Freelance Writing Jobs

How to find work from home writing

Finding freelance writing jobs can be a challenge. However there are many resources that you can use to land lucrative freelance writing opportunities.

Go through the list of resources to help you find clients and get started as a freelance writer.

Online bidding sites. Freelance marketplace websites like Elance and Guru give the freelance writer an opportunity to bid for jobs placed by clients. Usually you first have to register with the site and establish an online profile including your resume and writing clips. These bidding sites offer various levels of membership some of which are free. It is wise to begin by bidding for writing jobs that fall clearly within your areas of expertise.
Online freelance job sites. There are a number of reputable sites that list freelance jobs including writing opportunities. Freelancewriting.com both gives advice about freelance writing and helps you to find writing assignments. Craigslist has a "gigs" section that lists freelance jobs.The jobs section also advertises freelance writing jobs. There are scams around so research each opportunity carefully before commiting yourself. Find out more about where to Find freelance online writing jobs.
E-mail website owners. Do some research on the web and contact site owners or web masters that publish content in your areas of expertise. The direct approach can land you lucrative freelance writing jobs that provide a solid basis for your freelance writing career.
Online Forums. There are some well established forums online that can help you to get freelance writing assignments. These include absolutewrite.com and allfreelance.com. These offer freelance writing markets as well as help from experienced freelancers. Do a search for "writing forum" and you will find many other useful sites.
Freelance writing companies. Many of the big freelance writing companies and services look for good writers to outsource their work to. Most require you to register, usually for free, and then allow you access to their work lists. The company usually handles the clients, payments and management of the assignment. The freelancer only has to worry about completing the job properly and on time. You can look at freelancercareers.com to get an idea of what these freelance writer services offer.
Build your own website. You can promote your writing servcies in a professional way by developing your own website. All of your site content becomes your published writing samples. Building your own website is not as difficult as it sounds. Go to How to Build a Website to find out more about this essential marketing tool.
Writer's Market book. This book is published annually and lists over 8000 publishing opportunities. It provides submission guidelines, contact information and advice on how to sell your writing work. You can find more details at their website writersmarket.com.

Approach magazines. Research indvidual magazines and find those that publish content that you think you can successfully provide.

The easiest way to break into the magazine market is to supply the 50 to 300 word blurbs that many magazines have in the front and back of the magazine. Contact the editors directly and supply them with a copy of your resume and relevant protfolio samples. Some magazines encourage freelance writers to submit their work.

For example Reader's Digest asks for submissions online at www.rd.com of jokes, funny stories or quotes for which you will be paid $100 for each one published in the magazine. They also will pay good rates for true, never before published stories to print.

Technical writing opportunities. If you are skilled at writing technical content approach companies that produce technical manuals to go with their products. Approach local trade journals with samples of your writing that showcase your relevant knowledge.
Sales writing opportunities. If your area of expertise is marketing and persuasive writing there are a number of freelance writing jobs available producing sales letters, brochures, advertisements and direct mail for local companies. Go through the Yellow Pages and make a list of possible clients. Send them your promotional material including your resume and sales writing clips. Follow up with a call.
Traditional advertising. There is still something to be said for the old fashioned ways of marketing yourself. Placing an advert in the local newspaper and community publications can be a way of finding good clients.

Keeping a lot of irons in the fire will ensure that you do find those lucrative freelance writing jobs. Marketing yourself as a freelance writer is an ongoing process that requires energy and enthusiasm. Keep working at getting good writing opportunties, be prepared to try new projects and the money will keep rolling in.