Low Paying Writing Jobs - To Take or Not to Take

I have been a freelance writer for some time and one thing I have noticed is there are some clients who understand freelance writing and others just have no clue. A lot of clients (especially online content clients) will hire you at a low rate and tell you that if you love your job, the pay doesn't matter. A lot of work from home opportunities reel people in with this line and it's not only untrue, it's insulting as a freelance writer.

A low-paying writing job doesn't pay my bills and I am a freelance writer for income -- not hobby, that's what my books are for. Yes, I love my job, but do not tell me to take a job that is low pay because of that fact. You're basically telling me my skills, experiences and abilities don't matter. Gee, thanks.

Yet Another Work from Home Reality - Starting the Day Off Wrong

Today was one of those days that make me dread the fact I work from home. Not because I really hate working at home, but because I hate how at-home issues make me not want to work that day.

I woke up at 5:00am ready to hit the keyboard and make some money. I have tons of writing work piled up -- and it's not going to go anywhere today that's for sure. I go to my trusty Keurig and pop in a pod, pull out my favorite International Delight Heath Bar coffee creamer and hear the Keurig doing it's usual loud sputter. I go to scoop up my steaming mug and sneak into the bedroom to start work and...wait? No coffee? There was nothing but a few piddly drops at the bottom of my mug! I tried every troubleshooting trick in the book  and finally came to the conclusion (sadly might I add) that my precious Keurig was dead. We had a good (almost) two years together, but, why for the love of all things could you not break the day before! You brew one cup at a time and you can't break the day before so I have a warning?!

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Are You on Schedule?

http://www.danielbmeador.com

Freelancing means you are your own boss, on your own schedule and doing what you what when you want it. The issue, however, is too many freelancers take this very concept a little too literally. They miss deadlines, do things last minute and procrastinate to the point where they are working 12 hour days or even 18 hour days to make sure stuff gets done. Why? Because they are not on a schedule.

The Schedule Factor
A schedule is extremely important for a freelancer. Whether you do graphic designing, writing or editing, you need to have a daily schedule and organization so you know what needs to be done and you work on it bit by bit just like you would in a real office with a boss breathing down your neck. Sure you are your own boss, but if you are not productive, then you might as well go back and work for the man at this point -- because you aren't making money efficiently your way.

How to Create a Freelance at Home Schedule
If you are freelancing from home, you need a schedule. The good news is, this doesn't have to be 8am-5pm Monday through Friday. You can do whatever works for you, but also keep in mind you have clients.

Step One: Make a list of your clients and their normal operation hours. While some work typical office hours, others may be in a different country. Make notes of who may overlap your "awake" hours. It is important to have working hours when your clients do so that you can contact them with questions, issues, etc.

Step Two: Write down your assignments or projects. If you do not have a list of what you are doing and when it is due, you already have a severe organization issue. Sticky notes, by the way, do not count for organization. You should be using a spreadsheet or Access document. I will provide a template in a follow-up post for you all to use.

Step Three: Ask yourself when you want to work. What do you have going on that may effect your schedule? For example, I have a three year old and a husband with a weird work schedule. Therefore, certain days of the week I can work more than others. Chunk together time where you can get solid work in and note times where it is "iffy" as to what can be accomplished.

You should have a schedule for each day of the week you are working and that schedule should include when you start, when you have time to contact clients, when you will be working straight and when you will take a lunch -- just like a real job. If you want a three hour lunch break, schedule it in. That's what is great about this, but the bottom line is, you need to schedule it in.

Step Four: Write it down and print it out! Once you have your schedule, type it up and print it out. This should be next to your workspace as a reminder. Try out your new schedule for a week or so and make adjustments where necessary. The good news about being your own boss is you have that luxury.

A schedule when you are working from home as a freelance writer is extremely important. This ensures you stay on task and don't miss out on working on a job to go shopping (or golfing...). The bottom line in freelancing from home is TIME IS MONEY. Your time is now money. No one is paying you hourly and you are in charge. You need to get work done and get it done efficiently and within a timely manner in order to make it worth your while.

Do I Really Need a Schedule?
Some people hate the idea of a schedule. In my experience these are also the freelancers from home that never make any money -- just saying. But if you are really questioning whether or not you need a schedule, ask yourself this:

• Do you work on a project with equal chunks of time each day so that it is not rushed nor pushed to a 12 hour day last minute?
• Do you find yourself working longer some days to catch up?
• Do you find that you are frequently late or turning in poor quality work?

If you even answer "yes" to one of those, you need a schedule. 

You will be surprised at just how more efficient you are at freelancing from home with a schedule and how much more money you make just by creating a schedule.

A Real Freelancers Schedule

People are always asking me what my schedule is. Since I run a copywriting business and write for clients myself, mine is quite hectic and days are filled with a lot to do. The great thing, however, is I rarely work a 40 hour week and still make $4,000 per month (profit). Why? Because I'm organized.

Monday: 10am-2pm

Tuesday: 7am-4pm

Wednesday: 7am-2pm

Thursday: 7am-4pm

Friday: 7am-1pm

Saturday/Sunday: Off (unless I want to work extra)

*I do a working lunch. Meaning I eat while working.

I work around a three year old, a pregnancy, family/friends and a husband who is a firefighter. I still take care of the house, do the shopping, spend time with my son, write my own blogs for fun and relax. But during those work hours I'm all business. I work, work, work. The rest of the time is my time, while that time is work time.

Your Schedule Can Change and It Should
Life changes, things happen and your schedule is not the same every day. When my son was first born I had hour long chunks of work time, but still made it happen. Even if you work one hour in the morning, two mid-day and three at night several days per  week on a scheduled basis, you are more efficient. Create a schedule that works for you. Reassess your schedule weekly or monthly depending on your situation. I know mine changes monthly and when our second child is born it will change quite severely, but no matter what is going on, I will have a written schedule of some kind. I will know what hours I work, even if I'm working 20 minute chunks between a waking baby.

A schedule almost psychs your mind into "work mode" and you will see a difference instantly just by having one.

If You Are Too Lazy to Follow a Schedule, You Need a Career Change
I have had people say it is too impossible to follow a schedule. They can't do it or refuse to do it. If you cannot self-motivate and self-discipline to follow a simple schedule that YOU create, then YOU need to not work for yourself. Some people find this to be harsh, but in my 10 years experience as a freelance writer I can tell you that those very individuals with this mentality I have met in the past, never made it anywhere past entry level and $3 articles. Interesting isn't it?

Schedules. They are not the enemy -- they are what helps you make money in the freelance writing industry.

Expert Blog: Breaking into the Freelance Writing Industry

By Shailynn Krow

I wanted to spend some time today talking about breaking into the freelance writing industry. A lot of people jump into the freelance writing world and think they are going to make it big overnight. Sure, some people are that lucky, though honestly I have never met or read about these so-called get rich quick writers. Ever heard the phrase “starving writer”? That is more likely than a rich writer happening overnight – to think of it, I started off on the ramen noodle budget diet. You would be surprised what you can do with those noodles and for $0.80 a pop, it is what most writers live off of.

Even famous writers like Stephan King and Michael Crichton had to put in their long hours – and they still put in their long hours today. Too many newbie writers jump into freelance writing and think they are just going to get rich and never work and these are the people that never make it.

Get to Work and Keep Working!

After 10 years of freelance writing I still work long hours. Some days I will work 5am to 7pm, while other days I work three hours. Why? Because I’m a freelancer. Work is never scheduled, never the same and it is always sporadic. You take the work when you get it because tomorrow you might have none. If you waltz into freelance writing thinking you will work when you want and have a scheduled number of hours, you might as well fill up your resume and get a real job. Freelance writing means long hours and never the same schedule. Ask any freelancer and they can tell you that.

Setting Your Own Hours by the Job Not Your Life

You should set your own hours, but by that I mean set up some working hours, but have them flexible. Example? I set myself up from 8am to 3pm for one of my clients. However I have to be flexible depending on the client I get.  Two weeks ago I had a client from China. We certainly do not share the same work hours. To meet with him I had to get on Skype by 4am my time. Did that mean I woke up at 3:55am and dragged myself in robe and no makeup to my computer to chat with my client via video chat? If I had, I doubt I would have been working for them.

Instead, I woke up at 3:00am, hopped in the shower, ate and even drank a cup of coffee all before heading to the computer. I was awake, fresh and clean for my client and more importantly I was alert and professional.

Think of the Competition

I cannot tell you how many writers I have met who are lazy and just figure they will find work later. These are the people that you see at Costco working part-time because their freelance writing career has got them nowhere. I have never taken a side job in my 10 years of freelance writing. Why? Because I know the competition and I strive to beat them every time.

Who are your competitors? Aside from the hundreds of thousands of so-called “freelance writers” in the United States, you are also competing against writers in China, India and other countries – all of which have impeccable work ethic in comparison to U.S. writers.  U.S. writers, in all honesty, are lazy. Deadlines mean nothing to them, they work slow and they don’t know the meaning of hard work. Writers in other countries are willing to do twice as much, twice as fast and for half the pay of U.S. writers. More clients are opting for non-U.S. writers simply because they know they will get their work on time, in bulk and for half the price. Can you blame them?

Start thinking in terms of competition. There are perhaps a few thousand jobs per month available and usually several hundred writers that apply for the same exact position. If you have history of missing deadlines, poor work quality or inability to comprehend simple instructions, you will not make the cut. Your portfolio, client referrals and feedback have to be extraordinary. You have to stand out in a crowd of perhaps 50 to over 100 other applicants. That’s not easy to do – no matter how great of a writer you are.

You Want to be a Writer – So What?

Telling someone you want to be a writer, whether it is a publisher, editor at a newspaper or some random employer looking for some articles, means nothing. I once told an editor I wanted to be a writer. His response?

“So why are you standing here telling me that? Go write something”.

He had a point.

Saying you want to be a writer means nothing to anyone who wants to hire you. You have to write, prove you can write and more so prove you want to be a writer. Standing around saying it doesn’t mean anything. Those that really want to be writers get up, write, get the job done and do what it takes to become a writer. Weird how that works out right?

What is Writing Really Like?

I get a lot of questions from people asking what it is like to be a writer. I tell them it’s a lot of work. You have to read, research and be up-to-date on just about everything. You have to be crafty and witty and take a boring topic and make it interesting  -- not something everyone can do, even real writers. If I can give one bit of advice to those who want to break into freelance writing, here it is:

·         Never be late with your work. It shows you are lazy and undedicated to being a writer.

·         Never be selfish with your work hours. If you want to survive and make a living, you better learn to fashion your hours around that of people hiring you.

·         You want to write? Then quit reading this, quit telling people what you want and sit down and do it.

Freelance writing is a harsh, highly competitive and grueling industry. You will be given horrible feedback, yelled at, and scrounging for work some days. If you love to write and really want to be a writer, however, you will make the most of what you have and you will find just how easy it is to actually break into the industry.

How to Work from Home as a Freelance Writer Successfully

The issue with the term “work from home” is that most people hear this and take it too literally. They become lazy, irresponsible and just assume that they are going to make it big or become wealthy overnight – all of which are wrong. So how come so many people work from home as a freelance writer and make a successful living, but you can’t? Consider some of the following:

The Work from Home “Dream”

Those that want to work from home as a freelance writer often do so not because they love to write, but because they want to make money and work for themselves – this is issue number one. The other “dream” misconceptions of working from home as a freelance writer:

·         I can make my own hours

·         I can be my own boss

·         I can choose when I work and how much I work

·         I can write on whatever I want to write

·         I can become rich working 20 hours per week

·         I can be a writer; I did good in school

Let’s talk about these “dream” misconceptions and how most likely they are destroying your chances of ever being a successful freelance writer.

I Can Make My Own Hours: Yes and No

Sure, you can make your own hours, but do those hours work around the people you are writing for? As a freelance writer, you still work for someone in terms of writing. What if that client is available 6am to 4pm, but you only work 5pm to 11pm? How will you contact your client with issues or questions? If you answer “I’ll wait until the next day”, then right there is your freelance writing failure. Though you can make your own hours, you still have to plan those hours around your clients.

Bottom line: If you are selfish with your hours, you might be surprised how many clients you lose or don’t get altogether.

I Can Be My Own Boss: No

A freelance writer still works for someone and answers to someone. Whether it is an editor at a newspaper, CEO of a copywriting company or the owner of a company you are writing a press release for, you answer to some sort of client and that client is, technically, your boss. If they are unsatisfied, they fire you. Therefore, if you think you will work from home as a freelance writer successfully by saying you work for no one, then you have just axed your chances of writing successfully.

Bottom line: Even great authors like Stephan King and John Grisham report to an editor at their publisher’s office and they still have to report on time and do the job. Everyone answers to someone.

I Can Choose When I Work and How Much: No

You can pick and choose what clients you take on, but that’s as far as your power goes. Clients will give you assignments, which might take you longer than your scheduled hours. If you don’t do it, you won’t get more work from that client. It’s quite simple. Those looking to work from home as a freelance writer need to be flexible with their working hours, flexible with how much work they take and always strive to do the best. Why? Because one week you may have work and the next none.

Bottom line: Take what you get when you get it, get it done and do it no matter how long it takes.

I Can Write on Whatever I Want to Write: No

If you have been freelancing for years and built up a large enough clientele or work for a newspaper, then yes, you can. However, most who start to work from home as a freelance writer do not have that luxury. Therefore, being an avid researcher is important so that you can write on any topic presented to you. You cannot just pick and choose. If you do, you will be surprised at how little you make.

Bottom line: Learn to research and learn to write on what you are told to write. Pretend you are starving and work is your food. Take the food you get so you don’t starve to death tomorrow.

I Can Become Rich Working 20 Hours Per Week: No

The whole “get rich, work less” jargon was created by the schemers of the work-from-home industry. They lure people in saying work 15 to 20 hours per week and make $5,000 per month from home. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. This is no different with working from home as a freelance writer. Freelance writers have to work long hours, long weeks and sometimes for little pay. Even famous writers work more than 20 hours per week. Do you think Stephan King wrote all of his novels working when he felt like it or just 10 hours per week? No. Stephan King writes a minimum of 2,000 words per day for eight hours per day the entire week. Sure he’s rich, but he didn’t get there nor keep himself there only working a few hours a week.

Bottom line: If you think you will make it big working a small number of hours per week, you will be surprised at how little you make. Get to work and get working hard.

I Can Be a Writer; I Did Good in School: No

Those who want to work from home as a freelance writer often fail because they say they are a good writer. Writing a term paper in school is nothing like writing a 400 word article on the effects of a prescription drug and hair loss or installing a vinyl fence. Those who look at freelance writing as “homework” ultimately fail. Those who are passionate about writing, who write naturally and without effort are the ones that are successful. You have to be naturally witty, entertaining and more so conversational. A client that asks for an article on vinyl fences doesn’t want a book report. They want something interesting for their readers to learn from.

Bottom line: Not everyone is cut out to work from home as a freelance writer. Just because you were good in school doesn’t mean you are good at professional writing.

10 Ways to Be the Best Freelance Writer

A freelance writer’s career is only as successful as the writer. Ill-informed articles, poor grammar or dull content are three things that will not only get your article rejected, but also give you a bad rap as a writer. Take a few tips to improve your writing and your overall writer profile.

Research

Research any article before you write it. This goes for web content, articles, advice and even blogs. Never write an article that you have not recently researched, even if you are an expert in the field. Even experts need research to back them up.

Use Personality

Show a little personality in what you write. Don’t write boring drab after boring drab and expect readers to stay interested in what you have to say. No matter the topic, there is always a little wiggle room for personality. Find your personality and flaunt it in in anyway you can within the article content...even if you are writing about garden slugs.

Be Authoritative

A writer that writes like a student is not one that is respected. Write each and ever piece like you are an expert in the field. Take action, take authority and show you expertise, even if you had to research the article in order to get it.

Capture with Intro’s

A boring introduction leaves the rest unread 90 percent of the time. After all, the intro is a reader’s quick peek at what the rest of the article will be like. Therefore, an introduction should capture attention of the reader and make them crave to read more.

Update Your Resume

With each job you complete, it should go straight to your writer’s resume. Even if you only wrote one article for a company, it still goes on your resume. A writer’s resume is an important tool, especially when you begin branching out into more respected writing positions. So update, update, update.

Branch Out

Never be a one-trick-pony. If you have expertise in gardening, write about it, but not only it. Branch out into other fields such as home improvement, food or perhaps fashion. The more topics you have experience with, the more marketable you are to other companies. After all, what restaurant will hire a writer to do food descriptions if all they have done in the past is write about dental offices?

Market Yourself

As a freelance writer, you have to find the work -- it doesn’t find you. Therefore, you have to sell yourself. If you are not confident in yourself, then employers are not going to be confident enough to hire you. Market yourself, be your biggest fan and sell yourself like you are selling a car. A successful freelance writer is truly a sales person in disguise.

Get Feedback

After each job, article or content is said and done, ask for feedback. Ask about your quality, your voice and anything you can improve on. Not only do employers respect this from freelancers, most will hire you again. This gives you an edge on the market as well because you know what employers are looking for and have already improved your weaknesses.

Use the Feedback

There is no point in asking for feedback if you don't apply it. When an employer tells you you need to learn to find better research references, then start looking into more authoritative and reputable sources to plant in your arsenal. If an employer says your introductions are dull, then read and educate yourself on how to write a captivating introduction. A book I found helpful for writing introductions: Point Made: How to Write Like the Nation's Top Advocates

Educate Yourself

The best freelancers are constantly educating and reeducating themselves. Start reading and constantly update your resource library with new editions of style books, new writing guides and improving your overall writing quality. The more educated you are, the higher up on the pay scale you will go. Writing is like a canoe trip -- paddle your way to the end or just sit and float.


Suggested Reading: The Freelance Writer's Bible -- Something ever freelance writer should own.

Types of Freelance Writing Jobs

Do you enjoy to write, but want to work from home? Well, the freelance writing industry has taken off as a popular way to work from home, make a living and do what you love. Freelance writing is not for everyone, but luckily if you enjoy to write you can find a niche that works for you and possibly turns into a rewarding at-home career.

Content Writers

Content writers have unlimited possibilities in today’s freelance writing industry. Since more companies are turning to the Internet, the demand for quality content is growing. Content writers will write web pages, articles and provide the written word for websites consumers visit every day. To be a content writer, freelancers need to be familiar with SEO and learn how to be a quality writer at a fast pace to earn a worthy dollar. Read up on "Writing Online" -- a helpful guide to learning about SEO, finding online writing jobs and how to be successful in the content writing world.

Medical

Doctors offices and pharmaceutical companies are looking for technical writers that can create brochure content, newsletters and more professional pieces that focus on medically-related topics. These types of writers must be very accurate and on task.

Technical

Technical writers work on the how-to industry for computers, technology and software. Companies often require that their technical writers have experience in the industry as well as some sort of degree or education in computers or technology. Writers interested in technical writing would benefit from reading "From Idea to Print", which guides technical writers into the industry step-by-step.

Copywriting, Marketing/Advertising

Writers that can create a pitch and sell a product should look into copywriting for marketing and advertising. These types of writers strive to get consumers to take action, purchase a product, sign up for a service, etc. You have to be a successful salesman via the written word to work in this industry.

Catalog

Catalog writers are still in popular demand. This type of writer has to sell a product, write a back story and create an intrigue in the customer’s mind to purchase a product. These products range from books to clothing to jewellery and the writer must write to compel a person to buy. Demand is still there for this type of freelance writer, but requires experience in writing to get into the industry.

Bloggers

Bloggers are growing in popularity over the past decade, but are typically independent. Though some companies will hire bloggers for their company, most individuals start their own blogs and monetize them. Note that the blogging industry is extremely competitive and requires extensive work on your own, with little rewards in the start. Refer to the Blogging page for more information about blogging for pay.

Resume

Resume writers are in high demand. These individuals write attractive resumes for businesses and private individuals. This can be done through resume service companies or independent companies. Writers interested in resume writing should read "The Resume.com Guide to Writing Unbeatable Resumes" before signing up for resume writing careers.

Business Plans

With today’s economy dwindling, more small businesses are popping up on the radar. In order to fund their dreams, these small business owners must get private funding, which requires an extensive business plan. Writers interested in business plans are required to have business and finance backgrounds, specifically in business plans. Follow up on getting into the business plan industry with "Anatomy of a Business Plan" for step-by-step business plan instructions to increase your skills.

Want to get into the freelance writing industry? Aspiring freelance writers can get inside information on each of these categories in the Savvy Freelancers Guide eBooks coming soon. Become your own boss and take care of your financial security...the savvy way.