Writer Wanted
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Ever dreamed of earning an income from home? Of course you have!
Let’s be honest, many of the people writing for the internet are earning something from it. However, finding something that really works is often not as easy as it is made out to be.
I lost count of the many ‘data entry’ jobs I contacted, or the guaranteed ‘work from home’ sites I joined, only to find that it would take forever to make very little. I even admit to having paid to become a member of some sites promising work from home or money from surveys. However, the promises soon fell flat, as once inside the sites, I was then referred to other companies that wanted further payments or actually paid very little.
Therefore, this little article is not about how to make money online as such, but about how to make money from writing. Writing is not for everyone, especially if you are looking for a get rich quick scheme. It is unlikely to allow you to give up your job and live on an exotic yacht somewhere. However, with a little practice, writing on the internet could afford you some luxuries. There are many companies offering money for writers, but what you chose will depend on what you want.
If you just want a filler income, something to top up the luxuries and inject a bit of extra fun into life, then you may want to consider becoming a freelance writer. Fortunately, there are many websites setup to help. Some of the best are free access auction sites. On auction sites, companies and individuals from around the world will post ‘projects’. They will explain what needs to be created and the timescale for the work. Then they will wait for writers to bid. When you bid, be clear in your head as to how much that amount of work and time is worth to you. Being greedy will mean you will unlikely get the gig, and being too cheap may make you look unprofessional or possible lumber you with a huge project that is not worth all the effort. However, with a bit of practice, talking to others in writing forums and setting some good prices, you could soon be on your way to being able to afford a few extra treats.
This is not the only way writers can make money. They can also write for newspapers or magazines. Sometimes it is worth doing this for free at the start, if only to get your name known and get published. The feeling of seeing your writing or editing in print for the very first time is a truly amazing experience, whether it is paid or unpaid. I would bet anyone who has been published has kept that article filed away somewhere. As you get known, or someone takes a liking to your style, you should then be able to earn extra money by writing stories to demand.
Another option, as the digital age expands, is to write for online companies. There are many online magazines, companies doing SEO work (Search Engine Optimization) and promotion companies, which will happily employ writers on a casual basis. However, be warned, at first it will be a gamble. Most people who do this, will get stung at least once while writing. There will often be someone you write an article for, who then disappears into cyberspace without paying. However, try to chalk this up to experience and move on. What you can gain from some casual writing will surely outweigh what you are likely to lose.
For anyone considering doing this seriously, there are online eBooks about writing. Some allow you to download the guide to writing as a free PDF eBook. However, some will require you to purchase the guide. Before buying a guide to writing or a writing eBook, I would have to recommend you consider if you are serious. If you are not going to give up for at least a few weeks to a couple of months, it is likely you will find something. If you are sure, then a guide to writing will be most beneficial, giving you some great advice, links to websites and handy software to help write articles faster and in more interesting ways.
You could even try blogging or setting up your own website. I have now been writing for Hubpages for a while, which has in fact lead to a steady income. Although this is certainly not high enough to retire yet, it should only increase with time. New writers here should not give up, as it will take 50-100 articles to get well established with search engines, build up readers and 'find your groove'. You will also need to network plenty, but you should find this to be fun here, as you will learn loads and make plenty of friends!
I wish you all good luck, and if you persevere, you will find something.
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Glad you all found it motivational. Being a writer is hard, but it can work out, so long as it is something that you enjoy!
@Alocsin, I am quite sure you are making money online now! You seem to be very popular (don't know where you find the time!).
This is a motivating hub. I'm working on making money writing online and it's not as easy as you'd think. I really enjoy reading articles like this to motivate me.
A great one for newbies like myself...I am just amazed by the plethora of opportunities cyberspace has to offer.. and I am thrilled by the beauty of it..
Great information you have shared here... motivational to me in a way :)
Rahul
Great Hub for new writers and those who are looking for career in writing. Thanks for sharing this information. Voted up and re-shared.
I agree with you, Brett, and know that both of us are actually making money from our efforts here on HubPages. Hopefully, this will encourage would-be writers to try some of your methods. Voting this Up and Useful. SHARED.
Hi Mekenzie,
Some of the sites that I use are just for people in Asia. However, if you want a site for the US, I like Textbroker.com. The rules are fairly strict, but as long as you maintain a QS of at least 3, the payments are quite good.
Very interesting hub. I do make money writing and have written for an online advertising site. My hubpage site is beginning to pick up nicely. I did not begin my journey here on the hubs thinking about getting paid. It sure is nice to get paid for what you love to do.
Could you let us in on your online writing auction sites?
Thanks and God Bless!
Mekenzie
Wonderful and encouraging hub, Brett!
I will definitely have to check out your links.
Thanks for sharing these helpful ideas with us.
Rated up, useful and sharing!
Great article about ways to earn money online. Yes there are a lot of scams out there too that try to take our money.
Writing online is hard work and takes time but once the money starts to come in it is worth it.
I love writing so do not mind all the hard work!
Thanks for Sharing
Hi Time2rite,
Having a degree in writing only really applies if you are applying for an actual position with a company. Sure, it can look good on your profile, but most online companies will want a sample of your writing to assess your skills. It seems they are far more concerned with what you can do, rather than what you have done.
Great hub, Brett.Tesol; full of interesting and helpful tips for getting started as a writer. I'm always looking for ideas and tips to help me fulfill this dream and gift I have for writing. Does earning a degree in writing make a difference or does it depend on the field your writing for? Thank you for sharing with us what you have learned.
Brett.Tesol one thing we have learned, a will to succeed no matter what your doing goes a long way. The one thing too many people get wrong is they need to be involved with what they are most passionate about. Earning money is not a passion, it is what you gain by sharing your passion.
Great article, SHARING is a pleasure.
Thank all, I hope some of the ideas work for you! The voice to text really helps once you find work!!
Thanks for sharing these helpful ideas for added income. I will have to check out your links.
Very interesting hub! I've been interested in exploring voice typing - thanks for mentioning your review. I'll check it out.
Another great article discussing different methods, some that work and some that don't, to make money writing. Thanks for SHARING!
Hey guys,
Thanks for your comments. I wrote this one by hand, as it was before Dragon, but I love voice typing too. The life of a writer can be hard, but I find that program makes it a little easier (anyone interested, just read my review of Dragon NaturallySpeadking).
Good article, (did you use Dragon?) I guess each time I read your work I see your fingers working away and then I see you walking around dictating, just curious I guess. So good to see your traffic on the increase and your work suggests that. Voted up, useful and interesting. Thanks for all your good tips...
I have to say one of the best feelings in the world is seeing your name in print. I used to be a photojournalist for the Army. This meant every week I would see the articles with my byline attached. I had all the clippings at one point and then the box got wet. I don't have the heart to throw it out... but not sure what can be salvaged yet either. But yes... a writer's life is hard work with very little pay at times... but there is something about the process that is so awarding!
Great Work on this Hub. I don't do well with those data entry and survey jobs. Plus I know what you mean about getting stung a couple times, I have been there lol. Thanks for all your hard work on your Hubs.
Just wanted to thank you all for your comments, much appreciated. Sorry the replies have been slow, things have been extremely busy over here in SK ... but, I will be slowly catching up over the next few days.
The advices given from an experienced writer is more important. The emotions you feel when earning some cash from your own creative writings is something great and sharing with others is appreciable. Keep writing and good luck.
Wonderful and supportive hub! There's a couple ideas in there I hadn't thought of that would be great for getting things rolling. Thanks for the encouragement. :) Voted up!
Very interesting post - thanks for the insite!
An encouraging and supportive hub - sobering too. It does take time and effort. The writing generally comes easy. After-all we are writers, but the occasional slump can surely hit hard. It's all the extra elements and marketing strategies that can take a toll, but just like anything else it can be mastered. Thanks for another great hub Brett.
Great advice Brett! You are right that writing online isn't for everyone, it takes time and patience and especially on hubpages, the money doesn't come overnight. I'm going to look into some of your suggestions.
Thanks for SHARIng!
Hey Molometer,
You didn't forget, I'm just way behind on responding to comments ... end of the school year. I get their eventually though lol.
Hey Molometer,
Thanks, glad you found it useful! Writing online is fun, but it takes a lot of work to be successful at it.
Hi Brett, I read this yesterday along with a few of your other hubs on SEO etc and forgot to leave a comment. Thanks for sharing your findings as it saves everyone so much time. You have great hubs on these topics.
Hi Brett,
Great tips here with interesting links to more useful information.
Well written informative hub for anyone wishing to find out about the task of writing for the online audience.
Hi anglnwu,
Thanks. Yea, it takes a bit of work, but can certainly top up the bank balance when you need it. The main effort involved is in the searching for work.
Interesting to find out that those data entry jobs don't pay. Someone else was saying that they were good jobs for teenagers. Thanks for sharing.
Good tips. Writing is definitely not for the faint-hearted. It takes a lot of effort and tenacity to thrive and thanks for pointing us in the right direction.
Hey TattooKitty,
Glad the hub inspired you. You can definitely make decent money as a native English writer, but it does take perseverance.
I honestly wouldn't recommend writing online, except for your own websites and blogs. The money is bad, and the satisfaction is really low. I do agree with you though, it does offer some over-head income which is definitely acceptable.
Your hub is very encouraging and honest!! I will definitely look into becoming a freelance writer. Thanks for the great info and advice ;)
Hi Goodnex David,
Yea, it is worth staying in the race, but think of it as a cross country run lol. You will get there, but you might get a few bumps along the way. Try applying to a few places, if you don't get accepted, maybe have you writing reviewed, but keep trying. A review can point out 'habits' you don't even know you have.
Good luck! and if you land a job, please let me know.
Thanks for mentioning get rich quick and the faint in hearted. I'd done writings that were rejected and I was like..what! this is not worth the effort but knowing that I've got to keep trying has help me stay in the race. I love this..it's really a great encouragement.
Hi kksonakiya,
Thanks for reading and commenting. Nope, never get bored of hearing that! lol
I'm going to look at the website you mentioned, as hadn't heard of that one. Thanks for the tip.
Hi Suramya,
Congratulations on the blog. I'm hoping Hubpages will regain its strength after these changes. You certainly have made a presence here and grown quite a following.
I agree about the scam sites though, they target people that really need or want to work, take their money and give nothing in return. However, thankfully quite a lot of them are easy to spot, with amazing lines like "turn $5 into $234345354325665 in only 3 months lol!!"
Hi Danielleantosz.
It is a great feeling! Congratulations on making print too :-). If you just treat it as an extra bit of fun money and realize that some work will be 'freebies' to anchor more work, it definitely can work out. I guess it is all about keeping your expectations realistic ...
Hi there Brett. That's something really great. I actually never dreamed of being a writer and making money online from the very start but i don't know, when i tasted few dollars after writing some stories on Shvoong, I guess I learned how great it was.
Nice hub as always Brett. I guess you are gonna get bored hearing it too much.
I used to be so discouraged when I see no one would read my blog. I even gave up blogging for a few months when I finally got motivated. Now I'm making more from my blog than from my hubs. HubPages is a great supplement too. I like the community here and I think I have made some friends too.
I can remember myself signing up different ptc and gpt websites and many of them would end up scamming us. Freelance writing is a great job, our writing never gets waste.
Ur experience will help us, thanks Brett!!
I do agree that the thrill of seeing your name in print for the first time is amazing. A friend of mine actually helped me land my first printed article and said "How does it feel to know that 40,000 people have seen your work?" (it was a local paper). With that said, free lance is not for the faint at heart. It requires determination and people who are willing to work for the chance they might get paid later, which is tough to get used to.
dmcgaw Level 3 Commenter 10 days ago
Nice Hub! Writing online is indeed something that anyone who has some writing skill can do. I have been writing online and making money at it for 8 years. 2 years ago I quit my job to do it full-time. And I love it! I rarely work for companies like textbroker. I mostly work for private clients. I write on HubPages and other residual earnings sites for myself and also earn income from my blogs. The thing I love the most is that your creativity can guide you - at least to some extent!