How To Approach Web Masters to get writing projects?

Many times, many of my friends ask me how do you get these writing projects? I simply say, there is no set formula to get work. I just simply look for opportunities everyday. There are many websites which advertise freelance writing gigs.

Elance, GetAFreelancer, Guru, ODesk are some of the sites from where I got projects. I make a search on these portals. Also, I have posted my resume on the Job portals. Sometimes, employers too approach me on their own. One, it is not easy to get the call from any employer. Second, even if you get call, it is not always easy to get the project in your kitty. It is difficult to get any project on the job boards, where you have to compete with other writers. But it is not impossible. After all most of the freelancers are making their living by getting project from these sites. I have got many steady clients from these sites. Only thing is you have bid right with perfect writing samples.

Another thing, once you get the project, put all your heart and soul to make your writing a success, even if you are ghost writing. It goes long way in maintaing relatioanship with your client.

So to sum it up, you need to be hard skinned to get few first projects. Apply with your samples, be ready for rejections and if you get it, complete it with all your dedication and please always follow deadline as it is very important.

Introducing Freelance Writing

Do you want to be freelance writer? Do you really know what a freelance writer means and what he does? Before taking a plunge as a freelance writer, just look around you and do researches. It will give you an idea about what freelancing is . Do not just quit your day job rather work for few months while steady on your day job.

Freelance Writer is the person who is not tied with one particular company. He can work for one company or more than one. He can work from the company office if it demands or can work from home also. Some companies want them to come for set hours for working. As a freelance writer, the person works on contractual basis or project basis. While on a contract work, it is not neccessary that the person has written agreement but it is always benficial for the freelancer to have written contract.

A project or contract has some clear goal and clear timeframe. These are the important things in the professional life of a freelancer. Once the project gets over, the freelance start searching for another one.

Freelance writing includes many forms like marketing writing or web writing, business writing. Some freelancers write for magazines and newspapers only. But once you start working as freelance writer and start getting project , you will come to know your strengths and weeknesses. Then you will learn, what are the subjects you can write best for.

Stepping Stones in the path of Freelance writer

As I told you, I prepared my resume and posted it on two or three job portals. The very next day, I started getting calls from the various companies, in need of good content writers. Though I was not prepared for this kind of situation as I was not confident of my qualities and skills. I was at home for so many years and had not stepped out to work for earning. But getting calls for the inetrview itself was enough to boost my confidence level high. I was very happy at heart. I used to talk to the recruiters in a very professional tone when they took telephonic interview and imagine what! Most of them wanted to call me for interview. I was myself impressed by my communication skills. I had choices about whether to go for interview or not.

So moral of the story is even if you want to be freelance writer in long run, it is must to test waters by diving. To know about the industry skills and the industry needs, you should take up few full time job in the field you want to make your career in.

Starting a freelance Writing business

Now some people ask me what I did to start this home business of writing for internet. For me it just happened. It is not to say that I did not make efforts for it. But I am saying that I never thought of such kind of profession in my life. Actually, in my childhood, I was never inclined to write creative pieces. Whenever I had to write an essay, I used to get confused about what to write.

You can say it, destiny. When I had nothing better to do and internet just came into my life, a whole new world of information came to my fingertips. I used just surfed for information about anything and everything. I used to get lesser time in those days, just 1 or 2 hours a day and internet was also expensive to use. I used to read a lot from informative websites, magazines and newspapers. I came to know about various work-at-home opportunities. Actually, I also wanted one such opportunity for myself. I knew that I am capable of doing many things. But I wanted a monetary appreciation for my work. I wanted a market for my work. As I was loaded with my family responsibilities, I was not able to go out.

Then this idea of writing for web clicked my mind. I prepared my resume which expressed my writing experience and writing skills. Yes, I forgot to tell you that in my past I worked at a publication as a junior copy editor. I also wrote courseware for a small computer training institute. Those experiences also helped me a lot while I was preparing my content writing resume.

Qualties needed for being a Freelance Writer

When I was working as the full time content writer, I learned many things which I would never know if were to work alone like I am doing now. First of all it gave me that desired and much needed industry experience and industry exposure which is very important to succeed in any field. I learnt about various technical aspects of content writing, content management and researching.

I wrote thousands of articles on variety of topics. Whenever I got any title, I used to wonder what I should write. To make your writing more believable, you need to support it with facts and references. Researching is very important for writing any kind of article. My colleagues helped me a lot to do my job in right way. Working there was really a fun and I would never forget that experience.

But my aim was to become a freelance content writer and I succeeded. The most important qualities you need in your personality to succeed as a freelance writer are patience, perseverance, honesty, flexibility, good communication skills and honoring deadlines.

Another important thing I would like to mention is that you should understand client's requirements, his budget and time constraints. These are very important traits to fetch you repeat assignments.

working as a full time content writer

Once I decided to write professionally. I was ready for my research work. I decided to write as a content writer. Though it was not so easy to write professionally but I succeeded anyway! I took baby steps, one at a time. When you take baby steps, you are sure not hurt yourself. I wanted to work and also did not want to spend money too. Neither I had a mentor, but I had my will power to do what I wanted.

I started reading content from the various websites about various topics. I read lots of content writing sites. I develpoed my resume as a content writer and applied to content companies for the position of content writer.

I instantly started getting calls. It was a huge boost for my confidence. Then I started going to interviews. These were not just interviews rather a series of tests which I took. These tests were all about English language knowledge, logical thinking and vocabulary. Most of the times I passed my written tests. After rejection at one or two places I finally got the job of a content writer in a reputed company. I just talked about rejections, but I do not take them as rejections. These were the stepping stones as they taught me lot about the practicle aspects in the field of content writer.

How did I started freelance writing journey

This is my first blog post for this blog. I am wondering what to write but that's not a problem.
I should start from the beginning itself.
Freelance Writing is not new to me at this stage of my career but it was just few years ago. Infact, I was a stay-at-home mom and traditional homemaker. I am a science graduate from a reputed university and trained to be software developer. Thanks to my stay-at-home status that helped me to have enough time to understand my feelings and develop this freelance writing career.

From the beginning, I was clear that I would take up freelancing as it has many advantages. You can be at home with your family and your kids. You are your own boss and above all you can choose what to do you want to write about. These are the enough reasons to choose freelance writing as a career option.

I was busy, raising up my kids and giving all my attention to them but there was always a thought to do something creative. I did not know what to do. At that time, even now, I read a lot. Whatever came to my hands, I read it. Then, one fine day I decided to write myself and that was the beginning of my freelance writing journey. To start a journey, it is never neccessary that you know your destination.