Types of Writing That You Can Do
The types of freelance writing that you can do from home vary widely. Many freelancer writers do several types of freelance writing. Here is a list of just a few types of freelance writing that you can pursue:
- Web content. These writers create short content articles for websites.
- Pluses. There is a great deal of demand for this type of writing. Often the articles are published quickly and you receive pay quickly.
- Minuses. The pay tends to be lower than for some other types of writing.
- Technical writing. These writers create technical manuals, training manuals, instructional material, and online help systems.
- Pluses. These projects tend to pay more. The projects tend to be larger, meaning that you need fewer of them to earn your goal.
- Minuses. The project may require that you have specialized training, a degree, or experience as a technical writer.
- Articles for print magazines. These writers query popular and niche print publications to see if the magazine is interested in printing their work.
- Pluses. This type of writing is very prestigious. Including an article from a print publication looks great in your portfolio. Print publications tend to pay more.
- Minuses. Because this type of writing is very desirable to many writers, you will face stiff competition and your queries may be rejected. Your work takes much longer to be published and it takes even longer for you to get paid.
- Creation of books. Many writers create their own fiction or non-fiction books. Once they have completed the book, they can pursue a traditional publisher, a vanity publisher, self-publish, or compile as an E-book.
- Pluses. If you have a story to tell or specialized knowledge, this type of writing may be for you.
- Minuses. It can take months, even years, to complete a book. If you pursue a traditional publisher you will face rejection. If you pursue a vanity publisher or self-publish, you will be responsible for marketing and advertising the book yourself.
- Editing and proofreading. These freelance writers proofread and correct other people’s writing.
- Pluses. There’s a big demand for editors and proofreaders.
- Minuses. You may be coming in towards the tail end of a project; therefore you may be on a tight timeframe.
- Blogging. Many writers create their own blogs that feature topics of their own choosing.
- Pluses. With free platforms like Blogger and WordPress there is no cost to set up a blog. You can write about whatever you want. Blogging can be a great way to “hang out your shingle” and announce to the world that you are in business.
- Minuses. Even if you place advertisements on your site it may be months, if ever, before you earn anything from your blog. Many bloggers never earn anything at all.
Getting Started
So, you’ve decided to pursue freelance writing. The first thing that you will need is a portfolio. A portfolio is a collection of anything that you’ve ever written professionally. (If you’ve never written anything professionally, you may want to create a few samples that you can provide to potential clients.) Remember to continue updating and adding to your portfolio as you progress through your freelance writing career.
Networking is a good way to find writing jobs. You can check writing forums such as the WAHMs Who Write forum and the Absolute Write forum. Check on the forums regularly for job leads. Most writing forums have “stickies” at the top of the forum that list job opportunities. It’s also a good idea to find and follow writing blogs to gather tips and hints about writing effectively. These favorite writing blogs can serve as a sort of “virtual mentor.”
A Note of Caution
Be careful not to accept a job offer for too little money. There are many writing “opportunities” on the Internet that pay the writer little, or nothing, for their effort.
If you accept a writing project with a deadline, it is important that you do everything possible to meet that deadline. Someone else’s income may be dependent on your performance. If circumstances beyond your control cause you not to be able to meet your deadline, inform your client as soon as possible so that they can find a replacement writer.
Conclusion
Pursued properly, freelance writing can be a rewarding experience. If you decide to become a freelance writer, I wish you the best.
(Part I)
Laura Spencer is a WAHM and has been a freelance writer for the past five years. Laura blogs at WritingThoughts, Work From Home Momma, and OpinionMom.
Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved.
Welcome to Roscommon Acres, my little home in the country. I write here about life more abundantly, from the joy of a baby’s smile to the almost unbearable grief of losing a son. I am seeking beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, a garment of praise instead of the spirit of despair (Isaiah 61:3).
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Where do you recommend to go to look for writing jobs? I have Writer’s Market, but are there other places as well?
Thank you so much for your entries!
Hi Dana!
I actually considered adding a complete list, but then you might have gone to a Part 3.
Some great places to start include: 1) Deb Ng’s Freelance Writing Jobs blog — she scours the web daily for job leads
2) Bidding sites
3) Writers forums
4) Media Bistro (for traditional media)
There are many more, but those should get you started …
Nothing wrong with Part III. : )
Another question that could be a part IV:
What is your opinion of writing for free? Many of the things I’ve read recently advise strongly against it. But I ran into the problem that everyone wanted published clips. I have them now, but how do you get started when everyone you go to wants to see what you have had published?
Hi Dana,
I think it’s okay to write for free as long as you don’t allow yourself to be exploited.
For example, some companies will require lots and lots of free samples with a promise that work “may” materialize later on. I would run from a company like that. If a company requires you to do free samples, then one or two short samples should be enough.
If you are looking for a site to submit free writing samples to in order to build up your portfolio, consider the quality of the other writing on the site. Is it of high quality? Some clients will accept clips from free writing sites, others will not.
Personally, if I were hiring a writer I would examine only the quality of that writer’s work, wherever it might be found–but I understand that not all clients are like that.
Actually I think, with the advent of blogging (which is basically unpaid at first), writing for free has become more acceptable than it used to be.
An alternative to writing for free sites to get clips would be to seek out local opportunities to be published, such as a community paper or even a non-profit organization that needs to have some professional writing done.
I hope this helps!
Thanks, Laura! I can understand that. I have written articles for a homeschooling magazine for free…none of the homeschooling magazines pay much and this one doesn’t pay anything at this time. But when I contacted them, even they wanted published clips. They were willing to work with me a bit, however, and read over samples of my blog I sent them!
Now I think the biggest thing I need to do is just focus a little better! I hope, anyway…
Great series, thanks for posting this! I’ve been happily making some money writing online articles, mostly for associated content. I’m starting to make some from blogging too. Writing is such a great way for moms to make extra money and still be home with the kids.
I understand the importance of clips, but I must say that magazine articles are probably my least favorite type of writing. It takes so much effort and you get paid very little, if anything at all. I have had nothing but frustration, even though the byline is nice. Magazines are a tough market, to be sure.
If I ever have my own magazine (which is something I’ve thought about), I would have to think of how to do things differently.
If you ever start your own magazine, let me know. I’ll add you to my list of prospects. : )
It is a lot of work, and so far zero money for me. But then, this blog is a lot of work and not a lot more.
My last article should be in the upcoming issue, though. And I have to decide on my next one…and start writing more than once a quarter, I think. But then, I have this pesky thing called a household to run.
Laura,
Great article (and I use the term intentionally) about freelance writing! You’ve given aspiring writers a lot of helpful information here that they can use to move closer to their dream of successful freelancing.
Wonderful guest post!
Jeanne
http://www.WritersNotes.Net
Wow, I haven’t been here in a while and people are still leaving comments.
I’m glad everyone liked the post!