough for beer money.
Pros: You can have some real fun
Cons: Unreliable low payment
4. SEO agency work
This is the type of work that pays well. It is hard to find these jobs, as many companies have their in-house team.
Pros: Great pay and training
Cons: Not suitable for starters
5. Freelancing sites
You must have come across Freelancer, eLance, and oDesk. These sites are dedicated to connecting clients with freelancers.
Pros: Loads of jobs offered for freelance writers
Cons: Plenty of competition from 3rd World countries, which means one dollar for 500 words is the standard for clients. Companies take commission but the dispute resolution system of the sites is rubbish. Might be good for clients, but certainly not the place for aspiring writers.
Google's new authorship rules make it easier to position yourself as a writer on the market, but nothing happens overnight. You will have to constantly learn and prove yourself an expert in different styles and genres. Clients will want to see a portfolio.
There are some great free portfolio sites you can try. You just need to add links to your published work and share the sub-page. I mainly use two: http://copify.com and https://www.journoportfolio.com/.
You can check out my portfolio at: http://laurafarkas.skyword.com/
Further, you need to add sites you write for to your Google Plus account to set up your authorship.
You might want to look around on sites like
Types of freelance writing businesses I have looked into and considered before:
1. Academic writingPros: relatively easy to get into, constant flow of orders in school time
Cons: you have to live with the knowledge that you might potentially help people cheat in higher education. This means that you might help more incompetent lawyers, doctors, or nurses getting a job.
2. Text broker sites
These content mills used to have hundreds of orders and you could quickly get through a lot when you needed some quick cash. However, with the requirements changing, they have gone quiet; either went out of business or stopped accepting new writers.
Pros: Fast cash and reliable payment systems
Cons: Low quality jobs, mostly SEO articles, and lack of orders recently
3. Revenue sharing sites
HubPages and Squidoo used to be good for some extra income. But they got scared of Google's updates. Therefore, you might get your content ranked higher on your free blogger blog than on these sites today. Not even enough for beer money.
Pros: You can have some real fun
Cons: Unreliable low payment
4. SEO agency work
This is the type of work that pays well. It is hard to find these jobs, as many companies have their in-house team.
Pros: Great pay and training
Cons: Not suitable for starters
5. Freelancing sites
You must have come across Freelancer, eLance, and oDesk. These sites are dedicated to connecting clients with freelancers.
Pros: Loads of jobs offered for freelance writers
Cons: Plenty of competition from 3rd World countries, which means one dollar for 500 words is the standard for clients. Companies take commission but the dispute resolution system of the sites is rubbish. Might be good for clients, but certainly not the place for aspiring writers.
So how do you get started?
"Being a nobody who wants to become somebody" - this is the status of all freelance writers who are planning to break into the market. A market that is highly competitive and unfair. Without a name, it is hard. But if you don't make it through, you will never get a name in the industry.Google's new authorship rules make it easier to position yourself as a writer on the market, but nothing happens overnight. You will have to constantly learn and prove yourself an expert in different styles and genres. Clients will want to see a portfolio.
There are some great free portfolio sites you can try. You just need to add links to your published work and share the sub-page. I mainly use two: http://copify.com and https://www.journoportfolio.com/.
You can check out my portfolio at: http://laurafarkas.skyword.com/
Further, you need to add sites you write for to your Google Plus account to set up your authorship.
You might want to look around on sites like
http://www.mediabistro.com/copywriter-jobs.html
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