How to Find Freelance Writing Jobs

So you want to freelance but don’t know where to start. Listed below are some great sites to check out. Freelancing in any field takes time, you need to dedicate time to your search, organizing your work area and to the work itself. Don’t be fooled with the idea that by becoming a freelancer you will have more free time on your hands or more money in your pocket. At some point this may happen for you but when starting out you will be putting in long hours for very little pay.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer
• Internet

1. It’s not at all uncommon to see requests for freelance writers at $2.50 per 500 word submissions. Even at this rate jobs are snapped up at an alarming rate. You will be competing for these assignments against writers from foreign countries who are willing to work for less money then you spend eating out every month.
2. If you can build up a portfolio of work and a file of good references then you stand a much better chance of moving up the pay scale. In order to do this you need to know where to find legitimate freelance work. Be wary of sites that charge a fee before allowing you to browse the postings, many of these sites are scams or simply list jobs such as stuffing envelopes. This is not what you are looking for!
3. Freelance work is never steady, you may be floating in money one month and dirt poor the next so it’s important to have resources to fall back on during the tight months. If you’re able to, build up your savings before striking out into the freelance world. If your currently in a sink or swim situation, live as cheap as you can until you’ve accumulated a few months worth of living expenses. During those tight months you’ll find yourself dipping into your savings and then having to rebuild it as your able.
4. Many freelance sites use a rating system which is a great way to build up your references and show your assignment history. Keep in mind that if you fail to meet a deadline or do not complete the assignment to the satisfaction of the hiring company this will also be reflected in your ratings.
5. One site that I like to browse through on a regular basis is www.getafreelancer.com . On this site you will find a variety of freelance postings. Most are legitimate but there are some that appear to be a scam. Read the details of the offer and check ratings, this will give you a good idea as to whether the posting is legitimate.
   Basic membership is free and allows you to bid on asset number of projects per month. You are charged a commission for each completed job. For a monthly fee you can opt for an upgraded account that waives the commission fees that free members pay. For further details the different types of accounts visit the site.
6. Most everyone has heard of www.about.com but did you know that you can apply to be a guide? They keep a list of guides that they are looking for. Simply scroll to the bottom of the home page and click “be a guide” check the listing and details and see if you are a match for one of the topics. You will need to complete a 17 day training course for which you will not be paid, if after completing the course you are selected as a new guide your trial site will become live and viewable on the web. Guides are currently guaranteed a minimum of $725.00 a month for the first two years. For further details please refer to about.com.
7. www.ifreelance.com is another reputable website dedicated to matching freelance workers with companies seeking people with specific skills. This site is commission free but does charge a small monthly fee for the services they provide. There are 3 different levels; all based under $10 a month.
8. A site that I have not personally checked out by registering is www.freelanceswitch.com I have heard good reviews of this site but I have no personal knowledge of their reputation or the listings offered on the site. In order to get any contact information for jobs you will need to register and pay a monthly membership fee.