Starting with content writing!

Ancientcoder,

I would check out making a profile on sites like elance. There used to be more companies looking for writers however now it seems like hiring has slowed. Since your topics areas are very narrow, I would suggest reaching out to people personally to write content for their websites. Look for businesses like web marketing firms or blogs and reach out to them. Offer to submit samples and see if they are looking for contributors. You could also search craigslist to see if there are webmasters looking for writers.

Best,

Shawn

I suggest you learn how to syndicate your content instead of being a writer for hire.

Expand your writing skills to writing sales letters and you will NEVER need for money again.

Instead of trying to get clients to write articles for or creating packets of articles to sell, focus on affiliate marketing and use your current skills to developing stand alone product informational pages either straight html pages or use something like wordpress.

Spend the rest of you time driving traffic to these sites, you will make much more money long term than anything you could ever make as a freelance writer.

If you're a programmer, then why not build some stuff? Writing's for people who can't program.

I would suggest looking around here on the WF for potential buyers. Guest blog in related niches. Build your portfolio. Then, post a Warrior for Hire thread here and orders will come in.

When I first started out writing online I went to wahm.com. Go to their forums and look for freelancers who write. They have a huge list of writing sites as well as their experiences with them. Great resource!

By the way, lots of really great responses here.

Valarie

Honestly, the sites I have written on pay peanuts compared to what I make on my own site. And a lot of sites are rejecting articles right and left these days for no good reason.

How about starting your own site? You never have to worry about getting rejected or not finding something to write about.

As an example, for programming topics, go to ehow.com and start running some searches on technology and programming articles. You will get tens of thousands of topics to write about.

Why would only limit to those themes? Why not write on other domains too. There are many freelancing sites where you can get hired. You just type "freelance writting" in Google and Bam.

Hey AncientCoder

I've been writing online for over 4 years now so here are some tips I have picked up.

Spend a few $ on hosting and a domain. Set up a basic website that tells people who are you, what you do and examples of your work.

Get over to oDesk, Elance & PPH. Start bidding on jobs.

Get verified on oDesk and Elance too - it doesn't take long but adds a lot of credibility to your profile.

Also, go through these sites for your work. You'll come across clients who want to pay you outside of the site. OK, so you save $5 or so on fee's but you end up with a sparse profile. The more complete your profile looks, the more reviews you have and the more earnings you have will land you better jobs.

Some tips:
- Don't copy/paste generic proposals for projects.
- Don't work for 80c per 500 words and the like.
- Actually produce good content.

I posted a job on oDesk earlier today and I got 140 applicants in half an hour. I posed a question half way through the listing - real easy answer - that all but a handful managed to see. Make sure you read job postings properly, understand what they want and be sure that you can do it - no point in wasting hours/days working on something you can't do.

Post an ad on Warriors For Hire as well. Offer 3 samples, there's your three reviews.

Don't get discouraged. I went through some really rubbish jobs before I got to where I am - it takes time, effort, patience and the realisation that you need to learn along the way as well.

Hope this helps.

Why not start here on the WF? Check out the Warriors For Hire section and post your services. It may be slow going at first but if you can build yourself a reputation as a quality writer you're well ahead of the game.

I would also suggest setting up a portfolio site where you can showcase your writing and start marketing yourself within social media and on forums within your writing niches.

Good Luck!

You said:
What do you mean by 'in the view'?

You should try the freelancing sites. If you are lucky, you may find good contractors. I am already working on content writing for a few months now and I am very pleased.

Don't bound yourself to few categories, you need to be open for every opportunity you get.
If you stick to one project only, then you'll never learn the other side of IM that is very good.

If you don't mind selling your soul to the devil while getting started, try writing for places like Hirewriters and iWriter. You set up a free account and you'll be able to pick which writing assignments you want to accept. In the beginning your choices will be limited until you get some articles with good reviews under your belt.

I've been writing off and on for Hirewriters, mainly to gain experience and perfect my skills. Most articles I write pay about $2 for 300-500 words. But I've also written articles for $5+ a pop. It's still pocket change, but they deposit your earnings directly into your Paypal account every Friday if your balance is over $10. I see it as extra spending money.

Disclaimer: I still do a little writing for Hirewriters, but have no affiliation beyond that (ie I don't get paid to promote them in any way, shape or form).

The best thing is to write, write and write some more.

The more you write, the better you become.

Places like Elance and Guru.com are great venues to start offering your services. Of course here on the forum too!