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Put Your Career In Your Own Hands: Freelance Writing Tips »

Posted by: JaneMay 1 year, 3 months ago

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Did you know that your writing can turn into a profitable profession? If you play your cards right, your writing can lead to consulting, speaking, and coaching jobs. In theory, anyone can call themselves a freelance writer because there are no rules or qualifications for entry. It doesn't require a college degree.

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Digidave1 year, 3 months ago

From my own experience I just want to put it out there: freelance writing is not a get-rich scheme. It's a full time job.
You get out of it what you put into it.
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  JaneMay1 year, 3 months ago
  
  I couldn't agree with you more! Just like anything worth while, if it was easy, everyone would do it. But it can be very rewarding sticking with it.
  
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match1 year, 3 months ago

I definitely agree Digidave. It's hard work and takes determination!
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Joeytos1 year, 3 months ago

Thanks for the info...This actually comes in handy eventhough I don't do it as a living.
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  JaneMay1 year, 3 months ago
  
  Glad these tips could help. If you would like to share some activities that these tips might come in handy, please do :-)
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2sidestoeverything1 year, 3 months ago

Very good article something I may look into.
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MetalNun1 year, 3 months ago

If I had a dollar for every time I was told "You ought to be a writer!" by my college professors, friends, co-workers, etc., I could retire now... Unfortunately while I've been "published" plenty, I have never actually managed to get PAID. I supposedly had a "definite" sale of an article to PanGaia Magazine a couple of years ago which mysteriously failed to be published at the last minute. Meanwhile my "real" medical job keeps me busy. Maybe if I didn't spend so much time hanging out at Netscape...!
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adimoga1 year, 3 months ago

Writing means time.. time means money ;) so.. there is something that dos not cost in this world ? of course if you are doing for fun or just for helping..
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tdash1 year, 3 months ago

This article seems definitely skewed toward magazine writing. Unfortunatly, magazines (except for the really big ones) don't pay worth a crap. I've done much better freelancing for ad agencies and companies writing brochures, annual reports, TV and radio spots, press releases, and anything else that needs written. I can make $500-$1,000 for a few hours work writing a TV spot or brochure, while I've had trouble making half that amount working many more hours on a magazine article. Just something to think about...
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  JaneMay1 year, 3 months ago
  
  Congrats on your success with freelance writing!!! You touch on some good options that are available if you go this route.
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superchase1 year, 3 months ago

Question: Do you writers find that you are expected to wear several more hats these days? Say---in addition to your writing, you're also expected by employers to have graphic design skills to produce a brochure or web page? Just curious.
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  tdash1 year, 3 months ago
  
  Luckily, I work at an ad agency that has some very talented designers on staff to take care of that stuff and allow me to concentrate on writing. I do occasionally do project managment, client pitches, and some other things, but not much. In my experience, I've never met anyone who was both an excellent writer AND an excellent designer. That's why many great-looking web sites look they've been written by junior high dropouts! There are some employers out there, mostly those who don't understand the creative process, who expect to find people who are great at both. I've tried to explain this in interviews, and I'm usually met with a blank stare.
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DoerNotASayer1 year, 3 months ago

The article says "In theory, anyone can call themselves a freelance writer because there are no rules or qualifications for entry. It does not require a university education, and there is no certificate or degree which qualifies someone to be a freelance writer."
Not very true - try to sell or get something published if you have no qualifications or (especially) you haven't been published before. There is almost a catch 22 situation - you're not a writer until you get published and you can't get published until your a writer.
Even after you come up with something to say (which is very difficult), writing is a very tedious, time-consuming, detail-oriented job that call for both left and right brain skills. Most people just don't have the patience for it.
I love it, and I'm happy to say I make a living at it. But after years I am still establishing myself to the point I can make good money as a freelance. You have to be able to stand on your reputation.
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