I wanna be a writer....any tips?

[PigeonPairNell]

I'm enjoying blogging and we're skint, so I'm going to try and make some money out of writing. Payment for scribbling is new to me, apart from just after Uni when I did a tiny bit of work for the local listings magazine.

How on earth do you get started? I've just written a guest blog, which will hopefully be published soon. And that's it. What should I do next????

My blog's the Pigeon Pair and Me

[YouDontWinFriendsWithSalad]

I would link your blog to Facebook/Twitter/Google+ etc so people can 'like' each post, and also set up a Facebook page relating to your blog.

Without wanting to sound pessimistic, it's very, very hard to earn money from blogging. It will take (probably) a couple of years of constant hard work.

If you're after writing work perhaps you could turn your hand to some copywriting/content work? If you know of anyone who needs work doing (eg on a website) volunteer to do it for them for nothing. Then, voila - you have a portfolio and you're on your way.

[katese11]

Have e-mailed you x

[PigeonPairNell]

Thanks Youdontwinfriendswithsalad and katese - both really really helpful replies. I'm going to try and get some copywriting work, so any further suggestions from others would also be gratefully received.

[SAHRum]

... but how do you get content/copywriting work when you have little or no experience?!?!

[LadyMaryQuiteContrary]

You can't, SAH. There's a copywriting course that copywriters do but it costs thousands. Content writing is easier, they like to see samples. A few of these jobs come up on twitter.

[Craftsonsea]

Also v skint so interested to see what suggestions other people have! It took me about a year of blogging before I got offered any sponsored posts but I'd be really interested to know how others used their blog to get into other things too. There's also an article on tots100 at the mo about someone who makes £7k in 6 months from sponsored posts etc, doesn't say what her page rank is or anything though which would be handy!

[LadyMaryQuiteContrary]

See anything that you do make as a bonus as it's very difficult to make money from writing. I use to be a note taker for a disabled uni student, this wasn't too bad. There's also writing articles for magazines but they get so many writers offering it was impossible.

[katese11]

There is work out there - I get it through elance.com. It's not huge amounts of money, but it's more than I would have made going back to work. I only had blogging experience and a month of film reviewing before I started. It can be done!

[YoungDebbie]

Eeek! Sorry, just posted the above in the wrong place! Will repost in the blogs section - eeek! (Not sure how to delete a post, but Moderator: please feel free!)

[PigeonPairNell]

My blog's been going for 6 months and so far all I've been offered is 40 quid to write about a bag of crisps. I turned it down. Maybe I should have accepted it, but I thought it might be wise to hold out for something a bit better...

[Nanniejo]

You can earn money by submitting pics and links to Regage.com, but it's slow and gradual. I also write on Squidoo.com and again it takes time to build up an income (four years and I earn around $30 month at present) but it's a hobby for me, so I'd do it anyway. Take a look if you like at what I've done so far at www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/mutter. I've learned as I've gone along. Good luck!

[boxershorts]

good luck. Its not easy but worth a try. I have never been a pro but done press letter writing which I enjoy

[WhatCanYouSeeStars]

You definitely can make money as a freelance blogger and online content writer - I earn up to £60 per hour at it these days. Copywriting is much easier to get into than it used to be, too, and pays even better. Of course you do have to be a capable writer and spend a bit of time studying what works, but it isn't an impossible dream!

[sallyjenkins]

Earning money as a writer is hard! I've had short stories & articles published in magazines but the rejections far outweigh the acceptances. I've published 3 e-books this year and they are bringing in (a little) money. 'A Writer on Writing - Advice to Make You a Success' may be of use to you. The details are here.
On my blog I highlight any writing competitions, advice and opportunities which I come across.
Good Luck - you've made a great start with your blog!

[DanielNanavati]

Balzac only ever wrote to pay his bills. Mind you the pressure killed him.

join linked-in and join the copyrighters groups and writers groups and get to ask all those actually making money right now.

[PigeonPairNell]

thanks sally and Daniel - some really useful practical tips there.

[UKFeminist]

Hi there - I might be completely barking up the wrong tree with this, so forgive me if I am(!) but do you mean you just want to earn money from blogging or writing generally? Have you ever written any fiction or are you interested in doing so? If you are, I will provide some more info/links etc which might help you but if not, no problem :)