The truth is that since the ‘global recession’ began, many writers have found their income has increased dramatically.
As a freelancer, you’re not compelled to stick to just one form of writing; you can undertake copywriting, magazine writing, content writing and more.
Following are four different ways for you to get writing jobs.
This should not be your first choice, but it’s usually a good way to get some quick income – provided you’re prepared to lower your prices a little.
Some job boards are notorious for having clients that want writers to work for peanuts. If you can, stick it out and stand by your regular prices. Copywriting are the easiest jobs to secure via sites such as Guru.com
Many of these sites have free memberships, and the option to go ‘premium’. While free is good, often clients prefer to choose premium members because they can see they’re serious. Don’t go the premium route unless you feel it’s for you, and your budget can withstand the cost.
Often you’ll find clients via job sites – or they’ll find you – and then you may enter into a private arrangement avoiding the fees charges by the job sites for administering your payment.
You can find a wide range of work via job boards such as copywriting, magazine work, SEO and content articles, editing, ebook writing, and more.
You can use these sites as a back-up for when work is quiet – or you can use them as your every day source for finding clients.
2. Forums
Forums can be a great way to find clients, but you need to be mindful of the time you spend ‘hanging out’ on them.
Forums are a good place to build a reputation, particularly sites where small business owners hang out.
Don’t go on forums and blatantly advertise your services. It could get you banned for life.
Instead help people out where possible, give advice, and provide suggestions from your own experience. This will give your reputation a boost and when someone needs work that you’re qualified to do, you may just be their first choice.
3. Create Alliances
If you’ve been involved with offline networking groups, you may have heard this term before.
They are usually called ‘strategic alliances’ and work very simply: you refer your own clients to other professionals who can help your clients in ways you can’t.
Here’s one way this could work. Say you have a client who needs letters of introductory written. (These are simply letters introducing the client’s business to businesses they’ve not previously worked with.) As part of that work the client include a brochure or flyer that features his best products when he sends out the letters you wrote for him.
To do that he needed his products photographed. You know someone who specializes in product marketing. You suggest this photographer, and he secures the job. In turn, he refers his clients to you for their writing needs. Win/Win. He gets extra work, you get extra work. And both your clients don’t have to work with unknown entities.
4. Your Freelancing Website
Have you set up a website for your freelance work?
Just like any other online business, you need to advertise your work. If you do your research, clients will find you instead of you having to chase work up. Keyword research is imperative to any writer who wants to spend their time writing instead of chasing clients.
Once you have your website set up, and your keywords are working for you, you’ll have a steady stream of traffic. Not all those visitors will turn into paying clients, but a percentage of them will.
Once you are established, you may not need to advertise, especially if you secure clients who because repeat customers.
In addition to these suggestions, writers need to be super organised. The more work you can fit into your busy day, the more income can potentially earn. Ensure your skills are up to date by taking classes or reading up on a form of writing you’ve not done before.
Expanding your writing horizons is a great way to earn more income!
Cheryl Wright - Cheryl Wright is an award-winning Australian author, freelance journalist, and editor. She is the owner of www.Writer2Writer.com ...
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