How to Become an Online Freelance Writer

Want to know how to write for money online? Many people think about becoming a freelance writer online, and the good news is that get started is a lot easier than most people think.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer
• Internet Connection
• Pad & paper (optional)

1. Set up a plan to help you become an online freelance writer. Are you shooting for part time income, or full time? Do you want to make this a full time business, or do you just love writing on the side? The answers to these questions will help you determine what strategy fits best for you. And if you don't have one already, set up a PayPal account.

2. Know your options. There are many places to write online. Associated Content, ehow, Squidoo, Hubpages, & Constant Content are some of the free places where you can write and earn money. Online freelance writing auction sites like Guru and Elance require a monthly subscription, but are a must for people who want to make full time livings from freelance writing online.

3. Study from the "masters." Masters is a broad term here. Read blogs of writers who actually make a living online. Look around for information, read your library's copy of "Writer's Market." Check out the forums at online writing websites that offer them. Learn as much as you can.

4. Start writing A LOT. Making a living with online freelance writing isn't easy, and you don't want to get paralyzed from over-analysis. You can't make money writing online if you're not writing.

5. Learn to rewrite your articles to get the most out of them. There's no reason a good how to article can't be an original step by step for ehow, rewritten into a good original article for Constant Content, and then altered enough to be an original article for Associated Content. Getting mileage from article is how you become a successful online freelance writer.

6. Keep learning, keep writing, and keep refining your online writing plan based on what you learn and the experience you gain as an online freelance writer.

7. 
    
   Ah, the always hoped for end result from being an online freelance writer.

   Keep writing and as the money moves from an intermittent trickle to a constant rushing river, enjoy your time and life as a freelance writer online.

Tips & Warnings

• Give every site you write for a little bit of time. Two articles isn't enough to tell if any site is good enough for your writing. Twenty starts to give you a good idea.
• Stick to a writing schedule if you can. Getting into the habit of writing makes it a lot easier to stick with.
• Persevere. Being the best writer doesn't mean you'll be a good online freelance writer. Being stubborn and persistent are two of the best qualities any writer can have.
• Avoid Helium.com. They might not be a scam, but they are a rip off and if you can make money writing there, you can make a lot more elsewhere. I'd also avoid Craig's List. There are legit jobs there, but there are also tons of scams.
• Do your research on writing websites since there are scammers out there.

Resources

• Writer's Market
• How to Make a Living Writing Online Blog
• Constant Content Sign Up
• Associated Content Sign Up
• Squidoo Sign Up
• Hubpages Sign Up
• Online Freelance Writing for Beginners

[tammyfrost]

on 12/13/2009 Thanks for this advice...I write for both Helium and ehow and I have doubled my earnings here and haven't earned nearly as much at Helium. I think they are changing their software to be more interactive, like ehow. But you gave great tips on your article. Thanks!

[agathafrump]

on 10/23/2009 As a newbie, how do you know how to price your work?
Are there guidelines somewhere?

[christy45]

on 4/26/2009 Well done. Thank you.

[mflinn]

on 1/27/2009 Thanks for the advice! I especially liked your tips and warnings.