How to Be a Freelance Writer

International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association Invite Food Wine and Travel Bloggers to Become Members

2012-02-16T17:34:00.000-08:00

I just got this press release and I thought I'd pass it along to my readers:

Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida (February, 2012)

2012 is a going to be a great year for blogging. It's still one of the best tools in the SEO toolbox, and a great way to brand oneself. Professional bloggers command attention and lead a remarkable life influencing trends, creating benchmark ideas, giving readers some of the best information out there.

Due to the online media growth exploding over the last few years, blogging has grown in popularity and has certainly caught the attention of the International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA). As a result, the board of directors is issuing an invitation to professional bloggers to join the IFWTWA.

According to Vice President Michelle M. Winner, "Simply put they are a great part of the new media landscape. But not all bloggers are professional writers. We'd like to offer vetted bloggers an association to grow and develop with. I'd like to think they have something to offer us too. A synergistic relationship is key with an opportunity for IFWTWA to welcome a new market and younger members. "

There are many benefits to joining a professional writing organization such as an investment in professional credibility and personal development; however the greatest benefit for the professional blogger might be in staying connected to fellow writers who are going somewhere, and don't mind sharing their knowledge on the journey. It's incredibly comforting to know that although a blogger spends a great deal of time alone in front of their computer; they are not alone on their career path.

Minimum requirements for to become an IFWTWA blogger:

1. Focus of blog must be food, wine, or travel, or combinations thereof (little or no off-topic posting);

2. Minimum length of time that blog has been active: 6 months

3. Minimum level of activity: twice (or more) monthly postings

"Most of the bloggers I've met fall into three groups: The first are established writers who blog to cover subjects not included in articles; the second are passionate about the subject and on a quest to keep discovering more and sharing; and the third are those just doing occasional posts. We welcome the first two groups as they represent what food, wine and travel journalists have done for years and believe they have much to contribute" comments Maralyn D. Hill, President.

Bloggers interested in food, wine and travel may apply at www.ifwtwa.org

The Future of Publishing: My Opinion

2012-02-03T13:11:00.000-08:00

I believe that the future of publishing will continue towards online venues and digital formats. Print is a great format, but it is expensive to create and hard to sell, especially when more and more people are using their computers, tablets and readers to get most of their information. Writers, publishers and editors need to keep pace with the changing technology to keep up with the market needs. Eventually, I believe that almost all written media will eventually be in digital format.
Will this mean that many magazines and papers will have to close their doors? Most certainly, but that doesn't have to mean a loss of jobs. The publication could simply move to an online format to retain profits and readers. Those publications that realize this now instead of waiting will be the ones that are better off in the long run. Those that act first are the innovators who will reap a loyal following.

What is Hyperlink Publishing?

2012-02-02T01:30:00.000-08:00

Hyperlink Publishing hires writers to create 1,500-3,000 word mini-books. These books are how-to guides and cliff notes on books and TV shows. The site offers writers two different payment options. You can either collect 20% royalties for life or take a flat rate of around $25 to $50. There is also a third option that appears from time to time. You can take 20% royalties for life plus a $20 flat fee.

The rates are low, I know, but it may be a good gig for times when you need filler jobs in-between clients. I think that's what I'll use them for. You can fill out an application here. If you decide to apply, use my name in the "How did you find out about us?" field. Yep, I get a small referral fee. I rarely ever post referral links, so I thought I'd do it this time.

Awesome Free Portfolio for Your Writing Clips

2012-02-01T12:49:00.000-08:00

I have found a new site that I love. It's called Contently and its purpose in life is to give writers a kick-butt way of displaying clips in one location. I'm usually not so enthusiastic about sites, but this one is just so well-planned that I can't help it.

The best part about Contently is that you can type in a general web address and Contently will find all of the articles you authored on that site and add links to them in your profile. You don't have to do it manually. For example, I am a regular contributor to Thalo Magazine. So, I type www.thalo.com into the search bar and the site finds every article I've ever written for the site and gives me the option of adding the links to my portfolio. If you don't like a certain article, no problem. You can choose which ones end up in your clip portfolio.
Seriously, if you're a writer, you need to join this site. I have three invites to give out. Be one of the first three to email me and I'll give you one. No, I don't get anything but the satisfaction of helping for the pleasure of inviting you.

A New Residual Income Site: Wizzley

2012-01-05T11:17:00.000-08:00

I've been hearing a lot about a new residual income site named Wizzley. This new site looks really nice, so I gathered some information to share with you.

To make money with Wizzley you create content and add your Google AsSense code or Chitika code to your account so that you can get paid. You can also use their ad modules to add affiliate links, but they only accept Amazon, Zazzle and AllPosters.
According to the site, "After you have created 50 quality articles, your ad share will increase to 55%. After 100 articles we'll give you the maximum share of 60%."

You can also make money by recruiting. If you recruit new members you get a 10% share of the person's ad impressions. The 10% you earn comes from Wizzley.com's share, so it doesn't take money out of your friend's pocket.

The best thing about Wizzley is that they have quality control. You don't see many residual income sites that actually have that.

Do you use this site? Let me know how you like it in the comments!

Another Freelance Writer Scam: They're Everywhere!

2011-12-22T09:32:00.000-08:00

Can you believe that I was targeted by another freelance writer scam? That's two this month! What is wrong with these people?

I was asked to edit the text of an article for a guy named Jason Dickson. (His email is jj_dickins@att.net, just in case you get targeted by him.
Nothing unusual there. The text was particularly horrible, so I charged more. The guy said that he'd mail me a check.

This was my first mistake. Writer's don't ever accept checks as payment if it's from someone you've never heard of and that is an individual. Checks from big companies are fine.

Next, the guy said that his partner cut the check for $4000 instead of the price I quoted him. He asked if I would wire the extra money back to him? Umm, sound fishy yet?

I just repeated told the guy that I hadn't received the check and never agreed to wire him the money. I figured there was no check and he was telling me all this in hopes that I would do the editing for free. I wasn't about to do any work until I received payment, so I wasn't worried. Writers, don't ever start work until you receive some type of payment upfront. I've been burned too many times not to follow that rule.

So, after over a month, the check arrives. It isn't for $4000. It's for $2850. He also told me that the check was sent out weeks ago, but UPS and the date on the check says that it was mailed one day before I received the check. Jason Dickson emails me and tells me that he wants me to wire the money to:

NAME.............. Nicholas Folk
ADDRESS........107 S MAIN ST,
CITY................... Brooklyn
STATE................New York
ZIP CODE....... 11213

Huh? The guy's name is Jason Dickson, but he wants me to wire money to Nicholas Folk?

I went down to my local bank and talked to them about the situation. They said that this is a common scam. The scam artists create a check that has a routing number from one bank and an account number from another. This confuses the bank's machines and, as the check bounces around in the system, the writer wires money back to the scam artist. The scam artist gets money, the writer's account is in the hole once the check bounces and the writer has no recourse but to pay back the bank. Also, some banks will close the bank account of a victim of fraud, even if they pay off the fees and over-drafted account!

Thankfully, I didn't wire the guy any money, but I want to make sure that no one else falls for this scheme. Pass this post along on Twitter and Facebook to all of your writing friends and maybe we can stop scams against writers!

Beware of the Roche Writer's Scam

2011-12-21T07:13:00.000-08:00

I was targeted yesterday by a scammer. I had applied for a job writing for the company Roche, so I wasn't surprised when I got a text message from a guy, Randy Edward, claiming to be part of their HR. He told me that he wanted to do an IM interview through Yahoo. Okay, I've done IM interviews before. No problem.
The interview progressed just like any other. It got weird when he said that I needed to purchase some equipment from one of the software companies that they use and that they would reimburse me.
Now, I realize some legitimate companies work this way. Jack-in-the-Box, for example, requires employees to purchase non-slip shoes from one of their suppliers.
Still, I had a sneaky suspicion that this guy wasn't legit, so I contacted Roche. Here is the email I got this morning:

Dear Alina

Thank you for your interest in Roche.

Randy Edward is not working for Roche. Please be aware that there is a scam on several websites where fake "Roche" jobs are being posted. If you apply you will be interviewed via messenger which Roche will never do. In the end you will be requested to pay money for equipment to work from home. Roche will never extend an offer without a personal interview and will never charge any money for joining our company. Please ignore these kinds of advertisements. We are working with our legal department on this.

If you would like to apply for a position with Roche please visit our careers sitehttp://careers.roche.com where you can apply directly online for any vacancies that match your search criteria. If there are no current vacancies that meet your criteria, you have the opportunity to join the Roche Talent Pool. By joining the Roche Talent Pool you are registering your interest in joining Roche. Once you have registered, told us what sort of opportunities you are looking for and ticked the box to activate automatic alerts, we will email you to let you know if suitable positions become available. Please visit us at http://careers.roche.com.

We wish you the best in your job search.

Best regards

Natalie Zurbriggen
Corporate Webmaster

So, paying attention to my intuition paid off because I didn't give him any account information and I didn't purchase anything before I got the facts.

Next time you have a suspicious feeling, Google or contact the company directly! I Googled and it turns out that this is a common scam. Here is someone else targeted by the Roche scam.

By the way, this scammer's Yahoo IM is employmentdesk101. I ended up spamming his IM with this message: "Looks like you're going to jail!" Immature, I know, but it was fun.

Freelance Writing and Job Searching: Government Jobs

2011-12-17T09:05:00.000-08:00

No doubt, finding more freelance work is on the top of your New Year's to-do list. You may want to try getting a freelance position with the US government. The pay is good and the work can be steady, well, until they cut funding for your project, at least.

If a position with the government sounds good, I've found a site that makes finding writing jobs easy. FedBizOpps is a site run by the US government and offers a search engine that finds jobs based on keywords. Surprisingly, there are several openings for writers and artists. Head on over there and take a look at the latest openings.

What is Interact Media?

2011-12-13T10:48:00.000-08:00

Interact Media is another place that freelance writers can make some cash. They require you to do an initial article so that they can rate your writing skills. Once you are rated, you can claim assignments that match your rating. Of course, how much you're paid depends on your rating. They also offer payments for affiliate work.

Interact pays twice a month through PayPal. The site takes a percentage of your wages in return for providing you with assignments.

Personally, this sounds like Textbroker and some other low-paying sites I've seen. Has anyone tried them before? How much do they pay on average?

Why Writing for $3 Per Article Isn't Going to Help Your Freelance Career

2011-12-08T14:18:00.001-08:00

In my last post I wrote about a content site that pays $3 per article. I got this comment soon after:

Alina, I write for writers domain and I think it's a decent way to learn the ropes of freelance writing and get a little extra cash too. I've also done Textbroker in the past. Neither are the $50/hr jobs that you're looking for, but you're probably a much higher-caliber writer; I'm just getting started. While I definitely would like to get paid more, I also don't want to spend my time weeding through work and not getting paid. Looking for work is still work in my opinion and I only have so much time before my kid wakes up! I find with WD I can make $20-30/hr if I'm focused. Yes, it's only $3.30 per article, but I can do 6-8 an hour. That being said, I am quite a fast typer and not everyone can do that. - Gary

Here is my reply to Gary:

Hi Gary,

I assume that you came to my blog because you were looking for information on becoming a freelance writer. So, I'm going to give you some advice from my 13 years of experience in the writing world and post it here for others to benefit from, as well.

The problem is that sites like these don't really teach you the ropes of how to be a freelance writer. They teach you how to churn out text that attracts search engine clicks. It's not an entryway to higher paying clients down the road. Clips form these sites will more than likely be ignored.

High-paying clients aren't looking for these types of articles. They don't want words off the top of your head as fast as you can type them. They want quotes. They want research. They want people that are experts on niches.

This isn't just my opinion. It is how the world of online content is evolving. Google's Panda updates are putting sites like Writers Domain out of business. In fact, the king of content, Demand Studios, (they have produced content that is much like your WD's for years) has slowed down production to almost nothing because search engines aren't picking it up any more. This means that eventually, you won't have those $3 jobs anymore. Then what? You'll be left with useless clips and no where to go.

I encourage you to work on clips that feature an expertise in some niche for sites or publications that have a better reputation. These jobs aren't that hard to find.

I've been where you are. I understand your thought process because I've thought the same thing in the past. Unfortunately for those looking for a quick buck, that's not how the freelancing writing world works anymore and those days are coming to an end.

What is Writers Domain?

2011-12-06T12:34:00.001-08:00

Well, I like to feature the great places to get freelance writing work and the ones that you should stay far, far away from. In this case, it is the latter. Writers Domain is another content farm that pays almost nothing. They pay based on a five star rating system. If you get a 2 or 3 star rating you get $3 per article. If you get a 4 or 5 star rating you get paid $3.30 per article. Umm, really?
Please, even if you are new to freelance writing, do not, I repeat, do not work for sites that pay these types of wages. You can do better!

What is Personalive Services?

2011-12-02T09:43:00.001-08:00

I came across a site the other day that is looking for writers. I'm not sure how much they pay or what kind of writing they want, but I thought I'd pass along the name of the site and their contact information. The site is Personalive Services and you can inquire about a writing job by sending them a cover letter and your resume to this email address.
If you have any information about this site, be sure to let me know about it in the comments, below.

What is Make Use Of?

2011-12-01T09:27:00.001-08:00

Do you know a lot about technology and have a lot of fresh ideas for articles? Then you may want to apply at Make Use Of. This site is hiring writers that can pitch tech article ideas and then write them well. Here's their stats:

They pay a minimum of $60 per post and more for experienced writers
They pay bonuses if you meet certain criteria
They pay through PayPal
They pay every month

4 Sneaky Ways to Find More Freelance Writing Work

2011-11-12T12:29:00.001-08:00

Tired of the usual job finding tips for writers? Yah, me too. I follow a lot of blogs and they seem to have the same advice over and over again. So, I decided to write a post about some of my favorite "undercover" job finding methods.

Follow companies you would like to write for on Twitter and Facebook. Watch their feeds for clues that they may need new talent, such as posts stating that they are expanding or opening a new site.
Watch your friend's LinkedIn updates. When they join a new company, ask if they know of any openings for writers. Better yet, have them recommend you for a position.
When a writer mentions who they write for in a forum post, Google the business. Check the site's job page and see if they have openings for more writers.
Follow editors on social networks. When they move to a new publication, send them some pitches that will work for the magazine or website.

Where to Find Expert Quotes and Facts for Your Articles

2011-11-11T12:09:00.001-08:00

When you write a good article you need expert opinions and data to back up your topic. Where do you find all of these knowledgeable people? Good question! Here is a quick list of places I go when I need information for my articles:

Profnet- I use this site the most. You type up a note about what type of person you need and Profnet sends it out to people that may be interested.
ExpertClick- You can find press releases, experts and news stories at this site.
TravMedia- Do you write travel pieces? Then this is the site you need to join.
NewsWise- NewsWise can send you the latest press releases and list of expert contacts to your email address. They specialize in health, science and life news.
Game Press- This is the go-to site for video game information. You can get contact information for gaming experts here, as well as news and press releases.
Association of Food Journalists- Foodie writers can find leads and information for food trend articles on this site.
Help A Reporter Out- This site is a lot like Profnet. The members are very closely knit, so you'll get help from other reporters, as well.
Reporter Connection- I haven't used this site, but it looks like it works much like Profnet.

21 Places to Find Freelance Writing Jobs

2011-11-07T12:21:00.000-08:00

Looking for a freelance writing job? Try these sites:

Freelance Writing Job Boards

About Freelance Writing
(Freelance Job Board)
Write Jobs (Freelance Job Board)
Freelance Writing Gigs
Online Writing Jobs
Sun Oasis
Absolute Write Networking and Sharing Leads Forum
Absolute Write Paying Jobs Forum
Places for Writers
Writerfind
Freelance Job Openings .com
Twit Job Search
Rat Race Rebellion (Be careful. There's a lot of junk on this site.)
Blue Badger
DoNanza (I really like this one.)

Sites that Hire Writers and/or Pay For Articles Upfront

Freelance Writing, Paid Tweeting and Blogging Sites

2011-11-01T14:50:00.000-07:00

Here is a roundup of places that pay you to write articles, tweets or blogs. Be sure to check this blog for reviews of these sites.

Update to My Ebyline Application

2011-10-27T17:11:00.000-07:00

So, as I told in in my previous post, I applied to Ebyline. I presented them with links to published work, my resume and a load of other information about my professional writing history. Here is the email I received a few days later:

Thank you for applying to Ebyline. As part of our review process, we would like to confirm additional information about you.

Did an Editor that you currently work with refer you to Ebyline? If so, please tell us their name and which publication they work for.

If you were not invited to use Ebyline by an Ebyline Editor, please provide additional information about your experience including:

* Links or attachments for 3-5 paid clips
* Resume/CV that highlights your previous journalism work experience
* other details you can provide about yourself (i.e. Are you a full-time freelance journalist? What beats/topics do you cover? What publications have you written for?)

Please respond to this email and attach your additional information.

Thanks,
The Ebyline Team

Umm, huh? I already spent 30 minutes submitting all of this information a few days ago. Did they have a glitch in their system? I really don't feel like doing it again. Has anyone else had this problem?

What is Ebyline?

2011-10-21T18:42:00.000-07:00

I've been hearing a lot of good things about Ebyline lately, so I decided to investigate. Ebyline is a site that helps match writers with news publications. They claim to be a free service and only accept experienced writers. The process to apply was very simple, though each application has to reviewed and manually approved. This is the email I received after registering:

Thank you for registering with Ebyline!

We are currently reviewing your application and will respond shortly with a status update.

What's the next step? Once we approve your registration, you’ll need to complete the final step to be ready to work with editors through Ebyline.

What is Ebyline and how does it help Freelancers?

Ebyline offers an efficient way for qualified, professional freelancers, like you, to connect with editors in newsrooms across the country, and showcase your experience and work. Most importantly, Ebyline offers a streamlined way for freelancers to get paid quickly and track transactions for their work.

Check out our Freelance Video to learn more: http://vimeo.com/24578339

Benefits of working with Ebyline:

* 100% FREE
* Get paid electronically when a publisher buys your story
* Create a profile highlighting your work experience and allow editors to find and assign you projects
* Eliminate the need to invoice publishers (Ebyline automatically sends those for you)
* Automate your record keeping, including archives of all pitches, assignments, sold projects, and payments received
* Get one 1099 at the end of the year for all of the content you sell through Ebyline (including assignments from publishers)

For updates, follow us on Twitter at: @ebyline or visit our blog at http://ebyline.biz. Also, feel free to contact us directly at support@ebyline.com.

We look forward to working with you.
The Ebyline Team

So, there you have it. Need more info? Here is a nifty video about the site:

Update: Check out my follow-up email here.

What is 4Writers.net?

2011-10-14T11:08:00.000-07:00

4Writers.net is a website where writers can sign up to write essays for pay. What's the catch? You have to do a test which consists of 10 grammar questions and an essay.
Now, if you don't know me, I'll let you know right now that I'm against doing any type of work for free. Granted, I could see answering the grammar questions. There's no way they can use those answers for profit. The essay, on the other hand, could be used whether or not you "pass" the test. this is a common scam used to get free content out of unsuspecting writers. Am I saying that 4Writers.net is a scam? No. I am warning you to be cautious, though.

How much you earn seems to revolve around how fast you can pump out essays. Here is how they charge their clients for content on a per page basis:

7 day turnaround = $4 to $10
4 day turnaround = $5 to $12
2 day turnaround = $6 to $14
1 day turnaround = $7 to $16

Of course, 4Writers.net will take a cut from whatever they charge the client. So that means you could be making less than $4 per page. The site advertises that it pays up to $16 per page, but I don't see how that's possible if they want to make a profit.

All-in-all, I think that this site is trying to be like Demand Media Studios, but with lower pay, higher requirements (you need a college degree to write for 4Writers) and less sophisticated site. If DMS can't make it with this model, I really doubt 4Writers can.

DMS Slowing Down eHow Production

2011-10-11T10:49:00.000-07:00

Well, the event people have been predicting has finally happened. Demand Media Studios has all but halted the production of eHow articles.
In an announcement made last week, DMS said that it will limit the amount of titles produced for the site for the foreseeable future. Titles are restricted to subjects that hasn't already been covered by eHow.
Hmmm, titles that hasn't already been covered by eHow... Articles on lengthy, in-depth processes that are worth a lot more than $15-$25 a pop. I don't see many writers spending their time writing for DMS any more. The lure of the fast buck is gone.

How to Present Yourself to Sources When You're Writing On-Spec

2011-09-28T04:00:00.000-07:00

I recently received an email by a reader. Her question is a common one, and one I've dealt with: What do you tell your sources when you are writing on-spec? Do you tell them you are writing for the publication? Here was my reply:
The best way to go about this is to tell your source that you are working on-spec for XYZ Magazine and leave it at that. Most people don't mind and those who might care usually don't know what "on-spec" means.

If it turns out that your article isn't accepted, simply tell your source that the article won't be published with XYZ Magazine, afterall, but you are looking for another publisher that is well suited for the piece.

You don't have to go into detail about why the article didn't get published. Articles don't get published all the time, whether you are an expert writer or not. Publication needs change, magazines run out of money, etc, so there's no need to worry about your credibility.

What is Remilon?

2011-09-26T03:07:00.000-07:00

I know a lot of freelance writers are looking for gigs that are like Demand Media, but have a better editorial department and nicer reputation, while still paying upfront for articles. Remilon is a website that pays upfront for articles and has a great reputation. Here are a few facts about the company:

Writers are paid by-the-hour
They specialize in education articles
Currently, they have over 200 writers
Remilon pays twice a month through PayPal
They produce around 2,000 articles per month
Pay is $8 per hour and up
Freelance writers must do 15 hours of work per week
A test article is required before acceptance, but you are paid for the test article
You have an assigned editor and can freely communicate with the editor
The articles are 250-300 words

If you have any questions about this freelance writing job you can email Remilon.

Update:
I recently received this email:

Hello Alina,

I'm writing on behalf of Remilon, the online educational resource you recently profiled on your blog. First off, thanks for showcasing Remilon to your readers. It's a great article but one point was concerning to us because we don't want to confuse prospective applicants: the third bullet point from the bottom is slightly misleading ("A test article is required before acceptance, but you are paid for the test article").

New Remilon content writers aren't paid for the test assignment specifically, but the orientation process as a whole is paid. I'd just like to remove the notion that the test assignment itself is paid so applicants aren't surprised.

Thank you!
Erin Malus

----------
Erin Malus
Publishing Operations Coordinator
Remilon, LLC

Suite 101 Stats for September

2011-09-24T19:22:00.000-07:00

There's been a lot of talk that Suite 101 has hit bottom and is never coming back. For a while I believed it, but I was still making some money there so I didn't leave.
It's lucky that I didn't. My money has bounced back and is almost back to pre-Panda levels. I'm pretty excited since that is a big bunch of moola. Here are my stats:

Before Panda 2200 PVs per week
Currently 2100 PVs per week
My earnings have been going up by 10-50% each month
By this time next month my earnings should be back to pre-Panda levels
I have only posted 4 articles since Panda hit
314 articles in all

Update: I have almost doubled last months earnings and I haven't written a thing. This is turning out to be a great month for my Suite 101 earnings.

Finished My Ebook

2011-09-23T18:52:00.000-07:00

Well, for all of you wondering, I finished my ebook with two weeks to spare. Since I have ghostwritten so many it was a piece of cake. Almost Free Art Supplies is now available to buy on Smashwords. (Watch for my tips on publishing with Smashwords in a future post.)

Here's how I've been marketing my ebook:

Blog posts
An announcement on my art site's homepage
Twitter announcement
Facebook announcement
LinkedIn announcement
Forums announcement (in a forum that allows these types of announcements)
Articles on similar topics that link to the ebook
Guest blog posts (contact me if you would like me to do a guest blog)

Do you have a favorite way of marketing that I'm not taking advantage of? Let me know!