How to Find Online Writing Jobs

Hundreds of online writing jobs become available every day. All around the world, clients and employers are looking for professional writers to write their website content, press releases, blog posts, emails, newsletters, online product catalogs, articles and different kinds of marketing, sales and web copy.

Instructions

1. Explore the places that list online writing jobs. There are numerous specialized sites that bring you these consolidated listings regularly, which include freelance and full-time positions with large corporations as well as independent clients. Some of these websites are Freelancewritinggigs.com, Aboutfreelancewriting.com and Mediabistro.com, which offers writing and journalism jobs. Also, scour craigslist.com and other job search sites such as monster.com, careerbuilder.com, simplyhired.com and exclusive recruiting groups that offer creative gigs, such as creativegroup.com. Do not forget to run a basic Internet search in all leading search engines, using variations of the keyword phrases "online writing jobs," "writing gigs," "web writing jobs" and "blogging jobs." Also visit websites of companies you would like to work for and either upload your portfolio or apply to open online writing positions.

2. Sign up with sites such as Guru.com, Elance.com, ODesk.com and others where writers and other professionals can bid on gigs. Clients post projects on these websites, and you approach them through the bidding process of the site. Many of these sites offer free and paid plans. Understandably, the free plans may have restrictions on the type and number of projects you can bid on or the amount you can earn, but paid plans may offer you more flexibility. After you sign up to receive regular updates from these sites, your inbox may soon be flooded with projects, but you have to be careful in choosing the ones that fit your style. Also, be aware that there will always be people willing to bid lower than you, so you may end up lowering your rate to get projects at some point. However, these sites may be useful in getting a feel for what type of online writing jobs are available and what clients are willing to pay.

3. Create clips. Most employers and clients, during the selection process, like to review your writing clips. These are samples of your work that show to the potential client your writing style, areas of expertise and skills. Not all editors or clients expect to see published clips. If you are looking for your first online writing job, you could try creating sample clips that are relevant to the types of jobs you are applying to. Another way to create clips is to start a blog and update it regularly with posts that reflect your writing style and interest in or knowledge of a subject. You could also volunteer to write for a nonprofit cause by applying to websites such as idealist.org, or you could contribute to the "Letters to the Editor" section of leading online newspapers or magazines.

4. Put together a resume, cover letter template, website or portfolio. When applying for online writing jobs, it is important to craft these exceptionally well. Craft cover letters that are tailored to the specific position. Ensure your resume showcases your writing accomplishments and experience. Invest in a website or online portfolio where you can present your writing samples or publish links that point to your work online.

5. Stand out from the crowd. As online presence becomes imperative for most businesses and with the explosion of social media marketing tools such as blogging, the demand for online writers has increased. However, there is no shortage of interested and skillful online writers either. Find a way to distinguish yourself to clients. You could pick a niche market that not many newbie online writers cater to, such as industrial copywriting or white paper writing. Or choose to focus on a certain category of writing, such as SEO or product descriptions, or a specific industry such as retail, health care or finance. Make sure that your application sparkles in every way, reflecting your unique personality, strength and style. Keep updating your skills. Online writing jobs may not be hard to come by. But, in order to find gigs that pay well and are longstanding, you need to prove yourself to be a strong and highly skilled writer who offers clients distinct advantages that not many other writers do.

6. Expand your expertise. Finding online writing jobs is not just about writing. You need to sharpen your research skills, be an effective communicator and improve your marketing skills, be it over the phone, email or in person. Regardless of how good you are as a writer, these additional skills are crucial to have when you seek online writing jobs.

Tips & Warnings

• Subscribe to the feeds from the sites that list online writing jobs frequently so that you don't miss out on any of them. Try cold-calling clients who may not have an online presence yet. You never know who might need an online writer.

• Beware of "work at home writing job" scams that abound. Do not accept any job without a writer's contract. Read and make sure you understand and accept the terms before signing. Do not share personal or financial information unless you have established the authenticity of the client and have come to the stage where you're signing a contract.

Resources

• Leading freelance writing network
• Online writing resources, jobs and tips