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Put Your Career In Your Own Hands: Freelance Writing Tips »

Posted by: JaneMay 2 years, 7 months ago

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Did you know that your writing can turn into a profitable profession? If you play your cards right, your writing can lead to consulting, speaking, and coaching jobs. In theory, anyone can call themselves a freelance writer because there are no rules or qualifications for entry. It doesn't require a college degree.

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JaneMay

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Comments: 14

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Digidave
May 14, 2007, 1:37 p.m.
From my own experience I just want to put it out there: freelance writing is not a get-rich scheme. It's a full time job.
You get out of it what you put into it.
Avg rating: (+11/-2 9)
match
May 14, 2007, 2:10 p.m.
I definitely agree Digidave. It's hard work and takes determination!
Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
Joeytos
May 14, 2007, 4:15 p.m.
Thanks for the info...This actually comes in handy eventhough I don't do it as a living.
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2sidestoeverything
May 14, 2007, 8:46 p.m.
Very good article something I may look into.
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MetalNun
May 14, 2007, 9:56 p.m.
If I had a dollar for every time I was told "You ought to be a writer!" by my college professors, friends, co-workers, etc., I could retire now... Unfortunately while I've been "published" plenty, I have never actually managed to get PAID. I supposedly had a "definite" sale of an article to PanGaia Magazine a couple of years ago which mysteriously failed to be published at the last minute. Meanwhile my "real" medical job keeps me busy. Maybe if I didn't spend so much time hanging out at Netscape...!
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adimoga
May 15, 2007, 7:33 a.m.
Writing means time.. time means money ;) so.. there is something that dos not cost in this world ? of course if you are doing for fun or just for helping..
Avg rating: (+3/-0 3)
tdash
May 15, 2007, 11:26 a.m.
This article seems definitely skewed toward magazine writing. Unfortunatly, magazines (except for the really big ones) don't pay worth a crap. I've done much better freelancing for ad agencies and companies writing brochures, annual reports, TV and radio spots, press releases, and anything else that needs written. I can make $500-$1,000 for a few hours work writing a TV spot or brochure, while I've had trouble making half that amount working many more hours on a magazine article. Just something to think about...
Avg rating: (+5/-0 5)
superchase
May 15, 2007, 12:02 p.m.
Question: Do you writers find that you are expected to wear several more hats these days? Say---in addition to your writing, you're also expected by employers to have graphic design skills to produce a brochure or web page? Just curious.
Avg rating: (+4/-0 4)
DoerNotASayer
May 15, 2007, 12:20 p.m.
The article says "In theory, anyone can call themselves a freelance writer because there are no rules or qualifications for entry. It does not require a university education, and there is no certificate or degree which qualifies someone to be a freelance writer."
Not very true - try to sell or get something published if you have no qualifications or (especially) you haven't been published before. There is almost a catch 22 situation - you're not a writer until you get published and you can't get published until your a writer.
Even after you come up with something to say (which is very difficult), writing is a very tedious, time-consuming, detail-oriented job that call for both left and right brain skills. Most people just don't have the patience for it.
I love it, and I'm happy to say I make a living at it. But after years I am still establishing myself to the point I can make good money as a freelance. You have to be able to stand on your reputation.