Advice and Resources for Writers

by Suzanne Lieurance, the Working Writer's Coach

If you're one of those writers who never seems to find any assignments on the online job boards, you're probably being too picky OR you may just be looking at the wrong kinds of ads. Here's something to try that should help you land a job you can complete quickly to earn some fast cash.

Search for just one short assignment that pays at least $50 for something you would feel comfortable writing because you have the skills and knowledge to pull off the job. It doesn't have to be something you're passionate about writing. You just want a quick assignment. For example, if you're good at writing press releases or book or product reviews, or cover letters, or artist statements, look for ads for one of those assignments.

As soon as you see the ad, follow the application guidelines immediately.

If you get the assignment, do it right away and bill the client.

The point of this is to look for jobs that you can complete quickly and that are relatively easy so you can make some fast cash. But then you want to move on to another new client and another new project that you can complete quickly.

Skip over the ads that promise regular work - these are usually the ones that will gobble up your time for very little pay and you won't be able to do anything else. Also, skip over the ads for assignments that will take weeks to complete. You aren't looking for a regular client at this point or a long-term assignment. You just want a short, easy assignment that will give you some quick cash.

Get in the habit of scanning a variety of online job boards like this on a regular basis and you'll soon be making some quick cash every week!

Try it!

The good news for writers is that today there are more ways than ever to build a freelance writing business. In fact, here are 12 ways to get started. You don't need to try all 12 of these ideas at once. Pick and choose the one or two that sound interesting to you and relate to the type of writing you LIKE to do.

1. Write for Businesses - Many small businesses need writers but they can't afford to hire them as regular employees so they use freelancers. If you offer writing services for businesses, start marketing your services to local businesses on a regular basis.

2. Write for Local Print Publications - Most local publications won't pay a great deal. Still, if you can write for a few of these on a regular basis, you can earn some regular monthly or even weekly income this way. It's also a good way to acquire some publication credits and gain experience working with a variety of editors.

3. Write for National Magazines - Once you've written for local publications, move up to the glossy, better paying, national publications. You only need to find 3 or 4 of these to write for on a regular basis to make a good income.

4. Promote other companies' products and services - This is known as affiliate marketing and it's a great way to boost your freelance income. Affiliate programs are available for all kinds of products and services through sites like commissionjunction.com, ClickBank.com, selfhelphub.com and shareasale.com, among others.

5. Create a membership site and charge a monthly fee for members - An example of this is the Children's Writers' Coaching Club, which I started several years ago. Since I'm a children's author and a former children's writing instructor, having a coaching club for children's authors is a great fit for me.

6. Create and market your own information products - What are you an expert about? Create an ebook or an e-course about this and market it online. For example, one of my information products is a 52-week e-course for people who want to write better nonfiction. It's called How to Write Better, More Powerful, More Engaging Nonfiction. What kind of e-course could you create based on your own interests and expertise?

7. Write and self-publish your own books - If you self-publish, you'll need to have a system in place for selling your books. But many writers make a nice income from their own line of books.

8. Charge for advertising space - Develop a blog or website aimed at a target niche market, then once this site gets lots of traffic, charge for advertising space there.

9. Write books on assignment for various publishers - Many publishers look for writers who will write books for them. These publishers will give you a list of titles they need books about. You will usually need to write an outline or proposal following the publisher's guidelines before you get a contract to write the book.

10. Teach writing workshops - Once you become widely published, create workshops so you help other writers become published, too. Your workshops can be held in person or online.

11. Get on the speaker circuit - Speak at writer's conferences or other professional events and get paid to do so.

12. Create teleclasses and charge for them - You don't even have to teach these teleclasses yourself. You can hire other people (experts) to teach them for you and pay them a fee or a percentage of what you earn each time someone registers for a teleclass.

7. Write and self-publish your own books - If you self-publish, you'll need to have a system in place for selling your books. But many writers make a nice income from their own line of books.

8. Charge for advertising space - Develop a blog or website aimed at a target niche market, then once this site gets lots of traffic, charge for advertising space there.

10. Teach writing workshops - Once you become widely published, create workshops so you help other writers become published, too. Your workshops can be held in person or online.

11. Get on the speaker circuit - Speak at writer's conferences or other professional events and get paid to do so.

There are many other ways to earn a substantial income from your writing. Every month, members of The Working Writer's Club have access to a LIVE 55-minute teleclass that covers (in greater depth than is possible here) at least one way to build a freelance writing business. If you're trying to build your freelance writing business, why not join the club? For more information go to http://www.writemoresellmore.com