Freelance Writers: Show Me the Money!

It's just a very strong article about the realities of writing, and the benefits and excitement you can get from persevering. Great hub.

This is very informative, Bill. I didn't know we could also try to write for online magazines. Thanks for sharing.

Bill, you said it perfectly here and you are so right about content mills having to profit off us as writers. So, your alternatives are also truly welcome, because as I have said, I haven't done work for content mills since the early days on her and don't plan on it anytime soon. So, I thank you always for sharing with us. Happy Friday!

Great incentives for writers here. You do have a way of getting people enthused. However I know how hard you have worked and that work ethic is not felt by everyone. They want..but are not willing to go through the painful process (actually exhausting). I just got an amazing writing job which I fell into. Going thru the learning curve but it will turn out really super. More later when it gets into rhythm. Actually I fell into it and was sought out. I am sure you know the topic...Astrology. I remember when you commented on an astrology article I wrote and felt I found my niche. It took a long time but I think it is here.

A few weeks ago I had my very first in-person consultation with a local business owner. He loved my ideas. However, right now he has someone working his website to pay off a debt. He did tell me, though, that he'd like to put me on retainer in three to six months when he can cut the guy loose. I think he's sincere. I checked his website yesterday and he has not implemented the changes I recommended, so I don't think he's blowing smoke up my ass, otherwise he would have taken the free advice and run with it. He also took some business cards to pass out in his travels.

I know it doesn't help me at the moment, but the result was positive enough to give me the confidence to reach out.

I agree with you on small magazines. Seek short venues that offer from $25-$50. They are mostly self improvement ideas or non-fiction, but they do pay. The important thing is to keep writing and improving your skills.

Bill,

This hub is the epitome of what makes you so special. You listen. You respond. And most importantly, you share lessons that can save others a great deal of time if they take the time to read your hubs.

You are wonderful and a very special human being.

Kim

Great Advice, Bill!! I never thought about Craig's List!! It is so easy to get comfortable and sit at your computer in your little writing haven, but you are so right about getting out there to market our talents!!

Thanks for the info!! :-)

Thanks Bill for being realistic about the whirlwind we have all got sucked into. And yes it will take work to stop spinning. I am so a wannabee right now and proudly claim that title. Though I can only hope that I move in a direction that when I look back it was forward motion. Always a pleasure. Have a great weekend and happy writing :)

Seems like it would be fun to go sell your work to a real person. That is something I miss online -- real folks. I will give it a try someday soon.

Hey I hope we don't cause the middle man to go out of business, jobs are hard to find these days.

Billy

I found the links above very useful, thank you.

I tend to forget that sometimes there are other places where I could write and even get rewarded for the privilege.

I am beginning to think I need to start looking at the much wider picture, perhaps do some projects with this in mind.

Have a great week-end

Sally

You've shared some great advice, Bill. This is another very useful hub for freelance writers.

As always, another wonderful, insightful and useful article. I can see why you do so well as a freelance writer! Your work is very informative and consistent. Thank you for everything you share with the "little guys" who are learning their way around the world of writing! :) God bless you*

Voted up and shared!

Thank you, as always! You're a great person to do so much to help others get the experience you have had.

Do I really have to comment? Of course not! Preach on! :)

Thanks for the advice! Although, that nut pun was a bit corny, there definitely was a kernel of truth to it. ZING! :-)

Great advise. As you say in your nutshell, though, each person must get out there and do it… or nothing will happen. I loved writing for the many small, niche magazines. And yes, reworking and reselling the same basic article over and over and over to non-competing magazines is very, very satisfying. Definitely my best money-makers when I was writing for money! Thanks, again and again, for sharing these gems! ;-)

I like the way you tell it like it is. I know this will help all who want to be freelance writers....

You couldn't be any more clear than that, Bill. I like it. Straight forward, no nonsense. This is a challenge in a way to put our effort where our mouth is. I've heard it said that you're not a runner until you enter a race (without the race part, you're just a jogger). Perhaps we writers should hold ourselves to a similar standard. We shouldn't call ourselves freelancers until we have a rejection letter. This goes for me too. Ok, my friend, challenge accepted. I'm going to go out there and get myself a rejection letter. I'll tell you when I get it. :) Voted up and sharing.

Being sick to death of content mills, I'm liking the idea of going out in person. I tend to be more convincing that way anyhow. I do have a question though and I'm sorry if this is the wrong place to leave it. In small towns, where the local newspapers are not currently hiring, would you consider letters to the editor they typically publish in each issue a good way to get one's name out there, perhaps even be a way to get one's foot in the door so to speak? God bless and thank you for sharing your experience.

Thank u for posting this helpful article of becoming a freelance writer and getting paid for your work. This is a lot of valuable advise.

Another good useful hub. I realize the points as blunt truths one should accept and face in this profession of freelance writing.

Thanks for sharing.

One should take freelance writing seriously to see good results.

Another great, informative hub! Something occurred to me while reading this one.....what if you are great at marketing and pounding the pavement but not so great at writing?

Sound and solid info, Bill,and yes, we have to work on it. While I may be heading that way, I have not actually pushed as yet. Too much going on, but I do like the way that you have approached it. Obviously pays dividends.

Thanks for sharing, Bill. You give really helpful advice as usual, and the message for is zero tolerance for laziness, if we intend to get somewhere. Thanks!

I like when you get down to the nitty gritty... of writing.. love the advice however not so gentle..LOL

My first love is the western story, but there's almost no market for that genre any longer, so I'm submitting work to sci-fi magazines. So far, no accepted work, but no rejections either. But no matter what happens, work on improving your skills, and keep on submitting. As you say, one success can open the door, and your submissions will be probably flagged after that and fast-tracked.

If more writers required a wage that reflected the value of their talent, content mills would eventually find themselves out of business. Never short sell your worth.

Great advice Bill. Many people don't realize that there are writing opportunities right in their backyard. You just have to get out there and find them. You continue to show us the path, we just have to learn how to follow.

Once again this is some great advice. Many writers, myself included, want to live in our comfortable pretend worlds and not leave the comfort zone of our writers chairs. It's good we have you around to bullwhip us into action. Great hub!

Great article man. I have always said in selling anything: half the battle is product, the other half is marketing. Most writers think they're work can speak for itself, but there are no exceptions to the golden rule. Thanks for clarifying this in your article ^_^.

No matter how many times you say it, we'll still listen. Remember, some of us are thick headed and need things pounded into our heads...just saying.

Thankfully we have you sensei and your word will show us the way!

Voted up, useful, awesome, and interesting.

Another wonderful slice of the advice cake, bill. I do wonder how many times you have to tell people to go out there and get work! Isn't that what our parents and grandparents had to do whatever their trade or skill? Isn't that what we had to do? It's the same as any other job.

I'm back to playing catch-up; that's what I get for going to France again but Paris was wonderful. However, I've had my art 'fix' for the while - 'done' the Louvre and the Orsay, the latter being easily my favourite.

As my friend said, 'We're all arted out now!'

Enjoy your Tuesday evening and have a great week, bill!

Ann

Ouch!! :)

Hi Bill,

I finally slowed down to read your hub. Your website calls out to the hopeful writers to listen and use. My issue is time, but even with an ill husband and all my animals I think I can finish something before I depart.

Thanks for the Tutorial and I will used your wisdom wisely.

And, we all love Paula---she is the greatest and one of the first writers I met on HubPages. Thanks for the nice remarks you made about someone special to so many of us.

I am so thankful for you and how you share with us, it is like having a brother.

Best wishes to you and Bev.

Bobbi Purvis

Thanks for the plug, Billy, but all I did was send an e-mail, provide a couple of writing samples, and the rest is history.

Ok one thing really struck me in this article Bill. I had no idea you could sell the same article to different magazines! Wow. I figured once they paid for it, the article was theirs to keep. I learn something new in every one of your Hubs Bill. Thanks.