For many people, writing is a passion that is deep and pleasurable, but not really financially viable. We all want to write the next great novel, or have our poetry put on a pedestal with the greats, but when we face facts, it’s pretty clear that what writers need to do is put those plans on hold (not forever!) and figure out a way to turn their talents into income. Luckily, the internet offers a huge amount of opportunities to write, because all of that copy has to come from somewhere, and if you are smart, you should be able to get your finger into the internet pie.
For most of us, having a blog that makes money is the ideal, but the world of internet writing is very much like any other company. You need to start at the bottom, carve out a niche, and climb a very competitive virtual ladder so that you can start making real money. So where should you start? I’ve outlined a strategy here, a beginner’s guide to becoming a paid blogger if you will. The process may seem daunting, but if you persevere you can make it.
Step 1: Get your work out there
The internet is a great way for you to connect with potential employers, so use the available platforms to get your name and work out there. Websites like LinkedIn and Freelanced.com take the form of social networking sites, but for business professionals. Here you can set up a profile, make a portfolio of your work, and, most importantly, get into contact with people in your field from all over the world. Freelanced.com is even better as you can hunt for jobs here too. So before you even get started with the actual writing, get your virtual self out in the virtual workplace. And remember that the more visible you are, the greater your chances of attracting some attention. Don’t be shy – go for it and use every possible virtual platform that you can in order to attract work.
Step 2: Writing is writing
Most writers are not even aware of the variety of online writing opportunities that are available to you. Rewrites, product descriptions, article generation, eBooks, blurbs and blogs are all ways for you to make money online. Let’s just look at what each entails, so that you know what you’re getting yourself into.
- Rewrites: A great starting place for aspiring online writers. Rewrites are easy, and will help you to think on your feet. You receive an article, and then have to re-write each sentence in the article a specified number of times. The catch is that you are not allowed to repeat the seed sentence. So you may have to write the sentence “I see a dog” 5 different ways, without repeating that phrase. This is boring and occasionally challenging, but pay for rewrites is normally quite good, and will prove to the employer that you can work towards a deadline. This is the first port of call.
- Product descriptions: As the name suggests, you will have to describe products. This is similar to rewrites, as you will receive a huge amount of short descriptions to write. Again, a great way to get your foot in the door.
- Article generation: When your employer starts trusting you, you will be tasked with writing articles of various lengths, normally 200 – 2000 words, about any given topic. Here client needs will be factored in, and you’ll need to be flexible with regards to tone and register. If you can handle this, you are getting closer.
- EBooks: A massive test for any writer, which is basically an extension of the articles mentioned above. Here, you will receive a random topic, client instructions, a word requirement, and a tight deadline. And that’s it. Your employer will leave you to write an authoritative text that will place research and plagiarism tests.
Step 3: Blogging itself
If you manage to prove yourself and are willing to go through the boredom that comes with the above tasks, you will build up a strong reputation as a hard worker, and have an extended and diverse portfolio. Now that you know what to expect, you will have to keep working and looking out for blogging jobs. They are plentiful, but then again, so is the competition to land these highly sought after jobs. I really suggest that you persevere and always cater towards the client – a flexible writer is much more useful than someone who sticks to their guns. Be willing to change, work hard, do your time at the bottom of the ladder, and you will be ready to start writing blogs.
This guest post comes from Victoria. She is currently learning about the Canadian banking guide and the Canadian Stock Market.
