Which job is best… blogging or other types of freelance writing?
November 17, 2007 by Jennifer Chait
Filed under Freelance Writing
by Jennifer Chait
I’m occasionally asked the question above. My short answer would be that blogging is the best job in town. However, it’s not a general question. I can only give an opinion based on my experience which is… I started out writing business copy, moved on to querying magazines, and somewhere along the way took a paid blogging job and got hooked.
Six months ago I decided to blog full time and I quit querying other work. Now I have one ongoing article project and the rest of my income is blog related. To give you an idea of where my opinions come from; I write around nine blogs. I have a couple of my own blogs but my real income comes from my work with three blog networks and also ghostwriting blogs for some private clients.
For me the three major differences between blogging and other types of freelance writing include income, work load, and social aspects.
Income pros and cons:
Since I’m far happier blogging and my income is growing the money issue doesn’t bug me too much. My son and I live simply so we can handle my income cut. However, if a slice in your income will hurt your lifestyle then jumping into full time blogging may not be the way to go. A better idea would be to take a few blogging jobs but continue to take other freelance jobs as well.
Social pros and cons:
Social pros are the main reasons I made the switch from freelancing to full time blogging. Before I interviewed sources, emailed editors, chatted on forums with other writers but mainly I felt really alone with the work aspect of freelance writing. Blogging is a winning situation for me because of the constant and usually instant interactions I have with other people. I receive reader comments, suggestions, and advice. I discuss network projects, questions, posts, and other topics with various groups of bloggers. I talk to sponsors, industry people in my niches, and more. As someone who has always been extremely social I love this aspect of blogging.
I know successful bloggers who say that they are quiet or introverted in their off-line life but that blogging allows them to break out of that mode. So, I don’t think that being shy or not is a deciding factor if you’re considering full time blogging. What does matter is that you can reach out and connect with different people and do it in a way that makes most of them want to connect back to you.
Just to give the flip side I know freelance writers who socialize more than I did. It’s not across the board but I personally feel that blogging is the more social job. For me, there are no cons to the social aspects of blogging. Whether this is a pro or con for you depends on how much you like socializing.
Talk to other bloggers before deciding:
There are other issues to consider if you’re thinking of making the switch to full time blogging. Before taking the plunge it’s a good idea to talk to more than one full time blogger because the pros and cons vary. The more opinions you have stockpiled the easier it will be to decide if full time blogging is or isn’t right for you.
By the way: Deb and I were talking about me writing a weekly blogging related post here at FWJ. I appreciate the opportunity. None of my blogs are about blogging but I do love talking about blogs so this gives me an outlet. That said I’ll likely be posting here on Fridays or Saturdays because that’s when I’ve got some time. If you have questions about blogging, blog networks, or anything else go ahead and ask in the comments and I’ll try to address it.
Back to the topic at hand what do you think? Based on your experiences which is the better job; blogging or other types of freelance writing? Why?
Among other places, you can visit Jennifer Chait at Offbeat Homes, 7 Babes A Blogging, and Tree Hugging Family.
I enjoy writing for multiple blogs because things never get too boring. I agree that sometimes it would be nice to just be “done” with a topic. On the other hand, I don’t get “done” with getting paid! I generally blog for others, so I don’t have to worry about learning to set up my own blogs or monetize them, although, I’m leaning toward educating myself and adding more of my own stuff in with the assignments I get from other people. In the meantime, I will continue applying for blogging jobs and allowing others to collect the ad revenue while they pay me for the content.
As you know I’m a full time blogger as well. For me however, blogging is more lucrative than more traditional writing. I think the key is to having one or two high paying clients. Up until recently, this blog paid half my income. Since moving to a new domain, my revenue took a nose dive so it’s nice to have high paying clients in place.
Jennifer pointed out another key difference between blogging and writing – when you blog you work just about every day depending on your agreement. Sometimes this can be tedious. I did learn one thing – turn down people who expect you to have no life. I worked for a place that expected 30 articles…er blog posts a week. That was a little unrealistic and I turned them down.
My favorite aspect of blogging (besides my paychecks!) is the social networking. I met some great people and made important contacts through social networking. And I continue to meet great people!
Great post, Jennifer.
Deb, I got to admit, blogging takes a second place in my list, next to writing fiction. I’ve started writing traditional articles then took a chance on writing sales and brochure copy. Now around 80-90% of my income comes from blogging. I’m planning to slowly move away from traditional articles altogether and blog full time (of course, writing the occasional magazine and fictional pieces on the side).
I think my only gripe would be that I have to work every day. I’m used to working non-stop for days at a time and then taking a break for one whole week the next. Ever since I started blogging, I haven’t had a whole day’s off yet.
I’m going on a vacation on December and I plan to write one whole month of entries early into the month. Don’t know if it’ll work, but I desperately need rest.
What do you think, Deb? Have you every done something similar before?
Oops sorry. I kept dropping Deb’s name (sorry, so used to it in this blog), I meant “Jennifer”
Good post.
Deb, just a suggestion: you’re missing the byline at the top. I thought I was reading you until I got all the way to the end and Jennifer started talking about “Deb and I”. Then there was a brief moment where I wondered if you were schizophrenic
I’m heading down the blogging route too. If the pay is decent enough for it, it’s definitely my preference. It fits in with my sometimes crazy schedule — and since I can write off the top of my head about a lot of what I’m blogging about, it’s not as research intensive as writing an article. Plus, if it’s the right topic, it’s fun… so you don’t have as much of the risk of getting burned out. Jennifer — Looking forward to more of your posts!
saad, the bylines are at the bottom, next to the comment link.
Jennifer (or anyone else) – Any advice for those of us who can’t seem to land a blogging gig? I’ve kind of given up on it as I’ve applied for a few for which I was super qualified but never heard a word. Is it a case of “who you know”? Or is there just too much competition out there?
Karen
When I started out last year with an idea of developing a career as a freelance writer my focus was totally getting magazine and newspaper assignments. But over the past year, I have discovered that online writing suits me better and I now write for a blog network. It’s a regular income and I plan on finding a couple more blogging jobs to increase the income.
I started my own blog as well which is only now starting to create income (someone approached me to advertise on it) so I’m all for blogging.
Mariella, I took a month off a little while ago and before I left, posted a months worth of posts for my blog..(word press)..it worked like a charm. Granted you can’t post up to date news information, but you can still post. Haven’t worked out how you can do that on Blogger.com though.
Jennifer, look forward to your weekly posts.
Cheers from New Zealand
Liz
I have a contract job, and I am looking at acquiring (hopefully) two paid blogging positions in the new year. Aside from this, I spend my time sending queries. For me, personally, my goal is to have a feature in a national magazine. Although I enjoy blogging, I would like to have a long list of print publications that have featured my work.
Lornadoon ~ It is nice to not be done getting paid. While a magazine article or say, a big grant paid very well it was always hard for me to have to wait for six months to get paid. Overlapping projects was key; but it was still annoying.
Deb ~ bloggers like you who note, “blogging is more lucrative than more traditional writing.” Was one reason I felt comfortable making the switch to FT blogging. I think it’s more possible to make a living blogging than some people imagine. I just think it takes longer for some of us to back to our regular rates; especially if you were originally making $2 a word before. Patience is a virtue in blogging. And good point about having one or two high paying clients. I’m working on that second one.
Mariella ~ No worries about the name. I should have put my name at the top. I work for one place that wants 5 posts a day and I do that by choice at another blog. I write in advance but never for a whole month. It’s a good idea if you want a vacation though. Another option is to get some people you trust to do some guest posting while you’re gone.
Saad ~ Thanks for the name reminder although your comment cracked me up. Frankly I think I’d be more likely to go schizophrenic than Deb; but you never know
Wendy ~ You say, “if it’s the right topic, it’s fun… so you don’t have as much of the risk of getting burned out.” This is a very good point. If you have a niche blog that you don’t enjoy it makes work a lot harder. Although sometimes those topics pay the bills. You would not believe some of the topics I’ve blogged about. However, I think blogging about topics you actually like is smarter.
You also said, “since I can write off the top of my head about a lot of what I’m blogging about, it’s not as research intensive as writing an article.” I don’t completely agree with this. I may have before I had nine blogs but now I’d say that blogging is as research intensive – if not more so than articles. A couple of my topics require a ton of research so it really depends on what you blog about. Also, the hard part about blogs for me is to try and research ahead of other bloggers. You want to be the first to break a story in your niche which requires almost daily research of some kind. Good luck heading down the blogging route.
Karen-Bob ~ I know you know there’s a problem with this statement, “I’ve kind of given up on it as I’ve applied for a few” applying for a few is not likely enough. You need to apply for many because when it comes to blogs it is very competitive. Knowing you personally, I’d say that you have been busy being successful in other areas lately so maybe it’s a time factor. I’ll write more on this later because it’s a big topic. I will say that the good thing about blogging is that it seems like once you have a few good jobs under your belt it becomes drastically easier to get work. Also, you are a good blogger so if you apply enough there’s not much doubt you’ll find work.
Liz ~ Your story sounds a lot like mine. I don’t think you can post ahead in blogger. I only have one blogger blog and I don’t do that one for money so I’m not sure. But I know that’s been a major issue in the past for people. Maybe it’s changed. If I was less lazy I suppose I could go look.
Woolgatherings ~ Good luck grabbing that feature article. That is a huge thrill. My first magazine article ever published was a feature so it was overwhelming but in a good way. I remember that I bought the store out of my issue and the clerk was looking at me like, “What is wrong with you?”
I can’t stand the DAILY aspect of blogging. I work from home part time so I can do other STUFF with my life. I hate being chained anywhere, whether it’s my own desk or someone elses cubicle.
Why thank you Jennifer! And yes, when I wrote that, I wondered if applying for a few was enough. But my area of interest/expertise is narrow by blog-hiring standards, or seems to be anyway. Most of the blog jobs seem to be more business or celebrity related and that is just not my thing. I taught special education for fifteen years and have a masters degree too. But even when I DO find jobs that are within that realm, I never hear back. You are right-I am having success at freelancing and I’m not looking to replace that, just to supplement it. I love blogging…it’s fun and I think I have a wealth of info. to share with the right people. Anyway- I will definitely be looking to you (here) for answers. Thanks Jennifer!
Karen-bob
I’m really looking forward to your posts, Jennifer, as I have a few blogs of my own, and am also currently looking for blogging gigs. I think blogging is a whole new form of writing, like poetry or scholarly articles. Thanks for the helpful post! Yet another reason to visit this blog daily.
Ally ~ “I can’t stand the DAILY aspect of blogging.” good reason not to go full time I suppose. It’s nice to know where you stand
Karen-bob ~ I agree with everything you said. I will still cover blog jobs later because your original question is a good one.
Amanda ~ Thanks! what a nice comment. Blogging is a whole different writing form; I’m drawn to it and am glad others are too. Good luck finding gigs.
I have recently quit doing lower paying jobs and just write for Constant Content and blogs now. I have three active blogs of my own and 3 that I ghostwrite and with the three gigs combined, it´s enough money to live quite well, at least here in Guatemala.
Blogging definitely has it´s pros and cons. I don´t like the daily work aspect, but the guy I work for insists that the writers don´t post ahead (something about the posts being pinged immediately, though they aren´t published), but on my own blogs, I do post ahead. Getting that chunk of change on a regular basis is nice though, something that most freelancers can´t rely on! A regular paycheck makes it easier to budget, too.
Jennifer:
You know me — anything I can do that allows me to make as much as (or more than) I did when I was in corporate American PLUS gives me the flexibility to head off to the park with my son at a moment’s notice is awesome.
Blogging. Freelance writing. Ghost writing. Editing. You name it. Quite honestly, I appreciate the flexibility and diversity of every form of writing. And I can’t say that I find one to be more fulfilling than any other.
Great post!
Jennifer, great post.
Karen, keep trying. It really is competitive. A client who recently hired me to write his legal blog (in a very specific niche not many writers, let alone bloggers, seem to be covering), and he told me he got over 100 responses via one craigslist ad in a small city. When Deb was kind enough to post my recent blogging gig here, I got 50+ responses within the first hour (and that was at about 9pm my time). I got another 50 or more the next day even after I left a comment that the positions had been filled. And that was just from this blog. My point is, there are a LOT of people out there looking for blogging jobs. One thing I can’t stress enough is make your subject line stand out. Most people won’t even click on your response otherwise; they get too many to read them all.
Hi Jennifer. I personally feel blogging is lot more difficult than freelance writing. Freelance writing is also more rewarding in terms of money value.
Oh, good! A weekly blog-related post! I’m a long-time freelancer and a short-time blogger with lots to learn. I keep hearing about Blog Carnivals and how they can help promote a blog. Maybe sometime you can write about what blog carnivals are and how to find them? Thanks so much if you have time to write about this.
Love your posts!
Laverne