Comments on: Which job is best… blogging or other types of freelance writing?

By: Laverne Daley

Laverne Daley — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 23:50:01 +0000

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

By: John - Freelancer

John - Freelancer — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 02:34:54 +0000

Hi Jennifer. I personally feel blogging is lot more difficult than freelance writing. Freelance writing is also more rewarding in terms of money value.

By: Amy Derby

Amy Derby — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 19:08:59 +0000

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.

By: Angelique

Angelique — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 17:08:46 +0000

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!

By: Genesis

Genesis — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 15:15:14 +0000

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.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 10:10:26 +0000

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.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 03:35:22 +0000

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.

By: Karen-bob

Karen-bob — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 03:10:08 +0000

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

By: ally

ally — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 23:10:19 +0000

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.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 20:10:23 +0000

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?”