A freelance writing career is not an easy one, but it can be highly satisfying. The key to that satisfaction is knowing where to find clients and freelance writing jobs that will pay the bills and still leave time for personal development.
Thankfully, the Internet makes it easier to find high-paying assignments, with a variety of websites catering to freelancers looking for work.
Online marketplaces
Websites like oDesk, Guru, eLance and Freelancer.com allow freelancers to create profiles and bid for a variety of jobs available. They compete against other freelancers, with employers making the final decision who to hire.
Easy access to assignments are not free, of course. All sites charge a fee (usually a percentage of the rate the freelancer is charging) and some of them have paid memberships. Nonetheless, they are still one of the best choices for those looking for freelance writing jobs. Freelancers, who don’t have their own websites or an already established online presence, can use those marketplaces to find their first writing gigs to build up their portfolios.
Content sites
There are also websites paying writers for providing content. Depending on their business model, some might pay based on page views of provided articles and some may pay based on the profit from ads displayed with the articles. The most popular choices are Helium, Triond and, for more experienced online writers, Suite101.
While none of the content sites have a high per-article rate, it’s good to remember that they are a great source of passive income, paying months and even years after the initial creation of the article. Freelance writers just starting in the business can use those sites to learn about the craft and build up their portfolio without the necessity of investing time, and even money, into creating their own website.
Online search and various Job Boards
The easiest way to find freelance writing jobs is to do an online search using keywords most relevant to the area of expertise the writer has. For those, who don’t want to waste time with shifting through thousands of Google results, various websites dedicated to freelancing often compile ads found in the most popular places (like AboutFreelaceWriting).
Job Boards associated with major freelancing websites are also a good place to look for assignments for freelance writers. ProBlogger and FreelanceWritingGigs are just a tip of the iceberg.
Trade Magazines
It’s very good for career freelancers to have a narrow niche in which they specialize. Once that niche is established all related websites and trade magazines become a potential source of work for writers. Either because of the ads in those magazines, or because the editor of the magazine decided to accept a pitch.
Creating personal income
Outside sources are not the only sources of income for freelance writers, just like content sites are not the only way to earn passive income. In fact, because of their creativity, freelance writers are uniquely equipped to create assets capable of bringing income. They can write and market eBooks, websites and blogs capable of earning money etc. If they choose to collaborate with freelancers in other fields, they can create even more unique products.
Finding Freelance Writing Jobs
Once the writer decides to start earning money by freelancing, the only thing standing between them and actual income is finding the right assignments. The Internet is full of possibilities and the only problem is to know where to look for those jobs.
Agnieszka Siemienska - Agnieszka has been published for the first time at the age of 16, and she's been working on her writing skills ever since. In 2008 she ...
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