Freelance Writing

willy_gert · October 2013

Have any of you ever done any freelance writing? Do you have any suggestions about where to start? I really enjoy writing and I have seen it suggested as a way to make some extra money, but I have never seen in those articles how to get started. Any suggestions or thoughts would be much appreciated.

BillyMollyEmmy · October 2013

I work as a freelance writer as my second job. The money is fairly good.

This is just my experience - so take this with a grain of salt because this is just one point of view!

I have found that a lot of freelance writing jobs are very, very specific. A lot of employers are looking for someone with expertise in a particular field and/or a degree in journalism with some experience to back the writer up.

In my case, I have a degree in journalism, and one year in multimedia developing (I didn't stay for second year) and four years reporting experience.

In my particular field, it's not just one that you can walk into without some training. It's extremely fast-paced. I write two articles a day, five days a week, on top of my other job. It can be stressful, and I have to be on the ball because I am easily replaced. I am paid once a month, and although the money is good, it's not really reliable unless it's a second job, because no one lives on one pay a month.

I'm certainly not saying you shouldn't try - there are sites out there looking for bloggers, writers with knowledge in specific fields, etc. But it's very competitive.

eshee8198 · October 2013

I've done freelance writing in the past, but as PP said, it was always through existing connections I had made in my field. I've also had a few articles published by professional trade journals, and I do a lot of writing for my job, so I had a good variety of samples I could reference. Sorry I'm not more help.

willy_gert · October 2013

@sharkfarts and @billymollyemmy , I always thought freelance writers were people who had been reporters, journalists, all of the things that you mentioned, so I was surprised when it was recommended so often as a way to make some extra money! I don't know that I would call myself an expert at anything, but I figured it was worth asking.

I can't imagine how stressful it is for you BME! That is a lot of writing in one week!

BillyMollyEmmy · October 2013

willy_gert said:

@sharkfarts and @billymollyemmy , I always thought freelance writers were people who had been reporters, journalists, all of the things that you mentioned, so I was surprised when it was recommended so often as a way to make some extra money! I don't know that I would call myself an expert at anything, but I figured it was worth asking.

I can't imagine how stressful it is for you BME! That is a lot of writing in one week!

I think I am used to it now

I've been running around like a mad woman since the day I graduated. I don't think I know any other life. When I got laid-off from my reporting job, the first day I felt good, the second day off I crashed MEGA and slept for like 16 hours. My body was just like "oh... what is this?? Sleeping?? WELL SHIT." Before that I was working 10-day shifts with two days off. It wasn't even legal! And for peanuts. But I loved the work!

Hyaline · October 2013

Yeah, the little freelance work I've done was continuing work for a company I had worked for, or similar connections.

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