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What would be the best way to become a freelance writer?

by aoket
11 replies
OK guys, here goes my story...

I got home last night from another day of backbreaking work, and I've decided that my body just can't take another month of this torture, especially for what I'm being paid.

I 'm building some sites as we speak, but as many you know, it takes some nurturing and growth before those sites bring me any substantial income. So... with that being said I would like to become a freelance writer and leave my labor intensive job in dust.

Just one problem though guys......... I HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO GET STARTED!

Do I sign up with elance, AC, Constant Content... who?

How do I create a portfolio?

What should I charge?

How long will it take for me to replace $500 a week income through freelancing?

I know, I know, TOTAL CONFUSION! That's the main reason of this thread, to pick the brains of you successful freelance writers out here. I'm in no way expecting to make money doing nothing, I realize I will have to WORK MY BUTT OFF!!

I simply need a few helping hands to push me in the right direction...


P.S. Mods I may have placed this in the wrong section so please forgive me if that's the case.
#freelance #writer
  • Profile picture of the author JohnSchoemann
    Go for elance. Ive been with them for 5 years
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    • Profile picture of the author aoket
      Originally Posted by JohnSchoemann View Post

      Go for elance. Ive been with them for 5 years
      John,

      What was it like when you first started? I know it may be a tad bit personal but can you give me a generic work hours/income ratio?
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  • Profile picture of the author GameVoid
    Stay away from Associated Content, Suite101, Bukisa, and all those other places. There is much better money to be had.

    Create your own website and put some of your content on it. This is just for showcasing what you can do. Put a few product review pieces up and a few "bloggy" pieces and a few information articles. Remember these are just for showcasing your talent.

    Then either go on Fiverr and take a few gigs to get some testimonials OR spend $20 on an ad in the Warriors for Hire section. Offer a few (very few) articles for free to the first few people who respond to you in exchange for testimonials. Then start doing work for other warriors.

    While all this is going on, go the library and check out "The Well Fed Writer" by Bowerman and read it in your spare time.

    But before you do any of that, you have to ask yourself one question:

    Do you love writing?

    If you are a success and you are spending 8 hours a day in your chair writing are you going to be happy? Can you deal with isolation and deadlines? Is it hard for you to go days WITHOUT writing? Or is writing just something you think might make you money?

    Cause if you don't love writing, then in 6 months you are just going to be in the same position.
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  • Profile picture of the author weblink29
    If you have the ability to write long copy sales pages (Squeeze pages) I think you could do well.

    There is a market for people who know how to write good sales copy. If you can perfect it I think you could replace your income easily.

    If you are going to write regular articles you will be competing against every other freelancer in the world capable of spitting out generic filler.

    Good sales copy writers can make a good living. I would suggest reading anything written by Dan Kennedy: dankennedy.com

    I wish I had that talent...
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    Nothing to see here folks.....move along.

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    • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
      Banned
      Originally Posted by weblink29 View Post

      If you have the ability to write long copy sales pages (Squeeze pages) I think you could do well.
      First, "long copy sales pages" are not "squeeze pages".

      A "squeeze page" is specifically a page with an incentivised opt-in and no other content. It's not at all the same as a sales page, let alone a "long copy sales page".

      Secondly, this thread has nothing to do with copywriting at all. The OP is asking for suggestions about becoming a freelance writer, not a freelance copywriter.
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      • Profile picture of the author weblink29
        Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

        First, "long copy sales pages" are not "squeeze pages".

        A "squeeze page" is specifically a page with an incentivised opt-in and no other content. It's not at all the same as a sales page, let alone a "long copy sales page".

        Secondly, this thread has nothing to do with copywriting at all. The OP is asking for suggestions about becoming a freelance writer, not a freelance copywriter.
        I was just trying to make a point about specializing the work. I pay writers $1 for 250 words - $2 for 500 words. If I'm building a website I write down the topics I need content for and my writers write the content - on any subject for that price. I've created ebooks by providing my writer with a list of topics to write 500 word articles on and created the ebook from these articles.

        Because of the internet a writer has to compete against writers from all over the world. Just look at fiverr.com or freelancer.com Marketers looking for content are going to those websites to get their articles written. As a writer you are competing against those people - unless you can do something that they can't.

        That's why I was suggesting writing sales copy. If I need content for a website I can contact any number of writers and get it created dirt cheap. If I want to create a good sales page that converts I can't use those writers. They can provide good content for websites but they don't have the skill to write content that can SELL a product.

        If a writer can find a niche (like writing sales copy) I think they would have a much better chance of succeeding. They would no longer be competing against every other person who can write general articles. They will have a special talent that people will pay more for.

        I have never been able to write. I have to pay people to do it for me. Creating a well written sales page is a nightmare for me because not only can't I do it....my writers aren't good at it either. I have to take the material they write for me and try to turn it into good sales copy myself.

        There is a market out there for people who can do this. If a writer has the ability to write good sales copy they could promote that to online marketers and probably do well for themselves in that one niche alone.

        I mention this because it's something I would pay for myself when creating certain types of websites.
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        Nothing to see here folks.....move along.

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        • Profile picture of the author Ralf Skirr
          If you want to make $500 per week, break it down:

          1. How much do you plan to charge per 100 words?
          2. How many words would you have to write then to get 500 bucks?

          If you offer what thousands on the named sites offer (cheap article writing), you'll probably have to write a lot of crap to make $500 on a weekly basis.

          If you really want to start a long term writing career, you might consider article writing as a start and move on to other formats that will usually pay better.
          • Copy writing is the best paid writing job.
          • Another way to make more money from writing is to sell PLR packages.
          • You can also consider writing real books for real publishers. Probably best to use an agent for that market.
          One more thing: 'real businesses' pay better than the typical internet marketer. It takes more to get them, but obviously the easy road (like posting an ad to this forum) will get the easier = cheaper clients.

          Just a few ideas...

          Ralf
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  • Profile picture of the author Kenwrites
    Well we are assuming you can write, so here goes...

    You can get some immediate up-front pay and some opportunity to improve your writing a small bit at places like Demand Studios, Bright Hub and WiseGeek. All of them are a bit stuctured, but they all have editors that check over your articles. The editors at Demand are kinda out there sometimes, but you can find some nuggets of wisdom. Demand pays twice a week while Bright Hub pays once a month. The average per 500 word article at Demand is $15. I did Demand for nearly three years and the first year they were my main source of income.

    Some other places to check for opportunities:
    Freelance Writing Jobs | A Freelance Writing Community and Freelance Writing Jobs Resource
    All Freelance Writing | Writers’ MarketsAll Freelance Writing
    FREELANCE CONTENT WRITING JOBS : FREELANCE WRITING JOBS for Online Content Writers
    Job Listings - JournalismJobs.com
    Freelance jobs for writers and journalists
    Freelance Job Openings : Hire a Freelancer!
    MORNING COFFEE : FREELANCE WRITING JOBS
    Freelance Writer Jobs | Simply Hired

    Then there is always picking up a few clients here at WF. Just be on top of your game, because referrals from Warriors can be golden.
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    Information on content writing sites and making money with your writing at The Freelancer Today.

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  • Profile picture of the author ahew
    Check out the Yahoo! Contributor Network. I've heard you can easily make about $150/day (but don't know the time investment). Essentially, you write a bunch of articles and submit and the money shows up in your paypal account. Like I said, I haven't done this myself, but might be worth checking out.
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  • Profile picture of the author azmanar
    Originally Posted by aoket View Post

    OK guys, here goes my story...

    I got home last night from another day of backbreaking work, and I've decided that my body just can't take another month of this torture, especially for what I'm being paid.

    I 'm building some sites as we speak, but as many you know, it takes some nurturing and growth before those sites bring me any substantial income. So... with that being said I would like to become a freelance writer and leave my labor intensive job in dust.

    Just one problem though guys......... I HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO GET STARTED!

    Do I sign up with elance, AC, Constant Content... who?

    How do I create a portfolio?

    What should I charge?

    How long will it take for me to replace $500 a week income through freelancing?

    I know, I know, TOTAL CONFUSION! That's the main reason of this thread, to pick the brains of you successful freelance writers out here. I'm in no way expecting to make money doing nothing, I realize I will have to WORK MY BUTT OFF!!

    I simply need a few helping hands to push me in the right direction...


    P.S. Mods I may have placed this in the wrong section so please forgive me if that's the case.
    Hi Aoket,

    If you want to make $500 a week immediately via Freelance Copywriting and you're fresh, you will be disappointed.

    --> read again what Ralf pointed out below <--
    If you offer what thousands on the named sites offer (cheap article writing), you'll probably have to write a lot of crap to make $500 on a weekly basis.
    I think what Ralf meant is, you can't replace your current income instantly and Freelance Writing needs to be of quality. You have to start gradually to a certain level.

    So here's my suggestion.

    Step (1) If you're fresh, start setting the STAGE:
    - build-up Multiple Income Streams passively in a couple of your own web sites ( Adsense, Amazon, Affiliate Products, CPA )
    - your web sites are YOUR PORTFOLIO for whatever skills you want to display to others - writing, design etc etc.

    Step (2) As your main aim is to make money from full-time Freelance Writing, start building-up CREDIBILITY:
    - Write at least 50 articles and submit to EZA and etc.
    - Join and write actively in Forums ( with your sig and profile to your sites )
    - Study what people want, gain some network and create some trust.
    - Learn from the best Writers - spy on their strategies and check out their works ( articles )

    Step (3) You've already set the stage and build credibility, its time to TEST & TASTE THE MARKET
    - Join eLance, Fiverr and etc.
    - Advertise in Warriors For Hire
    - Get tools ( software ) to quicken your work

    And after you've got the above done and I like it, there is a simple project for you while you're still working. There could be more.
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  • Profile picture of the author colinph970
    If you can write news articles then I am looking for writers.....check out my post at:

    http://www.warriorforum.com/wanted-m...ssignment.html
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