| In these days of financial uncertainty, writers are | | | | they get for $5-$10. |
| joining the ranks of the unemployed. Many are | | | | If article marketing isn't working for you as a |
| turning to online freelance writing as a way to put | | | | writer, expand your writing services by thinking |
| some money in their pockets. Let's explore what | | | | outside the box. Here are some ideas for getting |
| this means, what some of the pitfalls are, and | | | | paid what you are worth. If you can line out a |
| what a writer can expect to earn. | | | | few jobs using some of these, you'll ensure |
| Freelance writing can take several forms. | | | | yourself a solid monthly income. |
| Freelance means you are an independent | | | | 1. Offer a blogging service for a monthly fee. This |
| contractor, not a salaried employee or staff | | | | can be for an individual, organization or |
| member. You are usually paid per published piece, | | | | corporation. |
| although it is possible to find jobs that pay you | | | | 2. A social networking service is a great way to |
| monthly for a certain number of pieces. | | | | contract for a monthly fee. My personal favorite |
| A freelance writer may get a byline, but usually is | | | | is Squidoo lenses, but maybe your interest and |
| hired to ghostwrite. This is why you have to plan | | | | experience lies with Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, |
| your strategy as a writer. | | | | or LinkedIn. |
| 1. As a ghostwriter, you don't get credit for your | | | | 3. Another great service is bookmarking. This |
| writing, so it is important to maintain and expand | | | | would include StumbleUpon, del.icio.us, Technorati, |
| your writing portfolio separately. | | | | and so on. |
| 2. You have to write to the best of your ability | | | | 4. Offer customer service/email answering |
| and yet maintain distance from your work. It's like | | | | services. This would be sort of a virtual assistant |
| raising a child while preparing for the inevitable | | | | position, but only in the realm of writing. |
| empty nest. | | | | 5. Editorial services are also needed, especially in |
| 3. The work by its nature can be monotonous | | | | the realm of helping those who speak and write |
| drudgery. | | | | English as a second language. |
| 4. Did you know that there are overseas | | | | What you can earn with these services depends |
| sweatshops pouring out junk web content for dirt | | | | on how much you are writing. Twittering and |
| cheap prices? Whereas an experienced, talented | | | | bookmarking, for example, don't involve very |
| writer earns $1/word, these people earn about $1 | | | | many words. Asking for $200/month for 3 |
| 100 words. We know what this type of | | | | Twitters or 3 bookmarks per week would be |
| competition has done to other areas of our | | | | reasonable. |
| economy, but not many are aware that they get | | | | Blogs and Squidoo lenses updated 3 times per |
| what they pay for with PLR articles or any article | | | | week could earn you $300/month. |