Help. I was just fired from Demand Studios. Is there a better way to make money writing?

Why did you get fired? I didn't even know they fired people but I suppose it makes sense.

Tina

there was like a three article probationary period for new writers, but they had me thinking I would have a chance to make a few mistakes. They didn't make it well known that it was probation. I got a few rewrite requests and one rejection. Then I got an email that said I couldnt write for them anymore even though two articles were approved.

Try the Content Authority. They don't pay as much, but they are not as strict as Demand Studios and after you write five quality articles they move you up a few tiers and you can make a little more than what most of the sites are offering.

$ 6.00 500 Words
$ 7.50 600 Words
$ 9.00 700 Words

It's not the greatest pay, but they do pay every Saturday so it might be just enough until you can find something else.

Textbroker is another one; however, they work on a rating system so if one editor gets a batch of your work and does not rate it well you will go down a level in pay per article.

The third option is to create a blog and show your portfolio. Do some marketing and promote yourself as a freelancer. I have landed a couple of steady clients that way. Good luck.

yeah I hear of a lot of writers in here who make like 1,000 from writing just one press release, I've always wondered how in the world they find those clients.

Looking forward to seeing your offer Nathan.

yeah george tell us about that.

You may try odesk.com, textbroker.com, londonbrokes.com

Hey guys,

I make a few thousand per month JUST from warrior forum...couple that with elance, guru, and basic seo for my site and, well, it pays the mortgage, the car, and my fun money. The fact is, a writing business is a BUSINESS...you have to have multiple sources of leads...deliver QUALITY content, and treat your clients like friends and encourage retention. Listen, I have several firms that order more than 100 articles per month from me...doesn't happen overnight, but there is PLENTY of work out there to be had. I wouldn't EVER join a site and write for the POSSIBILITY someone would buy my work, and believe me, I can average over $70/hour from GUARANTEED clients. ( I DID join constant content, but once I realized how they work, I never went back...)

For instance....the MINIMUM bid on elance is $50. If I bid for someone who is looking for ONE article and I win it, it is $50. That article will take me about 15-20 minutes to write. My bid takes about 3-4 minutes...if I don't win, so be it, if I do, then I have made some great money.

If you really want money from writing, stop looking at individual sites that offer pay to writers and begin making clients WANT to choose YOU as their writer. This is where the money is. Diversify with other types of content and slowly work to increase pricing. I started here at $7 and I have more than doubled that price and still get tons of work. It is a process, not an easy buck.

Mac the Knife

Macurdy you make article writing sound like a very promising job/business. Too bad I suck at writing.

Excellent advise for the thread poster

Just post your services in the 'Warriors for hire" section.

Hi all,

I've hovered around good freelance writing companies who pay well and do support writers with their earnings and career. I'm not familiar yet when it comes to their restrictions but here's for you to take a look:

Freelance writing work, freelance writers job, job for writers,essay writers,online writing jobs

They pay $16/page and I think that's good amount of income.

Sorry to hear about your misfortune, Kea. I have to agree with Macurdy. Find your own clients. You might have to start at modest prices for a few weeks, but you can work your way up. If you're short on cash, you might try posting an ad at the Warriors for Hire section here. I think it's around $20.

Just be very careful you don't offer some really low price like $5/article and then take on too much work in attempt to make as much money as you need. That's a good way to get burned out, not do good work or not be able to complete your orders on time, and damage your reputation.

Tyrone,
I checked out that 4writers.net site and found this in their FAQ: "Our orders include research paper, custom writing, dissertations, proofreading and even editing work." They might have articles, ebooks, etc., too, but who knows?

yeah i did have an ad in the warriors for hire section a while back and I did offer articles for 5 dollars and had so many orders I couldnt fill them. It wasn't good at all.

mac, do you pay for elance or do you have the free version? and have u ever tried writing for demand.

macurdy? are you there?

IMdude...what software are you using? I don't see anything...

definitely consider try doing some freelance work on elance.com

There is really good information on this thread for sure. I knew about ELance, but not about selling articles on your own site or blog with EJunkie. I will definitely go to explore Constant Content now too. Thanks!

Tons of great info here, thanks all.

I'll add a little advice for people who are considering the Elance route if I may? Actually this advice fits any of the freelance work sites. I'll give it as a series of tips.

1. My top tip is to build your reputation first, that means working a little cheaper to get a quantity of great reviews and perfect feedback scores.

2. Never fall into the trap of thinking that the client who just ordered just five content pieces is a small potato, you will be amazed how many of these people will come back to you time and time again, with an increasing size of order. I have multiple clients like this who now order several hundred content pieces per month.

3. Hire yourself an editor, this is the only way to ensure your quality will be constant, without stupid mistakes that we often overlook when checking our own work.

4. Charge a sensible price, this means that if you need to earn $100 per day to live, and you can only write 2500 words a day, you would need to charge $0.04 per word. There is no point doing the work if it does not pay what you need.

5. Set up your own website, with a contact form, and make sure that every bid you make has this link in it somewhere, so that the client has the option of contacting you directly. If you are using a freelance site which forbids links in bids, simply create a PDF with your standard samples, and a brief introduction of the service you offer, put the link into the intro section, upload this document as part of your bid process.

6. Always communicate with your clients, let them know that something is actually happening once they have selected your bid. This is especially true if you think you may be running a little tight on a deadline, most people will accommodate a short delay as long as you keep them informed. This simple tip can mean the difference between getting a good review and a bad review once the project is completed.

7. Follow up after a project is completed, ask the client if there was any area in which they feel you could have improved the content you delivered. Contact them regularly after this to inquire if they have any more work coming up.

8. Spread yourself around, use multiple sites to find work, don't put all your eggs in one basket.

I could write a dozen more but this is enough for now. I have been a full-time writer myself for 4 years now, and in the last year I have also set up a company which supplies bulk content at cheaper prices than my own personal projects, I employ 12 full time staff including a general manager and an editor, as well as 10 staff writers, we produce around 175,000 words of content per week. Trust me, there is plenty of work out there if you approach things correctly.

Most excellent advice here...

Charles-if you do 10 in 3 hours, that is about the same pace as me. You could do 30 in a day. Great money if you can GET that much work at your top price obviously.

While I do agree with Mac T Wheeler (great name by the way!) in that bidding low will increase activity, I probably side more with Charles overall...if your bid is solid, your samples are strong, then you can command top pricing fairly easily.

Good luck!

Mac the Knife

Ouch. I've actually worked for them since November - money's great but they are pretty strict.

One of the above posts mentioned londonbrokers.net. I actually worked for them for a few weeks before getting my Demand Studios job. There is a lot of work there, and as long as you use acceptable English and grammar, they don't really put up too much of a fuss.

You basically write and spin articles at Londonbrokers.net. They'll pay $2 - $7 for one article, 300-700 words, which you write once and spin twice for a total of three articles. They'll put you through several training videos so you can learn how they want it done.

Otherwise, you might try Associated Content. I've been there 3 years and worked my way up to Featured Contributor, which entitles me to three $10 monthly assignments per category, plus I usually get paid between $4 and $5 per assignment of my choice that I submit.

Hey Rikki...you are getting $4-$5 per assignment? If you can do 5 articles an hour (VERY tough) that is potentially $25...not too bad, but you CAN earn upwards of $40 per hour by bidding higher on freelance sites. Just throwing that out there...sounds like you are talented, but are working hard for low pay...:-)

Mac

wow I'm a clout 10 associated content writer. They send me applications all the time to be a featured contributor, but I didn't think it payed much. ouch.

Here is something else I had found that others may be interested in:

Find projects posted on crowdSPRING

This company basically began as a way to link creatives with people who required particular services, like LOGO design. I actually ran my own logo contest a while ago, and found that the platform was really quite interesting....allowing me to give feedback to creatives who submitted their work for consideration to win my designated awards for my project.

As of recent, though (maybe 2-3 months ago), they began hosting writing projects, as well. You can find projects about just about anything from writing a book or report and articles to naming your company for you....

I always thought it would be funny to utilize the wisdom of crowds to help pick the name for my first child. I just may try it......lol

Never settle for low paying jobs just because it seems that everyone else is. You have to be confident in your writing ability to secure the best freelance jobs. With that being said, here are a few ideas to help get you started looking for other freelance work online:

Elance

As mentioned before, Elance can be an excellent place to find new clients. Yes, there are lots of people placing low bids just to get the job, but most of them can't write their way out of a paper bag. So if you are a decent writer, you DO have a chance in this marketplace.

Be sure to place a well crafted proposal. I have found that following up via PM works wonders in many cases, since most people are just too lazy to do so. Also, as mentioned above, check out projects posted by users (potential clients) previously. This will give you a good idea of what they are willing to pay and how many projects they have awarded in the past.

Constant Content

I LOVE this marketplace! Yes, you must create and then price your content, and there is no guarantee that it will sell. However, if you are a solid writer, a good bit of what you write WILL sell, especially if you concentrate on popular topics. Be sure to check out the 'Requests' section to get some ideas on what type of content is needed.

I routinely price and sell content at $.10 or more per word here. Buyers in this marketplace WILL pay more, as they are not looking for the rehashed crap that so many 'writers' pass off as content on the Internet.


Here is a list of places where you can apply to become a writer besides Demand Studios. Average pay is $8 or more per article written:

Internet Brands

WiseGeek

Break Studios

Content Current


Here are some more specialized venues:

Sitepoint - Be sure to check for work in the marketplace here also...

Worldstart

roScripts

Auction Bytes

Developer Shed


Here are a few freelance job banks:

Craigslist - You will need to search, but this is an excellent place to find clients.

Online Writing Jobs

Genuine Jobs


The point that I am trying to make is that there are TONS of opportunities besides very low paying gigs - you just have to be willing to search for them. NEVER be afraid to compete with other writers for a gig. It is up to you to convince the client that your writing is worth more. That means having confidence in your ability.

With that being said, there is not really much you can do if your writing stinks. Writing is a craft that must be practiced in order to be mastered. If you are unwilling to put forth the time and effort, do not ever expect to be more than a menial content slave.

Sell your services yourself. Why would you need demand if you could write a kickbutt sample article and demand (pun unintended) a premium price for your articles here or elsewhere?

I've noticed a recent trend in the UK with broadsheet national newspapers (Telegraph, Financial Times) setting up their own marketplaces for outsourcing with a heavy focus on journalism and writing.

The quality requirement is very high, but you can earn £40 - £80 ($60 - $100) per article, if your topics are in demand.

JG

Doing a blog or articles does not necessarily make you a WRITER.

You may have had problems at DS because you were still getting used to the requirements. It does take time, I know. But for instance, you *can* use .com, .org, .anythingelse sites. They just need to be fairly high quality sites. Yes, they do have very specific guidelines, but once you get used to them, it’s nice because you don’t have to constantly search for clients. You always have a steady supply of work. Of course, it’s never wise to rely on one source of income.

That said, if you can make more elsewhere, go for it!

...

Y'all are making me want to try Constant Content. I signed up along time ago, but never submitted anything because I heard they'll reject an article for a single misplaced common and if you get 3 rejections, you're out. Maybe that's not correct, though. I've seen plenty of low quality stuff there, so it's hard to believe they're that picky.

Also, about journalism pay, a few years ago an experienced British journalist told me $500 (converting from L) was pretty average pay for a newspaper article. He was, however, writing for major publications and that was England, not the US.

There's some excellent advice on this thread. I'm new to IM, and have a background in traditional publishing too (hi, dark_white). Thanks for all the wonderful tips on how to break into freelancing.

I do know this about selling your writing: A writer can't turn in crap and expect people to pay for it. Crapping might take a bit of effort, but essentially, crap is free.

Words for sale must have value. If grammar isn't your thing, copy editors abound, but getting the words right, along with professionalism and intelligence, are skills not everybody can offer.

What I've observed (at least in fiction), to succeed for the long term, building your reputation and brand is absolutely crucial.

To do that, you have to write what others want to read. Sounds simple, but it's not.

Can't you not just go freelance

and bid for jobs on elance Or guru.com

Matt

i'm feeling your pain , i was layed off for 6 months and been back to work for four months and havn't recieved a pay check yet, because of back insurance preminums .
but a few years ago , i started plaining a back up plain for me and my family just for this reason , residual income is where it's at period ! learn by reading muitiple streams of(internet) income . here are few that have worked for me . have you check out pro affilite empire or pro out source your success ?

best regards
kdjohme

If you have decent writing skills and know a bit about SEO and LSI, there's absolutely no reason you can't sell your services right here on the Warrior Forum for at least $8 an article TO START. Webmasters and affiliate marketers are constantly looking for high quality, informative content.

I've been freelancing full time since 2007. I write for private clients that I've found here and through referrals, I write for Demand, and I have open accounts with several other lower paying content mills that I keep open just in case I ever need to make money quickly. I currently bring in enough to live relatively well, and we pay the mortgage and all our bills from my income.

Why in the world would you consider writing full time for $1-2 an article when you could set up a website, spend some time marketing yourself, and make better wages that most highly trained professionals? Why would you sell your writing for that little when you could set up an article marketing campaign for yourself and earn affiliate commissions?

If you're really interested in getting started as a writer and doing well, I highly recommend that you stop screwing around for pennies on Odesk, Getafreelancer, and stop working for crap wages. Learn to optimize your articles and start selling them for what they're worth. I easily earn as much as the RN's in my area, working part time from home.

If you don't know how to position yourself as a writer, look for Jenn Dize's power ghostwriting course or CDarklocks course - I think it's the .357 article method? Jenn will teach you how to set up the business, Caliban will teach you how to write articles that sell.

There's really no need to compete on price, especially when that price is ridiculously low. If you can write well, you can earn an income online. It's all about positioning yourself as a professional.

You're welcome!

If they were paying you $15 bucks per article that means they were making more money, if you know the basics of IM why won't you start your IM business and use your writing skills to drive traffic and leads to your funnel and then sell them stuff? You are going to make alot more money, this is just my two cents. Anyway, good luck.

I'm with Nathan on this one. Once you've established yourself in the industry, you can make more freelancing than you'd think - especially if you've been using sites like oDesk (which is a rant for another time and place).

Set up a website. Put your best samples on it. Set rates that provide you with a living wage. Advertise, network, and work your way up. If you're a good writer, you'll quickly rise to the top. I make three times what my husband does in his full time J.O.B., and I do it without leaving my home or my kids.

Check out Bob Bly's copywriting books. Read Christina Katz's work about selling work in print and developing a platform. For IM, check out Jenn Dize, Jason Fladlien, Caliban Darklock.

Once you've decided to look for jobs, check http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com and http://www.online-writing-jobs.com frequently. I've picked up some excellent clients from these sites, but you have to have the skills to compete, know how to write a cover letter, and know what type of rate you're shooting for.

Demand Studios is a great way to balance out your freelancing income, but it's not the only game in town. You can make just as much or more writing for private clients, promoting your work, or even writing for your own sites and building passive income.

I really wish freelance writers would stop selling themselves short.

There are a lot of great resources in this thread. This is definitely one to bookmark.

I know Demand has just opened its site to writers in Canada and the UK - not sure about the degree.

Elance is really cool. Definately try that out.

Thanks
Guni