Freelance writer really needs your ideas, please! {sobs}

[LadyMaryCreepyCrawley]

I currently write books and was, up until July, a note taker for a disabled university student. Since she left uni I've been trying to pick up some more note taking work, but there's not a lot around. I need some more ideas that will generate £150 a week at least (don't ask). I unable to work full time (having MS is a real pain). I'm waiting to hear about one book, and have a few others that I'm working on at the moment but I need to improve my cash flow ASAP. How would I go about writing website content? What about magazine articles?

Thank you.

What 'books' do you write? What's your speciality subject/s?

As for your two questions - sorry to be so frank, but they are so ridiculously wide that's probably why you've had no response!

For both those questions, you'd be better to do a google search.

I write children's fiction. I thought I'd keep it ridiculously wild in case you thought I was touting for business or something.

Are you on Twitter? That can be a good source of leads for work. When writing web content, be aware it has different requirements and is read differently than print content - it is worth doing some research on how to write well for the web. As a starting point, Mashable has good tips on using Twitter etc to gain visibility.

Yes. I have a 'few' followers. They are mostly publishing people and agents though so don't tend to advertise for web content. Ideally, I'd like to do some newspaper articles but I've no idea where to start. Do I approach local newspapers and say I'm a freelance journalist? I know it's a different style of writing, I'm sure I could do this though.

Thank you

You want to use the search function on Twitter, with the type of work you're after and your area, and see what that throws up. Don't get hung up on who's following you, it's who you can find to follow that's more useful. For newspapers I think your best bet might be pitching feature ideas... there's a thread about that here.

Thank you. I have a background in Law, Science and parenting. I also trained as a paeds nurse for a couple of years so I hope I can find something. I have bills coming out of my ears though and I can't rely on the publishers as they are taking ages.

Could you contact the disability officer at your local universities / colleges to let them know that you are a note-taker so that they have your details to hand. They might even circulate your details. As you already have been a note-taker this might be a good way to continue? You could perhaps contact specific groups that deal with disabilities such as sight/hearing loss, where you could also offer to be a note-taker, or be recommended
I think there are some american websites that pay for content, but i can't remember which ones, i think my friend did this (travel articles) and earned dollars doing this - might need some googling?
sorry not many ideas!

I've had a chat with a lovely friend who works at the local uni, she said they tend to employ Phd and Masters students to do note taking, I'll give it a try though. Contacting other organisations is a great plan, thank you. It's quality of ideas, not quantity.

Thank you

You need to hone in on, say, 2 areas you feel you could specialise in writing on - relating back to your experience.

In addition to ustilizing social media, find publications - both print and digital - that a) use freelancers b) you could confidently pitch to x

I could do Child development and science as my law is out of date now and it would take a while to catch up.

I'll have a look online once I've returned from the school run.

I'm very grateful for your help, thank you

Hi LMCC,

I am a feature writer for three regional newspapers, which is part of a major national newspaper chain.

Due to the recession & decline in newspaper sales & advertising our newspapers no longer pay freelancers as they just don't have the budget anymore.

I would suggest pitching your three top ideas to features editors at the national papers or magazines as a lot of national media organisations still have healthy freelance budgets.

Feel free to PM if you want further advice

Good luck with your venture

Thank you. I'll send you a PM in a minute.