How to Find Work as a Writer
There are many ways to find work as a writer. The options are virtually limitless because all companies and organizations need writers. Everything you read from newspapers to books to websites had a writer create it. And everything you hear from radio commercials to movies to newscasts were also written by professional writers. If you are a writer or an aspiring writer, there are things you can do to have a career as a writer.
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Instructions
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Find one or niches to focus on. One of the best ways to get steady work as a writer is to specialize in a niche. Whether you are an expert in gardening, personal finance, health, video games or parenting, there are niche markets you can focus on.
Choose niches that you are interested in or passionate about or have experience in. Having two to four is a good idea. -
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Apply for writing jobs. If you are new to writing check out websites like the writing forum at WAHM.com and FreelanceWritingGigs.com.
If you have some writing experience the job boards like CareerBuilder, Hot Jobs, Monster and SimpleHired.com can prove useful, as can the job listings at Craigslist. Other websites and forum to check out are WritersWeekly.com and AbsoluteWrite.com.
If you have a lot of writing experience you would do better at JouranlismJobs.com and MediaBistro.com. When applying for jobs always include a cover letter that briefly describes your experience. Include a resume that highlights your writing history and relevant writing samples -
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Bid on projects. There are many bidding sites that offer an opportunity to find work. They vary in membership fees, payment methods, and transaction fees so be sure to read the terms of use of any bidding site you sign up with. Elance.com was one of the first bidding sites around, but now there are many others including Rentacoder.com, Guru.com, Getafreelancer.com, and Scriptlance.com.
With bidding sites you create a profile describing your experience, the services you offer and a portfolio of your best work. When you find a project you like, you then write a proposal providing a quote of how much you will charge to do the work and when the work can be completed. If the client likes your proposal, you are hired. -
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Contact companies for work. One of the best ways to find work is to contact business directly and offer your writing services. All businesses need a writer. Some businesses only need a temporary writer while others need a writer for ongoing work.
There is also less competition when you contact local business directly because most writers prefer to look for advertised jobs. After finding a company you would like to write for, send them a sales letter outlining your writing experience and telling the owner why you are the best person for the job. While this approach requires you to contact many companies, you will get offers of work, and at the rate that you set. -
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Query magazines and other publications. This is the hallmark of many professional writers- developing story ideas and then contacting magazine editors. There are tens of thousands of consumer magazines, trade publications and journals that need writers.
While many writers want to get their bylines in glossy, national magazines, there is good work and less competition with trade journals. Many writer get assignments just by sending in a letter of introduction and asking for work.
Writers Market is an annual directory of magazines offering rates and contact information. It is a good resource for any writer.
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