Three Quick Tips for Aspiring Online Content Writers
Just because I earn a full-time living through freelance writing, it does not mean that this is the path for everybody. If you are simply looking for a part-time gig, you may want to consider securing some of the many online content writing positions that are available. Webmasters are always in search of those who can write effective, SEO oriented content.
Here are three quick tips for aspiring online content writers.
1. Just like anything else, you are not going to get paid tons of money at first. In fact, with my first online content job I was paid $1 per 500 words; that is just about as bad as it gets. Over time this changed, but starting at the bottom is part of the process.
2. Use every method possible to find new jobs. This includes message boards, bidding sites, and “cold emailing.” While you do not want to spam webmasters, if you come across a site that you like send a quick email outlining your writing experience.
3. Online content writing is just as important as any other type. For this reason, you always want to put your best work out there. Some people think that writing SEO articles is not “real freelance writing.” The bottom line is that if you are being paid, you owe it to yourself and the client to do good work.
These three tips will help anybody who is interested in breaking into the online content writing industry.
December 2nd, 2007 at 11:45 am
I’d like to clear up a common misconception among beginning writers - a misconception you made a point of including in this article.
You do NOT have to start out at the bottom of the barrel. If you have the talent and experience in a given niche you can command high paying jobs from the start - it’s simply a matter of knowing how to market yourself effectively.
December 2nd, 2007 at 12:24 pm
Denise - In my opinion, you are right in a sense. But with that being said, many newbies think it is easy to break into the “popular” publications, etc. It is something that needs to be looked at on a case by case basis.
December 2nd, 2007 at 2:45 pm
I agree with Denise; I think a writer who chooses to approach online writing with a corporate-type model, such starting out as a grunt and slowly climbing up, is a dangerous and demoralizing frame of mind. In fact, most writers choose the online platform BECAUSE they’re tired of being someone else’s grunt.
Those bidding sites are a quick way to becoming disheartened, and I also think they’re a bane to all serious and talented writers who are starting out. I read about writers who have carved out a nice ditch for themselves writing for pennies all the time.
I don’t mean to dis your post, Chris, but I just get a bit frightened when I read about this kind of advice for new writers. I liked your post on starting out locally much more.
December 2nd, 2007 at 3:05 pm
Amanda - Excellent comment; thank you. As mentioned above, I agree with what you and Denise are saying. But at the same time, there is nothing wrong with starting out at the bottom if need be.
I started writing working for pennies, and now earn much more. The point is to show readers that you can build your career from the ground up. But like you said, if you can start at the top that makes things much easier; but starting at the top (or near the top) is not always realistic.
December 4th, 2007 at 1:38 am
You don’t necessarily have to write for pennies, even when you’re not going to aim for the top. Instead, you can build your portfolio through trade magazines (online and in print) and your local newspapers, or even other community newspapers that hire freelance writers to write on topics such as parenting, business and etc. Just some added advice.
December 4th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
[...] have received several emails and comments regarding my recent post, Three Quick Tips for Aspiring Online Content Writers. Many people seem to agree with every point that I touched on, whereas others are picking on this [...]
February 4th, 2008 at 5:37 am
Nice post! Thanks for the tips…
Words are the only weapon in the world wide web. So, it is so important to know how to do it in the right way or should I say nice way for your site to drive traffic.