Helium

www.helium.com is a newer site for freelance writing, but still a great option. They have a program similar to Associated Content's where you can upload articles on just about anything and earn pay per click payments. So far it seems that these are a bit lower than Associated Content, but that may just be because it is newer.

There is also another option called Marketplace within Helium where publishers post descriptions and guidelines for articles they need along with how much they will pay for the article. You can then submit an article and the publisher can chose the one they like. If you are picked as the winner you will receive payment. This is a great way to start out if you are new to freelance writing or if you are doing it more as a hobby, but I prefer Elance or other sites that allow you to bid on projects and win them before doing all the work. With Helium's marketplace you do the work but might not get paid for it.

Constant Content

www.constantcontent.com is a website I used often when I first started working as a freelance writer. It is different from other sites because you post the article, review, video or pictures. Then you get to pick how much you would like to sell it for.

They have different ways you can sell it: Usage which is where someone pays to use the article in one place on their website. You can continue selling the content on the website and others may buy it. The usage price is usually relatively low because the purchaser knows that it is not exclusive content. The next way an article can be sold is with unique rights. Most purchasers prefer this option. The information is completely purchased and the article is removed from constant content so that no one else can purchase it and it is exclusive to the purchaser. Through this option I have found some great employers. A few of whom still contact me on a regular basis to create content for them. The price for unique articles is usually much higher because it is a one time sale. Full Rights is the last purchase option. When someone buys your information this way, they are allowed to change wording, remove your byline and use the information on multiple sites. As you can imagine this is the most expensive option.

Constant Content also provides information about what purchasers have requested. This often helped me overcome writers block because I could scroll through and find something that someone was looking for and write about it. This also ups your chances of selling information because you know there is someone who is looking specifically for it. But they will accept writing on just about any subject. I have posted articles on constant content from jobs that never pulled through (this doesn't happen often, but a few times I had already created articles for a job and then the employer bailed) When this happens don't take it too hard, it is bound to happen in freelancing. But you have done the work so you can still make money by posting it on constant content.

Just want some extra cash?

Associated Content (http://www.associatedcontent.com/) is the place for you. You sign up to be a writer and then you can submit videos, reviews, articles on nearly any subject. They pay you an upfront payment usually between $4-$10. But the great thing is that they also pay you every month on a per click basis. So say someone looks at an article you wrote, you get paid. This continues as long as you have an active account with Associated content. So you make money every month on past work you have done. Not a bad deal if you ask me. Granted it may not be much money until you have more articles on the site, but still a little extra cash every month isn't something to complain about.



This is a site I use often. I teach scrapbooking classes online and at local scrapbooking stores, so I often will take my lessons, edit them a bit to be more like tutorials or how to guides and post them with associated content. It's a great way to make a little extra money off of something you are already doing. If you are a stay at home mom who has done some research on your childs certain behaviors write up a little article on what you learned and make some extra cash. This works for a lot of people.

Want To Make a Full-time income...

with freelance writing? Then Elance would be my suggested source. I have been working as a freelance writer for 4 years and have found most of my current employers throught this site. They do require that you sign up for a subscription and there is a monthly payment of around $12 per month, but when you are actively working through Elance that is a very small fee. They usually have around 750 jobs posted, so there is ample opportunity to find a job that fits your expertise.

Elance works on a bidding system somewhat similar to ebay, except you are bidding on a job. My biggest suggestion for being successful in winning jobs is that you should customize every single submission you make for a job. Some people have one submission blurb that they use for every job they are bidding on, and it is very obvious to a buyer when someone is doing this. Also, always submit a couple of samples of your work, whether it is asked for or not.

Terms Every Freelance Writer Should Know

Ghostwrite
This is when a writer sells writes something but then sells their rights to the work to another person who places their name on the work as their writing. This is done often with online content. Often though the rights owner doesn't really place their name on the work, they simply post it on their website.

SEO
This stands for Search Engine Optimized. It is a form of online content writing which boosts search engine ratings because it is written in such a way to attract search engine spiders.

Portfolio
This is a grouping of some of your best work from different areas. It is often used to show a potential employer your abilities and work performance.

Copy Editor
An editor who prepares text for publication

Proofreader
To read (copy or proof) in order to find errors and mark corrections.

Transcription
Something written, especially copied from one medium to another, as a typewritten version of dictation. This type of work is often included on Freelance writing job sites. It most often includes writing down a speech or some other information from an audio format.

Press Release
An announcement of an event, performance, or other newsworthy item that is issued to the press.

White Papers
An authoritative report on a major issue, as by a team of journalists.

Welcome All Freelance Writers!

Welcome to Freelancer's Guide
In this blog I will attempt to pass on what I have learned about being a Freelance Writer through the internet. There are definitely some perks and some downsides. I will also be posting links to great information and resources for finding jobs.
So let's get started!