When the decision is made to become a freelance writer, whether part-time or full-time, many people do not know where to begin. Some people may be cautious and prefer to take it slow, while others are looking to jump right into freelance writing. If you’d like to jump right into freelance writing and begin to earn money immediately, it is possible. Many people start their freelance writing careers by writing for internet content sites, also known as content mills.
Writing Sample
Most content mills require at least one sample to prove your writing ability. If you are lost for words, write a 400-word article on the top three annual events in your town/city. Make sure that there are no typos or grammatical errors on your article. Then, use this sample to apply at Textbroker and Yahoo! Contributor Network. Once you’ve been hired, you can sell your sample article to Yahoo! Contributor Network.
When creating your samples, review the company’s website to get a feel for the types of articles they are looking for. If possible, browse the site and read some of the articles that are posted there. Take note of the formatting of these articles, such as length, bold or italicized words, style, and references. Try to base your samples on the same type of articles so that the company can see that you are able to write in their specific style.
Resume
Some companies require a resume, so it’s a good idea to get one ready as soon as possible. Help with resume writing is only a Google search away, and It’s a good idea to keep your resume updated because you never know when a good opportunity will become available.
Up Front Pay
As your writing improves, your self-esteem will rise. When you feel ready, apply at higher paying companies like Demand Studios. Use articles that you wrote at Textbroker and Associated Content as samples. These companies pay upfront payments, usually via PayPal. Each company has different payout policies and pay dates, so be sure to read all information provided to you by the company.
Residual Income
Residual income is earned over a period of time, typically based on the amount of page views an article has. Write an article, post it on a site like Suite101, and then let that article earn money for you. Of course, there is more to it than just sitting back, relaxing, and watching the money come in. You’ll want to have at least a basic knowledge of SEO in order to produce quality articles that will rise to the top of search engine results pages, to be viewed by thousands. You will also want to do what you can to increase the traffic to your articles, such as posting links on social networking sites. The more people that read your article, the more money you’ll make!
Apply, Apply, Apply
After you’ve been approved to write for your first company, write a few articles. Those articles can then be used as samples to apply at another company in a week or two. Keep applying to as many companies as you feel comfortable with. It is not uncommon for a freelance writer to be writing for five or more companies.
A few companies that hire freelance writers have been posted here. Look at them all and decide which ones are right for you. There are dozens more opportunities, which you will find with a little research. Craig’s List is also a wonderful resource for freelance writing jobs.
Don’t be discouraged if you do not get accepted at a company. It could simply mean that your writing style is not what the company is looking for. Most companies you can even apply again at a later date. Simply get more experience under your belt and then apply again.
The Application Process
After you have reviewed a web content provider’s website and decided that you’d like to apply, get your sample and resume ready. Find the company’s instructions on how to apply for a freelance writing position and follow the instructions exactly.
You may be asked to provide one to three writing samples and a resume, via email or directly on the company’s website. After a few days, to a few weeks, you will receive an email back from the company indicating if you’ve been hired. You may also be asked to take part in a test assignment prior to being hired. If a company is very busy, it could take up to a month or more to hear back. Once you are hired with one or two companies to keep you busy, you will not mind longer response times.
Janis Bennett - Janis Bennett has been writting for over 10 years. She enjoys writing about a variety of topics, especially diabetes, ADHD, and travel.
Join the Conversation