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Freelance writers - step this way please

6 replies

Titsalinabumsquash · 31/08/2014 20:47

After reading the thread about the lady that wanted to write for a living (I'm not passing comment)

I read a lot of posts about doing other sorts of freelance writing.

I have a few articles published and I have been told I have a natural talent at this sort of writing, I like doing it and due to our family set up and other factors I won't ever be I a position to go out to work.
I think this would be a way to contribute to the families finances however small a contribution.

Can anyone tell me about how to get work? Are there freelance writing website where I can post a profile or similar?

OP posts:
LadySybilLikesCake · 31/08/2014 20:50

Try People Per Hour. People say what they need, and you bid for it.

Titsalinabumsquash · 31/08/2014 21:20

Thank you, I'll take a look. Smile

OP posts:
venusandmars · 31/08/2014 23:06

I looked at pph many times, but there are people who reply from all over the world so you can find yourself competing with anyone competent in English from a poorly paid developing country. So don't expect to make your fortune.

What I did find out from pph was the amazing and diverse range of very specific topics that exist.

If you want to make money then forget your own ego and soap-box topics, and look at where you can develop a niche. If you want to write about gardening, don't go for the popular generic topics but instead research obscure varieties of Japanese leeks, if you want to write about health and diet then become the expert on the natural sources of a rare and essential vitamin.

And then rather than relying on random adverts, go out and find people who need your writing skills....

I did some work for a chemical engineering company - one day facilitating a workshop. I knew nothing about the topic, but if you're a skilled listener and writer then you could very quickly spot why they were having difficulty in communicating with their wider customer base. I drafted a couple of articles for their technical newsletter - now a regular (if occasional) source of income.

I was at a friend's house one night when her husband (a director of a charity) was moaning that they couldn't recruit volunteers. No wonder! The information about the charity was written by professional staff and was full of technical jargon. I re-wrote it for him and then their comms department gave me contract re-writing all their volunteering training programme.

Just a couple of examples of writing for a living. But not the kind of dream-making stuff that the other poster may have been imagining....

.... however I do have a dream niche, and I do make money from that, but it took a long time to build up and (for me) that couldn't have happened if I'd not been doing other work too.

Good luck. It's a fascinating way to make your living.

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 01/09/2014 13:37

What venus said, with bells on.

I've just been chatting to a client about a friend of hers who wants to get into freelance writing. She is mad keen on art and design and has been successfully blogging. During the course of the conversation it turns out the friend was actually a scientist pre-DCs - that is her niche, that is where she will earn money. I'm not saying give up the art-based writing, but if you want to be paid, you have to go with the money. Find the field where your natural talent can be combined with your in-depth knowledge and that's where you start.

melaragusa · 06/09/2014 22:46

I'm looking for a freelance writer. We're talking business to business stuff, interviews, articles and possibly some copywriting. It's not glamour but if you're interested in business, then it's enjoyable and a good start. I need someone that can get into the subject, find an interesting angle and make it a good read for the target audience.

PPH and such sites seem like a route to madness!

Jimanis · 25/09/2014 15:20

Hi melaragusa
If you are still looking for a B2B writer, perhaps I can help? I'm a freelance B2B PR consultant with particular focus on the tech sector (although have turned my hand to a wealth of subjects over the years).

Writing press releases, case studies, opinion articles, FAQs etc. have been my bread and butter for years.

Let me know if you'd like to find out more.

Jill

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