How hard is it to get writing jobs?

trick-r-treat · Joined: 10 Jul 2008 Posts: 1

Is it very hard to get freelance writing jobs? Does anyone have any real luck at it, and if so, can you give some pointers?

Mauvekat · Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 10

I have been writing freelance for over a year now. At the beginning it was a little harder to get jobs until I found more or less my nitch. I took several writing jobs early on for free just enough to get my writing porfolio up and looking better before I started getting paying jobs.

Also I went through several sites and asked other writers that were into freelance about sites they have known about. One of the better ones I have found is:

http://www.freelancewriting.com/freelance-writing-jobs.php

This might help as well. Good luck.

mollyL · Joined: 23 Jun 2008 Posts: 26

Sometimes you will have to write for free before you find a person willing to pay you. You must be cautious, though, that you don't find yourself being victimised by unscrupulous employers trying to get you to work for nothing. One or two free articles at most should be all you're willing to do.

Roguegal · Joined: 29 May 2008 Posts: 23

I guess I was lucky. I started writing for free in January and wrote about 10 articles. In February, I started writing 20 articles per month. I am now writing 48 articles per month. With a promotion offered in the near future.

You might also try a letter writing. You can join LetterRep.com, just say the Author MFJ sent you. With LetterRep.com you do need to become established. But, you get $10 per letter when you sell a letter. LetterRep.com is also in the process of developing a new and better site that should bring in more customers.

jessi72 · Joined: 27 Jun 2008 Posts: 5

Breaking into freelance writing can be tough, especially at the start. You will need to be patient and dedicated to be able to succeed. Also, having a mentor that will guide you through can be a very great help. It'll surely shorten the learning curve!

mom2manyboyz · Joined: 11 Jul 2008 Posts: 5

Pay is low for inexperienced writers, but it is fun and rewarding. There is a folder for paid writing jobs in this forum.

tcnjpirate · Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 25

I would say trying to have a unique idea is one of the biggest things. Pitching it to the right type of publication is important as well, as is making sure its easy to read and well organized.

nancyrowina · Joined: 25 Jul 2008 Posts: 5

There's a lot of people out there trying to make money from writing especially now with the Internet making it easy for you to self publish. I've found some sites that pay you a small amount of money for posting on their site but not enough to give up the day job.
You just have to get as much experience as you can writing to compete with the people who've already been doing it for years. There are jobs that are available like writing the verses for greeting cards, and like to find out how to get paid for writing the descriptions of products in brochures as that seems like a pretty easy job writing lots of short pieces.

azaleaeight · Joined: 06 Aug 2008 Posts: 26

[quote="trick-r-treat"]Is it very hard to get freelance writing jobs? Does anyone have any real luck at it, and if so, can you give some pointers?[/quote]

Most people will tell you that you have to start small, build up some clips/samples, and get some contacts.

If you have a few clips and samples you can then sign up for some of the job-match type sites. A site like ODesk lets you post your resume, samples, etc., and apply for assignments or hourly work. I don't know how busy they are, but the site, WiredFlame, sometimes has article assignments for people to claim. The site, Helium, right now has people completing for publishers to buy their articles in their "marketplace". They also have a bunch of article titles they want written for their "Rewardathon". Something like that would give you writing samples.

The site, Associated Content, will pay upfront for some articles you submit. You'd make a little money and get some writing samples AND you'd get to say someone paid you for your work.

Part of a freelancers work day usually has to be looking for yet more work, but the more experience someone gets, the easier it is to get more assignments.

ammulu · Joined: 04 Jun 2008 Posts: 8

Writing would surely sell well if it is good and worthy. I would like to thank for providing me with letterrep.com. I have joined today and hope to write few of my works and earn money.

georgiababy8 · Joined: 24 Aug 2008 Posts: 5

I think if you are willing to work hard and do not focus on pay that you will find it easier to get started. I have been writing since 2002 and just now have gotten tot he point where I earn a comfortable living. However, it is not always reliable work and you will run into people who do not pay you for work you have done.
I have been through it all, but I love what I do so it makes it easier to roll with the punches.

I started out by finding a good forum, like this one. You will get a lot of great advice here, so make sure you listen to what people have to say because it will be your most valuable tool.

There are also a lot of advertised jobs. You just have to get out there and start looking. I started with a website that hired writers to write for them. there are a few of those out there, too.

Good luck!

mollyL · Joined: 23 Jun 2008 Posts: 26

It is difficult getting established at the start, but the jobs will come slow and steady if you try. A friend of mine has been writing for a couple of years now and has started to make alot of money, like 24k last year. I have asked her to refer people to me, as she can't possibly do everything asked of her. I have gotten a pretty steady blog writing gig going on now.

justontime · Joined: 08 Oct 2008 Posts: 82

It is difficult at first and you need to be determined. Make sure every piece of work you do is as good as you can make it because your work is your reputation. A customer is likely to notice and remember bad work even if your work is usually of a high standard. Plan your time carefully and don't miss deadlines.

flowerhorn08 · Joined: 07 Oct 2008 Posts: 20

[quote="Roguegal"]I guess I was lucky. I started writing for free in January and wrote about 10 articles. In February, I started writing 20 articles per month. I am now writing 48 articles per month. With a promotion offered in the near future.

You might also try a letter writing. You can join LetterRep.com, just say the Author MFJ sent you. With LetterRep.com you do need to become established. But, you get $10 per letter when you sell a letter. LetterRep.com is also in the process of developing a new and better site that should bring in more customers.[/quote]

Hey Roquegal, I think I will start writing letters instead of articles. It seems a very lucrative venture for you. I will join LetterRep to earn some extra income for my living.

Anyway, do you have any tips for us in taking up those writing jobs in the site?

azaleaeight · Joined: 06 Aug 2008 Posts: 26

I think one thing is that you have to be willing to write articles for $4 a piece for a while. I helps you get samples, even if it seems bizarre to write for $4. At least then you do make some contacts and you may be more likely to find someone with better work.

I've actually seen people looking for writers to write a 500 article for - like - 1.00. That's ridiculous. I figure the person paying 1.00 an article isn't likely to be too useful when it comes to being in touch with legitimate contact. Smile

justontime · Joined: 08 Oct 2008 Posts: 82

Things that have helped me to get jobs are writing to a consistent standard, keeping deadlines, always being available and being willing to take on rush jobs. Once they know and trust you they will keep giving you more work.

angelicwriter · Joined: 02 Nov 2008 Posts: 8

It's not as hard as it may seem. I think its easier than a regular job cause you're doing a single project.

justontime · Joined: 08 Oct 2008 Posts: 82

I think it can be hard to begin with because you have to take whatever work you can get, just to build your reputation.

nangel78 · Joined: 28 Oct 2008 Posts: 32

Take as many writing jobs as you can handle. Sometimes you have to write about things you do not like in order to get work out there as well.

cassiem0221 · Joined: 07 Oct 2008 Posts: 13

I actually have great success in finding writing jobs. Sometimes it gets tough but if you know what you are looking for it can be found fairly easy. I don't lean much on articles though because they are much more difficult to sale and often require several revisions if the customer is looking for something very particular that they don't quite know how to express... Anyhow, I'd say if you are looking to write articles, yes it can be difficult!