How do GOOD WRITERS get paid GOOD MONEY?

by Wax
49 replies
Hey,

I have someone I know who is an excellent writer. She has an English major, writes for the local paper, just a good writer in general.

The problem is, on the majority of these freelance sites, she is competing with Indian writers who will write for $2 an article. Since she has no industry references or any sort of reputation online ANYWHERE, it's difficult to let people know you are a good writer.

Is there anywhere she can post her services for a good writer and get a decent rate? She is not interested in $2/400 words, because obviously that's not enough at all for her skills and time. It's probably necessary she starts off as that, but are there any freelance site/forums where people are only looking for real, quality content and not junk that has basic SEO properties? If she starts writing for people who want crap, the rate will never go up because they simply don't need better content.

BTW: I know about AC, constantcontent, etc. but those pay very low as well - basically just companies looking to rank for keywords instead of individuals.

Thanks for any help you can give on this subject.

Wax
#good #money #paid #writers
  • Profile picture of the author Matt Morgan
    Originally Posted by Wax View Post

    Hey,

    I have someone I know who is an excellent writer. She has an English major, writes for the local paper, just a good writer in general.

    The problem is, on the majority of these freelance sites, she is competing with Indian writers who will write for $2 an article. Since she has no industry references or any sort of reputation online ANYWHERE, it's difficult to let people know you are a good writer.

    Is there anywhere she can post her services for a good writer and get a decent rate? She is not interested in $2/400 words, because obviously that's not enough at all for her skills and time. It's probably necessary she starts off as that, but are there any freelance site/forums where people are only looking for real, quality content and not junk that has basic SEO properties? If she starts writing for people who want crap, the rate will never go up because they simply don't need better content.

    BTW: I know about AC, constantcontent, etc. but those pay very low as well - basically just companies looking to rank for keywords instead of individuals.

    Thanks for any help you can give on this subject.

    Wax
    I wouldn't really consider Indian writers as a 'threat' as some of these writers grammar and English needs some improvement.

    She can post her service on the Warriors for hire section perhaps?

    Odesk, she can put up her CV and state that she is a quality writer who doesnt go below $x amount per 100 words
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    • Profile picture of the author Angela V. Edwards
      Originally Posted by Matt Morgan View Post

      I wouldn't really consider Indian writers as a 'threat' as some of these writers grammar and English needs some improvement.

      She can post her service on the Warriors for hire section perhaps?

      Odesk, she can put up her CV and state that she is a quality writer who doesnt go below amount per 100 words
      Has she tried signing up as a Ghostwriter for a major publishing company? That might be a resource she can use to make some real money for her writing skills. Many famous people don't write their own books and such.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tina Golden
    It depends on her definition of good money, of course, and how well she writes. Writing offline is not the same as writing web content and not everyone gets that. Plus, just being an English major doesn't mean she can write well, either.

    I'm assuming that she probably can, however. So she should start by charging at least middle of the pack rates but it depends on what she needs to get to make it worth her while.

    If she wants to work with marketers, tell her to join here and post a Warrior for Hire ad. But, offer x number of people a super deal for a $5 article if they are willing to give their honest feedback in the thread. Or she could offer a few free articles for reviews but I'd recommend she hold out for better known members - brand new members won't be very convincing.

    Tell her that the $2 writers are NOT her competition. If you want better rates than those people than you do not fish in the same pond. You go after a different market.

    Tina
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  • Profile picture of the author Mac Wheeler
    Originally Posted by Wax View Post

    Hey,

    I have someone I know who is an excellent writer. She has an English major, writes for the local paper, just a good writer in general.

    The problem is, on the majority of these freelance sites, she is competing with Indian writers who will write for $2 an article. Since she has no industry references or any sort of reputation online ANYWHERE, it's difficult to let people know you are a good writer.

    I'll pay her $6.25 per 500 word article, and I have work for her every day, get her to email me at mac.wheeler@gmail.com
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  • She needs to build a reputation first, just like everyone else, unless she knows someone through that old adage 'It's not what you know -- it's WHO you know'.

    Tina is right -- just because she is an English major does not mean she writes well. It means she read a bunch of books and may have analyzed and critiqued them, but it does not necessarily mean she could say be a journalist, an IT writer, etc, etc.

    I also agree to a certain extent that the $2 are not her market. Initially, I she should take a few lower paid jobs (not article rewriting though) -- so she can establish a reputation and feed herself at the same time. Afterwards, providing she does quality work -- her 'work' will speak for itself and she can go after the bigger fish.

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  • Profile picture of the author David Jackson
    Originally Posted by Wax View Post

    I have someone I know who is an excellent writer. She has an English major, writes for the local paper, just a good writer in general.

    The problem is, on the majority of these freelance sites, she is competing with Indian writers who will write for $2 an article.
    It's not just Indian writers who will write articles for $2. There are plenty of American writers right here who will work just as cheaply. To get her foot in the door and build up her credibility, try sites like Elance or Guru.com.

    Once she has some solid testimonials under her belt, She should start her own writing service.

    David Jackson
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    • Profile picture of the author Andrew G Gowans
      Originally Posted by David Jackson View Post

      It's not just Indian writers who will write articles for $2. There are plenty of American writers right here who will work just as cheaply. To get her foot in the door and build up her credibility, try sites like Elance or Guru.com.

      Once she has some solid testimonials under her belt, She should start her own writing service.

      David Jackson
      Excellent replies and solid advice. I've highlighted David's because that is path I took including posting a "warrior for hire" ad. Over time I have happily built up a solid base of repeat customers worldwide many of whom are other warriors. I will always be grateful to fellow warriors for helping me to grow my business.

      Over deliver on quality and the testimonials will undoubtedly come. Although my early prices were competitive I know that the testimonials were a huge plus in bringing in new customers.

      As David also suggests I have set up my own writing service through which I can command higher prices which allows me to continue to offer warriors discounted prices.

      Andrew G.
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  • Profile picture of the author BrainCopy
    I would suggest you write for your local newspaper and local magazines. Even do a few for free to build up your resume. There are a bunch of small magazines that are out there, that use freelancers. As a matter of fact, I think all magazine companies use freelancers. They usually pay about $200 - $300 For a column if I'm not mistaken.

    Best Regards,
    Anthony
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  • Profile picture of the author samstephens
    Tell her that the $2 writers are NOT her competition. If you want better rates than those people than you do not fish in the same pond. You go after a different market.
    Brilliantly said!

    The programming industry has the same issue.

    Remember that it's about finding the right client. Not all clients can tell the difference between badly written article, and a quality article. Unless the client has a good grasp of language themselves, they simply may not see the money's worth in the better written article.

    Or some people have made the business decision to get lower quality articles for a cheaper price. This can be a valid business model, as long as you know what you're getting.

    It's about finding the right client. And use the refusal to compete with the lower end of the market as her strength. There ARE people around that are begging for quality work.

    cheers
    Sam
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  • Profile picture of the author RaquelleMVP
    Well, she should look to write articles in article directories for free, using her name - or a name closely associated to her name, and use that as a basic portfolio. Surfing Craigslist or Backpages in her local area should also turn up people who are looking for quality writers.

    Demand and Break Studios also have a semi-decent starting rate, depending on how fast she can write. Otherwise, she might have to bite the bullet. Is she looking to write for internet marketers and other services only, or as a career passion?
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  • Profile picture of the author DPM70
    "Good writing is not valued on the net." I think Ken said it well. If she writes for her local paper, she should be looking to use that as a springboard into better avenues.

    There is a massive mismatch between pay/quality/time in online business as compared to IRL.

    I would always suggest in a scenario like this, that she could write her own good content to help rank *her own* websites as a sideline to her offline work. Perhaps, as this develops, she could end up where she wants to be without being paid peanuts for her talent. When you get something going online for yourself and you have put in all the hard work it can be very rewarding.
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  • Profile picture of the author Wax
    Thanks for all of the suggestions guys, I will forward this thread to her.
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    • Profile picture of the author genietoast
      I recommend two sites for her:

      A blog called freelancehomewriter.blogspot.com by Willow Sidhe. She reviews all types of content sites you can get paid to write for both residual ad revenue as well as upfront payment, i.e. $10 - $75 for an article.

      The second site I recommend Constant Content. Here she can show case articles and sell them for her own price. Constant Content will do the marketing.

      If she is thinking about getting into a content writing business, she may want to check out Yuwanda Black's site called Inkwell Editorial. Yuwanda has been an editor and publisher for close to thirty years, so from the print standpoint, she and your friend can talk on the same level. But Yuwanda also has experience writing SEO content for companies.
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      • Profile picture of the author AndrewCavanagh
        The reality is that it's quite difficult to get paid great money selling articles.

        You can make a living doing it and there certainly are magazines and other sources that will pay hundreds even thousands of dollars per article.

        The problem is the groundwork you have to do to get one of those assignments eats up a lot of the return you get from the higher fee.


        My best suggestion if someone really is a good writer would be to become a direct response copywriter (writing sales letters, reports and websites that generate real sales).

        Most good writers can be making a great income with low hours of work within 6-24 months of entering this field.


        My second suggestion might be ghostwriting for marketers who have substantial lists.

        For example creating reports and other information products for highly skilled marketers.


        Regardless of what you do if you want to make serious money as a writer you need to put yourself in a situation where the service your selling has exceptional value to the person you're providing it to.

        The more value you provide the more you can charge.

        Kindest regards,
        Andrew Cavanagh
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      • Profile picture of the author Richnana
        Constant Content pays well for articles... No 2.00 or 6.25 for 400 words. The alternative is to pick niches and write 10 -20 articles for the niche and charge for the packages each month.. like a membership site?
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  • Profile picture of the author David Jackson
    Originally Posted by Ken_Caudill View Post

    Good writing is not valued on the net.
    Writing sales copy is the most lucrative writing gig on the net.
    I don't agree good writing isn't valued on the Internet, because it really depends on the audience you're targeting. I do agree, however, writing sales copy is the most lucrative writing gig on the net. In fact, nothing else even comes close!

    David Jackson
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    • Profile picture of the author Robert Domino
      Originally Posted by David Jackson View Post

      I don't agree good writing isn't valued on the Internet, because it really depends on the audience you're targeting. I do agree, however, writing sales copy is the most lucrative writing gig on the net. In fact, nothing else even comes close!

      David Jackson
      Couldn't agree more.

      I'm currently editing a solid ebook about freelancing online and this is one of the main points: you're not competing against indians. On price, they will ALWAYS beat you.

      How many people here outsource to indians? For one good writer, there are a hundred crappy ones. One time, I ordered from a guy who's samples were decent. The actual end product was so crappy I had to personally rewrite 90% of it.

      Heck, I hired someone for an ebook on Elance last month. The person has over 100k earnings in the last year, yet it was so bland that the price point for that work would be in the 10s.. at best. Again, had to rewrite about 80%. She had ZERO copywriting skills and I am convinced the refund rate would have been through the roof.

      My point is that there is a ton of room for quality writers. I would hire your friend for way more than indian-wages if she actually delivers quality content.

      Sure, there are people that go for cheap. For something like EZA articles you don't need to have masterpiece writing so you can underpay. But I'm sure I'm not the only one at all that got "burnt" on foreign writers and is willing to pay.
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris Worner
    Unfortunately, how much a writer makes per article is determined by the market, with so many people looking to do everything cheap as possible, it can sometimes make it difficult to get paid anything decent.

    The problem is a lot of really good writers undervalue themselves and are perfectly happy to accept slave labor wages, unless they have their own outsourcing team.

    Chris
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  • How about writing an article or report about 'writing" or 'what to look for in a freelance writer' ? This can serve a sample body of work for prospective clients to view. If the quality is high enough it will be easier to demand higher prices.
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  • Profile picture of the author bhuff85
    Definitely agree that writing sales copy is a very lucrative opportunity online. I've know that some of the top writers for certain Clickbank products that bring in sales in the 6 figures easily get paid from $10k on up to write those letters.

    I've always wanted to get into writing sales copy, but I just never have had the time to devote to building that up as a business, but I do plan on working my way into it someday.
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  • Profile picture of the author Colin Palfrey
    The problem with taking advice from people that aren't writers, is they don't know jack about writing for a living!!

    It is very simple to earn a living as a writer, and taking $2 an article is a joke. First of all you don't start charging $2 and hope to move up. The customer base you build can only support the amount you pay, so start at the price you wish to continue at.

    Write quality stuff, this is where you can stand out from the cheap $2 writers, as they simply won't have the time at the prices they charge. Always give your best, and price yourself at what you are worth. It may take time to get that first order, but once you are done, word will quickly spread. If you start at $2 you will stay there, same applies if you start at $5 or $20. The market you go out looking for is the one you will find.

    Do not believe that the people looking for crap SEO backlink articles are the norm. They are the easiest to find and especially on marketing forums, but not the average customer.

    Pass that lot on to her, and if its a bit rough I am tired LOL!

    Regards,
    Colin Palfrey
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    • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
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      • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
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    • Profile picture of the author Ian Jackson
      Originally Posted by Chris Kent View Post

      I disagree with this. In fact, you don't start out in the market charging $50 per article and expect to get any sales.

      I suggest she starts at $5 per article. She'll get enough work and be able to get a big set of solid testimonials. These will sell her services better than even samples could do.

      Later, she can increase her price. Too bad if her old customers don't like it. She'll have loads of new ones at the new price thanks to the testimonials.
      I agree with Chris. Professionals in any walk of life don't start out straight at the top and continue, levelling at that point. Although many so-called "professionals" seem to think that they have the right to - and piss everyone off with their attitude - this is widespread in the motor sport engineering industry I'm in, in my day job.

      The best ones serve (or should serve) some kind of apprenticeship or training first - they start out on bottom rung of the ladder, learn their craft, and IF they apply their newly acquired skills peoperly, then rise higher, through the ranks and charge more for their services accordingly.
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  • Profile picture of the author George Wright
    Forget about article writing.

    Tell her to write ebooks.

    She can easily get $1,000 for a well written/illustrated 2,000 word ebook. With only 2k words some would call it a eReport.

    Anyway 2,000 words is the equivelant of only 5 - 400 word articles. A day of research or better yet, writing about what she already knows (providing there is a market for what she knows) can produce a $1,000 product easily, for a good writer.

    George Wright
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  • Profile picture of the author ivanadee
    make PLR package and sell it.
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    • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
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      • Profile picture of the author Andy Fletcher
        Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

        Marketers thinking of article marketing as "a way to bring in quick sales" sometimes look askance at higher prices. Those thinking in terms of "building a real business", and specifically in terms of ensuring gradual, widespread re-publication of their work in front of targeted audiences, so that others are effectively doing some of their off-page SEO for them, understand the potential value of better quality work. I strongly suspect that the reason one doesn't see such services widely advertised is that the people providing them are fully booked up with returning clients, and not really looking for new ones. Which is encouraging news, anyway, for people like your friend.
        Not only are they booked up constantly the number of people providing such services are few and far between.

        It's ridiculously easy to jump into the $2 an article game using one of the many freelancing sites out there but to establish your credentials as someone who can actually write well researched, effective content. That's a lot harder.

        What's the difference between a sales letter and a long article ... several thousand dollars if you want it done right.

        Anyone can throw words on a page, but choosing the right ones and arranging them to convey the meaning you want is very difficult.
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  • Profile picture of the author MassiveMarketer
    If she really wants to work on freelance sites, she has to start somewhere. If she is good, definitely she'll get the rate she wants in no time. She could try oDesk or Elance. Those are a few sites that pays well but she may have to start low and earn employer's trust by giving quality work
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    • Profile picture of the author katied772
      Definitely check out Demand Studios. I am a freelancer doing mostly private client work. I started writing for Demand at the beginning of the year and love it. It is extremely flexible; you can work whenever you want and do as much or as little as you want. If I'm working on an assignment for a client, I simply do less work for Demand during that time. Many Demand writers do it full-time and average 10-20 articles a day. The pay is $15.00 for regular 400-500 word articles on a wide variety of subjects, such as animals, gardening, home improvement, computers, etc. I also write for Livestrong which is part of Demand. It pays 25.00-30.00 for a 400-500 word article. These are mostly health and fitness related and you need either a health related degree or experience writing on health topics. The writing is closely edited for spelling, grammar and accuracy, which I think is a good thing. Makes us produce better content. Good luck to your friend. Kate

      Another thing I wanted to point out is if she works for Demand she'll have a wide range of articles she has done that she can point her potential clients to.
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      • Profile picture of the author SMS
        Copywriting and creating one's own products are probably the most lucrative business models for anyone who wants to earn money online from writing.

        I don't why, but it looks like most ghostwriters overlook product creation. I think that's a shame.

        People like Brian McElroy and Jason Fladlien started out ghostwriting, and today they are celebrated Product Creators. I also did a stint of ghostwriting.

        If your friend ever decides to use her (superior) writing skills to create her own products, she will stand head and shoulders above her competition.

        The one downside of product creation is that she'll need to spend time studying and mastering a lucrative niche. And she shouldn't listen to those that will tell her certain niches are too competitive.

        Cream will always rise to the top, and she will discover to her pleasant surprise that the so called competition has very little to offer in terms of quality.

        Good luck to her.

        EDIT: Also see this from Alexa above:

        (I started at about $25 per article, and was rapidly turning people away, by the time I'd realised that in the long run it worked out very much better paid doing some affiliate marketing and writing them for my myself rather than for others.)

        BINGO!

        By all means, she can start out ghsotwriting (even at low rates - I did), but as soon as she figures out a niche, she should certainly turn her hands to using her writing skills to earn money for herself.
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  • Profile picture of the author E. Brian Rose
    The mere fact that you are a good writer does not mean that the offers for your work will come flying in. Smart writers are constantly marketing themselves by sending sample works to magazines and newspapers. It is an ongoing process.

    If your friend really is a good writer, then why is she messing around trying to get bloggers and article marketers to buy her services? She should be concentrating her efforts on larger publishing companies. There are thousands of them that pay good writers good money.

    Tell her to do some Googling to find the best ways to approach editors. The downside is that by doing this, many people that think they are good writers quickly find out that they aren't so good after all.
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    • Profile picture of the author Loren Woirhaye
      "Real" offline-type businesses (and some online, but not,
      generally, affiliate marketers) have a need for writing
      that makes them look like quality, detail-oriented
      businesses... not, ahem, sub-literate idiots.

      That's a market that has a need for good writing. The affiliate
      marketers who just want to throw up a lot of blogs and
      articles are not it. They have a different objective and
      in many cases, the extra cost of higher-quality writing
      is not something they'll perceive as being worth the
      investment - because all they want is grist for the
      search engines.

      Of course some local and "real" businesses are under the
      impression too that somehow throwing a lot of cheap
      content on the web will get them more customers,
      but the people doing the marketing for these sorts
      of businesses tend to have an ignorance problem and
      are often looking to exploit any writers sucker enough
      to fall for it.

      Quality content makes a quality business or website
      appear to be quality oriented - that is where the need
      is for good freelance commercial writing... not among
      the people who only care about quality if it's $1.50
      more per article to get somebody who can really write,
      putting the price up from $5.00 to $6.50. She's better
      off working as a barrista and talking to the customers
      who come in - networking with them to get writing
      jobs that pay better than slave wages.
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      • Profile picture of the author mcmahanusa
        This is a fascinating thread, and I find it interesting to find well thought-out opposing points of view. I assume, without evidence to the contrary, that each person is presenting his/her point of view based on actual experience.

        My own personal writing experience is strictly offline, so I don't have a positive recommendation to offer, but rather a question (because it applies to what I am considering): Would she be on the right track if she were to write a non-fiction book and not only sell it from her own website but through Amazon as well? I have read other threads on the Amazon marketplace, and it seems to be a viable direction in which to go.

        I would enjoy reading your responses on this.
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    • Profile picture of the author marciayudkin
      you don't start out in the market charging $50 per article and expect to get any sales.
      Please remember that the whole world does not see things the way those on the Warrior Forum do.

      Outside of Internet marketing circles, most businesspeople have no idea that you can get an article written for less than $50. They also wouldn't have a clue how to outsource this kind of work to people in India, and they wouldn't expect the quality from doing that to be acceptable.

      I suggest your friend pitch herself at $200 - $400 per article OFFLINE to busy experts who need high-quality articles for their own web site and for article directories.

      If your friend can write magazine-quality work (as I do), she can get magazine-quality rates.

      She may need to network locally to get her first client, but from what I know (and have been paid myself), this is entirely feasible.

      I got my start more than 25 years ago earning $100 - $300 per article. At today's dollar value, I imagine that would be $300 - $900 per article.

      Marcia Yudkin
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    • Profile picture of the author DougHughes
      Originally Posted by E. Brian Rose View Post


      If your friend really is a good writer, then why is she messing around trying to get bloggers and article marketers to buy her services? She should be concentrating her efforts on larger publishing companies. There are thousands of them that pay good writers good money.
      Definitely. There are plenty of publications that will pay a few hundred dollars per article.

      Plenty of people here in Los Angeles are making .50/word. Some friends who write pr for the entertainment industry are making $1.00/word for press releases.

      The money is out there but I would say look to legitimate businesses.

      Other options are corporate communications, trade journals, reports, etc...

      Get away from places like Warrior Forum, Blogs, Odesk, Elance, go where money is.
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  • Profile picture of the author sodette1
    Your original question was "How to Good Writers Get Paid Good Money?"

    And, while there is some solid advice in this thread, I think the answer to the question might be a little different than what most here are saying... not that anyone is wrong, just that, to me, the real answer isn't seen until you step back a little and view this from OUTSIDE of your writers desk.

    The answer to your OP question "How to Good Writers Get Paid Good Money?" is...

    The same answer to the question "How do I make good money as an artist?" or "How do I make money as a singer?" or "How do I make money online?"... "...in my dry cleaning business?", "...mowing lawns?", "...as a call girl?" etc.

    Learn how to market.

    Most people don't know that funny little cliche' statistic about Van Gogh - that he only sold one of his paintings during his lifetime. One.

    I'm not positive that is true - it might just be an urban legend. But I bet it's pretty close to the facts personally.

    Picasso, on the other hand, sold and sold and sold during his lifetime. The man was a machine and his art changed history and the perception of what art was - is - even today.

    What was the difference between Van Gogh and Picasso?

    Was Picasso really a better artist?

    Study these two men and the most glaring difference between them slaps you in the face like Southern Debutant when you stick your tongue in her mouth with that first kiss.

    Picasso was a marketer - maybe even a better marketer than he was a painter.

    How many genious artists and writers are never discovered? Sitting in their homes or apartments (or in the artist's case, under the bridge in their "suffering years as starving artists" which of course as everyone knows, all artists HAVE to experience, uhm, yeah, right. Not.) pining away, never to be recognized or found.

    The best way to make good money at anything is to take it serious enough to learn how to market it... and if you don't want to do that yourself, then find a marketer and pay them to do it for you.

    If you don't want to do that - then fine, charge $2.00 an article. Just don't complain about it. Deal?

    Define what makes your offer unique, special, valuable... YOU put a value on it... YOU price it... sell that value and price... market the hell out of it.

    I've seen great art sold for virtually nothing because the artist just couldn't figure out how to sell her art for more. She didn't respect her art enough to learn how to help her audience respect it.

    I've also seen total rubish positioned as brilliant artistic statements sell for thousands. A couple of years ago a guy in Japan purchased a cow in an aquarium full of fermaldahide for millions - tell me, do you think that there might have been some marketing going on? Think someone might have convinced the guy a cow in a perpetual chemical bath staring at him everytime he walked in his office building was a good thing?

    Marketing.

    That's the problem I see with writers too... you spend so much time trying to compete for $.02 a word and talking about how little others value what you do, but you should be starting a thread where you discuss how you can position yourselves better or break away from the herd.

    You should be talking about marketing yourself and your services. Like the gal in the OP, she obviously knows how to write already - so what? Can she use that to offer value to her clients or will she use that to write 500 word articles for them?

    Also, I'd like to see some article writers or other writers step up to the plate with a better message - more value - different USP - competing on something other than a price per article of $5 or even $20.

    Want more money? Learn marketing.

    The market will pay the market price for a writer... for an article.

    However, how much would a potential client pay for 100 new, qualified, revenously ready to purchase BUYERS - pulled into her business - from 10 magic-money articles written in a very proprietary way and submitted to a private list that only you know about in that clients niche?

    Still 10 articles... difference is both in positioning and in promise. You're not selling articles anymore, you are selling 100 new POTENTIAL buyers for her product or service.

    Okay... I'm done with my little rant.

    It just breaks my heart to see so much talent go un-appreciated. It also makes me sad to see so many talented people holding themselves down to mediocrity because they either don't care enough about their clients to learn how to deliver real value and huge results or they don't know any better.

    Now you do.

    By the way... copywriters who do salesletters don't get paid for writing copy, they get paid for delivering results and conversions. A measurable result. If they can't do that, their client list get's real short real fast and those bigger clients will NOT be beating on your door or waiting for an opening.

    How are your results measured for your clients?

    Most article writers figure it's when they deliver the package of articles... done. Pay for 10 - get 10. Done.

    What would happen in your writing business if you could promise more? What if you delivered a different package - promise - result? What if you could measure it?

    What makes your service different, better, more unique and valuable than anyone elses? Why are 5 of your articles better than 20 of those from average providers?

    What marketing message are you sending to which target audience (how much will the forex industry pay for articles do you think? How much will average e-book IM'rs pay writing a PLR book on the proper way to comb the hair of a ****zu?)?

    Are you a specialist in one or two genre's - recognized and the expert and chased by clients looking to get on your waiting list and throw you their money - or a generalist who is providing articles for every niche - unrecognized and unappreciated because you didn't position yourself any different than the others.

    Anyway, food for thought.

    Learn to market - get paid - a lot more.

    That's my perspective on it... hope this helps your friend get pointed in the right direction for reaching her desired goals.
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  • Profile picture of the author gbaggs2
    I agree with one of the comments that Indian writers are no threat to an English major. People who need content on a regular basis learn real quick the value of hiring a native english speaker. She needs to start somewhere so she might need to lower her rates at first to get some work and feedback. Websites like Rentacoder and Guru allow her to bid on projects for what she thinks her time is worth.

    If she's as good as you say it won't take long for her to start getting work.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Pescetti
    She has to decide what her niche for writing is. I focus more on spiritually-minded people, rather than any joe blow who needs content. I started my own business and within 2 months have had plenty of business. The more you focus on competition, the more you're giving your power away...
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  • Profile picture of the author Anthony J Namata
    Originally Posted by Wax View Post

    Hey,

    I have someone I know who is an excellent writer. She has an English major, writes for the local paper, just a good writer in general.

    The problem is, on the majority of these freelance sites, she is competing with Indian writers who will write for $2 an article. Since she has no industry references or any sort of reputation online ANYWHERE, it's difficult to let people know you are a good writer.

    Is there anywhere she can post her services for a good writer and get a decent rate? She is not interested in $2/400 words, because obviously that's not enough at all for her skills and time. It's probably necessary she starts off as that, but are there any freelance site/forums where people are only looking for real, quality content and not junk that has basic SEO properties? If she starts writing for people who want crap, the rate will never go up because they simply don't need better content.

    BTW: I know about AC, constantcontent, etc. but those pay very low as well - basically just companies looking to rank for keywords instead of individuals.

    Thanks for any help you can give on this subject.

    Wax
    Good job you brought this up. I recently hired someone from Freelancer.com for $3 an article, who's previous work samples appeared borderline OK. But hey, when I got the first 3 articles in from them, I was shocked at the amount of incoherent GARBAGE I was getting for my money. Absolute vomit. I don't think ANYBODY would publish such outrageous froth... unless they themselves haven't got a clue what a good article should look like. Who do these people write for? I'm surprised they even get work. The provider I hired had, at the time, over 60 good references. Are these buyers bloody blind?

    Tell your friend to take a look at Guru and Elance. I think they pay better.
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  • Profile picture of the author Victoralexon
    I don't have a lot to add here other than to say that there is a lot of great advice in this thread.

    Thanks

    I just quit my job and I'm also trying to find people to write for.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sylvia Meier
    Tell your friend she needs to CREATE her market.

    As I discussed with others on Saturday Night Chat, it is all about marketing your skills. Myself as an example, I currently have a WSO up in which I am charging $297 for 20 unique articles and a short report. This is well above the WF regular prices. And you know what, I am almost sold out on all available spaces. And as it stands right now, all but 1 client are renewing next month for the very same price.

    A writer needs to be a marketer to survive online. You need to create a market and demand and show them you are worth it. And once you show them the worth, they will hang onto you for as long as you are willing to write for them.

    My first summer on the WF, I had steady, and I mean more than I could do work, and the minimum I got paid per article was $20-$25. And that was before I had testimonials, before I even had a name for myself. How'd I manage that? Someone started a thread about needing articles and I showed my skills. Those skills caught the clients attention, and they were willing to pay me to keep me.

    Writers on the WF sell themselves short because they think they need to compete with these 99 cent article churners. When in fact, there are real business people here, who will pay what your friend is worth, because they know based on her skills the articles will deliver.

    Get out of the 99 cent writer mentality and DEMAND what you are worth.

    Best wishes,
    Sylvia
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  • Profile picture of the author Kezz
    I'm going to make you a practical 3 point set of suggestions:

    1. Your friend has experience working with the press, so she can use that experience to move into creating and distributing press releases.

    The better the results she gets, the more she can charge.

    2. You can often make much more selling writing offline than online.

    In the case of press releases, she can do quite well through offering her own press release marketing service to small to medium business. Check the Offline Marketing room for tips on how to reach local businesses.

    3. If she wants to get started and bring in results essentially right away, the very best place online to advertise freelance services is right here at the WF.

    I've tried pretty much every place and there's no better return for effort or better class of clients anywhere.

    You'll never get a better ROI on a $20 ad: Warriors For Hire
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