How to Be a Succesful Freelance Writer
by Michael Moore
Would you like to make some extra cash part-time from the comfort of your own home?
Ever dreamed of quitting your full-time factory job, and making enough money at home that
you never need to work for someone else again?
If this sounds like you, you might be in for a surprise. Thousands of people do it
every day, and the only things you need to start are a computer, an Internet connection
and self-discipline. It may come as a surprise to you, but thousands of people all over
the world are looking for freelance writers to fill their web sites with quality content.
And they're willing to pay well, for the right person.
So what makes you the right person for the job? How do you get started?
Find Your Niche
Everyone knows something. All you have to do is find a niche you enjoy writing about.
For instance, perhaps you've been successfully married for 20 years, and have raised 4
children. This may sound unexciting at first glance, but I bet you know a lot about the
ins and outs of child rearing, while keeping a family together. This kind of information
is exactly the kind of content a lot of web sites are looking for.
You can use hobbies, interests or anything else you know a thing or two about, to build
yourself a steady income from home. It's really that easy, if you know how to find the
right buyer.
Finding The Right Buyer
Once you've found your niche, the next step is finding someone willing to buy your
knowledge. This may seem like a daunting task at first, but it really isn't. There are
many web sites out there that hook providers up with buyers. Some are free to use, and
some require a fee.
My personal favorite is Elance. Within a month of joining this web site, I had eight
buyers. I'd also been invited to bid on several more projects. Because you do have to pay
in order to use this site, as well as pay a commission fee on completed projects, buyers
know that you're not going to work for scraps.
The trick is to build a solid rating. This means whenever you get your first project,
make sure the client is completely satisfied. Beat the deadline they set for you, give
them a good price and make sure you provide quality content. Make sure you are professional
at all times. If you can do this, then you can be a successful freelance writer.
Besides Elance, there are several more forums where jobs can be obtained. Get A Coder,
Guru, Writer Lance and Get A Freelancer are all popular sites. Check them out, get a feel
for what each can offer you before making your move.
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