Freelance Article Writing

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"How to" articles tend to sell well and most successful feature article writers maintain constant contact with the marketplace trends and requirements seeking areas where they can fill the needs of potential clients.

Secrets of a Freelance Writer, Third Edition: How to Make $100,000 a Year or More

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As a freelancer there are many opportunities available for working from home by filling the needs of a widely diverse market as a paid writer.

What is a Freelancer?

A freelancer is an independent writer who earns his/her living by contracting for work projects, working for no fixed employer, and may work for a number of employers at any given time.

You will be required to negotiate the terms and conditions of work and all work must be completed to the satisfaction of the clients requirements.

Tip: The objectives and requirements of both parties should be understood fully by both parties from the start to save any problems later on - this includes terms of payment.

As a freelancer you need to keep up with the latest developments to compete in the marketplace.

This requires studying and researching the needs of the marketplace along with selling yourself to your potential clients.

Getting Started as a Freelancer

The freelance market can be fiercely competitive at times requiring emphasis on marketing your work effectively and assessing your expertise and skills.

"How to" articles tend to sell well and most successful  freelancers maintain constant contact with marketplace trends and requirements seeking those areas where they can fill the needs of potential clients.

Many writers prefer to stick within the topic subjects they can write confidently on although a good freelancer can research and write on any topic if and when required.

When you are decided on the subject niche you would like to fill, seek out magazine publications - online and offline - on your chosen topic.

Start your freelance career by seeking out publications in your chosen field that accept articles e.g. if your interest is in fishing go to your local outlet selling magazines and see if they accept article contributions (this can usually be found near the inside of the front cover in most magazines)

Many freelancers start by submitting to local community newspapers/letters as a way of establishing credibility as a published writer.

Send a query letter or email your chosen publication/s with your subject ideas and an outline of your proposed article and how they may contact you if interested.

However, expect to wait some time - sometimes up to three weeks or more if approaching offline publications for a reply as most editors are very busy people.

Extra Reading - Checklist for writing feature articles

Tip: Another option for the freelancer is to do some detective work of your own to source work by enquiring with local businesses in your area.

Finding Work Online

The internet has made it easier to build a successful freelance career as an independent professional.

Invest in writers market books (both local and international). These list thousands of markets, niches and industries requiring the needs of freelance writers.

There are also many websites that bring people together. Some offer a free service, others you will need to register with and/or supply your resume before you can get started.

Here are two places to get started.

writerfind.com  (international)

travelwriters.com (for travel writers)

A quick search with the search engines will turn up many more places online.

Note: The government is one of the largest sources for freelance contract work in most countries so don't forget to check out what work contracts they may have available.

Build Your Portfolio

As your business grows put together a portfolio with a selection of your best articles to show to prospective magazines and/or clients.

If you enjoy for example - travel writing or photojournalism - include a selection of your best photos in your portfolio as many editors will ask if you will be supplying photos along with your story. If you can send photos to accompany your article your chances of having your article accepted increases as it saves the editor the trouble of sourcing photos to compliment the article. This also increases the payment amount you can expect to receive by offering original photographic perspectives of  your subject topic. If you had not considered freelancing as a possibility why not give it a try.

Article Library