1. Advertising
    y u no do it?

    Advertising (learn more)

    Advertise virtually anything here, with CPM banner ads, CPM email ads and CPC contextual links. You can target relevant areas of the site and show ads based on geographical location of the user if you wish.

    Starts at just $1 per CPM or $0.10 per CPC.

Starting as a writer

Discussion in 'General Business' started by Tom Hulme, Jul 10, 2017.

  1. #1
    Hi all,

    So I have always wanted to write about my thoughts on topics I am interested and passionate about. I am starting my career as a young solicitor in London but I want to do this in my spare time.

    I am interested in topics;
    - Government, Politics & Law
    - Technology, hardware and lifestyle advances
    - Business, investment and wealth management
    - Health, fitness and wellbeing

    Has anyone got any experience on how to start? I am not looking to get paid at the very start, just someone I could send articles to in order to get my foot in.

    Thank you for reading.
     
    Tom Hulme, Jul 10, 2017 IP
  2. MrKing01

    MrKing01 Active Member

    Messages:
    489
    Likes Received:
    39
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    60
    #2
    I would advice you to offer your writing services on freelancing websites. You should also look with legal magazines, and see if they need someone who can write articles on a freelancing basis. Also, there is the option of starting your own niche website. If you write high quality content and use the right keywords, you will get a lot of traffic. Then there are different ways to monetize the website.
     
    MrKing01, Jul 10, 2017 IP
  3. Spoiltdiva

    Spoiltdiva Acclaimed Member

    Messages:
    7,732
    Likes Received:
    2,889
    Best Answers:
    53
    Trophy Points:
    520
    #3
    Prepare to be contacted by unscrupulous bandits who will masquerade as big hearted human beings, whose only desire is to help you. Do you understand the concept of exploitation? I truly hope so for your sake.......good luck.;)
     
    Spoiltdiva, Jul 10, 2017 IP
  4. MrKing01

    MrKing01 Active Member

    Messages:
    489
    Likes Received:
    39
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    60
    #4
    Very good advice from @Spoiltdiva You are young and skilled. Unfortunately, there are people out there who want to exploit others. So, be cautious.
     
    MrKing01, Jul 10, 2017 IP
    Spoiltdiva likes this.
  5. Tom Hulme

    Tom Hulme Peon

    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    1
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    3
    #5
    Thank you, I will keep this in mind.

    I am not familiar with this market, so I am unsure how much I would charge!
     
    Tom Hulme, Jul 10, 2017 IP
    Spoiltdiva likes this.
  6. MrKing01

    MrKing01 Active Member

    Messages:
    489
    Likes Received:
    39
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    60
    #6
    There is a very good article on thebalance, that describes how to charge and how much to charge.

    https://www.thebalance.com/freelance-writer-fees-how-much-should-i-charge-1360345
     
    MrKing01, Jul 10, 2017 IP
  7. Tom Hulme

    Tom Hulme Peon

    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    1
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    3
    #7
    Thank you Mr King, I appreciate it!
     
    Tom Hulme, Jul 10, 2017 IP
  8. MrKing01

    MrKing01 Active Member

    Messages:
    489
    Likes Received:
    39
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    60
    #8
    No problems. Hope you find the article helpful.
     
    MrKing01, Jul 10, 2017 IP
  9. Bielefelder

    Bielefelder Member

    Messages:
    52
    Likes Received:
    4
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    33
    #9
    Why not start your own blog on WordPress?
    You can practice and write about any subjects you like.
    The more you write, the better you get...
     
    Bielefelder, Jul 10, 2017 IP
  10. Milliardo

    Milliardo Active Member

    Messages:
    244
    Likes Received:
    26
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    63
    #10
    Best to start a blog first. Once you get more views and a following, then you can turn it into a writing career. Some do write at once if they do have the talent and passion, even if they don't have a following. But now having a blog would be the way to go, or else you can apply to sites for writers and maybe have a following there.
     
    Milliardo, Jul 11, 2017 IP
  11. L.A. Tay

    L.A. Tay Peon

    Messages:
    10
    Likes Received:
    1
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    3
    #11
    Blogging until you have a decent pool of experience would probably work the best. It's like setting up a work resume.
     
    L.A. Tay, Jul 12, 2017 IP
  12. evanmintz12

    evanmintz12 Peon

    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    1
    #12
    Apart from what was suggested above, you should def check "influencers" like HARO etc. Not only you will always know which topics are on trends but you will also have the chance to engage with real reporters. Ofc, i assume you are not an average pen ..
     
    evanmintz12, Jul 17, 2017 IP
  13. Patricia Ann Lee

    Patricia Ann Lee Active Member

    Messages:
    1,190
    Likes Received:
    73
    Best Answers:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    95
    #13
    Pretty interesting niches. Are you interested in creating blogs for it?
     
    Patricia Ann Lee, Jul 17, 2017 IP
  14. Mister Vape

    Mister Vape Active Member

    Messages:
    161
    Likes Received:
    11
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    58
    #14
    Write, Write, Write and Write, Write and do more Writing.... The more you write the better you'll get.
     
    Mister Vape, Jul 17, 2017 IP
  15. vsjess

    vsjess Peon

    Messages:
    11
    Likes Received:
    0
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    1
    #15
    Write. Write again. When you're done with that, write some more. When you're tired and can barely keep your eyes open? Write. (You'll be amazed at what you'll write when exhausted.)

    Joking aside, do you have any friends, acquaintances, family members with a business? Does that business have a website? Does that business have a blog? Offer to write a few pieces for a bit of cash to build up a portfolio. You are going to have a tough time getting paid an average rate when just starting out, but you should always be compensated for your time.
     
    vsjess, Jul 20, 2017 IP
  16. ChrisBrownEzineArt

    ChrisBrownEzineArt Greenhorn

    Messages:
    13
    Likes Received:
    1
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    23
    #16
    Starting as a writer. Get an old high school or new english book and review grammar and punctuation. This is important when writing and discussing your product or products you are writing for someone else. First impression is the lasting impression.
     
    ChrisBrownEzineArt, Jul 20, 2017 IP
  17. MrKing01

    MrKing01 Active Member

    Messages:
    489
    Likes Received:
    39
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    60
    #17
    @vsjess The recommendation you make is good. One should start with friends, acquaintances and family members who have a business. People often underestimate the value of these connections. Maybe you don't get paid the market value of the services you provide, but it will give you a fine portfolio.
     
    MrKing01, Jul 20, 2017 IP
  18. Grace the Face

    Grace the Face Peon

    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    0
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    1
    #18
    What this guy said. Standing out works wonders.
     
    Grace the Face, Jul 20, 2017 IP
  19. MrKing01

    MrKing01 Active Member

    Messages:
    489
    Likes Received:
    39
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    60
    #19
    Regarding the grammar part that you refer to, it can be beneficial to refresh your grammar with old high school books. But you don't have to do this first in order to write grammatically correct articles. You can use a service like Grammarly which will correct your errors. When you use it you will get suggestions when you do wrong, and after a while you will learn. So in this way you learn while you are writing. Isn't it good?
     
    MrKing01, Jul 20, 2017 IP
  20. wanessmark

    wanessmark Active Member

    Messages:
    268
    Likes Received:
    12
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    78
    #20
    Just begin somewhere — anywhere. Start small and build.

    If you read books — and you really should, if you want to be a writer — try submitting reviews to local newspapers, a friend’s blog, or a magazine. They don’t pay well, but it gets your name in print and can be a step to something bigger.

    After that, try doing an interview. If all you have is a blog, use that. You’d be surprised how many stars are willing to talk to you. In the 21st Century, “blogger” is synonymous with “journalist.”

    Then, publish online.

    Create small wins that build momentum over time. Use a past success to get your foot in the door for a future one.
     
    wanessmark, Jul 23, 2017 IP