Ashlee Simmons - A Girl Who Loves Horses & Words

Now that you know it's possible to earn a living as a freelance writer, where can you start?

Listed below are links to the sites where I make money - and good money, at that.

Demand Studios

Demand Studios accepts applications from writers and videographers. When you visit the site, the application link is on the front page. I waited for five months before I received approval, but I also had little in my portfolio when I applied. As my content grew, I was reviewed and subsequently approved as a freelance writer. Demand Studios (DS) is the parent organization for multiple web entities. You are chosen to write, depending upon your level of expertise, for particular sites that DS owns. Most applicants are approved to write for eHow, but there are other gigs available. I have found DS to be fair, timely and a wonderful reference to get other work.

Constant Content

Constant Content is touted by many writers as their main source of income. This is a gig where you have the choice of submitting original content and naming your price for the work (with the hope that someone will purchase it) or peruse the lengthy list of articles needed by different individuals and companies. I have applied and been approved to write for Constant Content (CC) but will be honest that I have not pursued work there. I have been all over the site, however, and for me, writing articles that are needed would be my angle. The danger is that if the provider does not like the article you wrote, it will not be purchased. The good part is that you have written yet another great piece, so post it to sell on Constant Content anyway. That said, you can use un-purchased content on your blog, or a gig like Associated Content. I've known writers who work both of the CC angles and make quite a bit of money. CC is a reputable site with excellent customer service.

Associated Content

Associated Content is a major publisher of articles on the web. They have been around for awhile and have a great forum audience with tons of information. The authors are wonderful and it is an excellent community of talent. Articles can be submitted for upfront payment and page performance views (PPV's) or just for the PPV's. You choose between submitting your content as exclusive to AC, non-exclusive or display only. I posted one article as display only, just for the experience. The downside of Associated Content (AC) is that the review times are currently about two weeks. Guidelines suggest that articles are typically reviewed within one week, but that has not been the case lately. The plan here is to write good content, follow the publishing guidelines and then be patient about your payment. What I like about AC is that I can receive upfront payment for an article and receive residual income over time. I've been a member since last year but only began writing for AC in the last six months. I've made a nice chunk of money and look forward to more income from PPV's. The other thing that I really like about AC is the publishing format is super easy to use. Uploading an article takes little time so it is very easy to publish your content.

Guru

This is a bid to get work site. Guru is established, reputable and solid. I am registered here and have bid on a few projects. I don't get many offers simply because I will not pay the monthly fee in order to have the ability to bid on premium jobs. If I were willing to become a paying member, especially now with my portfolio full of great content, I am sure that I could be highly successful. There are tons of people on Guru who make a very nice living from doing nothing but freelancing at that site. I am just unwilling to pay in order to be a member. I make a great living doing things without having to pay a membership fee, but do not let that stop you! Beware of providers who want the low bids only. Heed the advice from the first article in this series.

GetAFreelancer

I am listing GetAFreelancer (GAF) simply because there are some decent gigs here. I have done a few, and keep in touch with some of the providers I met up with through my work there. The biggest problem with GAF is that the majority of the bidders there will work for next to nothing. I am talking about making only $2 per 500 word article. For me, that will not do as it would never support my lifestyle. On the other hand, some of the writing jobs are interesting and there are a few awesome individuals who need work done. The turnaround times are usually frantic and quick, and evidently many of the companies needing help have been burned time and time again. I think that if you write decent content, need a place to start and work quickly to produce content on multiple topics, then you should definitely register. At least you can receive daily emails listing work available for bids. But be careful: there are individuals on GAF who will take advantage of newcomers. "Trial" based jobs should be avoided at all costs. Writing a "sample" article which the company retains all rights to after you are told you did not win the bid is also a scheme played out over and over. I made sure that all of my payments went straight to my PayPal account. Do not decrease your rate of pay just because there are fifteen other people who will work for $1 an hour. Gain your experience, nose around and learn what you can. Just be very, very careful.

Next post I will cover email that every freelance writer should receive.

Have a lovely evening, and many blessings to you!