Do you feel like there’s nothing available for freelance writers except for low paying web content writing jobs?
Are you frustrated and beyond frustrated because every single client seems to want to argue about rates?
Does it seem like you’re working as hard as you can and getting nowhere?
If you answered “yes” to all of the above questions, then maybe you’re trapped in the freelance writing web.
While the Internet provides a wonderful and exciting opportunity for writers, competition can be fierce.
Typically, hundreds of freelance writers from all over the world compete for a handful of well-known and well-publicized Internet writing opportunities.
It’s a buyer’s market, and the rate that web writers get paid often reflects that.
Fortunately, there’s much more to freelance writing than creating web content. For the freelance writer with the right abilities who is willing to grow and learn, there are many more lucrative, but less publicized opportunities.
How to find higher paying freelance writing jobs is what I’ll be discussing over at Deb Ng’s Freelance Writing Jobs blog in the coming weeks. Specifically, I’ll be taking a look at writing opportunities in large companies. The first post in the series is “To Earn More, Offer More.”
I’m excited to be blogging at Freelance Writing Jobs. I’ve known Deb for a few years now, and I think that her network provides a valuable service to the freelance writing community.
I’m also excited to be able to share my many years of corporate writing experience with other writers.
19 responses so far ↓
1 Matt Keegan // Feb 12, 2010 at
Congratulations on the gig with Deb Ng. I will make a point at stopping over there more often.
Yes, you have hit the nail on the head. I did better in 2009 v. 2008, but it was a HARD year. I let one client go because of all the nit-picking what went on, choosing to take on a slightly lower paying gig without the hassles. The net result was that I worked about the same but got more money.
I’m looking forward to reading your tips about corporate clients. When I land them, they usually pay very well. Plus, they usually pay on time too.
2 Laura Spencer // Feb 12, 2010 at
Thanks Matt!
The main point of my series with Deb is that writers need to understand that they have more options than just web writing.
So many writers believe that web content creation is all that there is.
3 Krista // Feb 12, 2010 at
So true. I actually did quite well with general web content/copywriting for a while, but I think rates have plummetted in the last year. While I used to get at least some response from about 1 in 5 of these postings, it’s dropped to about 1 in 50. Don’t know if it’s just a bad streak of luck or not!
I have an education degree, and did a lot of standardized test creation, workbook activites, etc. before focusing on web content. I think the educational publishing industry is where I need to be, though. My response rate for those jobs is 1 in 4 or 5.
4 Laura Spencer // Feb 12, 2010 at
Thanks Krista!
Your experience is not unique. Unfortunately, so many writers don’t realize that there are other markets for their writing.
Did you get a chance to look at the post on Freelance Writing Jobs?
5 uberVU - social comments // Feb 12, 2010 at
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by TXWriter: New WritingThoughts post today! RT @TXWriter Are You Trapped in the Writing Web? http://bit.ly/9aMizO…
6 Lillie Ammann // Feb 12, 2010 at
Laura,
Congratulations on writing for Deborah Ng. I’ll look forward to reading your posts over there.
7 Laura Spencer // Feb 13, 2010 at
Thanks Lillie!
8 Anne Wayman // Feb 17, 2010 at
Thinking about this this morning I wonder if web writing just looks to easy… there are ebooks on making a ton of money writing articles, and sites promoting that idea too. Many people don’t seem to realize that in this instance the low hanging fruit is probably not what they want.
9 Laura Spencer // Feb 17, 2010 at
Thanks Anne!
You are absolutely right. The jobs that are easiest to get are not the ones that pay the most.
10 Josh Hanagarne // Feb 17, 2010 at
Very cool, Laura, good for you! You got it because you deserve it and you practice what you preach over her. I’ll be looking forward to it!
11 Laura Spencer // Feb 17, 2010 at
Thanks Josh!
I do write a lot from my own experiences. I think that’s part of how I learn. I’m glad that others can benefit from that learning too.
12 Ellen5e Spencer // Mar 24, 2010 at
I am encouraged by your writings. Your sincerity is evident and much appreciated. I look forward to learning even more from you and if able to likewise aid you in some way. Congrats on your success!
13 Genesis Davies // May 1, 2010 at
I’m a little late on this, but congrats! I agree that most writers don’t realize how many other areas there are to earn in. It’s easy to get stuck in one spot, your comfort zone, and just keep writing for the same low paying clients over and over again.
14 Laura Spencer // May 3, 2010 at
Thanks Ellen5e Spencer and Genesis Davies!
15 Angela Neal // May 28, 2010 at
Great topic Laura! I love that title. I was caught in the “web” for my first year or so of freelancing until I made some positive changes. It’s not always easy, but there are DEFINITELY ways to make a real living by freelance writing online. I look forward to reading your articles. 🙂
16 Laura Spencer // May 28, 2010 at
Thanks Angela Neal,
I do agree with you. There are good writing opportunities online.
My point was actually that there are still lots of offline writing jobs as well. That why I stated “there’s much more to freelance writing than creating web content.” 🙂
So many people assume that all freelance writers create web content or blog posts. That’s just not the case. Many do, but not all.
In my first post (and in subsequent posts) I identify a lot of business writing fields that don’t necessarily involve web content.
17 Ralph Fleming // Jun 11, 2010 at
I can uderstand what you are saying in this article becaue I guess every one of us, involved in the online writing activity has felt like that. It is difficult to find good writing opportunities and I believe that writers have to help themselves!
18 Craig // Sep 16, 2010 at
Thought provoking post, Laura. I think many writers fail to look at the business side of the industry for which they are writing. For example, many websites have fluctuating incomes or no profit, so they can’t afford to offer high rates. Meanwhile, corporations will pay very well for technical writing or copywriting jobs. Sticking to lucrative markets will help increase freelance income. Also, creating demand via distinguishing yourself as a writer helps. Let the clients seek you out!
19 Laura Spencer // Sep 16, 2010 at
Thanks Craig!
That’s exactly right! A corporation tends to pay more than a content based company. Although, it may be easier to find the content based companies it is well worth it to seek out the more lucrative corporate opportunities.