Any Freelance Writers Out There? What Have You Learnt So Far?

Hi Ldyjarhead!

Well done on taking the first steps - when you're ready to take the plunge, I wish you all the best with it. It's hard and empowering and you learn things about yourself along the way.

I'm not sure of the forum you mentioned - can't find the link - could you message it to me?

I've been getting most (if not all) of my writing jobs from a forum called Digital Point (have you heard of it?). I wrote a review of it on my blog so feel free to pass by and read it if you want.

I do feel lucky to have gotten some of the gigs that I have and hope it'll continue.

take care...

If you go to my profile here, go to Marie Anne's Missives. The link is in the first post there.

Ok, thanks - will do.

Hi Ldyjarhead

Thanks for the link. I already know about this forum and have done for several years.

But thanks!

take care...

That's good to know, sdas86.

What's the most important/useful thing you feel you've learnt about article writing? What advice would you give someone who's just starting out?

take care...

Hi,
I read your blog and your discussion that you are making around $700.00 from freelance writing. Congrats to you.

If I am giving advice for beginners, I will tell them to read some of the articles written by success freelance writers and then try to write more articles. Practice makes perfect, so write more and read more can help to improve writing skills and make more money.

Thanks for passing by my blog, and for the congrats!

I feel I must clarify that that $700 is how much I've made in total since the beginning of the year. I wish I was making that much every month! - that would be fab - but I do appreciate that it takes time. This June, I'm trying to break the $300/month barrier - I hope I do - and if not, there's always next month.

That's good advice you've given there - reading other people's articles in an effort to study their writing style.

take care and I wish you all the best...

Hi,
All the best to you too. I wish you can reach $300/month this month. Best of luck to you.

Thanks!

Hi babostwick

Yep, that's true. It does take time and a part of you has to like (or love) doing it in order to press on. Picking a subject you're interested in or that you feel you might be interested in REALLY helps.

Sounds like you're on the right track!

Are you earning from it? And if so, how?

take care and good luck...

I've earned from it. I've made a grand total of about $1265. .70 cents through Triond, though I haven't been there that long. Associated Content at $304 through some articles upfront early and the rest through performance bonus. $960 through the Helium Reward-a-thon. I'm working at trying to turn that into a strong income.

Well done, you! Good on you. May your success continue.

take care...

Hi nishdan01

Why do you think you lost interest?

Yes, your potential income can depend on your writing skill, but that can always be learnt/improved upon with hard work and patience (and being kind to yourself, patting yourself on the back for every milestone you cross).

Writing is just part of the equation, though. Your income also depends on your marketing, communication, negotiation and organisation skills (how you make yourself visible, how you communicate with a client, how you negotiate a fee and other terms with them, and how you organise your time to meet the deadline).

It's definitely a learning curve/a journey that shows you things about yourself. I've learnt that writing about topics I don't enjoy IS TORTURE. Whatever you do, try and pick topics you like or you think you'll like.

(Keep an open mind about topics you've never written about 'cos you might end up enjoying them. However, if you've tried it once and you don't like it, leave it be. At least you've tried it and you know you definitely don't like it.)

Yes, it's hard work, but it's doable, achievable and can be enjoyable along the way.

take care and good luck...

Though all in all, it's not a lot, $600 is more than you had before - and you never know, maybe this time next year, you'll be in a much better place in terms of earnings.

Is one of the sites you're with Helium by any chance?

At least you're aware of what you need to do to up the ante - when you've recovered from your burn-out, that would be the thing to do. Do you know of these websites - www.chrisblogging.com,, www.thewritersmanifesto.com/blog,, www.hopewrites.com,, www.quietrebelwriter.com - I've found them quite helpful - maybe you will too.

take care and all the best...

Hi browneyed.
Yes, Helium was one of the sites where I made some money writing. I can't hardly stand to spend any more time there rating, and my stars are gradually disappearing.

No, I've not come across the websites you've provided, as far as I can recall (I've been to so many!), so I thank you for those. I will definitely check out each one of them. Those are very much appreciated.

Yes, you are right--$600 is better than not earning anything at all. Thanks for your support. Happy writing and take care.
PearlGrace

You're welcome:-)

take care...

Hi compumom

Thanks for adding to the discussion.

$9000 is definitely not to be sniffed at. Good on you! Sounds like you're certainly on the right track too!

I recently got a higher-paying gig and I'm thinking of dropping one of my lower ones - very nice client though, so I'm giving it a lot of thought.

Passive income would be a dream, but I appreciate that'll take time.

take care and I wish you every continued success...

Hi angelface

Freelance writing is when you're hired to write on a project by project basis. Where you find people to hire you to write can be online and/or offline (a newspaper, magazine, a blog, etc.)

Some give you a topic to write on, others are open to your own suggestions.

take care...

Hi summersent!

Yes, it can be rather time consuming. However, what I'm trying to do is aim for higher-paying opportunities as I'd rather spend my time writing a 500-word article for $50 than more time writing 5 x 500 articles for the same amount.

I guess the ideal condition would be to write for yourself and earn from that. That would be fab!

Thanks for contributing to the discussion.

take care now...