Freelance Writing Income, $9k +

awesome blog bro..

just one question

can u pls give some tips to find quality clients that pay well.

 

Hi, congratulations and thanks for the tips. I have just one question: How do you manage to compete with guys from Asia and Eastern Europe who offer articles for $1 and $3 a piece. This is not a racist remark of any kind, it's just that the majority of clients find it hard to understand why pay $100 for an article if one can be bought for mere $1

 

tankard, I'm obviously not Chris, but I'll answer your questions since I've done it dozens of times here already.

If you want to be earning $100+ per article, you need a few things:

1. Basic writing ability - if you can't write, you won't earn at that level.
2. Basic marketing ability - this is even more important than your actual writing.
3. A large network.

If you want the higher-paying gigs, but you're only finding the $1 clients, then you're targeting the wrong market. There isn't a single market for Web content - there are many. Quite a few clients want only experts in their subject matter for example - they pay a premium for it (and that's why I advocate specialization so much). Others simply know the value of high quality content, whereas others don't.

If you don't know the value of high quality content to your specific market, you won't get high-paying gigs, because you won't be able to properly pitch your services. You have to understand the motivations of the buyers.

There is no easy "place" where you can go to find these better gigs either. That's where the marketing and networking comes in. You need to make yourself visible - get your name out there (for example, I get a lot of gigs from my forum posting and my blogs, just by talking about what I know - which is also what I write about). You also need a USP - unique selling position. This is where you set yourself apart - it might revolve around your credentials, past work, etc. It shouldn't revolve around your prices - ever. Don't try to compete on price alone in a service-oriented field, or you set yourself up for failure.

Other than the exposure you create for yourself, networking is another excellent option. Most of the high-paying freelance writing gigs aren't advertised. You'll get them when a colleague or past client hears about them privately, and they refer you for the job. In many cases, the client doesn't even know that they need a writer. It might be someone in your network who suggests it to them, casually dropping your name, or the member of your network may point the site out to you so that you can send a cold contact query.

That's how you get the high paying gigs. Remember, you don't have to "compete" with the guys from Asia and Eastern Europe at all. They're not your competition, because you're targeting completely different markets.

I have a few articles on my main freelance writing blog that may also help you:

Setting Freelance Writing Rates the Right Way
How to Get High-Paying Freelance Writing Jobs

 

Thank you for your insights. I find it really helpful. I've been doing direct mail (snail mail) campaigns for people previously and I think copywriting as such is very interesting and challenging.

P.S. Just to make things clear and avoid unwanted PM's: I've neither done any $1 articles nor considering doing some
However, I would be interested in going back to my roots again some day... i.e. producing copy.

Thanks again

 

tankard - Jenn is right on! Everything she said is what I was thinking...

 

Jen is amazing. Chris and Jen - you sure you aren't soul mates? Big, enormous kudos to both of them - and webgal.

 

Kudos, Chris. I am also a freelancer, and with Constant content, I have managed to earn so little as 600 dollars. If you could check out constnat content please look for vjlenin also visit my writing blog. Hope you will enjoy it.

 

Wow, that's great! Do you work a 40 hours a week? more? less?

 

jkc - No two weeks are the same, to tell you the truth. That is what I love about being a freelance writer...

 

Congrats on the $9k/mo!!. I used to read your blog everyday few months ago. I will start writing some more. This type of posts are certainly going to make people want to improve their writing skills, and get the most out of it!

 

I must pursue a career in freelance writing, not tech support.

 

$ 9,200 in a single month.I am hoping to get atleast about 700 $ a month.Congrats, Hard work pays ultimately.
I am going to see your blog now

 

That is great and I know for certain that freelancers have a hard time finding clients sometimes and that writing takes a hell lot of work so congrats to you and hope all your goals succeed as the prior once did.

 

You guys and gals are right. It takes hard work, but is worth it in the end.

 

Hey friend,

Which training materials or institution do you recommend?

 

ozim400 - I am not exactly sure of what you mean. Are you looking for a book? A course?

 

While I haven't reached this often, I did earn $11k last december, work has been slow since the beginning of the year with MARCH AND JUNE being "ok" months, meaning $4-$5k.....as long as I pay my bills I'm happy.....I have a lot of things brewing where I think I can consistently earn a lot each month, it's just getting things in gear.....

It's nice to see ambitious people out there.

 

writingguruchick - that is the way that a freelance writing career always goes, or so it seems! Some months are good, some are average. But I am just like you. As long as I earn a solid income I am pretty happy...

 

Hey all -

Instead of starting a new post, I thought I would continue this one!

To check out my July freelance writing income report, visit http://www.chrisblogging.com/freelance-writing-income-july-2008/.

This is the last one for the time being, so please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks!

 

Way to go, Chris.

Another decent earning month for you here