How to Find Freelance Writing Jobs that Pay

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By Brenda Holm
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Find Freelance Writing Jobs that Pay

A writers heart will not be satisfied without creating through the medium of the pen, or in todays world the keyboard. The ultimate goal of many writers is to find freelance writing jobs that will free them from the monotony of the average job. The problem is they are hard to find and when you do the competition can be fierce. Here are a few tips to finding freelance writing jobs and what you can expect along the way.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Imagination
Patience of Job
Passion for writing
Internet access
Computer

Step 1

The first step to finding freelance writing jobs is of course write! Everywhere you get the opportunity to write something take advantage of it. Sites like Associated Content, Helium and of course Ehow are all good places to get your feet wet. You may not get rich but you can begin to build an online portfolio. This will be important when you begin answering ads for freelance writing jobs.
Step 2

Once you have begun writing some on your own it is time to look around at some of the sites where freelance writing jobs are posted. Sites like: Digital Point Forums, Get a Freelancer, and others have postings for jobs and with the forum you can offer your services. Choose two or three of these to begin monitoring for work. Be sure to keep writing on your blog or one of the other sites already mentioned.
Step 3

Here are a few tips for getting your first freelance writing jobs from the forum boards. You could post a reduced rate introductory price. Offer to write articles for peanuts but only offer it to the first 2-5 responders. This will get your foot in the door on several levels, first it will build your reputation on the site once your clients leave feedback and you have the potential for attracting a long time customer. Believe me when I say one customer can keep you in plenty of work if it is the right customer.
Step 4

Search for article writing sites, places where clients go when they are looking for freelance writers. You never know when one of these companies will need writers. This is not exactly freelance writing jobs, but it is a way to earn money while you build a reputation. Many of these sites will want writing samples, but if you have been doing your homework from above you will have plenty of examples to send them. One site that hires writers quite frequently is Quality Gal. She has an established clientele and if you are chosen to write for the site you get to pick and choose what you write and when, Quality Gal ensures you get paid.
Step 5

When you are first starting out the freelance writing jobs you can get will be limited and you could find yourself taken advantage of. It is a good policy to get up front payments, however realistically until you have your name out there awhile clients may be afraid of getting ripped off. Best advice? Write only one or two articles for a client before getting paid.
Step 6

Be prepared for a feast or famine style of living. Freelance writing jobs seem to cycle and until you have a reliable stable of clients you will likely find times when there is more than you can do and other times when there is nothing.
Step 7

Do not overlook print when you are looking for your next freelance writing jobs. Your local newspaper of favorite magazine may take freelance work from time to time and it can not hurt to submit ideas and short articles to them.