Freelance Writing FAQ’s

There are a lot of questions that may arise when someone is considering a career in freelance writing. Considering the risk this can be taking for someone who has just begun to attempt to make this a full time career, it can be very important to do plenty of research before even considering quitting your day job.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions from freelance writers.

Can You Make a Living as a Freelance Writer?

Yes. You really can. Just as with any other job this is going to require hard work, determination and the ability to organize and schedule your time effectively.

What Skills and Equipment Are Required?

You definitely need to have a good grasp on the English language, a good vocabulary and the ability to research just about any topic. You will also need a computer, an internet connection and a word processing program. You will also need a thick skin, tolerance, patience and some basic communication skills for interviews with clients. Having a phone is also a great addition to keeping communication lines open to clients.

How Do You Keep People from Stealing Work?

There is a downside here. Unfortunately the nature of the internet which allows you to connect with people all over the world who never have to actually come in close contact with you does leave you open, just as in many businesses, to being scammed or having your work or ideas stolen from you. In the case of freelance writing it can be difficult occasionally to assert your rights over stolen content, but for the most part, an email explaining your content being stolen to the admin of the site it is posted on is generally enough to get it taken down.

What is the Best Way to Win Job Bids?

One of the best ways to win job bids is to provide the client with a great profile or portfolio with short precise details explaining your skills, a couple of links to past work and a couple of methods to reach you by, along with being available when they try to. This is a reliable set up for winning on those job bids.

How Can You Make More than Just a Few Dollars Per Article?
Although this is a loaded question, the short format is to do the following.

~Read up and brush up on strict write sites and their guidelines. Those guidelines are there for a reason and following them can help you to produce the best quality articles on the internet.
~Register for those sites that offer on demand pay as well as pay per views. Some of those sites pay anywhere from ten dollars to twenty five dollars apiece.
~Try your hand at magazine submissions. If you have what it takes there are hundreds to thousands of dollars in per submission offers on many online magazines around the internet.
~Expand your reputation. Do not limit your freelance writing to only job projects. Get out there and offer what you know to others who could use the help. In doing so you also may find many outlets that had previously been uncovered even to you.
~Stay focused, utilize constructive criticism and improve with constant and consistent training.