Comments on: Online Freelance Writing Communities: Why You Should Join and What to Avoid

By: Laya Bajpai

Laya Bajpai — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:19:17 +0000

Hi,
I have greatly benefited from online freelance writing groups. I’m a member of several writing groups on Linked in and I think my writing skills have greatly improved from that. I have also subscribed to several online writer blogs and some of the worth mentioning are Cheryl Wright’s free writing lessons, Beth Ann Erickson’s down-to-earth advice.Jennifer Stewart’s lessons and Melinda Copp’s free consultation. All have greatly benefitted me. OF course how can I forget FWJ.

Laya
Laya Bajpai´s last blog ..Homonyms and their misplacement

By: Quixote58

Quixote58 — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 01:35:23 +0000

I have wrote for Hubs Bloggers, Triond and Squido. I agree with the article about the forums, I just read the ones that are helpful, help when I can and stay away from inappropriate banter and unprofessional blogging. This is a business even though it seems very carefree. This was a good article. Thank you for writing it.

By: Tania Mara

Tania Mara — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 08:55:38 +0000

I used to be way more active on online freelance writing communities. These days I drop by from time to time, but for the most part I avoid them because they’re big time-suckers. What’s worse, the drama and the flame wars make some places unbearable.

By: Anita

Anita — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:34:28 +0000

This comment in reaponse to Wolf Shadow freelance writting community. Your information was insightful. I’ve been trying to write a book for years…and put it away on the shelf due to dry spells, personal issues etc., and lack of writing motovation well I guess that’s a dry spell also! I went through a home based writing course for three years, passed the course and received a certificate but never gave any thought to freelance writing say for a magazine or news letter, corporations. I need to know how to get started; do you have any su

By: Wolf Shadow

Wolf Shadow — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:11:52 +0000

I’m not sure if by community, one means “writing forum”; if it’s a forum, I joined and participated in two of them (one paid, one free), mainly because I am new to freelance writing and freelance writing as a business.

First, don’t pay to be a member. That is one thing I would suggest. For me, I have found that the paid one is actually a vehicle for other members to try to sell you something. If you ask a question, 2 posters will respond with, “I offer a class on that for a few hundred dollars” or “I have a book on that topic, click here”. For a while, half the posters would put up links to their own blogs and tell other forum participants to go to their blogs. I’ve lurked on boards, forums, and blogs for a while now. I do know that the goal is to sell us something – but the forums were the worst for blatant “buy this, that, etc.”

Believe it or not, the free forums can be useful and insightful. People may be snarky and insulting at times, but you can find people willing to share info and insights to their business and best business practices.

Also, insights into business – you may learn. All the other stuff (where to find gigs and customers?) Don’t spend your time looking for that – send out your own emails looking for work.