how can I get to the next step? (advanced freelancing)

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   John Serranoposted 13 years ago

   Hi, I'm pretty much a newbie when it comes to freelance writing and I was wondering if I could seek some advice. Allow me to tell you a bit about myself.
   
   I've mostly been working for content mills/farms such as Textbroker and Interact Media. At first, I thought I was doing pretty good. I wasn't earning that much, but I didn't expect to, being a complete beginner at the time. Then, I read this article about content mills that bashed and criticized them. I was surprised to find that many people found the rates "laughable" and "insulting." I assumed that these people are professional writers, and I suppose it would be so to them. I am certainly no professional writer, I'm barely an amateur writer, because I have almost no experience. All I really have is a college degree (in Communication) and one semester writing for our college newspaper. That being said, I was somewhat happy with the rates I was working for, considering my lack of expertise, experience or any sort of merit that proves my skill as a writer.
   
   Anyway, this article got me thinking. It actually really messed me up. I can't even write for these websites anymore, because I feel like I'm wasting my time, if the rates are so "laughable." I found out pro writers get paid LITERALLY 10-100 times more than I do. Again, this isn't surprising because I'm not a pro, and I don't expect to get paid like one. My problem right now is that I want to be one. I want to work for that rate, and even though I've only really been taking freelancing seriously for about a month now, I feel too eager to continue working at this level. I want to get the next level and really start earning some money. I feel like a (for lack of a better word) chump, writing for these rates, knowing that there are people out there who are making 100 times more than I am.
   
   In regard to other forms of freelancing, I don't think passive income like HubPages or blogging is for me, for now at least. I need something more reliable and definite. In other words, I want to see the money I'm making and earn it right away. The same goes for websites like Constant Content. I will certainly revisit this type of work in the future, when I have a steady stream of income. But for now, I'm too restless to consider it. Also, I've been struggling with online workplace sites like oDesk and Vworker. For two reasons: I can't land a job, and I can't find offers that have reasonable rates. I almost have no experience or credentials so I'm not surprised I'm having trouble landing jobs. I know that it takes time for beginners to really get their foot in the door, and I'm not saying I'm giving up. I'm still working at it, but I'm just wondering if there's an easier type of work. Also, the main problem with these sites is that people are working for ridiculously low rates, because others are based in other countries with lower costs of living. What seems like chump change to first-world countries is actually a great salary for other countries. I have trouble finding offers that have reasonable wages. For some of the jobs, I get paid more on the content mills. Sometime even 2-10 times more. I've actually swallowed my pride and done some work for painfully low wages, just to get some experience under my belt, but I'm having trouble even landing those jobs!
   
   
   I want to start earning some real money. I want to know, how can I do this? How can I take my career to the next level? How can I go from "beginner" to "pro" and start earning enough to make a real living? Sorry for the long post, I hope someone out there can help me out. Thanks.

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