02/13/21 at 3:42AM UTC
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Can anyone offer suggestions on how to land paid freelance writing gigs?
I’ve long loved to write and am often told I’m good at it. With some extra time during the pandemic, I’ve sought out and landed two “contributing writer” (i.e. unpaid) situations, but I’d like to see if I can turn my side passion into a side (or even main) income stream.
14 Comments
Kim Callinan
President & CEO of Nonprofit
407
02/14/21 at 3:03AM UTC
This link might help:
https://lesliequander.com/tag/how-to-work-as-a-writer/
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Anonymous
02/16/21 at 3:55AM UTC
Fairygodboss has a great article on this: https://fairygodboss.com/career-topics/how-to-become-a-writer
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Mara FahlContent marketing professional
42
02/17/21 at 4:06PM UTC
There are a few ways! Sign up for platforms like NDash and Upwork, email the content or marketing managers at companies with blogs you’re interested in working for to ask if they need writers, and of course search job listings for freelance opportunities. Make sure you have some writing samples handy. Good luck!
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1 Reply
Janine WeidowMarketing & Communications Guru, Content Creator
57
02/17/21 at 5:12PM UTC
I have also used Upwork and know business owners who have hired freelancers on that site. Good luck!
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Abby OgdenCreative Project Manager
26
02/17/21 at 4:42PM UTC
Ladies Get Paid is a free resource that will put you in a Slack community of working women who want to help each other out. There are TONS of different channels you can follow, they have a freelance specific one as well as just an overall gigs channel where women post opportunities for other women and you can let them all know what you're looking for. My good friend is a freelance copywriter and introduced me to the platform. After you give your info to join, it will take a couple of days before you're invited to the Slack, but it's worth the wait. Best of luck!
link: https://www.ladiesgetpaid.com/
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Rachel Noll JamesFilmmaker. Storyteller.
34
02/17/21 at 4:49PM UTC
I have had success in the past on Mandy.com - more specifically geared toward entertainment/screenwriting which was my field, but something worth checking out. You can sign up for free to browse and I think you need to pay a subscription fee to actually apply to jobs.
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Jacqueline CutlerJournalist
83
02/17/21 at 5:11PM UTC
You need clips to be assigned articles. Editors need to see what you have done, and what you could do.
Forgive me if this advice is too obvious, but please read the magazines, newspapers, online sites and wherever you want your work to appear. Get a solid idea of what the outlet wants and needs.
Then pitch ideas to the editors. Again, I don't mean to be too basic but when you pitch an idea, just make sure that you can deliver it. Agree on a price, a deadline and word count before doing any work.
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Genny HeikkaOwner, Her Team Success
18
02/17/21 at 5:33PM UTC
Love the suggestions here! It can also really help to get your name out there by offering to contribute to blogs or websites for free, or writing your own blog posts to generate interest/following. Another great resource is to subscribe to HARO (Help a Reporter Out), where you get inquiries on various topics that you can contribute to. Best of luck!
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Becca CarnahanCareer Coach | Writer | Mom of 2
63
02/17/21 at 7:07PM UTC
Great suggestions here! Think about your current network and experience too. Are there opportunities to write for past or current employers? The freelance sites can be great but getting a longer term contract with an organization you are already familiar with can also be a good path forward.
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Leigh Mitchell, Career & Business Brand StrategistFounder of Women in Biz Network
123
02/18/21 at 12:58AM UTC
I would focus on a few key niche areas and a portfolio that speaks to that. Look for retainer work with small to midsized companies. I would steer clear of sites that ask you to pay a monthly fee to get work.
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CristaSamarasA brave girl.
189
02/18/21 at 7:28PM UTC
I've heard Vocal is pretty cool. https://vocal.media/
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NormaRealtor, podcaster & telecom auditor in Tampa
17
02/22/21 at 11:05AM UTC
I would check out Fiverr
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Abby BergerComms Strategist
44
02/23/21 at 3:37PM UTC
A few more resources to check out that can notify you of relevant freelance opportunities
https://www.creativecircle.com/talent/
https://www.wearerosie.com/
https://themomproject.com/
Good luck!
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Anonymous
02/26/21 at 3:31AM UTC
Thank you all for the helpful advice and comments!
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