High Quantity, Average Pay equals Great Freelance Writing Jobs
Just like every freelance writer, you are probably most interested in high paying jobs that are fun to work on. For instance, I have completed 1,500 word feature articles on various sporting events for close to $1,000. Unfortunately, these jobs come around only so often. Of course, as you grow your freelance writing career, they are sure to become more and more common.
The question is: what are you going to do until you can build up a decent amount of high paying work? For me, chasing high quantity, average paying projects is the way to go. As you can imagine, “high quantity” and “average pay” means something different to every freelance writer. Generally speaking, it depends on what stage of your career you are in, how fast you work, and what you currently charge clients.
I recently picked up a job that I would describe as high quantity with average pay. I am being paid $250 per week for five articles per day of 250 to 300 words. This is not a large project by any means, and some may even see it as a time waster. But for me, it works out to an extra $1,000 per month for a relatively small amount of work.
If you are searching for jobs that fit these criteria, make sure that you are very careful. You do not want to accept a job that requires 100 articles per month for a total pay of $200. If you do, you will find out soon enough that you are not spending your time wisely. It is always important to breakdown any project offer that you receive. By break down I mean find out how much time you will have to put in, and what per hour rate you will be able to earn. This will give you an answer as to whether or not you should accept the project.
Until you start to consistently reel in high paying regular jobs, you may want to consider those that are high quantity with average pay.
February 21st, 2008 at 10:49 am
Hi Chris,
I’m curious. Where exactly do you get these jobs from? I’m ready for the next step (higher pay) and would love a nudge in the right direction.
February 21st, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Monika - Thanks for the comment. I cant say for sure where you can find these jobs. Personally, I rely on GAF, cold calling, querying magazine editors, etc. Once you try out a few of these options you will see what works best!
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:08 am
Thanks Chris,
For the magazine queries do you use a specific list that is published or do you do your own research?
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Chris
Good post!
About writing for magazines, Writers Market is an excellent source. However, the real key is the query letter. It should be interesting, match the magazine’s publication schedule and, for new writers, be somehow related to what they have experience in. There are plenty of resources available on how to write a good query.
When I started writing several years ago, I used my education (MBA-Marketing) and my previous work experience (in small businesses) to land several projects with small business related magazines. In fact, I got an assignment for EACH query I sent out.
Nadin
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Monika,
Try approaching local businesses to write commercial content. Go for the medium and large sized ones - they have the work and budget to pay you. If you haven’t read it, I strongly recommend the “Well Fed Write” and its sequel by Peter Bowerman.
Nadin
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Monika - Give Writers Market a try! You can get an online subscription for $29.99.
Nadin - You are so right about approaching local businesses. Great point!