17 replies
Hi everyone! I recently just started my life as a freelance writer and editor. The good news is I have no clue what I am doing. I have a large background in English, have been passionate about writing since I was a kid, and have decided this is my time to chase a dream working from home as a writer.

If it is at all possible, can you give me some starting out advice on how to get some money coming in? I have been on Problogger and Blogging Pro with no luck. I'm happy to start by writing anything!

Thoughts for a beginner?

Thank you in advance all!
  • Profile picture of the author lastbastion
    I would advice opening an account on Fiverr if you want quick money or Elance or oDesk for bigger projects.
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    • Profile picture of the author justinwelty
      Thank you, I have been trying oDesk, but they keep denying my profile. It has been an ordeal.
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      • Profile picture of the author GeorgeClicxy
        Did they state any reason for denying your membership at oDesk?
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        • Profile picture of the author justinwelty
          Originally Posted by GeorgeClicxy View Post

          Did they state any reason for denying your membership at oDesk?
          First problem was linking to my outside site, it has since been removed, and then they didn't like my profile picture, which is a normal headshot...

          Now they say my profile is not descriptive enough. I got that message today, and have yet to fix that one.
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      • Profile picture of the author Jennifer Hutson
        Originally Posted by justinwelty View Post

        Thank you, I have been trying oDesk, but they keep denying my profile. It has been an ordeal.
        I've been working on oDesk for years. I've developed enough regular clients now that I don't use it nearly as much, but I'm still very familiar with it.

        The only reason you should get a profile denial is mismatching information between your profile and ID, or an improperly scanned ID that is not legible. Does your profile info match your license?
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  • Profile picture of the author agmccall
    Originally Posted by justinwelty View Post

    Hi everyone! I recently just started my life as a freelance writer and editor. The good news is I have no clue what I am doing.
    Do you mean you have no clue on how to edit or write, or no clue on how to market yourself??

    Start small, maybe run a classified ad here and do some small jobs in exchange for reviews, then use the reviews on a paid ad. I am not a freelancer but this would be my approach

    al
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    • Profile picture of the author justinwelty
      Originally Posted by agmccall View Post

      Do you mean you have no clue on how to edit or write, or no clue on how to market yourself??

      Start small, maybe run a classified ad here and do some small jobs in exchange for reviews, then use the reviews on a paid ad. I am not a freelancer but this would be my approach

      al
      I feel very confidant in my writing skills, I find that I am overwhelmed with where to get started outside of creating a blog as a portfolio, which I did.

      Now, I don't really know where the next step should be.
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  • Profile picture of the author discrat
    Originally Posted by justinwelty View Post

    Hi everyone! I recently just started my life as a freelance writer and editor. The good news is I have no clue what I am doing. I have a large background in English, have been passionate about writing since I was a kid, and have decided this is my time to chase a dream working from home as a writer.

    If it is at all possible, can you give me some starting out advice on how to get some money coming in? I have been on Problogger and Blogging Pro with no luck. I'm happy to start by writing anything!

    Thoughts for a beginner?

    Thank you in advance all!
    Hello Justin,
    After awhile you can do things like putting a Sig with a link to offer your services. There is always room to make money if you are a decent writer


    - Robert Andrew
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  • Profile picture of the author DWaters
    Along with getting some writing gigs via fiverr and Odesk (hopefully) you should definitely be writing your own blog, write about what you like and know about. You may want to have more that one blog, each on specific niches/topics. One other idea is to write some kindle books.
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    • Profile picture of the author justinwelty
      I think, fingers crossed, that I may have worked out the oDesk kinks! Hopefully I will be able to get some experience there soon! I have yet to hear of Fiverr, but will be giving it a look today!

      Thanks everyone for the help so far!
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      • Profile picture of the author Steve B
        Justin,

        I think it's smart to specialize to a certain extent. As you know, there are many genres and types of writers. So maybe you're good at, or experienced in technical writing, or news writing, or copy writing (for marketing), of non-fiction, or . . . ?

        By specializing, you will know the types of writing jobs to go after, and over time, people will come to you as the expert in a particular style.

        Here's just one example . . . there are lots of people that want to put out a press release, but don't know how to write a good release. Maybe you specialize in doing press releases.

        Or maybe you get good at writing sales letters. How many marketers need a compelling sales letter? (I can tell you it's a much-needed service)

        Get good at something that you enjoy doing and then focus on that corner of the market. The Internet is huge and there will be plenty of people in your prospect and client "pool" in any particular niche.

        When you try to be a generalist ("everything to everybody") you end up not appealing to anyone. If I wanted to hire someone to write a fiction love story for me, would I look for a generalist? No, I would look for someone experienced and advertising himself as an authority in the niche.

        So choose what you want to be and go after it. Your marketing is so much easier and more focused if you specialize in something. (Go after a targeted niche instead of the whole "writing" market.)

        The very best to you,

        Steve
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        • Profile picture of the author justinwelty
          Thanks Steve, I have been thinking about that as well. Just not sure what exactly I should specialize in yet.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brent Stangel
    You can post here Warriors For Hire.

    Please don't go the "Fiverr" route.

    If you are a good writer, don't sell yourself short just to get some money coming in.
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    • Profile picture of the author justinwelty
      Originally Posted by Brent Stangel View Post

      You can post here Warriors For Hire.

      Please don't go the "Fiverr" route.

      If you are a good writer, don't sell yourself short just to get some money coming in.
      Thanks Brent Stangel I will check out that thread!
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  • Profile picture of the author Ian McMullan
    Originally Posted by justinwelty View Post

    Hi everyone! I recently just started my life as a freelance writer and editor. The good news is I have no clue what I am doing. I have a large background in English, have been passionate about writing since I was a kid, and have decided this is my time to chase a dream working from home as a writer.

    If it is at all possible, can you give me some starting out advice on how to get some money coming in? I have been on Problogger and Blogging Pro with no luck. I'm happy to start by writing anything!

    Thoughts for a beginner?

    Thank you in advance all!
    Hi there
    Like some above have already mentioned you would be best start with Fiverr. You have less hoops to jump through and can be up and running quickly.

    Also the Warrior for Hire section would be good although others could advise you better on this as I have no direct experience with it.

    If I were you and if you actually enjoy writing ( I don't personally) I would write a kindle ebook. There is a whole section on this Forum dedicated to Kindle stuff and many have had huge success.

    Wishing you well whatever you decide

    Cheers
    Ian
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    • Profile picture of the author justinwelty
      Originally Posted by Ian McMullan View Post

      Hi there
      Like some above have already mentioned you would be best start with Fiverr. You have less hoops to jump through and can be up and running quickly.

      Also the Warrior for Hire section would be good although others could advise you better on this as I have no direct experience with it.

      If I were you and if you actually enjoy writing ( I don't personally) I would write a kindle ebook. There is a whole section on this Forum dedicated to Kindle stuff and many have had huge success.

      Wishing you well whatever you decide

      Cheers
      Ian
      Ian, I will check out the kindle section. That does make some sense to me!
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      • Profile picture of the author justinwelty
        Anybody have any advice on the premium Warrior Membership here?
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