Is freelance writing a lost cause?

Khombhat said:
My wife has had some small successes with Fiverr so I know it can do the job, but it does seem a bit overwhelming to get started when you look at the mountain of offers within any given niche. The trick seems to be standing out. After that, it seems to be all about delivering the goods and not receiving negative ratings. Honestly, I look at ratings and reviews before I even look too deeply at the offered product. So...how to stand out?
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Try mastering a current popular niche like crypto.
 
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This is a forum filled with such an abundance of information that it is beyond reproach to just stick to one method. If you want to expand your income through writing you might consider looking beyond the content mills. The content mills work well if you are trying to bulk up your productivity or get yourself used to creating content on different topics. I think your best bet is to optimize your ability to bring in some income is to:

  • Content Spreadsheet - Create a spreadsheet with the name of the content mills you applied for and the date. This allows you to keep track of them in the future.
  • Portfolio Creation - There are a plethora of sites that allow you to upload links to previous content to create an online portfolio. This works to your benefit when you are trying to apply to work as a regular writer for other sites or private clients.
  • Service Site - Create a basic one page site with your hosting and domain with a link to atleast one article per niche for up to 10 niches. You can use a stock photo to accompany the article and make sure you write for sites that allow you to get residual income. Since you don't have your own site up yet sites that give you pay per view will work in your benefit for your service site because you'll get paid each time someone wants to read your work. Create a price list, pitch letter, and timeline sheet to send to each potential client after they use the " contact me" page on your site. Being prepared allows the transaction to run smoothly.
  • Work Search - Fiverr is an ok site but not the best, take some time to do a keyword search in Google for bid sites or search for local companies with a " write for us" link. By sending your pitch letter, it allows you to direct them to your links so you can generate more income.

Extra tips

  • Try creating a business name and creating a Facebook Page for i
  • Join a few Facebook groups searching terms like " writer needed"
  • Create social media accounts for the same business
  • Using Pinterest, use the same stock photos from your single page site and link back to your website. You may want to create a blog broadcasting your journey as a writer ( make sure you add advertising so you can get residual income).
  • Search in forums for work
If you need more recommendations, I'm always here to help.
 
In addition to what others have said, I personally know a freelance content writer who is making $2500+ per month... and she is just writing for Spanish clients. Imagine if you reach clients from all around the globe :)

I don't really like Fiverr though, it makes me feel like a site for fast and cheap jobs (at least, from a web developer point of view). Besides contacting blogs directly with a nicely written pitch, I would recommend you to get into serious freelancing websites such as Freelancer.com or Upwork. You will get a better flow of clients and people interested in long-term work if you are good at what you do.
 
$350 per month is absolutely doable. Pick a method that suits you and work on it and I'm sure you'll be making more than that every month till the end of the year. But don't give up on things and don't qualify anything as useless. Fiverr is not useless, it's just something you don't have the hang of and can't utilize. Find something you can utilize or work on something until you learn how to utilize it. It will not be super easy but there is so much you can do and all of it will get you over your goal.
 
No. Freelancing writing content is not a lost cause. If you want to earn around $350, you can easily do it if you are hardworking and determined. I also worked on freelancing sites and i really enjoyed the experience.
 
I've worked in content mills for years. On a good month I would make anywhere from 4-6k. The bad side to this is I was generally cranking articles out all day at .04 cents per word. I've worked outside of content mills and made $1 per word and made a grand in a day. it all just depends on who you can find out there looking for articles. Sometimes it can be as simple as a google search to find someone to search for and managing your productivity in terms of searching for new clients and pitching.

I recently decided I was going to end my career as a full time freelance writer and I am looking for new opportunities. If you or anyone else are looking for advice in this area I would be more than happy to provide some details on places to find work. It can be fairly easy to find new clients if you have the drive to always be on the lookout for new clients.
 
Yes, this is a stupid way to try and make money. You will barely make minimum wage what people are paying these days and unless you have had a career in journalism, with the contacts to show for it, you'll struggle to find any high paying gigs, consistently. It'll be a struggle from one month to the next.
 
Suck it and see. Market yourself well, make smart choices and don't rely on it as a main source of income initially.
 
In my opinion, freelance websites are a lost cause to new incomers unless you have something about you that really stands out. There is so much choice right now that the employers can be really picky about quality and price, it's a deeply red ocean of competition.
 
Kuz32 said:
Yes, this is a stupid way to try and make money. You will barely make minimum wage what people are paying these days and unless you have had a career in journalism, with the contacts to show for it, you'll struggle to find any high paying gigs, consistently. It'll be a struggle from one month to the next.
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A lot of copywriters who do case studies and white papers make 6 figures/ year. Some of them are members of this site. @Reaver explains it very well in her post.

https://www.blackhatworld.com/seo/how-to-get-better-paying-article-copywriting-clients.869041/

Digital marketers aren't the only group that needs content. As a matter of fact, they are pretty much the bottom of the totem pole when it comes to copywriting clients.
 
Swineford said:
I've worked in content mills for years. On a good month I would make anywhere from 4-6k.
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Yes, 90% of content mills are country-restricted, so I have no access to this particular way of earning money at all.
 
CoreCellar said:
Yes, 90% of content mills are country-restricted, so I have no access to this particular way of earning money at all.
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Check the link I posted above, I had a lot of success following that approach.
 
Good thing you are moving away from it....there are easier ways to make money. You almost stand no chance particularly at entry level, against bidders from third world countries, many of which are very highly qualified yet are prepared to do an excellent writing job for pittance. I did that years ago...funny I am even from a third world country, yet I couldnt believe the kind of pricing that really good hands from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan etc were charging.

Good luck on your new direction.
 
If you focus on your strengths within the numerous subcategories of writing there is ways to make money.

My strength in writing is creative - drawing upon sparse ideas, and also in rhyming. I make a few extra bucks on Fiverr selling scriptwriting and slogan gigs. If i wanted to get more work there I could but I'm just limited by time.

The point is these are my core strengths, and any economic marketplace will reward me for it.
 
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