Looking for awesome writing gigs?
Then you’ve come to the right place.
Here are today’s writing job opportunities that could kickstart your freelancing career!
10 Freelance Writing Jobs You Might Not Have Considered
If you’ve got writing chops and can offer your service to others, you can make a comfortable living – despite the belief that all writers are starving artists. However, not everyone is successful in their writing ventures. It all depends on the time and effort you’re willing to put into the career and the kinds of jobs you pursue.
There are thousands of different writing jobs out there, many of which you probably didn’t realize existed. So, here are some alternative freelance writing jobs you may not have considered. [Read more…]
22 Websites That Pay Freelance Writers in 2015
There are several ways to find freelance writing gigs. Answering ads posted on job boards is one method, and you probably want to try more than one approach in your search for gigs. Another way to find work (and one that may lead to a steady gig in some cases) is to approach websites that freelance writers for contributions for guest posts.
5 Surprising Freelance Writing Jobs
Editor’s note: This post was written by Brie Weiler Reynolds, the Director of Online Content at FlexJobs and a contributing writer for 1 Million for Work Flexibility. FlexJobs is the award-winning site for telecommuting and flexible jobs, listing thousands of pre-screened, legitimate, and professional-level work-from-home, flexible schedule, part-time, and freelance jobs. Brie provides career and job search advice through the FlexJobs Blog. Learn more at www.FlexJobs.com.
If you’re a freelance writer, you’re familiar with common jobs like subject writers, copy editors, technical writers, journalists, and the like. But if you’re looking for something a bit different, there’s a variety of unusual and interesting freelance writing jobs to seek out.
The following freelance writing jobs will all utilize your writing skills, but may also give you the chance to use or expand related skills, and may tap into other areas of interest. Here are five surprising freelance writing jobs to consider.
Production Editing Assistant
Television production companies and related firms that work with live televised events rely on the help of experienced writers for media management duties. In this type of freelance job, the writer edits content for live events and manages databases of related content for pre- and post-event use. Because of the nature of live events, the work environment is fast-paced, high-pressured, and exciting. This is an ideal freelance job for someone who has excellent organizational skills and is looking for short-term, temporary projects.
Community Manager
Websites from all sorts of industries and topics now manage community areas to engage their audiences. And because so much of the interaction that takes place in online communities is done through writing, it makes sense that freelance community managers are professionals with backgrounds in writing, editing, and written communication. Community management jobs are a great option for freelance writers who enjoy social networking, engaging with audiences, building relationships, and who can write excellent content and responses quickly and cleverly.
Curriculum Writer
Many freelance writers specialize in one or more subject areas, and curriculum writing jobs are available for people with this sort of expertise. Online and brick-and-mortar schools across the country hire curriculum writers to develop content for subjects ranging from sociology to calculus, history to math, and everything in between. If you happen to have teaching experience in addition to your writing credentials, all the better.
Content Translator
Can you write well in more than one language? If so, consider freelance content translator jobs. Companies from industries like education, web development, and online content hire content translators with strong writing, speaking, and editing skills to translate and write for a variety of audiences. This type of work is highly independent, and requires attributes like organization and self-management.
Encyclopedia Content Writer
Though paper encyclopedias aren’t nearly as prolific as they were in years past, encyclopedias still exist both online and in print. Experienced technical writers are hired to research and produce high-quality content for these collections of knowledge. In these types of freelance jobs, your ability to research a variety of subjects is as important as your writing skills, so be sure to emphasize both your research and writing experience.
As the web continues to grow, writers will always be needed to create new content and edit existing text, but they’re also being called upon for surprising jobs like these. If you’re looking for a unique freelance writing job, consider the five options above, or branch out and look for even more unique ideas. Whether you’re a specialist or a generalist, your skills will be put to good use.
5 Side Gigs for Freelance Writers
As a freelance writer, you probably have a particular subject area and style of writing to focus on. But because freelancing is inherently uncertain, it can be helpful to have a side gig or two to help stretch you through lean times. Here are five part-time side gigs that showcase the variety of opportunities available for writers seeking extra work.
Social Media Content Editor. If you have experience with social media and enjoy writing for particular audiences, small businesses often hire part-time and freelance writers to assist with social media management. Writing and communication skills are absolutely necessary in this role, which is responsible for interacting with current and potential customers through Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other platforms.
Content Curator. Like reading others’ stories as much as writing your own? Blogs, websites, and organizations hire content curators to research the latest content in their particular subject area, then compile the content into one place for easy reading. The work includes writing headlines, synopses, and copy. If you’re a subject matter expert who enjoys research, this part-time job would make a great side gig.
Editorial Assistant. If you enjoy writing, but also like the organizational side of publishing, consider a part-time job as an editorial assistant. Depending on the publication, you’ll help with page layout, article editing, and editorial calendar management. 
Language Translator. Writers who speak and write in more than one language should consider a part-time job as a website translator. The main work of this side gig is to translate website content from one language to another, and to proofread and edit translations that have already been made.
Captionist: Speedy typists who have solid listening and writing skills can find part-time work providing captions for a variety of multimedia. Colleges, production companies, and other organizations regularly hire captionists or transcribers, and the hours are typically flexible with alternative schedules available.
The key to choosing side gigs is to decide ahead of time what you’re looking for. The number of hours you want to work, when you’re available, what type of work you’d like to do, how involved you want the work to be — decide these questions before you start searching. Writers who have a good idea of what they’re looking for in terms of side gigs will find no shortage of options.
Brie Weiler Reynolds is the Director of Content and Community at FlexJobs, the award-winning site for telecommuting and flexible job listings. FlexJobs lists thousands of pre-screened, legitimate, and professional-level work-from-home jobs and other types of flexibility like part-time positions, freelancing, and flexible schedules. Brie provides career and job search advice through the FlexJobs Blog and social media. Learn more at www.FlexJobs.com.
When a Freelance Writing Job Doesn’t Pay
There is perhaps no other topic in the freelance writing world that generates more controversy than the concept of writers writing for free. Bring it up and lines in invisible sand are drawn, commenting spikes and in the case of Harlan Ellison, a few F-bombs are dropped.
It’s understandable. Shady publishers and editors prey on vunerable writers who want to see their names in print. Writers are constantly burned by “write for free now and earn later” promises in which “later” never comes.
However, in the angry buzz of the debate something gets lost. Choice and education. There will always be writers who consider using their talent without traditional compensation. Instead of helping writers make informed decisions, we as a community often take the abstinence-only approach – IT’S WRONG, NEVER DO IT.
Is it really free?
The first step to weighing a work-for-free option is to look at whether the project has any compensation opportunities. Writers work in exchange for items and services all the time. A little web content work in exchange for a new website. A little PR work in exchange for lessons from a yoga studio.
Just be sure that you follow three simple rules when bartering services:
- Set clear boundaries. Define the services you will provide and the services or products you expect in return. This prevents misunderstandings and keeps either party from taking advantage of the “freebie” situation.
- Determine cost. It should be expected that your standard rates are used for services you provide.
- Put it in writing. This is not only helpful for tax and business record purposes, it makes the transaction official and binding.
Is it for the greater good?
Wielding a hammer may not be some people’s idea of how they want to volunteer, but wielding a keyboard may feel just right. Providing writing services to help a charity or organization is a good thing. Sweating over a keyboard or a hot stove both take time and effort and each can be a great help to someone in need.
Are you prepared for the lack of payoff?
Writing for exposure. *Sigh* That’s a tricky one. Certain publications swear by it, but when their blog only reaches 12 people and four of those are family members, the “exposure” doesn’t help a writer one bit. Then you have the Huffington Post model: huge reach and definite opportunities for exposure. However, when the publication makes a deal for a large sum of money, whether it’s for advertising or through the sale of the blog, there will be writers who feel slighted when left out of the monetary windfall.
There is, of course, the possibility that exposure may never come. Before you get into an “exposure” deal,
- Use metrics to define success. How many blog hits, how many subsequent work requests, book sales, etc.
- Recognize and get comfortable with not being able to eat, spend or pay bills with exposure. Exposure has to translate into dollars through other avenues to be successful.
- Have a time limit and exit strategy. Give the exposure enough time to produce results, but have an end date in place if it doesn’t show signs of panning out.
Can you afford to do it?
Whether working in exchange for goods and services, as a volunteer or for “exposure,” carefully weigh the costs of the commitment. There are time costs, including time away from other business-growing opportunities, i.e. querying, working on gigs for other clients, etc. There are also actual costs: electricity, Internet, the standard writing rate… This is one of those tough choices that a writer has to make from a business perspective, especially if the project will be ongoing.
Most of the time I’m against writing for free. It distracts writers from doing things that can both further their careers and enable them to pay bills. Writing for experience can be accomplished while making money – don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. There are, however, situations in which free can work out for writers though they are not as common as “job” listings would have you believe. It’s a personal, business decision that should be made with research and with realistic expectations.
Have you written for “free?” Why or why not? What other things should writers consider when weighing a non-traditional pay option?
How to Cope with a Client’s Inappropriate Questions
Have you ever been asked an inappropriate or even illegal question in a job interview? It’s happened to me on occasion, and unfortunately both times the interview was for a job at a law firm. (You would think legal types would know better, but apparently they don’t.)
One person interviewing me asked if I was married, and then caught himself and said that he probably couldn’t ask me that question. The other time was much more blatant and I was really shocked that it was a woman asking me if I planned to have children in the next year or two. She made it worse by going on to explain that it would “not be a good idea for me to do so.”
After a momentary flash in my mind’s eye of the Pregnancy Police checking to make sure all female staff members keep replenishing their supplies of feminine products in a desk drawer, I concluded that this was not the right place where I could do my best work.
Answering questions from prospective clients is a bit different. Since we are business owners, not job applicants, the line is a bit murkier about which questions may be considered illegal. If a prospective client is treading into territory that makes you feel uncomfortable before you start working together, then you probably shouldn’t expect that person to behave better once you have accepted the freelance writing gig.
While I don’t mind if someone asks me if Jodee is my real name (it is), I have to draw the line when someone wants to get too personal in their questions. No one who wants to hire me for a freelance writing job needs to know my marital status or if I have children unless it is relevant to the work we are discussing.
How do you deflect questions that may be overstepping the bounds without walking away from the opportunity completely? You answer the question the client is really asking. It could go something like this: “If what you are trying to find out is whether I can commit to your project, the answer is yes.” You still have the option of stepping back from your discussion and deciding whether you want to work with that client after all, but this type of non-confrontational answer gives you the time to decide what your next move should be.
How do you deal with inappropriate questions from freelance writing clients?
Four Things the Academy Awards Can Teach Us About Freelance Writing
Were you glued to the television last night checking out the Oscars? Were you more interested in what people were wearing than who actually took home one of the golden statues, or was it all about seeing people rewarded for their work?
I watched a little bit of the show last night, but didn’t stay tuned for the whole thing. It just doesn’t capture my interest the way it used to a number of years ago. The bit of the show I did watch got me thinking about what freelancers can learn from the Academy Awards.
1. You can get all dressed up for the show and still not win.
How often have we made a pitch or applied for a freelance writing gig and not heard anything back? It comes with the territory in this type of work and most of us have come to accept it.
It’s more disappointing when we have heard back from the potential client, have had detailed discussions about the project and have discussed payment and other terms and we don’t get the gig. The client may have decided to work with someone else, funding for the project may have dried up or it may have been abandoned for a different reason.
Sometimes you can do all the right things to get the gig and still not get the nod. It doesn’t mean that you aren’t talented or hardworking.
2. Being nominated might be nice, but it’s not as good as winning.
Whether it’s an Oscar or a great freelance writing gig, getting picked is much better than making it to the short list. Just saying.
3. People will remember you for more than your work.
When you think of Cher, you may not immediately remember that she won an Oscar in 1987 for her work in “Moonstruck.” Instead, we are more likely to remember her rather unique fashion sense, including the black showgirl number that she wore to the ceremony in 1986. (The actress reportedly chose that outfit as a way to show her displeasure at not being nominated for her work in “Mask” the previous year.)
Get in the habit of remembering that every comment on a blog, blog post, Facebook update or tweet is something that a potential client can see. Yes, the entire Internet is one big job interview, and if you wouldn’t say something to a potential client directly, then you should think about whether you should be posting it at all.
4. There is something magical about getting paid to do something you love.
We tune in to awards shows for the fashions and to catch a glimpse of our favorite celebrities, to be sure, but part of the reason is that we admire those people who are able to take an idea and bring it to life to entertain (and sometimes educate) us.
As members of the public, we don’t see the amount of thought and work that goes into bringing all the elements together to produce a film of any length. All we know is whether the finished product moves us in some way. If it does, then all the people involved have done their job.
As writers, we get to use our creativity to help our clients reach their goals. We harness our creativity to bring all kinds of ideas to life, and have the opportunity to work our own type of magic while doing so.
Do you feel like a nominee or an Oscar winner in your freelance writing career?
Job Security in Freelance Writing
Dear Readers,
I have been following an interesting discussion on another forum where someone asked whether there was job security in freelance writing. First of all, the words job security and freelance writing really shouldn’t be put together in the same sentence. When you are providing services on a freelance basis, you are not working a job. You are a business owner who has clients.
Can you earn a stable income through your freelance writing business efforts? Yes, you can, and if you are looking for a secure income, you are probably better off making it happen for yourself than by working for an employer.
If you are working for a company, you have a single source of income. If the company is going through a rough patch or someone determines that you don’t fit in, you may well find yourself being told that your services are no longer required. It doesn’t necessarily matter that you have been doing your job well; if the company is looking to cut costs, you may be let go anyway.
A freelance writer ideally has multiple sources of income. It’s not the best idea to have only one client or structure your business so that one client is responsible for providing you with a large percentage of your income. That way, you won’t take as big of a financial hit if that client doesn’t have steady work for you or you choose not to work with him or her anymore.
One of the best things about working on a freelance basis is that you have control over what assignments to take. There will be times when you take on work that wouldn’t necessarily be your first choice but that can generate income to pay bills or buy groceries, and there is nothing wrong with that. Haven’t you ever watched a movie and wondered why an actor decided to take on that particular role? (My suspicion is that sometimes projects get floated around to people who just need to make some money, but I could be mistaken.)
There is no security in working for an employer, no matter how long you have worked there. The days when someone started his or her working life with one company and stayed there until retirement are gone. If you are looking for security, the place to start is with the image you see in the mirror. Start building the type of business you want that can help you reach the goals you have set for yourself.
Sincerely,
Jodee
P.S. Why are you still reading this? Get out there and work on your business! 😉
Freelance Writing Success: Are We There Yet?
Success can be kind of a slippery word. Like beauty, it’s in the eye of the beholder. We all want to be successful in our freelance writing career, and there is no shortage of resources telling us how to do it.
Some of the information is readily available online, including the posts that the team here at Freelance Writing Jobs brings you on a regular basis. If you are wondering, “how do I….” you can find multiple answers to your question by checking out freelance writing blogs and websites. You also have the option of going to your local library or bookstore to find more information about writing. There are even magazines devoted to becoming writer, how to become a better writer and how to find writing markets.
When it comes to what defines freelance writing success, each person has a different answer, and that is how it should be. As you change and grow, your ideas about success will change. I remember working at my first full-time job in the early 1980s and thinking that I would be successful if I was able to make $200 a week. (I was making $150 a week at the time.)
Over the years, my ideas about success have changed, and I’ve changed and grown as well. I realized that one person’s success can look quite different from another individual’s notion of what that is like. I have two beautiful daughters, and one of them has special needs. What this means for our family is that how we define success will be very different, but no less valid for each one of them.
For your writing career, how you define success may be different at different stages. It needs to be based on your skills and abilities, your financial needs, and your values. Some people choose this type of work because they want or need to have a flexible schedule due to medical or emotional issues or because they are caring for children and/or their parents. Other people come to freelance work because they want to be experience the joy and challenges of running their own business. Both of these types of people are successful, because they are doing something that works well for them and that fits in with their values.
What do you value, and what does success look like to you?
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