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Find paid writing opportunities today!
Welcome to my lens about making money by writing for the internet.
You're about to discover the sites where I am doing well, and where there are traditionally loads of jobs to apply for. There is a wealth of resources below, and if you put your mind to using them (as I did) you'll soon be in a position to start selling your writing - and receiving cash in return. And you can earn a lot if you put your mind to it.
And check out my 'spin off' lens on copywriting too. I've designed it so you can see brand new available copywriting and ghostwriting jobs every single day. I've also highlighted some 'featured sites' below, so why not check them out? You could be richer for it.
If you click on the link to the left of this column (the one that says 'lenses by Allison Whitehead') you can also see some of my other writing related lenses. But if it's jobs you want, you've come to the right place.
CLICK HERE to add Online Freelance Writing Jobs to your favorites!
CLICK HERE to add Online Freelance Writing Jobs to your Lensroll!
STOP PRESS - My own website is now live! Visit now to take a look; it's still having content added to it and my own writing blog can also be found here.
Here's my favorite link:
How You Can Make Money Writing Online
by Allison Whitehead
I am living proof that you really can do this. Making money by working at home as a freelance writer is more than possible - all you need is a plan.
My plan went like this. The first step was to find as many sources of freelance writing jobs as possible. This step is pretty easy. There are plenty around and it's simply a case of bookmarking your favourite ones in the links folder for easy retrieval later on.
You have three main types of site to choose from:
+ Sites which you need to join as a member in order to bid on online ghostwriting work and copywriting work
+ Sites which you can join and post work on for others to buy
+ Sites which display classified ads and listings for jobs
There are others which don't quite fit into these categories but these cover the majority of sites available.
The second step I took was to join the sites I needed to join (I didn't pay any fees for upgraded memberships at this point), and then I looked on every site I'd bookmarked every day, to see whether I could find any suitable work to apply for or bid on.
Within two weeks I had my first job - a very low paying one which I actually stopped doing after about ten days because the money simply didn't make it worthwhile. It was valuable experience though and it made my search for other writing jobs much easier as I was more discerning the second time around.
Within a month of starting to look for freelance writing work online, I was earning some three hundred pounds a month. That doubled in the second month, and two months after that... well, let's just say my writing jobs had got me to the point of seriously considering giving up my full time job to become a full time writer.
That was three months ago, and I am now a full time writer, taking on e-books, articles, web pages, press releases and much more for clients worldwide.
My plan now involves organising each day's work the day before, so I don't waste time trying to figure out what I'm supposed to be doing each morning. I juggle a lot of work - at the moment I have three e-books on the go, three batches of articles for three different clients, two regular blogs, a monthly newsletter, website copy to write, plus another major project about to start. They all have different deadlines though, so I am still able to fit in other work as and when it comes in.
The secret to making good money from online writing is to persevere and keep looking for work - every day. It really doesn't take long to find it if you try. Then it's just a question of learning, building up contacts and clients, and developing your workload until it can replace your current job.
Then you'll know just how rewarding freelance writing can be.
About the author:
A full time freelancer, Allison has written books, articles, press releases and web copy for a multitude of clients. Discover her sources of work via her web page at http://www.squidoo.com/smoo_publishing
So where do you find writing jobs?
Here are some top sources to find work at over and over again
The key to success is to get started. Check out these links today - start submitting work, bidding on jobs and replying to adverts. Get going - AND DON'T GIVE UP!!
I started writing for online markets using this exact method - and I am now writing full time as I have too many gigs to fit into part time hours. It's taken me around six months to get to that stage and I am now turning away work as I have too much to do. And having made the leap - scary as it was at first - I have more than enough sources of paid writing jobs to keep me busy. I've got no regrets!
A case in point - I normally make the effort to update this lens pretty much every day, but that's slipped to around every three days at present - purely because I have so much writing work to do.
I am currently researching some new websites as well, so I may have more news to bring you soon about other sources of writing work. Stay tuned - and put me in your favorites as I usually send a SquidCast when I have something new to report.
What will you be doing six months from now?
Get yourself started by clicking on this link to discover a site that is PACKED with opportunities for the savvy writer - just like these:
Write for Discussion Boards: $1200 per week...
Administer a Web Business from Home: $4000 per month...
Transcribe Authors' Notes: $80 per hour...
Find thousands of freelance jobs like these:
Click here
- Sell your articles at Constant Content
- This site was a profitable find. You can display your articles and set your own prices, and editors the world over can see what you have to offer.
There is a $50 payment threshold, which is quite easy to reach once you get started. I have sold well over a hundred and thirty articles and blog entries to date (in fact as I edit this section I've just sold two more), and earned hundreds of dollars doing so. I generally sell a handful of articles every month even if I don't get time to write any new ones for the site.
Thoroughly recommended as a long term writing outlet.
QUICK TIP: if you still have the rights to articles you have previously published elsewhere, submit them here with Usage Rights ONLY. They can carry on making some cash for you!
It's also a big advantage to write regularly for the site. This way you get a big volume of work on display and you're adding fresh content all the time.
It's certainly worked for me.
Finally, using the Best Offer feature can get you more sales. You don't have to accept the offers, but you'll sell more by using this feature. - Bid for writing work on this site now
- Get A Freelancer is totally FREE to join, and gives you the opportunity to bid on lots of new and paid writing jobs, copywriting jobs and ghostwriting jobs every day.
You can opt to receive emails informing you of new and relevant job postings, which is highly recommended.
Lots of work, and lots of opportunities to build a respectable portfolio.
QUICK TIP: if you think you'll be using the site regularly, it could be worth upgrading to Gold Member status. Check the current benefits to see whether it would be good for you.
STOP PRESS - Visit my companion lens to Online Freelance Writing Jobs and see the jobs that are currently available for writers!
Visit my Online Content Copywriting Jobs lens now! - Genuine writing opportunities
- This site was a real find. It only lists genuine home work which doesn't require any kind of fee from you.
Lots of jobs are listed, but a good number of them are writing related. Get into the habit of checking it every day to see what's available.
QUICK TIP: they'll also email you to let you know when a new batch of jobs have been posted. - Online writing jobs
- An excellent site which posts both high paid and low paid writing jobs. A very diverse mix of work is available here.
Again, check in every day to get a head start on anything of interest. I have found some good jobs through this site.
QUICK TIP: it's a good idea to reply to several jobs, as inevitably there will be some you won't hear back from. - Earn residual income at Triond
- This is a fairly new one to me, and it will be an ongoing project and a steadily increasing earner rather than a get rich quick site.
But then get rich quick schemes never work, and what I'm aiming to share with you here are those opportunities that will repay you well - if you are prepared to work to achieve some success.
It also helps to raise your profile - which is always a good thing. If nothing else, this site will certainly help me to do that.
UPDATE: now admittedly I have had so many other gigs lately that I haven't had time to really capitalise on this site. But it's certainly proved to be an excellent way of getting found online. Stay tuned.
My latest news here (4.4.08) is that despite not having much time to devote to it, my articles have been getting plenty of hits - even with just the minimum promotion from me. So it could be worth putting some extra effort in with this one.
Start reading my writing blog today!
... the space where I write...
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A Call For Help
Are there any writers out there who want work?
- Work available from Exquisite Writing
- This is a ghostwriting team based in the UK, although most of the writers live in other countries - the US in particular (UK writers stand up and make yourself known!!).
They are looking for more writers, so visit the website and email Julie Ann for more details. I do a lot of work for her - she's fantastic to work for, she always pays promptly and if you can prove yourself there is a good chance you will get lots of work coming your way.
The rates are quite low but you would be surprised just how much you can earn if you approach it in the right way and you're a quick writer. Julie Ann will give you all the info - all you need to do is send her a quick email.
Visit the site and email her now!
FEATURED SITE - Writing Articles and Content for Helium
Helium is an excellent and fast growing site. You are paid a proportion of advertising revenues here, so every time one of your articles is read you will earn a cent or two.
Doesn't sound like much, but the site is very addictive and should be viewed as a long term effort. After eleven months I have just over 450 articles posted, all earning me revenue every single day... whether I'm writing more articles for the site or not.
I've been so busy with my other writing gigs lately (mainly found from the sites above) that I haven't been able to devote anywhere near as much time to Helium as I would like - but my earnings are still increasing.
A nice passive income stream once you get it going...
STOP PRESS - check out my new lens dedicated to Writing Articles and Content for Helium. It gives you the scoop on how to make the most of this awesome site. I've even included a four step strategy on maximising your earnings from your articles (this will get added to as I try new techniques). Give it a try now!
QUICK TIP: the length of an article can be anything from a few words to hundreds. Always write to the length the subject requires. Sometimes less really is more!
Aim for quality and gradually work on building up a portfolio of articles here. This is what will bring you the rewards in the long run.
Click on the image above to visit Helium and get your free account. You can start writing and earning cash every single time one of your articles is read just minutes from now!
What's the hardest part about writing for online markets?
This lens is all about finding online freelance writing jobs (hey, that would make a good title...) but hopefully I can make it even more useful for you in the future.
So what's the hardest thing about online writing for you?
So far finding work is the top problem, which is why you need to bookmark this lens and use it as your link to finding work - if it worked for me, it can work for you too!
Finding writing work online
Seeing as this is so far the most voted for aspect for you, I've written an article on that very subject.
I remember when I first started looking for writing work online. I remember making a conscious decision to start looking every day and making the effort to apply for anything and everything that I thought I could do.
I also remember another thing I made a decision on that same day. I made the decision that all I would do was apply for those jobs - I wouldn't worry about whether or not I got them. All I was doing was getting into the habit of getting myself out there, telling people what I could do as a writer and making myself available for writing work of all descriptions.
From memory, I think I applied for a dozen or so jobs in that first week. As I came across other writing related job sites I would put them in my links folder for easy access later on. They are still there now.
I got my first job very quickly - within about ten to fourteen days I think - and although it didn't last long and it certainly wasn't the best paid writing job I've ever done (actually it was the worst) it gave me valuable experience that I was able to build on for the future.
Every single day I looked for new writing jobs and freelance work, and gradually I found more sources of work and was able to apply for still more jobs. It definitely helps to make the effort to apply for work every single day, and it also means you get a chance to reply very early to new postings and adverts for writing work.
All you need to do is persevere with this method, because it works. As I said earlier, after six months of doing this I had to leave my full time job because I couldn't cope with all the writing work part time. There is a lot of work out there - all you need to do is to persevere in finding it.
I really cannot stress that enough if you want to write for a living. You just need to keep going for those first few months and you'll soon be snagging your first job, your second one... and then you're away!
Don't forget to leave a comment in the guestbook at the bottom of the page with your ideas and experiences in this area of writing. I always read the comments and love to hear from fellow writers - whatever stage of your career you are at. Good luck and keep hunting!
#1 rule for writing for online clients
Speed and accuracy. Learn to write quickly and efficiently. I can write most short 450 word articles in around 15 minutes. If I get ten dollars for that, I'm earning around $40 an hour.
You'll soon be writing up batches of articles every day - getting faster, writing more, and taking on more work.
You just need to take that first step...
Some new resources for you
- The Freelance Writer's Glossary
Discover the 48 essential terms you must know to maximise your income as a freelance writer.
This is a real bargain - much cheaper than a lot of e-books out there today.
- 60 Tips For Getting The Writing Done
- Sixty specific tips to help you get the writing done - today, tomorrow and forever. Another bargain offer.
- The Squidoo Directory
- Another way to access some great writing related lenses on Squidoo!
Online writing guides from Amazon
I've always firmly believed that building up your bookshelf with books that will be of great use to you is vital, both for the short term and long term success of your writing. You can always learn something new, however old a book may be.
I think it's vital that you choose a book or two to help you discover how to bag your share of the various jobs available online today, as they will help you learn the skills you will need to rise above the competition.
Online Markets for Writers: How to Make Money by Selling Your Writing On the Internet
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2008) 
List Price: $15.00
Used Price: $0.01
Writing. Com: Creative Internet Strategies to Advance Your Writing Career
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2008)
List Price: $19.95
Used Price: $4.68
Developing Online Content: The Principles of Writing and Editing for the Web
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2008)
List Price: $39.99
Used Price: $12.95
Writer's Online Marketplace : How & Where to Get Published Online
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2008)
List Price: $17.99
Used Price: $0.42
The Freelance Writer's E-Publishing Guidebook: 25+ E-Publishing Home-based Online Writing Businesses to Start for Freelancers
Release Date: 06/24/2001
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $36.95 (as of 11/21/2008)
List Price: $36.95
Used Price: $21.95
Usually ships in 24 hours
FEATURED SITE #2 - Find plenty of writing work at Go Freelance
Go Freelance is an online job site which gives people the opportunity to live the dream of working from the comfort of their own home.
Among the jobs listed you'll find plenty that will appeal to freelance writers - both writing and editing jobs are listed daily.
You can enjoy a trial membership and get instant access for just $2.95, and it could change your working life forever. It's all about taking that first step...
Click on the banner above and see what you're missing out on!
Additional resources and recommended reading
On Writing Well is just such a title, and it can be listened to in bed or in the car on your way to work.
Click on the title above to see the huge benefits it offers...
- You really CAN sell your articles!
- This is my newest lens, which shares how I got started in writing, and how I bagged my first ever acceptance (ah, memories...!).
Surf over there now to find out more, and to read an excerpt from one of my writing related ebooks. - Get paid to write on the internet
- When it comes to getting paid to write online, Christina McDonald knows her stuff.
She has written a STONKINGLY brilliant guide which reveals all the secrets to doing just that -and then some.
Visit her page to read more (hint - as you scroll down you'll see a form which will give you access to FREE tips on how to make money writing on the internet). - "Write an article a day, the easy way..."
- This is an excellent resource that will have you writing more articles in no time. Imagine how many more sales you could make if you wrote an article a day...
For a limited time, this system comes with a FREE copy of 'How to Make Money With Your Articles' - a valuable product in itself.
Take a look - the site really does speak for itself. - How to earn money with online writing
- Another of my recent articles, exploring ways to earn money by writing articles for the online markets listed above.
A little more advice and useful information here... - Why you should be looking for residual income opportunities
- Why indeed? You have the chance with writing to do just this.
This article explains the benefits of residual income, and explores ways to gain it through writing. - My Online Content Copywriting Jobs lens
- Yes folks, I've decided to share what I'm learning about my other writing guise as a copywriter.
This lens will be updated daily and include current copywriting and ghostwriting work which is available for you to bid on.
Surf over and see what you think... Online Content Copywriting Jobs is pretty new and will be added to continually. If there's anything you'd like to see, leave a note in the guestbook and I'll see what I can do.
Thanks for looking! - Earn cash from keywords with online writing
- This is another of my articles on the Triond network. It explains how to get more cash for your writing efforts on sites like Helium. These methods have worked well for me - why not try them yourself?
- Newbie Writers
- This is a fantastic site which is chock full of advice, articles and support for the newbie writer.
It can give you some more direction with your writing, plus a lot of encouragement - always a bonus in the early days! - Write $2 Articles For Websites?
Is it worth it?
This article reveals the facts and figures behind this kind of writing work, and explores whether it's worth it.
You decide...
FEATURED SITE #3 - Write articles for MatrixMails
This is a new opportunity - jump on board and submit some articles now and each one could net you up to $30.
As you can see from the above banner, this site offers a number of other earning opportunities as well, but I'm including it here specifically for the article writing opportunity.
If you can write short keyword articles about web hosting or online games, you could make some cash here, so join for free, find out more and see how you get on...
My own writing experiences
I don't get many rejection slips now, because I have learned the tricks of the trade that stop most of them from coming and finding me.
Discovering the whole new world of online writing has been a big step forward. Sites like Constant Content and Helium have really been working well for me.
One added benefit I've found from Helium is that there are questions about paid writing sites, and I've found a lot of new markets just by reading through all the answers people have given.
That would be my number one piece of advice for all writers - keep on researching new markets. Try them out, see what ones work for you. Some online markets can be a little easier to get published at than the traditional magazines, but whichever market you aim at, the same advice applies.
Some of my experiences are detailed in my article on whether online freelance writing jobs really exist. Read it and see what you think... I've found the methods I've outlined to be very useful.
I would also say that if you REALLY put your mind to finding legitimate paid writing work online, you can actually find it a lot sooner than you might think (especially with the help of the contacts included in this lens!)
I set a target for myself not too long ago to find some more paid writing jobs, and I actually ended up being in the wonderful position of having to choose which jobs I wanted to take and which ones I didn't. And that was after a mere ten days of applying for more work!
Now, some five months later, I have just taken on a book deal which should keep me in work for two years or more. I also have regular clients who contact me with batches of articles to write - and I am actually getting very close to the point where I can give up my day job and write full time. I earn more some weeks writing in my spare time for online markets than I do at my regular job!
And now I am pleased to say that I am just a couple of weeks away from going full time (STOP PRESS - full time as of 9th January 2008!). My workload is too much to handle in my spare time, and I have four or five regular sources of work that each bring in a good amount of money weekly or monthly. And I still manage to fit in the odd article here and there for regular magazines as well.
So keep at it, because believe me all you need to do is put yourself out there, look for work and apply for plenty of it. And why not share some of your experiences below?
If you'd like more advice on becoming a freelancer, check out How To Work From Home As A Freelancer. It's the definitive guide to doing it right, and as it's provided as a downloadable MP3 file you could be listening to it in just a few minutes time.
An excellent way to spend the journey to work!
Great writing stuff on CafePress
Enjoy!
Writing Important Yellow T-Shirt
A cool gift for any writer (hint, hint). It features the single fact we writers all know to be true...
Yellow T-Shirt
Price: 16.99
Paid to Make Stuff Up Large Mug
Better for fiction writers perhaps - if you write articles you should be checking your facts, not making stuff up! lol
Large Mug
Price: 15.99
Writer's humorous journal
Every good writer should have a journal. Nurture one and it will repay you with ideas for more articles than you could shake your pen at.
Journal
Price: 11.50
Have you thought about promoting yourself...
...and your writing?
Making a name for yourself is half the battle, but this lens will help you get there.
Having your own blog means you have a way to encourage people to find out more about you. Promote it by including it as a signature on every outgoing email you produce. Use it as a forum signature. Add worthwhile content to your blog frequently - the search engines like that kind of thing.
You'll soon find you have a blog that gets traffic, interest and even - shock horror - fans too!
In fact, I have just launched a brand new Squidoo lens called "How to Build a Marketing Blog That Boosts Your Business" which is relevant for everyone who wants to promote themselves and their business online. That means you too! Pay a visit now and see what you think; there's plenty of material to read and ideas and suggestions on getting your own blog up and running.
You can also read this article on How To Promote Yourself As A Writer.
And of course you should definitely build a Squidoo lens or two to promote yourself. What better way to get your name out there for free and earn a royalty at the same time? I thoroughly recommend it!
And finally... a shameless plug for my other lenses!
(hey, writers need to promote themselves, right?)
Some of these will be useful to you as a writer. Check out my Successful Copywriting lens as it has a live job feed on it; it could be just what you're looking for to get started on the road to real success.
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How to Write and Sell Articles to Websites and Magazines
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It's been eighteen years since I started learning how to sell articles, but I still get excited by every new one that gets accepted. I'm mostly asked to write articles in advance now, so I don't suggest too many ideas to magazines like I used to; I j...
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Find online freelance copywriting and ghostwriting jobs
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Thanks for visiting! This is the companion lens to Online Freelance Writing Jobs, with plenty of information on how to become a successful copywriter and/or ghostwriter - and where to find the jobs that will get you there. Copywriting can take on man...
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Creative Gifts for Writers
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Writers are easy people to buy gifts for. There's books, journals, software for writers, writing guides, and much much more that would all make fantastic and welcome gifts for us. So this lens is kind of my indulgence - a list of creative and inspirin...
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How to Build a Marketing Blog that Boosts your Business
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Do you have a website, an online business or even a skill that you would like to market online? If you do, you're not alone. Lots of people would like to get more attention and more business coming their way but it can seem like an uphill task to eve...
Share your experiences and views of writing here
It's always wonderful to hear from other writers - whatever stage in your writing experiences you are at.
I used to struggle and wonder if I would ever get published at all - and now I'm doing it every day, full time.
Although I am always updating this lens (pretty much every day when I can) if there is anything else you'd like to see here, let me know and I'll do the best I can. Thanks for visiting!
Allison_Whitehead wrote...
in reply to neena Hi Neena, in reply to your question the one thing you need to do is to persevere. I spent several weeks trying to grab my first freelance job, and it was really just the case of keeping going until it happened.
I just decided I would do it and I wouldn't stop until I got my first job! I ended up focusing on some of the classified ad websites and forums mentioned earlier on in this lens. The one thing you should remember is that some writers get more success on some sites than on others. Have you tried elance.com or guru.com? They are very similar to GetAFreelancer but you may have more success there.
Not everyone finds success in the same way - but I would encourage you to keep going! Good luck.
Posted November 10, 2008
neena wrote
Hi Ali,
What is the secret of getting jobs on GAF? I have applied to 20-30 jobs already in my niche area and yet I don't seem to get a single reply back. Obviously I don't quote the cheapest but do keep my bid somewhere in between and provide good related samples on the PMB and yet nothing has come up yet. If you can tell me what is the right way to bag a job there, I'd truly appreciate it.
Thanks and regards
Neena
Posted November 03, 2008
mamabears wrote...
This is a wonderful lens. I was searching for ideas to develop my own lens, when I found this lens and has wonderful information. Thanks!
Posted October 18, 2008
papawu wrote...
Fabulous lens with a lot of information which I may very well take advantage of! 5* lens.
Posted October 07, 2008
Freebirth wrote...
Awesome! I've been looking to do some part-time freelancing while I'm still in college and this is a great help!
Posted August 27, 2008
aduffy wrote...
What a fantastic idea for a lens! Freelance writers always need, and appreciate, new sources for writing gigs, thanks! It's on my favourites so I will be visiting often.
Posted August 21, 2008
nida naeem khan wrote
i am sw engineer want to do online job to earn.
Posted August 07, 2008
thrivingmom wrote...
I found your lens to be so helpful that I featured it on my lens (http://simplest.online-moneymaking-info.ever.com). I dedicated an entire module to it. Well done.
Posted August 04, 2008
