Comments on: Are You Determined Enough to be a Freelance Writer?

By: Yohanna Y. Garba

Yohanna Y. Garba — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:36:37 +0000

Writing should be an interesting and mind searching work if one is dertermine. You are quite right about your statement. I hope my dertermination will grow to action in the proper perspective.

By: Sarah :: Freelance Writing, Grammar and Spelling tips

Sarah :: Freelance Writing, Grammar and Spelling tips — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 20:57:07 +0000

I was lucky enough to not have a job to leave when I became a freelance writer. I was a housewife and a mum when I became a writer. I too have a fancy degree, so I decided to put it to good use.

Now, I am three things – A wife, a mother and a writer.

Since starting writing, I am now the main earner in the house.

Determination, dedication and an intense passion for writing are all great starting points!

By: Becca

Becca — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 01:02:06 +0000

I’ve been visiting this site for a long time and reading the different articles. But this one has been the most helpful so far. I, too, am stuck in a day job that I don’t like. Its steady paycheck is the reason I stay. I’ve been doing some freelance work on the side for a long time. But it doesn’t pay.

I’m also convinced, after reading the comments of others, to check out the freelance leads daily and act on some of them.

Can I ask if you post an article of pitching your work?

Thank you very much for this site. I love it.

By: John Hewitt

John Hewitt — Thu, 29 May 2008 17:40:13 +0000

@ Yuwands

Finding and exploiting niches is an excellent skill. Thank you for the addition and congrats on the 60/20 gig.

By: Yuwanda Black

Yuwanda Black — Thu, 29 May 2008 16:52:49 +0000

John one thing I’d add to the list of excellent traits already listed is “trend spotting.” As in, being able to ferret out niches that not many others are focusing on now and building your reputation in that.

As you well know, I did this with SEO writing. A year ago, I could only tell you what the letters stood for. Now, clients refer to me as an “authority,” which always gives me a kick.

Freelancing writing is competitive — we all know that. One way to lessen the competition is being able to recognize and capitalize on trends where one could make their mark. And, the web has made researching these types of opportunities so much easier than it used to be.

Yuwanda

Yuwanda Blacks last blog post..The $60 Guest Posting Gig that Took 20 Minutes

By: John Hewitt

John Hewitt — Wed, 28 May 2008 13:17:22 +0000

@ Kris I do believe that if you get the marketing aspect down, half your battle is one. The ability to bring in business makes up for a variety of sins.

@ Allena Tenacity is a good word too. Most people give up either through adversity, or just because there are other things they want to do.

@ James True enough James. I do spend a great deal of my time getting paid to write. Thats exactly what I wanted when I was a kid. I just had NO idea what writing I would be doing.

By: Meryl K. Evans

Meryl K. Evans — Wed, 28 May 2008 12:42:35 +0000

@Kris — you’re right on target! That’s what I did before I left the day job for the full-time writing life. I would’ve been scared to do that five years ago, but not by the time I actually did it. It’s all in the preparation and determination. Plus, you have to be motivated and not a procrastinator. No one is going to push you to do things — only angry clients and editors who expected you to get it done without pushing.

@John and James — I agree with the list of things you need besides writing talent. All those things ARE your job as a freelance writer. If you neglect them and only do writing — well, enjoy writing for yourself and not making money.

Meryl K. Evanss last blog post..Twitter Barely Flitters

By: James -Men with Pens

James -Men with Pens — Wed, 28 May 2008 09:54:15 +0000

Now that’s true. I suppose I take determination too much for granted, because since we wrote the ebook, we’ve seen so many people give up that it isn’t funny. Well said.

I really enjoyed this post, John. It’s so well written, you’d think you were a professional writer or something.

James -Men with Penss last blog post..Capture the Fantasy and Escape your Reality

By: Allena

Allena — Wed, 28 May 2008 03:32:14 +0000

I called this same characteristic “tenacity” in my recent post at freelancewrite.about.com….

Tenacity=Dorie from Nemo=”just keep swimmin’”

Allenas last blog post..Five Things You MUST Do To Succeed As a Freelance Writer

By: Kris Martin

Kris Martin — Tue, 27 May 2008 20:49:40 +0000

Great advice! Even at my fulltime job, I am constantly drumming up business, so to speak. I am a copywriter and find that reaching out to the clients for work makes for a busier work day. I also take about an hour each morning before work to scout all of the freelance opportunities that I can find. I reply to at least five requests for work per day. Sometimes it’s lucrative, sometimes not. The key is determination and believing in yourself, even when the odds are against you.