Expert: Susan Rand - 9/24/2009

Question
Hi. I have a couple of questions about becoming a freelance writer. Is it really difficult to get started in this field? Is sending out query letters to publications the only way to get work as a freelance writer? Thanks

Answer
Hello Danielle:

Thank you for writing.

It is not difficult to get started as a freelance writer, so long as you are willing to accept little or no pay to start with. I started out making $5 per article, but some beginners give their work away free until they get really good at it. I don't recommend working for free, but it is a way to get your name out there, and that's what's important.

I really recommend that you go to http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/ and join their forum. You can learn just about anything you want to know about freelance writing there. I also recommend that you start with internet work. Print publications pay well, but the competition is rabid, and includes published authors and retired editors; people with well-established reputations in the business, who have long ago formed tight relationships with print mag editors.

If you have expertise in some area, whether it's babysitting or teaching physics, I recommend you explore that. It helps if you have a niche.

In the beginning, I sold most of my work (57 articles in all) to http://associatedcontent.com In those days they paid pretty well, but they've cut back now. They have some good incentives, though. I have also sold to http://lookingforclues.com There's lots of markets for writers on the net; it's just a matter of finding them. http://freelancewriting.com has an excellent daily newsletter full of jobs for writers. It costs about $5 per month.

If you know anything about social networking (myspace, facebook, etc.), that's an advantage, also if you read a lot of blogs or know something about blogging. Marketing is most valuable to know. The more you know about website content writing, the better. There's a lot of that available, and it can pay well.

I hope this helps. If it does, a nice rating would be greatly appreciated. I am proud of my high scores over 1900 questions.

And good luck with your career!