As a freelancer there are many opportunities available for working from home or to provide an extra stream of income for your business by filling the needs of a widely diverse market as a paid freelance article writer both on the internet and in offline publications.
What is a Freelancer?
A freelancer is an independent writer who earns his/her living by contracting for work projects, working for no fixed employer, and may work for a number of employers at any given time.
You will be required to negotiate the terms and conditions of work and all work must be completed to the satisfaction of the clients requirements.
Tip: The objectives and requirements of both parties should be understood fully by both parties from the start to save any problems later on – this includes terms of payment.
As a freelancer you need to keep up with the latest developments to compete in the marketplace.
This requires studying and researching the needs of the marketplace along with selling yourself to your potential clients.
Getting Started as a Freelancer
The freelance market can be fiercely competitive at times requiring emphasis on marketing your work effectively and assessing your expertise and skills.
“How to” articles tend to sell well and most successful freelancers maintain constant contact with marketplace trends and requirements seeking those areas where they can fill the needs of potential clients.
You will need a resume and/or a writer’s brochure.
When writing your resume it should be written with the view of selling your strengths.
Use short sentences with each paragraph easy to read and clearly outline your qualifications or related experience for the job.
Normally you will only have a few seconds to make an impact on your prospective client – this can make the difference between hiring you or someone else.
To find a niche (your niche) Web monkey has a very good article on finding and defining your niche as a web freelancer.
http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/98/44/index4a.html?tw=jobs
Many writers prefer to stick within the topic subjects they can write confidently on although a good freelancer can research and write on any topic if and when required.
When you are decided on the subject niche you would like to fill, seek out magazine publications – online and offline – on your chosen topic.
If you do not wish to bid for online work contracts at some of the sites listed below until you have gained confidence in your work then you can start your freelance career by seeking out publications in your chosen field that accept articles e.g. if your interest is in fishing go to your local outlet selling magazines and see if they accept article contributions (this can usually be found near the inside of the front cover in most magazines)
Many freelancers start by submitting to local community newspapers/letters as a way of establishing credibility as a published writer.
Send a query letter or email your chosen publication/s with your subject ideas and an outline of your proposed article and how they may contact you if interested.
However, expect to wait some time – sometimes up to three weeks or more if approaching offline publications for a reply as most editors are very busy people.
Finding work on the Internet
The internet has made it easier to build a successful freelance career as a independent professional.
Many sites can be found searching for “freelance writers” on any major search engine.Specify if possible by adding words that fit your needs e.g. paying markets, travel magazines etc. Also visit Yahoo groups, Topica etc and join the many writing job newsletters and job boards.
Here are some places to start.
There are however many sites that bring people together. Some offer a free service, others you will need to register with and/or supply your resume before you can get started.
http://www.writerfind.com (international)
http://www.freelancewriters.com
http://freelancing4money.com
http://www.worldwidefreelance.com (international)
http://www.elance.com
http://www.travelwriters.com (for travel writers)
http://www.freelancewriting.com
http://www.writerswrite.com
Tip: The government is one of the largest sources for freelance contract work in most countries so don’t forget to check out what work contracts they may have available.
Another option for the freelancer is to do some detective work of your own to source work. Apart from enquiring with local businesses in your area you can also look for new web sites on the internet and send a congratulatory email.
Explain your services and how your work can help them while politely enquiring if they have any current or future needs for the services you can offer and how they may contact you. For example…
I am a full-time freelance writer specializing in online content. I can help your website get results through email communications, website copy, and niche-filling articles tailored to your audience.
Newly launched web sites can often be found via press release sites –
http://www.internetnewsbureau.com
http://www1.internetwire.com/iwire/home
http://www.pressreleasenetwork.com
http://prweb.com
Sign up to receive the daily releases if you are serious about earning money as a freelancer.
Tip: Invest in writers market and digest books (both local and international). These list thousands of markets, niches and industries requiring the needs of freelance writers.
For the latest guideline books visit:
http://www.netwrite-publish.com/business-startup-books3.htm
Put together a portfolio with a selection of your best articles.
If you enjoy for example, travel writing, include a selection of your best photos if sending queries to offline editors as many will ask if you will be supplying photos along with your story. If you can send photos to accompany your article your chances of having your article accepted increases as it saves the editor the trouble of sourcing photos to compliment the article.
For free online courses to learn more about photography and places to sell stock photos on the Internet visit the Photography Resource Center at:
http://www.netwrite-publish.com/photography.htm
At the bottom of the article include your resource box. For example: Joe Bloggs is a freelance writer and webmaster at your domain.com and whatever ties your web site into the article.
Tip: Producing free content articles is a great way to build up your business and reputation. They can also be used as publishing credits if they have been placed on another’s web site – don’t forget to mention where samples of your published work can be viewed.
Writing freelance articles increases exposure for your business and your work to other market segments of interested individuals.
If you had not considered freelancing as a possibility why not give it a try!
Jill is a home business person with a portfolio of easy to operate business ventures and owner of Net writing and Publishing success a site offering ways to advance your Career or start a home business through writing. This site can be viewed at: http://www.netwrite-publish.com
