Freelancing can be a challenging way to work, as it means you will be hustling to find employment, rather than having a traditional position with a defined task. However, freelancing also gives you the freedom to set your own schedule, and the ability to say “no” to work you feel is not a match for your skills.
With both opportunity and catastrophe in the mix, let’s look more closely at freelance writing jobs online.
What sort of freelance writing jobs are available online?
According to Captain Obvious, most freelance writing jobs deal with some form of writing, whether that is blogging; drafting academic papers, articles, or newsletters; or editing or proofreading. There are also freelance opportunities that lean heavily into the tech industry, such as constructing website landing pages, and writing articles about search engine optimization (SEO).
You know your own strengths best, and should consider them when you start hunting for work. If your background is in liberal arts, you will probably do best with assignments in non-technical fields, rather than trying to research particle physics for a piece on quantum mechanics. Conversely, if you have a strong background in science, aim for jobs in that sector.
This brings up another point – almost all writing, unless you are dashing off a piece of fiction for fun, requires some kind of research. You will undoubtedly be doing your research online, so be aware of the biases of the sources you consult.
So, how do you find online freelance jobs?
You might start by applying to one or more of the hundreds of freelance writing job sites out there. They are similar because in that they offer individuals the chance to Some are looking for academic writers, or those who have knowledge in a specific field, while others ask potential writers to first present their portfolio for consideration.
Almost all sites require you to submit a writing sample, and good writers have found themselves turned down by some sites. This has to do with the fact the samples are most likely “read” first by a platform like Applicant Tracking System, which rejects almost 75% of submissions, usually for formatting errors. Make certain your submission meets the site’s guidelines exactly, and forego graphics, fancy fonts, colors, and other non-standing formatting options that will trip the reject button.
Another route to freelancing
Another way to start freelancing online is to create a blog. A well-written, entertaining blog is always fun, and if you catch the eye of a major corporation, they may monetize your efforts by sponsoring you.
You can also ask to post to another blogger’s site. If they agree, some of their readers might follow you as well, and you will start to build a list. To succeed, you need to be willing and able to offer fresh content regularly, probably at least once a week.
Isn’t there something about writing for the U.S. market?
The internet makes it possible for writers to reach markets throughout the world no matter where they’re located, but it is without doubt helpful to at least be familiar with the country. Again, at the risk of stating the obvious, the U.S. is a large country, anywhere from about 2,500 to 3,500 miles from coast to coast, depending on what route you take, and it has various regions. Everyone will give you a different list of these areas, but in general they are the Northeast, Eastern Seaboard, Southeast, South, Midwest, Mountain States, Southwest, and West.
Each region has different customs, accents, foods, music—the list goes on. The biggest difference may be in speech patterns; someone from the South has a much different accent from a resident of Maine. The idioms are different as well, as California has “freeways,” but in the rest of the country, these multi-lane highways are “toll roads.” People often refer to the Eastern Seaboard, but the West Coast. You might read the online version of a local paper to get the “flavor” of the area.
Any other ideas?
Sure. Consider coming to work with us. At Words of Worth, you work with real people, not computers, who are there to back you up with solid editing, useful suggestions, and encouragement to keep you going. We pay monthly, on time, without fail, and you will not have to bid on jobs. Instead, once you’re settled in with us, we will provide you with assignments each month. In most cases, you will have the entire month to complete the work, although we ask you to stay on track during the month, not submit it all on the deadline day.
If you’re a self-starter who can handle some basic research, meet deadlines, have proficient writing skills, and are organized, we want to hear from you. Contact us today and see if you can be part of our team.