Freelance Writing for a Living
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Freelance Writing for a Living in the News
- "Twisted" author John Irving a straight shooterDenver Post42 minutes ago
John Irving is an expert storyteller, and a deliberate one. The author, in Denver to promote his latest book, "Last Night in Twisted River," talked about his novels and his writing process during a sit-down at a local bookstore.
- Novel-writing blitz under way for NovemberMalden Observer3 days ago
“What does Dan Brown have that I don’t have?” Malden resident James Wright asked that very question earlier this year, and now he’s trying to prove that the answer is: “Not much.” Wright is one of 150,000 people around the world who is in the midst of participating in National Novel Writing Month, an event in which wannabe writers seek to write a 50,000-word novel over 30 days in November.
- Diane Ronayne: Marilyn Shuler honored with philanthropy awardThe Idaho Statesman3 hours ago
In 1961, a woman moved to Idaho who would eventually found, lead or volunteer for 29 organizations; serve on the Boise School Board and work to pass legislation creating public kindergartens; direct the Idaho Human Rights Commission for 20 years; establish the Northwest Coalition Against Malicious Harassment; and preside over the first board of the Idaho Human Rights Education Center.
FREELANCE WRITING FOR A LIVING
Many of you may be visiting this Hub thinking that it contains some invaluable tips about freelance writing for a living. You hope that it contains a magic formula for making money with little effort, the old ‘income whilst you sleep’ line. You know the score; write a few articles, post them online and wait for the Adsense to roll in. If that is what you are after, then you are sadly mistaken. This is not intended to be an uplifting post, telling you how easy it all is, or promising that you can make riches without actually doing anything.
It is a negative article, trying to put you off, because writing for a living is not easy, so I am cutting to the crux of the matter and saving you from future disappointment. I have no intention of apologising for my harsh tone, because 90% of you reading this Hub do not have the skill, or the drive, to commit to freelance writing for a living. I intend to dissuade you, much like Simon Cowell gently persuades people that they might not be cut out for showbiz. I am not trying to make friends here, so if you are offended by my words, tough – Go Away.
I am going to put forward nine questions that you need to ask yourself and, like the elimination stage of a reality talent show, intend to get rid of 10% of you at every stage. The ones who are honest with themselves have the attributes and drive to make it, and the next few Hubs will be a little more enlightening. I am also talking about freelance writing for a living – some of you may want to write a book, for example, so go for it. That is a completely different matter.
- Cris A
Cris A is the voice of Generation X, and can switch effortlessly between Pop Culture and Fine Art.
DILUTING THE GENE POOL
This is not just Sufidreamer being a mardy and cantankerous old sod, as there are a couple of good reasons for this. Think about it this way:
Scenario 1) Imagine that I am a builder, with many years experience of constructing nice houses. To my dismay, some clown down the road buys a trowel and advertises himself as a ‘top’ constructor. Unsurprisingly, he builds houses that fall over, burn down, or fall over then burn down. As a competent builder, I seek to stop him, before he damages everybody’s reputation, leading to all builders being labelled as cowboys.
Scenario 2) You buy some canvases and some oil paints, and decide to set yourself up as an artist. Nobody buys your paintings, because they are rubbish. To be an artist requires hard work, practice and a little natural talent. Writing is the same, and owning a pen or a word-processor does not make you a writer. Even a technical writer needs some creativity, so if you ain’t got it, you never will.
FREELANCE WRITING FOR A LIVING - FULL TIME vs PART TIME
Before we start, I must set a few things straight; I have a few advantages that make it a little easier to work full-time as a writer.
- I live in Greece, with a lower cost of living than Northern Europe, North America and Oceania.
- We own our house outright, so do not have a mortgage or rent to pay.
Freelance writing for a living, if I still lived in the UK, would be practically impossible. If you live in an expensive country, instead of looking upon writing as a career, look upon it as extra income. Working part-time can give you an extra $100 - $200 per week, once you have served your apprenticeship, so it can be a great income stream. Of course, if you have recently joined the ranks of the unemployed, then you have nothing to lose, so welcome aboard.
- Pam Grundy
Visit Pam's hubs for a funny yet bitter take on the world of freelancing. A very talented writer with a healthy dose of 'Freelancer's Cynicism.'
FREELANCE WRITING FOR A LIVING - THE NINE QUESTIONS:
I am now asking you to perform a little honest soul-searching. Answer these questions honestly and, if you answer no to any, then you do not make the grade, so think of another way of making money.
Am I Good Enough?
This is the most important question, so you need to be honest with yourself and seek the opinion of others. For example, people on Hubpages are very kind, and always leave lovely comments about your writing. Family and friends are the same, and do not want to hurt your sensitive, artistic feelings. It is time to get real and seek the opinions of those who matter. At the end of the day, clients judge you with dollars, the only real guide to ability.
If you spend two days writing a 5000 word article, and it is crap, the client will not pay, and I do not blame them. If your spelling and grammar is poor, forget it – go back to school and learn the basics before thinking about freelance writing for a living. Spellcheckers are great for picking up typos, but relying upon them to correct your basic errors is unacceptable. You might as well buy one of those programs that generate articles, written in some language vaguely resembling English.
Do I want it enough?
I have lost count of the number of times that I read profiles saying, “My dream is to be a freelance writer...” Sorry if I sound like Tony Robbins, but dreams are useless. Get off your arse (or is it more correct to say get on your arse?) and do something about it. There is no ‘dream’ about becoming a freelance writer – you either are, or you are not. Do something about it tonight, instead of watching Oprah, or cheap reality shows. If you cannot be bothered, then remove the offending sentence from your profile. You fell at the second hurdle.
Can I take Criticism?
There is no room for sensitive ‘artistic’ types, who run off to the bathroom and cry every time somebody criticises their lovingly crafted words. Criticism is part of the process, and you need to learn to deal with it. One of my clients was very picky, but his criticisms were always very constructive, and I learned a lot from him. There are some people who criticise because they are smug arseholes, but most advice is helpful, and will help you to improve.
A little honest self-appraisal does no harm either. I look at things that I wrote a year ago, and find them to be riddled with errors. In a few months time, I will probably look at this article and say the same – like any career, writing is a learning curve. Strive to become a master of your craft and the idea of freelance writing for a living is viable.
- Sir Dent
Sir Dent’s building experience and musical knowledge means that he is a master at ‘How To’ articles.
Can I handle the downs?
As a freelance writer, you are going to get scammed. Surprisingly often, and despite your safeguards, people are going to take your work and not pay. At other times, you may go for long periods without work, and then suddenly become inundated with orders. This is normal and you must be able to take this in your stride. With the current economic crisis, sometimes I work 80 – 100 hours per week, and you have to be prepared to do this, if you are serious about freelance writing for a living.
Do I have expertise?
To be a writer, you must have an expertise, a field in which you are knowledgeable and enjoy writing about. My field is academic writing, and I know how to ‘write and cite’ for science and history papers. Some of you might be gadget freaks, builders, or superb cooks. This is all good, and gives you a good, solid base. You will probably end up writing about other things, but you always have one area where you can excel, and find clients. It is all about impressing clients and getting ahead of the pack – deep knowledge, in a certain area, helps you to do this.
Many of you may be thinking – I want to be a creative writer, so I do not need expertise. Wrong! The good creative writers have read the work of great authors, studying how they construct great books. Others are great observers, and can write about reality, making you feel as if you are part of the story. Only a tiny minority of people have the natural talent to write without study and analysis, so do not fool yourself. Under the photos, I have included links to some Hubbers who are experts in their field.
Can I make a financial commitment?
I am not trying to panic you with this one, as there is little initial outlay required. You do, however, need to speculate to accumulate. We are talking about spending five dollars a month on a domain name and hosting, plus 30 or 40 dollars for a website template, if you are not HTML proficient. Add on 20 dollars for some business cards and you are ready to go.
This gives you a professional look that free website hosts and free business cards cannot. There is no such thing as free, so cutting corners will backfire, horribly. As an example, Google Adsense now insists upon top level domain names and a six-month trial period, in an attempt to get rid of some of the ‘article spinning’ mills. Freelance writing for a living is a business, requiring some expenditure.
If you are really skint, you can wait until you start earning, but be aware that you need to put a little money aside for your business. This is not to be spent on beer or doughnuts.
- Marissa
Marissa is a good source of information for the creative writers wishing to publish.
Do I have a high boredom threshold?
Most of us have these dreams of writing, and creating things of beauty. Sometimes, you have the privilege of working in an area you love. However, there will come times when you are short of money and you have to write about boring things. I have written articles about incontinence products, shipping containers and concrete - all very dull, but I had bills to pay. Even writing books is no exception – try reading through your e-book for the sixth time as you perform the final edit. The ability to thrive through boredom is the key to freelance writing for a living, as with any other profession.
- JimmytheJock
Jimmy is a writer who also understands how to make a passive income through Adsense. This is something we will return to in future Hubs.
Am I prepared to learn?
In writing terms, we covered this with the constructive criticism bit – learn from experience, practice and study. I am talking about thinking sideways here, and improving your skill set. Learn a little HTML or basic graphic design. Teach yourself the principles of SEO keywords or desktop publishing. This all sets you ahead of the crowd, and makes freelance writing for a living much easier
Imagine sending an application to a client wanting a ghost-written e-book. If you can say to them….not only can I write the book, but I can do the interior artwork and cover, convert it to a PDF and make it available for download. You do not need to be a programming Guru, as possessing a little basic knowledge goes a long way. You will push yourself to the front of the queue and you should be able to charge a little more.
Do I hate mediocrity?
This is the final question, so well done for making it this far. The final thing to ask yourself is whether you are a perfectionist. You are your own quality controller, and you need to be extremely thorough. Whether an assignment is for one dollar or twenty dollars, you must strive to produce the best work that you can. I usually leave a paper overnight and check through it the next day, often rewriting large parts.
Reputation is everything, so no final copy should leave your desktop until it is as perfect as you can make it. If you cannot do this, then you crashed and burned at the last fence. Sad, really - so near, yet so far.
- Julie-Ann
I have not touched upon marketing yet, but Julie-Ann is an example of a talented writer who also knows how to play the game.
YOU ARE NOW A FREELANCE WRITER
If you have made it this far, congratulations are in order, and I will start being nice again. You have shown that you have the skill and dedication required to start freelance writing for a living. The next few hubs will be about getting yourself started, now that you have proved that you have the mental side in order.
Below the photos, I have included a few links to some of the top writers on Hubpages, so make sure that you visit and pick up a few tips. I offer apologies to anybody I missed, as there are many fine writers here; these are just the tip of the iceberg.
I stuck to the people on jimmythejock’s Writers for Hire hubs, because these Hubbers have already passed the ordeal of nine questions. I promise to include the other featured writers in future Hubs about freelance writing for a living.
You are now ready to face the challenge of freelancing for a living. Please visit the next hub in the series, about finding your first assignment and navigating the freelance sites.
A Few Useful Links
- uw-madison writing center writer\'s handbook
A great teaching resource, showing how to use correct punctuation and grammar. If you think that your language is a little rusty, this is the place to brush up on old skills. - All Freelance Writing » How to Design an E-book Cover
An excellent resource laying out the processes for writing and publishing an e-book. For those of you chasing the dream, it will guide you through the whole project. - What Do You Do When Someone Steals Your Content « Lorelle on WordPress
Every writer will have their copyrighted work stolen, at some point. This excellent guide lays out the process of chasing the offender, from initial contact to blocking their advertising. - Research Paper Outline - How to Write a Research Paper
A few tips about how to write a good research paper, and a good source for many aspects of scientific writing. By tracking the articles, you will be able to see how I have improved as a writer over the past year.
- The Writing Business Free Tech Support from Ask Dave Taylor!
Free Tech Support from Dave Taylor - Ask Dave if you have any questions about freelance writing for a living. Browse through the posts for some excellent tips. - Project Gutenberg
Probably my favourite site on the internet. Project Gutenberg houses a vast selection of antiquarian and out-of-print books, all completely free. - Welcome to the Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL)
The Purdue University Online Writing Lab is a fantastic site, giving valuable information about all aspects of writing. From basic grammar, to academic citation protocols, Purdue has it all. - The Site Wizard
A complete guide about how to build your own site. The Site Wizard covers everything, from buying a domain name to building a site. Developing a professional image is not as difficult as you would think.
- Investing in Real Estate World Wide - Property Investments Around the World - Free Listing site for
A site that I am currently writing for - a freelancers work can range from writing about property to technical articles, and everything in between. - Odesk Profile
Later, I will cover making a living on Freelance sites, and I started on ODesk. The work has dried up, recently, but it is always worth checking.
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Comments
Thanks, Sweetiepie - not trying to scare people, but it is a profession and needs to be treated seriously. The freelance sites are full of unqualified writers 'trying things out' and the genuine writers have trouble promoting themselves.
Too many 'dollar an article' jobs, at the moment - if there was a magic bullet for making riches, we would all be doing it! Did you ever get around to signing up on Jimmy's list?
One of the problems with the existance of the internet and with the avaialbility of cheap on-demand printing is that the financial incentives for publishers, the traditional gate keepers and judges of the quality of writing, is dwindling rapidly.
A lot of garbage online.
And hey to make billion dollars a day online doing nothing but writing articles just click here! :)
Bloody link isn't working, BDazzler - I want my billion dollars a day!
That is very true - the internet is too easy sometimes. Most of my work requires a lot of research, and I hate typing in a search term that brings up the same pages on different websites. I am all for the new Google Adsense restrictions, as this should stop a lot of the 'article spinning' and allow quality to win. Too many marketers and 'backlink' programs rather than concentrating upon content.
As a professional writer working with freelancers all the time, this is a great way for them to self-weed themselves out if they just don't have what it takes!
thanks for sound advice
Thanks, Julie-Ann. I think that too many people are swayed by the 'Make Money Writing' scams. It is not easy, and most of that is Adsense based - not writing, but marketing. The freelance sites are falling apart, so I am glad that I developed a base of private clients last year!
Thanks for visiting, Lgali
I hear most "writers" survive the early years, if they survive it and push forward, eating oranges, starving, locking themselves up in a room...but I never had that will. I'm very lucky I can write just to write and without any financial purpose. I think your hub is well done and I wish you could be the guy at the front of hubpages, sayin' nope this is crap, will not post, or yep, this is good, carry on. I'm on the maybe, someday I will write a book group, myself, and have no idea what makes for good adsense content.
Thanks for stopping by, GT - always a pleasure.
I can testify to the eating oranges part! Last year, I averaged about 200 Euros per week, which is decent money - especially with no mortgage or rent. The Wall Street mess up has hit hard, and some weeks we get by on 50, so the orange trees keep us alive. Too many poor and inexperienced writers hitting the freelance sites, driving down the prices. Mind you, most clients end up getting what they pay for, and have to pay a proper writer to fix the mess.
Hubpages bouncer - I could live with that, although I suspect that Shadesbreath is eyeing up the position. Hubpages is a great place to write for fun, although a little adsense never hurts. You have the right idea, writing for a hobby, because it is like any other job - long hours and little pay. There are no 'make thousands a day through writing' schemes.
I am officially ordering the first copy of the book - should be a rollicking yarn :)
Hey, Sufi-Even if one does have all that it takes to be a freelancer, I know some of the reasons why one would choose not to! For me--I know I don't want to work for little sums of money for, frankly, what has been an expensive education and experience. And the freelance sites seem packed with just JUNK. You are lucky to have found a niche that absolutely requires skill and expertise.
I think niching is very, very important if a writer decides to go for it. I will go after writing a book(s)again once I am more settled in my day writing/PR job for many different reasons.
Hey! That would be a great hub someone could write--finding a niche! Thanks, Sufi...
Hi Lita - always good to receive feedback from a professional!
You are totally correct about the niching and junk. I am with oDesk and Pam Grundy is with Elance, and the job quality has plummeted on both sites - $1 for a five-hundred word article spun three times and similar rubbish. Technical and academic writing jobs have disappeared. I will be glad when Google's Adsense restrictions kick in!
For a western writer, competing against good writers in countries with a lower cost of living, niching is the only way. I am lucky in that few writers can do what I do, but the economy is a problem - most of my clients are in the US, and they have no money. I am owed over $800, with little chance of ever seeing it.
Look forward to seeing you write more books once (if!) the economy settles down.
A hub about such things will be forthcoming - hopefully once I have written another health tourism hub.
I have to admit that I had this great idea that I'd earn money through online writing because I was an abstractor and indexer for about a decade. So I set myself up, bought a laptop, got a regular ISP, but then I didnt know where to start. Cris A pointed me here to hubpages just to give me a feel of what its like. So far most of what I've put out here are all my personal stuff with nothing to offer at all hehehe. I couldn't fully commit because I still need my day job.
Great hub as usual sufidreamer, you don't need to be the hp bouncer cuz you've become the educator
Yeah, Sufi-- One thing Hubpages has done is got me writing 'just because' again. For, you know--I have not accomplished that much overdo book of poems that is written in my stars as of yet. Not, I think for any other reason than something just needs to settle down, yes. :)
Eh, I'm owed more than $800. I'm a designer, too, and freelanced when I was in NYC--was stiffed a couple times. And yes, the sites you mention scare me! Writer-slavery comes to mind!
Hi SD,
I guess even those of us who can write well (or think so) need to get a reality check now and then, something more than a gentle reminder. Your hub does exactly that!
In addition to all these points, I think one also needs to have a genuine love for writing. I also need to enjoy my writing, or else the writing will rapidly degrade into a chore. I might just as well continue my 9 to 5 schedule in that case.
Wow, thank you for the link--and all the great advice!
I think you nailed it. It's not easy, and at any of your 10 steps half the people who try to do it give up because....It's not easy!
Thank you for this hub. It's so refreshing to read something HONEST about how it really is to do it. Writing for money is not glamorous at all, it's just really hard work. I sure love working from my house though. It would be so hard to take an office job after doing working at home. Lucky for me, there aren't any! lol! Thanks Sufi! :o)
Hi Buddy - Thanks for dropping in.
Your dream may not be so far away - I have worked with a few writers from the Phillipines, and they make a decent living as a writer. The lower cost of living helps - I will be writing a couple of Hubs about freelance sites. The only problem with living in the Phillipines or India, for example, is that clients assume that 50 cents an hour is 'doing you a favour,' instead of judging you by the quality of your work. Stay with me, and you and Cris could easily make it as writers!
Hi Lita - Sadly true. Somebody paid half of the money for ghostwriting an e-book, but I have not heard from him since. I have decided to market and sell it under my own name, to try and claw back the cash. Not the biggest poetry fan (apart from Icelandic sagas!) but look forward to the book.
Hi Pam - Always a pleasure.
Times are hard - oDesk advertised on US daytime TV, and became inundated with tens of thousands of writers. Hopefully, the vast majority will become disillusioned and disappear, so things shoul return to normal ;)
Agree with you about working from home - I have mobile internet, so can take off to Crete for a week and still work. Have to raise the money for that, though. I should be writing a Hub about setting up your own website, so stay tuned!
Sufi- Thanks for the reality check. And to think I was under the impression I could quit my day job to enjoy full time at hub pages (alas now not meant to be so) :-(
Hi CW - Good to see you.
Little chance of a full time income at HP. You could make a nice part-time income, if you wanted, but it takes a while to get started. ;)
Sufi- I was just kidding..LOL. I am here to enjoy more than anything else. If I ever have to sit full time at home maybe I might take some writing courses to prepare for that career(I know with my present skill level I stand little chance as you rightly pointed out in this hub).
You never know, CW - you have a wonderfully uplifting style of writing, which is a niche in itself. Give the freelance sites time to calm down, and you never know ;)
You are going to hate me for saying this, but your first sentence seems to be missing a word. "Many have you may be visiting this Hub thinking that it has some invaluable tips for freelance writing for a living." Please don't hurt me.
lol - that, of course, was meant to check that you were paying attention!
No excuse, it was down to incompetence - now fixed, so thanks for pointing that out. Constructive criticism is always welcome, so I am not going to hate you and you do not have to worry about big hairy men attacking you whilst you sleep. :)
There are a lot of full time writers that never took a writing class in college. It is funny that it used to be really hard to get a job as a writer and now it is one of the easiest jobs to get.
Information publishing online is in such high demand now.
Rick
Hi Rick,
Easy to become a writer, difficult to make a full time living.
Too many internet marketers more interested in using software for short cuts, rather than writing quality content.
Yesterday I had to remind three of my regular customers to pay me. Only one was nice about it. Just thought I'd put that on your comment list for anyone thinking about the glamorous writing life.
You and Lita are right. The job boards are getting really crappy. But where I live there are no "real" jobs. It's pretty bad here.
Great hub - and I agree with all of it.
In some areas of work, writing all the time and being self-employed is worth it, though.
In my real job, I'm a barrister. That means I'm self-employed (we all are at the independent Bar in England). I am instructed by solicitors to go to court and represent clients, and I also do a lot of advisory work.
In an average week, I probably write 12,000 to 15,000 words, in advices, grounds of appeal, and skeleton arguments. Sometimes a lot more.
However, unlike many areas of writing, this one pays (-:
Thanks for dropping by, Pam.
Clients love taking work, but when it come to paying....not so happy. This is the problem with online work - there is no legal redress. If a local refuses to pay, I know where they live, and can take positive action.
One British guy still owes me half the money, about $700 for an e-book I ghostwrote - he owes the other freelancers too. If he does not contact me, I have threatened to release the book under my own name - let us see if that works!
The job boards are going downhill, but nobody on there seems to care. Good buyers become pissed off at the sheer number of low quality writers they have to wade through, and go elsewhere.
Hope that you manage to get things sorted out - sounds like things are really tough :(
Thanks, London Girl.
That is true - if you have a speciality and training, life is easier. I am lucky in that I know how to write academic papers, so can charge a little more, but even that is drying up. One of the next Hubs will be about developing a niche and writing style. I will be a little less angry ;)
I have a sneaking feeling that internet habits are beginning to change, and surfers want quality instead of the 'keyword soup' articles currently dominating the search engines.
Hopefully, that will sort out the wheat from the chaff.
Great reality check. Which serves again, to remind me that I write for myself and because I enjoy it. I try to write a hubmob each week as a form of dicipline particularly i n view of th fact that some of the topics are indeed challenging. My day job keeps me busy and I produce thousands of words as part of that job which at least keeps me active and employed. I am certainly not an adsense dreamer and hub pages gives me somewhat of a creative outlet. I certainly don't believe Hub pages is a money spinner. Although it keeps me mentally stimulated and I enjoy some of the iteractions through the comments section. a kind of writing for applause due to the instant feedback in some of the comments.
I've seen a real decline on the boards over the past year. I got freelance work easier and was better paid for it a year ago. It should be the reverse--I have a big fat resume now and I get questions like, "Give me your lowest rate on 1000 words. How low will go?" To which I generally reply, piss off--only in nicer language.
I've only been stiffed twice but they were both really big projects that I'd already written pages and pages on. So now, I don't even bid on those kinds of projects unless I can set up escrowed pay at regular intervals. Mostly I only bid on stuff I can get done in a day or two at most, because that way, if I get stiffed, I haven't lost as much. Amazingly, it's only the two no pays though in an entire year. I think that's not bad. More common are the people who keep tacking on demands after the initial agreement for no extra money. That's annoying.
It's interesting--some of the most demanding customers pay the slowest and the most poorly. Every so often I fire the ones who are really getting on my nerves. What is the good of working for yourself if you can't do that?
I'm not doing so bad really. Bill has a good job, and we keep our expenses low. It's just the general atmosphere here is getting so ugly. I'll be looking forward to your upcoming hubs. I finally got my website up and haven't touched it. I'd like to spend more time on that and on my own work. :o)
Thanks, sixtyor so - Hubpages is certainly a great place to write for pleasure. I am a great believer in writing as therapy, and it is wonderful to read random articles from all corners of the planet. The problem is that writing is a different ballgame when you have to do it for a living, like any other business.
Pam - The job boards are indeed becoming dire. oDesk stupidly sought publicity on mainstream TV reports, and was completely unprepared for the resulting stampede. This swamped out the professionals, who spent a long time building a portfolio and reputation, and the good buyers have gone elsewhere. I hope that it improves when people realise that you cannot make $20 per hour as a writer unless you are at the top of the tree. I am less polite than you with people seeking lowest price. I had one guy offering $2 for 500 words - I told him where and how to shove it.
Demanding cutomers are the worst - the guy who owes me for the book wanted so much extra, and I even did some of the internal graphics. I have one great client, for the science site, who is perfect and keeps putting my wages up as his adsense earnings increase. I wish that they were all like that.
Hopefully, things will improve. I reckon that writing resumes could be a growth market ;)
Yeah or shakedown letters! lol!
lol - Always a way to make money out of the misery of others. Wall Street has been doing it for years.
It is a tough gig to get into at first, especially when you do need to be employed. There are some topics that it is flat out tough to write on and be creative with and of course those are the only ones you will get at first. But if you can stick with it and tough it out you will get better offers and you can eventually turn down the tough subjects to write about.
Very informative Sufi,
It does help alot to have a low cost of living. It also helps alot to have the ability to do odd jobs that can generate income during the slow times without having a real restrictive schedule. Temp companies and a construction background used to be real handy for that, but this beautiful economy has pretty much squeezed that out. I think, at this point Craigslist is the top spot.
I always do marvel when I get those notices from Constant Content that request a 2000 word article on some incredibly technical subject, that would probably require a week of research, and they are offering $4 for the job.
Thanks, EYE.
The lower cost does help - the one good thing about the economy is that even though I earn less in dollars, the improved exchange rate has helped a little. Still a struggle, but making enough to get by. Not had to resort to Craigslist yet, and I should have a little part time job taking English language exams in the next couple of months.
Totally with you about the flexibility - I would never go back to a 9 - 5 or wear a suit. We also have a few olive trees, grapes and a house that needs constant repairing, so I can fit work around that.
$4 for 2000 words seems to be about the going rate - these people usually end up getting exactly what they pay for - crap.
$4 for 2,000 words? Jesus wept. That's appalling.
Sadly, it is true. I saw one assignment on oDesk offering 75 cents for a 500 word article. Any western buyer offering that sort of money needs a smack around the head, for exploitation.
Hard to believe but I actually felt better after reading your opening "rant". I don't have a problem with not getting rich from writing. I've been doin' it for free since fire was brand new. The problem is staying focused with all of life's distractions. Your advice is sound, practical and to the point. Any further advice or constructive criticism on my new hubs would helpful. I'll be adding to my poems and lyrics hub after dusting off the cobwebs.
be....... (insert where needed) see what I mean about "focus"?
:-)
Hi, Deanomax - Welcome to Hubpages. It is a great place to share ideas and write for fun. A good set of folks, here, and people are always willing to share ideas and give advice.
I had a look at your Hubs and left comments - some nice work there, although I will be little help with poetry Hubs! The Poetic Muse passed me by, I am afraid.
Interesting article Sudidreamer, it's one thing to dream and another thing to take action on your dreams. I've thought about writing for some time now so with hubpages I've decided to do something about it!
I am pleased with what I read. I am one of those "old" people who appreciates work, quality work, and wants to learn a variety of things. My health may slow me down at times, but I will get there.
Thanks for the encouragement and references for help.
Thanks fadyboy - There is a great community spirit on Hubpages. The next few Hubs should be a little more positive and give some tips about writing.
Thanks for dropping by, Feathermelightly. I wish that there were more people like you. So few people take pride in their work, nowadays.
Sufi I have written several hubs on the subject of people thinking that they could make money easily online - which of course you cant do In fact I do freelance writing to fill the gap until my websites kick in.
I think a lot of people miss the point about dropping your expenses so that you can afford to live on a reduced income - in fact I have been amazed how much I save just my not working outside the house: lunch - gone, petrol - slashed - clothes- dont need them anymore! On the other hand coffee, milk and toilet paper bills have gone up!
I looked at odesk about a year ago and then took a job cleaning - it paid a lot more! Now of course there are fewer cleaning jobs and it sounds like the already low rates have gone even lower.
At the end of the day you have to have contacts and an on-line prescence to get work - Ive got my best gigs all thru contacts at hubpages
Hi Lissie
Thanks for honouring us with your presence - always a pleasure.
I read your hubs about making money online - it appeared to be far too difficult, so I stuck with the writing.
Agree with you about the expenses - we live a frugal life here, and do without things. If something breaks, I fix it until it breaks again. We can manage on less than $150 per week if needed, so it is a little easier to survive than in the UK. No 'Keeping up with the Jones's' here! You could earn a thousand dollars a day, but if you spend it on stuff you do not need, then you are no better off!
Working on the online presence (must write my profile - I find it difficult to write about myself!) I have had one client through Hubpages, so it has proved worthwhile so far!
Great advice. I was going to give Odesk a chance, I am signed up there but I never check it out. I know I could drop my expenses but not enough to pay my rent with freelance writing alone :)
Thanks, Uninvited Writer!
oDesk has been crap for a while, but there does appear to be a slight rise in the quality of the jobs - hope that it continues.
That is the other advantage we have here - no rent or mortgage, so living as a freelancer is a little easier. It is amazing how much of your earnings in the UK disappear before you even see them. A relief not to have a pile of red bills on the doorstep every morning
Sufi: I value integrity above everything, and you are not misleading anyone with your hub; all would be freelancers need to read this hub, including moi!
If you haven't checked Pam's hub on the same topic, I recommend it. It's hilarious and also very blunt. hehe.
Thumbs up!
This is a great hub, Sufidreamer! It presents the reality of what a writer needs to successfully be in business as a freelancer. All those search ads that promise anyone can make a killing, even if they don't know how to write, are annoying. I feel kind of bad for anyone who falls for them.
A hearty thumbs up for you, sir!
I am bookmarking this to come back to read thoroughly - thanks and cheers
Thanks, Violet Sun - Always good to see you.
Sadly, it is not an easy profession. Don't get me wrong, I love my work, but it is like any other job, and has little romance attached.
I read Pam's Hub - Bittersweet humour does not come much better than that. I linked to it in my other Hub - maybe I should put one here, too.
Thanks Shirley - your input is always appreciated.
Ironically, one of the Adsense capsules on the Hub proudly proclaimed that YOU can make $100 EVERY day through FREELANCE WRITING. If I had any morals, I would take Adsense off this Hub, but I am becoming too cynical for morals!
Mind you, if anybody reads this hub and still falls for the hype, then I have no sympathy - they kind of missed the point.
Thanks ajcor - There is now another addition about 'How to get started on the freelance sites."
Nice job there friend. I REALLY need to upgrade my hubs - they're SOOO bad :) I thought I knew what I was doing when I started but now eechh...my writing is SO much better today LOL
Great hub :)
Thanks, Doreen - coming from you, that is praise indeed!
I know what you mean about the older writing - I look at things I wrote a year ago and I seemed to have a comma fetish. Getting better, but then I will probably say the same in a year's time!
I guess I've always been a bit of a dilettante Sufidreamer. I'm very good at a lot of things but really expert at none.
Fact is, I really don't care much about getting paid to do things I love. If you wouldn't do something for the joy of it then, IMHO, you don't likely deserve payment anyway.
I have found the greatest reward for me comes from the responses of people who appreciate what I've done. They're not paying me for helping them make a buck. They're thanking me for enriching their lives for a moment in some small way. I guess that's just a function of my ego. The single greatest high I have ever experienced has been as a performing musician. I never made any money but the most fulfilling moments of my life have come while on stage. When all the factors are right, when the stars are aligned correctly (just kidding), the connection between performer and audience creates a euphoria that is simply indescribable. I think, had I become a famous rock star, making millions and touring all over the world playing night after night, I would have soon lost that.
Sometimes writing provides a similar, if less intense connection with readers.
During the years I worked as an apprentice to a potter I found a similar sense of gratification in transforming a lump of inert clay into something useful and beautiful.
If someday, for whatever reason, someone decided they could make money from something I did and were willing to pay me for it that would be OK. I'm just not going to torture myself in an attempt to become "legitimate" or "successful". I don't like deadlines and I don't like to put anything out there until I think it's right. Frankly, I'd rather minimize my requirements, live within my means and be true to my muse than become a wealthy, proficient and passionless professional machine in any activity. Fortunate indeed are those who can hit upon a formula that allows the achievement of both even if only briefly.
Or perhaps I'm just making excuses for my laziness or lack of real ability and ambition. Bottom line: as long as I'm surviving and finding those moments of reward and gratification from my connection with others I'll be satisfied being an amateur.
Thanks CWB - always good to see an old friend!
With you on a lot of what you say - the simplifying things is the most important. The economy is forcing most people to trim back the excess, but we are a little ahead of the curve, so it is less of a shock
I never intended to be a writer - I have always enjoyed writing, but never considered it as a profession. Circumstance drove me to it - we were in a different country, with only a basic grasp of the language and no income. I tried my hand, and here I am. Rock-bottom is where the human brain is at its most creative, looking for solutions!
I like the clay analogy - it does feel like that sometimes. I try to have three areas of writing - purely for the money, paid jobs that I enjoy and, most importantly, pleasure. Whilst I have some 'commercial' Hubs, Hubpages gives me a place to write for sheer pleasure - that is the most important part, or it would be an unendurable job. If I can persuade somebody think a little differently about things, even better.
Who knows what all the factors are that opened your window of opportunity? As you mentioned, not having a mortgage payment put you a bit "ahead of the curve". You state, "I tried my hand...". Sounds pretty much like what I said, "If someday, for whatever reason, someone decided they could make money from something I did and were willing to pay me for it that would be OK.". Although it does sound to me that you made a more conscious effort to turn your skill into a source of income.
More power to you Sufidreamer. I admire your flexibility. Sometimes compromise is an acceptable means to achieve a worthy goal. I've always been too hard headed for my own good. Compromise has always been difficult for me, especially when it comes my creative side.
lol - Your hard headed nature is why we like you! People may not always agree with you, but they accept that your opinions come from a good place. It is good to have an old-school warrior keeping us all honest.
I must admit that I have to censor myself, sometimes. Because clients/potential clients may read my Hubs and postings, I have to be careful not to cause offence, or take certain positions. In that respect, my opinions are always going to be compromised - that is the cost of seeking publicity/advertising. I do reject some jobs as conflicting with my personal beliefs (mainly some alternative therapies), but I do have to compromise on a few things.
Enjoying life is the only real guide, as long as you are harming no-one else. Greece is a good place to be, and has forgotten more about freedom than we in the 'Anglo-Saxon' countries know. They were under occupation for so long that they know what it is like to be without it!
I understand. I make no effort whatsoever at being "politically correct" under any circumstances. I'm willing to live with the consequences and limitations that entails.
That is why your Hubs are always interesting - you provoke debate but only throw abuse at those who deserve it, such as bloated corporations. Any man throwing the odd verbal grenade at Wall Street and the White House is just fine by me.
Bang go my Republican and corporate clients ;)
In my home, back in the North of England, we appreciate people who tell it how it is.
eh, lad, d'you call t'spade a bloody shovel, then?
Aye, Lass - We speak reet proper in't North. I dug this old poem up the other day, by a guy called John Richardson:
Ya winter neet; I mind it weel, > Oor lads 'ed been at t' fell, > An' bein' tir't, went seun to bed, > An' I sat be messel. > I hard a jike on t' window pane, > An' deftly went to see; > Bit when I ax't 'Who's jiken theer?' > Says t' chap, 'It's nobbut me!' > > 'Who's me? says I, 'What want ye here? > Oor fwoak ur aw abed?' - > 'I dunnet want your fwok at aw, > It's thee I want,' he said. > 'What can t'e want wi' me,' says I; > 'An' who the deuce can 't be? > Just tell me who it is an' then' > -Says he, 'It's nobbut me.' > > 'I want a sweetheart, an' I thowt > Thoo mebby wad an' aw; > I'd been a bit down t' deal to-neet, > An' thowt 'at I wad caw; > What, can t' like me dus t'e think? > I think I wad like thee' > -'I dunnet know who 'tis,' says I; > Says he, 'It's nobbut me.' > > We pestit on a canny while, > I thowt his voice I kennt; > An' than I steall quite whisht away, > An' oot at t' dooer I went. > I creapp, an' gat 'im be t' cwoat laps, > 'Twas dark, he cuddent see; > He startit roond, an' said, 'Who's that?' > Says I, 'It's nobbut me.' > > An' meanny a time he come ageann, > An' menny a time I went, > An' said, 'Who's that 'at's jiken theer?' > When gaily well I kent; > An' mainly what t' seamm answer com, > Frac back o' t' laylick tree; > He sed, 'I think thoo knows who't is; > moo knows it's nobbut me.' > > It's twenty year an' mair Sen than, > An' ups an' doons we've bed; > An' six fine barns hey blest us beath, > Sen Jim an' me war wed. > An' many a time I've known 'im steal, > When I'd yan on me knee, > To mak me start, an' than wad laugh > --'Ha! Ha! It's nobbut me.'
Enjoy!
Worringly, I have no trouble reading that (-:
You must have a drop of Lancastrian blood somewhere!
I have many a drop. From all over Lancashire, Cheshire, and Cumberland.
I was puzzled when I started school that no-one else knew what the word "moider" meant.
My partner uses moider all the time - I taught her well! Glad to hear that you hail from the North-West, and not the dark land over t'other side o't' Pennines!
Anyway, must go to sleep - we are a couple of hours ahead of you. Have a great evening, what is left of it, anyway!
Oy, if you carry on with that Yorkshire stuff, we're going to fall out (-:
Sorry, did not realise that you were from Yorkshire.
Still, we all have our crosses to bear, and you must live with the burden. ;)
I jest, of course - I lived in Keighley for a while, and enjoyed it!
No, born and brought up in London, parents born and brought up in the NW. I meant if you carry on calling me a Yorkshire lass, we'll fall out....
Bravo Simon...I mean Sufi! I give you a standing ovation and two thumbs up! There's nothing wrong with telling it like it is, and it may seem harsh, but we all benefit way more from the truth.
You've done such a marvelous job with this hub, and I think it's a must read for anyone who has the desire to be a writer. Goldentoad actually has a great idea for you being the HubPages gatekeeper. :) I can see you being the Simon of HubPages and saying things like, "This is crap. Are you sure you wouldn't rather be a dancer or mime artist?" And I mean that in a very good way because I adore Simon's honesty.
As far as hubbers leaving nice comments, that's so true. The good thing about it is that it's so helpful to people with low confidence levels who really have something to offer. As for me, I tend to leave nice comments only if I really enjoy a hub, because there are too many good writers here who would easily recognize false praise and call me out! lol! :) However, if someone actually asked for criticism, I'd give it. ;)
Fabulous job Sufi!
LondonGirl: lol - Sorry about the grave insult!
Of course, it is all a friendly rivalry now, and all meant in good humour.
I remember swapping banter with a few of my Yorkshire mates, and a Londoner decided to butt in. Cue one episode of Northern unity and one southerner leaving with his tail between his legs! Pure comedy - only Lancastrians can take the mick out of Yorkshiremen, and we fought hard for that right!
Thanks for the kind words, Pam - always good to hear from you.
I might have to see if the bouncer position is vacant - I rarely leave bad comments about style or English because mine is far from perfect. Most people are here for enjoyment, which is great, and giving encouragement is fantastic. If somebody writes an interesting article, picking up on their language is pedantic and unfair!
I am not the biggest fan of 'keyword soup' articles, blatantly designed for promotion and Adsense, but that is just a personal opinion.
Like you, I am always happy to give an appraisal if asked, although I tend to do it by PM rather than in the comments or on the forums. It is possible to make a little money through writing, but you need to practice and master the language, an ongoing process. It is easy to become a writer - to become a good writer.......a lot more difficult.
hey sufi
i was accepted to two online magazines last year but had to back out, guess i wasn't prepared. but the good news is that i referred both to my account here so i guess HubPages is quite a credible site as writers' pool. just last week i was accepted by another group and yes, i referred them here if they wanted to check out how I write and I guess they liked what they saw. so there. just wanted to share :D
"Hubpages is a great place to write for fun, although a little adsense never hurts"
I was trying to figure out how I felt, and then I stumbled on this. I think that personally I am writing for fun and HOPING to make a few buck while I do so. Good luck with becoming the HubPages bouncer!!!!
"I rarely leave bad comments about style or English because mine is far from perfect. Most people are here for enjoyment, which is great, and giving encouragement is fantastic. If somebody writes an interesting article, picking up on their language is pedantic and unfair!"
I think the exception is, though, if you are asked to look at a hub, say on the hubmakeover page, perhaps?
Great stuff, Cris - Glad that you are getting offers.
Hubpages is a great place to have a portfolio, and you have the talent! I have had the fortune to work with some excellent Filipino writers, and they rarely disappoint. You certainly have the talent, and I enjoy reading your informative Hubs - you seem to be carving out a niche for yourself.
Give it a few months, and the whole writing gig should change - internet users increasingly look for quality, so it is just a matter of toughing it out. I am lucky to have a couple of great long term clients, and they are like gold-dust!
The Real Truth: That is a good way to approach it. Write what you enjoy, and if you can make a little money through Adsense, then that is an added bonus. You are now officially on the 'Guest List!'
LondonGirl: Agree fully, although if I somebody asks me to be ubercritical, I tend to PM - a lot less likely to cause misunderstandings! In addition, even if somebody has asked, anybody reading the comments might think that I am a complete and utter b@$t@rd!
Ah, Sufi, but you are nicer than I am.
I tend to think if someone's asked for criticism, they want it. If they don't, that's their problem.
I'd always rather be told about typos and stuff - then I can change it. The reverse, to me, seems like letting someone wander around with her dress tucked in her pants, or flies undone.
lol: You are very nice, although you don't suffer fools - I guess that is essential in your line of work. :)
It is a difficult one - if somebody asks about layout or typo's, no problem. For the ones who really want to make a living as a writer, but their grasp of the language is awful, I try to be a little more gentle. I suppose that it is like the difference between a teacher criticising in front of the class or taking you aside for a pep-talk.
This is a great hub, Sufidreamer! It presents the reality of what a writer needs to successfully be in business as a freelancer.
Interesting lens - a lot of the advice could really be applied to any profession, but it just happens to be well-tuned for freelance writing. But the fundamentals are very much the same for entrepreneurship in general. It did give me some things to think about, not so much as a freelance writer, but rather, as a writer in general.
Thanks, Gracy - Very glad that you enjoyed the Hub.
Thanks for dropping by, Intuitionzone - you are right. I believe that it takes two years of hard work to set up a viable business, so I agree with you fully.
At the end of your post, you got it right on target regarding the need to be a perfectionist, when you start getting paid for your writing.
I have been writing articles for some months now and I get excited/impatient to send the finished work, but of course every piece needs to be re-read and editted once or twice---so I need to stop myself from sending files immediately :).
Self-control at the end of each work is so important!
Celinamac
Hi Celina
Thanks for dropping by!
Good to see that you are doing well - your care and attention to detail always pays, in the end.
Had a read through a few of your hubs, and you have a lovely writing style!
Great hub! Loved your down to earth advice.
My partner and I run an editing and writing co. We are both former full time journalists but we have found out that making good money is tough!! I left a full time job for personal committments and it helps that mine is the secondary income, or i would have to work much harder! :)
I am not very active on the hubs but my partner is better (feline prophet).
Thanks Minilady - it is hard to making a living, even for professionals like yourself! It is like any other business and takes a couple of years to build up a reputation and client base.
Good luck with it - I have seen feline prophet around, so will check it out!
Exellent article Sufidreamer . I really like the fact that you are not promising the world or mass riches like some of the other never to be named hubs! I am very fortunate to work for one of the best writers around( in honest my opinion). If it hadn't been for her time and effort I would have NEVER kept my head above water.
Thanks for dropping by, Mardi - Glad to hear that you are managing to make a living as a writer: Quality always wins! A good mentor really helps you to avoid the major pitfalls.
Good luck with the career.
This is a great hub. I am planning to free lance write when I retire and this hub is an eye opener.
Thanks, Julie - I read a few of your hubs, and you are a good writer, so should have few problems making money as a writer.
Good luck!
VERY well done!
These are questions we all have to ask. I don't have a dream--my "profile" initiates the cause and the affect. I've been writing since I was nine, and I enjoy it very much.
Obviously, I've got to cut my teeth in this field. But I feel I'm quickly adapting and taking all lessons to heart. I thank you for this tough look at writing in this manner. I've never wanted to do this full time, although I'm not going to pass it up if the opportunity exists. However, I doubt very much this opportunity will exist until I create a name brand and consistently well done articles.
You sir, are a hero for those of us who have the guts, will, and talent.
Sincerely,
G|M
Thanks Generique - you are too kind and have made me blush!
I like your dream and sincerely hope that it comes to fruition. I am a great believer that true wealth lies between the ears, and with a little work, ideas can cme to fruition.
I hate the homogenization of culture too, so it is good to see somebody taking an 'open-source' approach. Any society that does not value its poets and artists is a dead society, so I hope that you keep fighting the good fight.
A lot of what you are doing seems to be marketing - guys like Marissa, Misha and Sunforged are experts and always willing to offer help on building brands and identities.
Good luck with it!
Writing is one of my passions, by which I make no claims of being a pro at it. Not to say I wouldn't love to do it on a professional level. I was offered by Hallmark a few years ago, but not as freelance, only in house staff. I chose not to accept. I appreciate your opinion on the devotion it takes to be successful at it, but a seed planted is far better than pounding it into the ground. Easy on us Newbies please.
Your shared knowledge is fantastic and I look forward to much more!
Thanks KStyle - methinks you noticed that I was in a bad mood on the day that I wrote this! At the time, the freelance writing sites suffered an influx of poor quality writers, who thought that writing for a living was a matter of typing a few things on a word processor and getting paid lots of money.
I am a little better humoured now - my next hub in the series is a little more helpful! Always happy to help out new writers, and I promise not to bite :)
Again, comments almost as good as hub, whew! My head is spinning with all the info! I'm really looking forward to the niche hub you've promised. And I love the pissy tone of this, seriously!
I spent several years in a job I basically hated because it I thought it was "practical" (plus I needed health insurance)--then ended up losing it, and have never been more relieved in my life (for all I have very little money). And you know what, being miserable and having more money is still being miserable! I'm poorer right now than I've been in a long time but I'm also happier. And I much rather have somebody give me some gods-honest-truth than a fairytale I won't believe anyway.
I was fairly aware of the pitfalls and challenges before I read this hub (and this is the second time I've read it). So while I try this out, I'm also starting to study web design and html, xml, css, etc. I figure it will help me create better websites for myself and if/when? I have to go look for a "regular" job again, at least I'll have new skills to offer and I won't be so bored with the "practical" work I settled for in the past... that's the plan anyway, lol!
Thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU for your candor and disgruntlement!
Thanks Kelsey - Glad that the harsh tone did not drive you away! Times were a little harder when I wrote this Hub, although business has picked up since then.
With you on the job thing - it can be a double edged sword. Sometimes, you do not realise how stressed you are until you manage to escape. We sometimes struggle for money, although having no rent or mortgage helps, but life is much better. No idiot bosses to contend with!
Good on you for expanding your horizons - a little web design goes far. If you can do a little basic graphic design, that also helps. Web design is another job that is difficult to make a living from, but it is a great addition to your toolbox of skills.
Good luck with everything - You have definitely passed the ordeal of the nine questions!
Can't believe you actually became my fan...... I promise my hubs will get better.......... Maybe it was that we are from a similar area that your face looked so welcoming and warm... I like your hair also..... I read somewhere that you lived in Cork for a while is that right?..... My absolute dream is to be a freelance writer, I think it must be a dream come to true for anyone, I will keep referring back to this hub, there is a lot to take in, but I will work through it bit by bit...
Where is your birth place?...
Don't be silly - course I became your fan. I like what you have to say! Leaving such nice compliments helps, too - a nice ego boost from a lovely lady.
I was originally born in Barrow-in-Furness, although I spent most of my life in an around Lancaster and Morecambe. I spent a year in Cork and one in Carlow, drinking too much stout but having a blast.
Good luck with the writing - it takes a little time, but there is no reason why you cannot be a success. I do not make a lot of money, but enough for a happy life :)
Hi Sufidreamer, I'm a little late finding your article, but am thrilled I stumbled upon it, as you have addressed many of my questions. I look forward to reading your other articles and I'm glad your work has picked up.
~Jen
Thanks, Jen - Happy to help, and I am glad that it has helped a little. Mind you, the comments from some of the other writers are more useful than the article itself!
Hi, you are so funny and so right.
It is nice to have you around. Thank you.
Claudia Adães
Thanks for dropping by, Claudia - your kind words are much appreciated :)
Sufi - not sure how I came across this. Randomly I believe. Still, glad I did. It was interesting in terms of honesty and fantastic in terms of delivery. I would rather someone told me I looked like crap than lied and said the opposite.
I should think this article would be so well read by now it's dog-eared. People should take note. Or notes.
Anyway. If I were a writer by profession and work was drying up, being an expat like you, I could always kick back, down the beach, gently sigh and let the sun work its magic.
And there's always the euro lottery ...
And - kudos to you for doing ... instead of dreaming.
Hey Frogdropping - thanks for the kind words.
Being an expat is great - we certainly have it much easier. Constant sun and blue seas can be such a bitch!
You can certainly do it - once you finish the book about dragons, I will be your first customer.
Say Hi to Kevin for me ;)
Sufi - hey :) I can't agree with you more! There's a whole world out there ... and yes, it's tough stuff, living near the beach, having the sun out more than it's in ... cool sangria .... the noise of the surf, gently connecting with the edges of terra firma .... *sighs* ...
Writing a book about the Dragon isn't the problem. He's an idiot :) It's having it published that's the kink in the hose pipe!
Sounds like you have such a tough life - are you sure that you would not rather be back in the UK? Sadly, we are not close to the sea, but the mountains more than make up for that!
Publishing is no problem now - some of the on-demand services are great. The main difficulty is marketing and being found, but write the book and see what happens!
Sufi - yep, life is real tough ... The rainy dales back in the UK seem soooooo tempting ...
You will live betwixt I guess? Mountains to both sides? I imagine it's simply stunning!
And yes, marketing- part of my time at uni was related to marketing but it was ever so uninteresting to me. I preferred the logistics. And as much as I enjoy reading positive feedback (who doesn't!) I'm not sure the rest of the world would be quite so enamoured with Kevin.
But then again ...
What a brilliantly well-written hub! I am impressed!
Must admit, it is tough not to laugh when I watch the weather forecast for the UK :D
We live on one side of the Evrotas valley, and enjoy some great views.
lol - Kevin is a character - the world needs to know that a dragon is for life, not just for Christmas. It is your public duty to warn them!
Thanks, Cindy - coming from you, that is the highest of praise. I must go back and edit, though - still a few signs of the old comma fetish!
Sufi - I read and re-read my hubs prior to publishing. It always annoys me to hell and back if I've missed a comma, got one too many or misspelt a word. I would have enjoyed learning to be a proof reader.
The UK weather can be glorious. It's the rain that's the problem. It's why Africa has so little. We don't share ours ...
A Dragon is for eternity. I'm not sure what their expiry date is ...
Must agree - the comma fetish was a hang-over from the academic writing - they like complexity. Legal documents are even worse - I can barely understand a word!
Must admit, whilst the rain in the UK sucks, it does make some areas beautiful.
A dragon may be too much for us - maybe a small Wyvern would fit the bill :)
Sufi - academia just loves long complicated words. Providing you can support your thesis and randomly insert hitherto unheard of scribe, you'll do ok ;) And legal documents? Just coded writing - for Very Clever People!
Wyvern? lol - and I thought I was buying a lizard ...
'Tis true, although most of the style authorities are pressing for plainer English. Sadly, academics are resistant to change, so it may be a while! As for legalese - I had to rewrite a legal disclaimer recently, and it was so twisted, sub-clauses within subclauses within subclauses. I would rather play Scrabble with Kevin.
Maybe a Wyvern - would make a good guard dog. We tried a basilisk, but it kept turning the neighbours into stone.
Sufi - a good friend is a lawyer. Lovely man. Drives me nuts at times though. We just can't have a conversation that both of us can understand. Plus he's rioutously PC so he injects THAT into his debates and discussions too ;)
lol There's no such thing as playing Scrabble with Kevin. Playing suggests a possibility of victory!
lol @ your Basilisk. Kevins' a bit down on them. Just overweight snakes in his opinion. And turning folks to stones is not clever ... just dumb ;)
lol: my cousin is a lawyer - I sometimes wonder if they inhabit the same world. Greek lawyers have not yet started the PC thing, but I am sure that a few litigation cases will change that.
I have a cunning plan with the Scrabble - let us see if Kevin can beat a Greek Cat - they are masters at it. They are also good at chess, but cannot play poker to save their lives.
The basilisk was a problem - I now have a dozen statues that I don't know what to do with :)
Sufi - I can't stand all the PC crap. It's nonsense. I live and let live but when folk start censuring everything/everyone for no good reason, I get ticked off. I have found that PC police tend to be issue driven and can rarely support their various opinions.
Poker huh? My partner enjoys playing. Not my cuppa TBH. I always thought it was a game of chance but it appears to involve strategy and logic. An interesting game.
The statues? Smash them up and make crazy paving. After all, you may as well continue to find your neighbours useful ...
Agreed - so many people have no opinion, but feel that they must, so jump on a cause. PC is one of them and actually prevents us becoming more tolerant, if taken to extremes.
Very interesting game, although I am not the best. Mind you, Trivial Pursuits is my poison!
Might try and sell the statues to a few unsuspecting tourists - you never know ;)
I enjoy listen to the opinions of others, particularly when they are well thought out and supported. It doesn't mean I always agree but it makes for a better conversation or discussion. Unfortunately, there's a huge difference twixt an opinion and opinionated.
Then there's opinionated and self-righteous. An even worse combination!
'Tis true - I love a good debate, but the art is dying. Self-righteous people do my head in, especially when they think that personal abuse is a good tactic.
Try the politics forum - po po po - gets a little circular in there!
Sufi, The "negative" (pragmatic) tone of your aritcle inspired me! Thank you. I know I'll want to revisit this article; there's a great deal of content here. Thank you! I've been a teacher of the deaf, sign language interpreter, tutor, and lots of "other things former." I should have had the courage to do what you are doing when I was young, but I'm going for it now!
Thanks, Katy - I am glad that the article helped. I read the first of your letters, and enjoyed it immensely - you have a lovely writing style.
Good luck with the new career!
Wow! Brutal honesty is stimulating.
Thanks, Bryan - Really glad that you enjoyed the article!
Great info Sufi. Freelance writing definitely beats punching the clock with the traditional 9 to 5. Wouldn't trade it for the world.
Thanks, Count. It certainly does - great to sit in the sun an enjoy a beer whilst you work :)
You have still been so much nicer than Simon C!
Given what you have written I feel honoured i guess that you described my first hub as 'wonderful'! I would love to be a writer in any capacity but I fear that I do not pass all 9 questions.
'Twas the truth, jen - you write very well. Don't worry too much about the 9 questions - there is a little flexibility! Hard to make a full time living in the UK, but a little part time money never goes astray. You develop a thick skin as you get older, so don't be worried by that. Talent? You have that in spades :)
I can't believe it's taken me so long to trip over this article - I've joined your fan club to make sure I don't miss any more gems!
You really hit the nail on the head with this one. It has taken me two years to learn all that, and decide to go back to my day job because of it. I think my writing is at the point where I could make a living from it, if I modified my lifestyle to suit - but I'm too fond of my lifestyle as it is, thanks! I'm lucky in that I've been able to return to my original profession on a part-time basis, which makes a big difference to the stress levels.
I was a bit amused to see Golden Toad's comment, especially as he left HubPages recently citing an inability to modify his writing to meet commercial demands - which, IMO, is one of the things a freelance writer must learn to do.
Thanks for dancing over, Marisa - time is a little short, but I plan to expand the writing series at some point in the future.
I think that the cost of living is always against you in Oz - Like you, I probably would have had to work part-time as well as write. As long as you are not stressed, and have time to write for pleasure, then all is well with the world. Certainly, becoming a writer, like becoming a musician or artist, requires a few sacrifices!
Don't worry about GT - he was never going to be a freelancer. A creative writer, though - with the right people around him, he has more potential than I have seen in a long time. :)
another great hub. Would you tell me how you put the links into your hub to other writers. Thanks !
Thanks, Barry - I am glad that you found the information useful. I will swing by your Hubs and pass on the info about the links.
Thanks for the 9 tips. I didn't do too bad for a non-professional. And love your choices for exampled writers. Thumbs up hub.
Hi Sufi, I followed Jewels here, and I'm glad I did. This is all great advice, and the nine questions were right to the point, in true Northern fashion! Luckily for me, writing is just a dalliance, and I'm not (at the moment) looking to earn any kind of serious money from it. I'm always impressed, however, by the hubbers who claim to earn a good whack from HubPages alone. It's a great fantasy for a lazy person like me. Churn out a few dozen hubs, and wait for the Adsense dollars to roll in.....if only!
Thanks for dropping by, Jewels - I enjoy your work immensely, and your delightful insights in the forums even more so.
Thanks, Amanda - I am glad that you appreciate the Northern Grit. Unless you find a niche, it is difficult to make a living in the UK, but supplementary income is great. I always wondered about the adsense, but I find that I do not enjoy writing for keywords and maximum hits. The likes of Darkside, Misha and Relache seem to do very well, but that is an art in itself.
Mind you, I am not going to turn adsense revenue down!
Oh my gosh! I never knew there are a lot of things to consider in writing. I went to writing just to try to get a few bucks and see if I can earn anything. Like you, I think I'm more into academic writing (not so much on the creative writing). As usual, I didn't think about the long term. Your hub is a wake-up call for me. I guess I need to do some serious soul-searching to see if this is long-term for me. Right now I am enjoying myself and so far, I have met my clients' requirements. What I'm always afraid of is how will I react if a client doesn't approve my work and keeps asking for revisions. I had one like that and it was a nightmare (I get headaches all the time the client asks for revisions). *sigh* I guess you just can't please everybody. Oh well, with the help of your hub, I hope I will improve my craft in the future and perhaps make this my lifetime full-time work (doesn't hurt to dream). Thanks for the Hub, surfdreamer! As usual, I got a lot from your hub.
Oooopppsss sorry. It's Sufidreamer. My mistake.
Hi emievil - Thanks for dropping by and for the kind words!
Don't worry too much - the fact that you have made a start is always a good sign, and your English is excellent. It really is just a matter of sticking with it - after you have been doing it for a while, you become better at knowing what the client wants. You also become better at picking out the demanding clients - if somebody is a pain in the ass, I don't work with them again. It is just a matter of experience!
I am pretty sure that you can make a good full time living - just give it a little time. Academics is a good field to get into - people are interested in quality, not cheap :)
Good luck with it, and feel free to PM if you need any advice :)
Im not sure why i read this =P haha, i dont want to be a freelance writer, but something about it made me read it, i suppose thats cause it got me to think about my dream, which is to become a bestselling author (and to answer the likely question, yes, i am working on it, and hard!) and i think this list of questions applies for most any form of writing, i realize you said it was a differnt thing, but i can see a paralell, great advice, and its fairly well written thats for sure.
Luck to you! And all who have 9 yesses! I only got 8 yesses D= haha...
Thanks, d-b-ggaming
Freelance writing is certainly a tough mistress - I am not an expert on creative writing, but I think that the boredom factor is the biggest similarity. I can imagine that editing your book for the sixth time must take something special.
Glad that you have a clear vision of where you are going - it will serve you well, and I wish you luck in your venture.
I want a signed copy when you strike your first publishing deal :D
Thanks for the advice. I have actually signed up at a few places like Guru.com and Scriptlance. It's been difficult to get any 'tugs on my line' as I am quite new at this.
Your article has been very helpful.
Thanks again,
Gloria Cowdery
Thanks for putting up this wonderful Hub. I did well till 8th question. I do write nice articles (or atleast I think so ). But I find it really hard to proofread them. Going through what I have written seems to be the most dificult task.
Sufi the
Hi Gloria
It certainly is a tough preposition! It really a matter of perseverance. I started on a site called oDesk, and earned $2 per 500 words. After a year, I have built up enough reputation to be able to charge considerably more - it is like setting up any business.
I set up a two year plan, and it is starting to take shape - there are no shortcuts in the freelance world!
Feel free to PM if you have any questions :)
Thanks, TicksProfessional
Proofreading can be a pain! Normally, I like to leave things for a day or two before editing - it is amazing how easy it is to make silly spelling mistakes. If you are on a 24 hour turnaround, that is a little more difficult.
Sometimes, I get my partner to read through - she is very good at pointing out silly mistakes.
Good luck with the career :)
Thanks!
Good luck to you too!
And thanks for joining my fan club.
What an excellent hub! I like your straightforward manner about this topic. Just look at the number of comments it has generated! I actually enjoyed reading them.
I love the fan mail you wrote and the comment you left behind in one of my hubs. So I decided to investigate and liked what I found. I'm definitely coming back to read more of your hubs.
Thank you for this excellent piece!
Thanks for dropping by and for the kind words, Jill!
Glad that you found the advice useful - the freelance writing industry is still finding its feet as it adapts to the internet. People are starting to realise that you have to pay for quality, so hopefully we can all still make a living.
Have a great weekend! :)
Dear Sufidreamer,
What you say can be applied to so many jobs--especially the ones where you work on your own and have to weather the ups and downs. Boredom, doubts, criticism... I'm an internet marketer and all of these apply to the work I've done trying to work from home. But I guess in a way, I write so much for my websites and blogs, I'm a freelance writer too!
I love your resource list. I especially love that you started with UW-Madison (because I live in Madison!) :)
Thank you for this nice hub,
Julia
Thanks for visiting Julia and for the kind words.
I know little about internet marketing, but I can imagine that it is a tough profession - long hours and hard work, rather than the 'make millions whilst you sleep' adverts.
You certainly are a writer and I guess that most freelance writers are marketers, to a certain degree.
The university site is full of excellent information - if their teaching is as good as their website, it must be an excellent place to study.
All the best and good luck with the marketing :)
Dear Sufidreamer,
I love to write for pleasure and for school. I am a graduate student and I have been considering doing free lance writing part-time since I love to write. I think that after reading your article I am more prepared for the ups and downs and I understand that I will sometimes have to write about "incontinence products, shipping containers and concrete." Do you have any suggestions of where to find extra freelance work? Thanks for taking time to give this advice!
Lauren
Hi Lauren - thanks for visiting :)
Good on you - with that attitude, you will go far. It is difficult to make a living, but for a little extra money to pay the bills and enjoy the odd night out, freelance writing is perfect.
It takes a little while to get your foot in the door, but once you have, you will be flying.
Thanks for dropping by and let me know if you need anything :)
Freelance writing as a beginner will definitely not earn you instant millions but for me it is more about doing something I love in my spare tome with the added bonus of earning a few extra pennies.
for more of my thoughts see my hub.
I also stumbled across a great freelance website that so far has me loaded with more projects than I can cope with! It may be worth a try? just go to http://www.getafreelancer.com/affiliates/ToriM/ it's free to register so what harm can it do right?
Hi Tori - Glad that you are manging to earn a little from freelancing. I have never used getafreelancer, but I have heard that they are pretty good, as with most freelancing sites - it just takes a little time to establish a reputation. Hopefully, people will sign up through your link ;)
All the best!
hi just been reading my comments from long ago...... well this hub is certainly true. i have enjoyed playing a writing game, but would have to kind of give up on the playing around real money at it, which is a bit hard for me to do...... i will leave the freelance writing as a job, to the likes of you..... and just enjoy chatting around in here, still having a great time........
Hey PL
I think that you are right - I have seen you grow and develop as a poet and it would be a shame to see you lose your passion for writing because you have deadlines etc. You have been a breath of fresh air on HP - long may you continue to be a Muse and inspire the rest of us.
Anyway, I am off to bed, so enjoy the rest of the evening :)
that's a lovely thing to say, sleep well
No worries!
Sufidreamer,
Thank you for this posting. I've been debating what road I should take in the future, or even now. Writing has been one the top of my list, but never really had good advice as to freelancing. This will definately aid me in my decisions ahead. :)
No problem, D e a d - thanks for commenting. I am glad that you found the information useful and I wish you the best of luck for your future writing career.
Good Luck!
SweetiePie says:
10 months ago
This is sound advice because in reality very few people can make a full time living as freelance writings. I have seen a few such as you and Shirley Anderson do well, but I know from talking to her she spends many hours on her articles. I think with the economy the way it is right now many people think they can come online and write hubs or on ehow and make money right away, but then a week later they are asking in the forums why they are not yet earning. Following your advice well help all of us decide whether more serious freelance writing ventures are really something we should consider.