Paid writing opportunities and freelancing

That's a pretty wide-open question. I'd recommend getting some good books on freelance writing and doing a little research -- Peter Bowerman's Well Fed Writer and Bob Bly's The Copywriter's Handbook are both good for copywriting/corporate writing. If you're looking for info on magazine writing, try The Renegade Writer or Jenna Glatzer's Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer.

I earn about $12,000 a year freelancing for marine shipping trade magazines.

I had a weekly newspaper column for four and a half years; that was steady.

Freelancing of any kind isn't steady work--at least, not for long, in my experience. Initially, you'll probably be spending way more time marketing your services and networking than writing. I've been self-employed for 15 years now (10 of those full-time), and I still have to scramble to get new clients.

I work in a specialized field, so that helps. I also think that writing for corporate clients can bring more steady work than magazines or websites.

How? I had a five year stint on staff with a Canadian commercial fishing industry newspaper, then when that was over and I had a chance I pitched a story to a U.S. trade magazine and have been writing steadily for them for 18 years.

Then another writing colleague suggested my name to a marine mag he writes for when he was swamped and I now write regularly for that publication too.

I make my full living from freelancing, but I write strictly for corporate clients, not magazines. It takes a LOT of marketing to make a steady income and not go broke between gigs.

There are thousands of possible markets for a freelancer, and if you;re any good, you'll have far more markets than you have time to write for. Many freelance writers break the $100,000 word mark.

The problem is that even very few who "freelance" really know much about the business. It's the easiest form of writing there is to earn a good, steady, full-time living.

It is easier if you're a recognized expert in some high demand field, but anyone with talent can find areas of freelancing that are high-paying and wide open, if you have the talent and the work ethic to fill them.

Darned near every business out there, from small start up to giant corporation, is a freelance opportunity, and big business pays big bucks. Magazines, too, are freelance opportunities, and I've known several writers who earned a steady $60,000 per year just writing for magazines.

I stopped freelancing because I wanted to spend my older years dedicated to fiction, not because money is hard to come by in freelancing.

But there's a lot of money to be made in fiction, as well. Freelance writing or fiction writing, it's about having the talent, learning the business, and having the work ethic.

I made a living as a freelance journalist. I was a staff writer at a few different places for years before I went freelance, but it is not impossible by any means. Start coming up with ideas, start pitching those ideas. That really is all it takes. I think you should learn how to write a good pitch letter since that is going to be key. But this is no harder than a lot of jobs people have. It is a job though.

I have to say that I never did anything to market myself. I never had a website. I never took on corporate clients. What I did was write! I did go to journalism school, and I don't think I would have been as successful without that. People go to school for all sorts of careers, and writing is one of them. I'm not saying you have to go to school to necessarily make it, but you should keep in mind that some of your competition has gone to school for this.

I think that if you want to truly love what you write, you should do some soul searching before you get started to make sure you stay on target. One of the best resources I found to help frame your writing career from this mindset is the Freelance Writer's Bible by David Trottier.

Chiquitta,

You can actually make great money as an freelancer. However, it depends on your market and audience. For example, I am a part-time freelance erotica,horror and occult writer yet I still make a great income. In 2015, I would be branching out into freelance journalism as well.The key is to know your niche and do it well. Many writers in this forum have great advice when it comes to freelancing.

Chiquitta said:

I feel that I should write for the love of it! To make money is hard with this field, so I gather. Hope and luck is in my favor, so shall be it. Great day to all!

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Chiquitta,

Allow for me to tell you about my favorite freelancing gigs. My interests include horror, erotica,sweet romance ,porngraphy, and the occult. My client lists include everyone from pagans to darklighters to adult entertainment companies.For example, many phone sex companies contact me about writing porngraphic stories for their clients. Usually they pay between 250 to 500 dollars for 10 porngraphic flash fiction stories. In addition,hardcore horror companies will contact me about ghostwriting film reviews for Japanese Pinku films. Or private collectors might want a collection of spells based on the Goetia for 700 dollars. My point is that a career in freelance writing is what you make it. Find your passions and niches while getting started in your freelancing career.

Chiquitta said:

Hi there,
Just wondering how much money can writers make? Also what kinds of freelancing jobs are there and what is your favorite? Comments would be appreciated. Thanks.

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There are a lot of websites paying for a page written (275words per page).