Comments on: Freelance Writing Jobs Wednesday July 8, 2009

By: Cathy M

Cathy M — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:16:34 +0000

I have that part down, Anne. What is challenging is finding the ones that do pay. My business has grown with my best source of income being ghostwriting articles for my specialty-health care, wellness, employee benefits. These almost all came from my “past life” contacts.

I have tried “filling the pipeline” to supplement my “steady-eddies” but it seems web content writing isn’t it. I totally agree with Benjamin that it is better to spend time tracking down those better leads. But, for me, it seems that’s not on the web.

By: Benjamin Hunting

Benjamin Hunting — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:06:43 +0000

Anne – definitely. It frees up so many resources for hunting down work that pays well, and that unpaid time is more than compensated for by the increased rewards of the new projects.
Benjamin Hunting´s last blog ..Too Burned Out To Pursue Your Freelancing Dream?

By: Anne

Anne — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:52:06 +0000

I really think learning to say no to low pay gigs is a major part of becoming successful

By: Autumn

Autumn — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 06:34:15 +0000

Yeah, I have had to turn down assignments because people wanted me to write for the price I charge just to proofread (and I have pretty low prices). Writing for $.01 per word would take forever to earn a profit. I do charge a few clients under my usual rate lately just to get the job during a slow time. I have simply had to learn to write faster. I’ve never been more busy than I am now, which is great, but I wish I were able to charge more and stay this busy. Maybe in the future…
Autumn´s last blog ..Find Out Why Quality Content Is Important To Your Site

By: Brick

Brick — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:32:29 +0000

A few months ago, I applied and received a response from one gig that advertised $.03-.04 per word. In my second response to them, I asked if I had misread or misinterpreted their ad or response. I said if they can meet my fee, i’d be glad to write for them. They responded they couldn’t possible meet my fee and they had wanted me to write for them. I’m a low charger anyway, but man, 3-cents a word?

Anyway, that’s what i’m finding out there. I’m considering going into another field. Plus, employers are not standing by their contracts. I just got burned last spring for a grand.

By: Autumn

Autumn — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:07:49 +0000

I agree that there are a lot of very low-paying jobs out there. I have learned to only take on either higher paying gigs (like $40 per article and up) that I can do in an hour, or low paying articles ($10 to $15) that I can write in a half hour. Sometimes it does take longer to finish those, but sometimes I can do three an hour so it evens out. To make my daily goal, I have to mix up the article types I do, because doing 10 $10 articles in a day is possible for me, but I think I’d go crazy, so I try to spread them out over the week. It really takes persistence and time to figure out what assignments you’re willing to do, and which are just not worth your time.
Autumn´s last blog ..Find Out Why Quality Content Is Important To Your Site

By: Benjamin Hunting

Benjamin Hunting — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:14:38 +0000

Don’t get discouraged. It is very possible to earn a decent living writing for the web – just be persistent and keep looking for jobs. 90% of this business is dedication and hard work in terms of finding good clients.
Benjamin Hunting´s last blog ..Miata Track Impressions – The Learning Curve

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:44:48 +0000

Hi, there. Just wanted to reiterate what Cathy M. said above. Writing for the Web is turning out to be nothing more than a grind for me. I’m a fast writer. But even I can’t possibly turn in enough $10 stories to earn a living.

I’ve renewed my efforts to nab more print clients. Though it’s a tough slog, I have had some success. Just last week, I turned in my first story for a print magazine focusing on hospital administration. I hope to turn it into a regular gig.

Thanks,
Dan
Dan´s last blog ..Another client cutting back

By: Yona Williams

Yona Williams — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:43:00 +0000

Now that’s a different image for the job list! Thanks for the leads, Anne.
Yona Williams´s last blog ..Using the Internet to Benefit Your Business

By: Cathy M

Cathy M — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:47:49 +0000

I am about ready to give up on writing for the web. Although there are many gigs, so few pay anywhere near something you can live on. Even with 30 years of experience in health care, they still want to pay $15-$20/article. The best one I found paid $50/article but I had to do so much research (genetics!), it just isn’t worth it.

Is it just me or is there no way to find web writing (e-zines, web content) that pays a decent wage?