One of the most common work-from-home opportunities is freelance writing - be it writing commercial articles for big corporations, or weekly columns on magazines and newspaper.
Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a gifted or an excellent writer to start making a living as a freelance writer. However, you obviously need to have a certain level of interest in writing and possess a satisfactory command of the language you are writing in.
For homemakers and stay-at-home moms, you can use freelance writing as an opportunity o generate supplemental income for the household (or for your personal pocket money, shhhh). You accept writing assignments at your own free will, but of course you have to deliver the deadline as promised. If you have more time to spare, say the kids are off to a holiday camp, then you may take on extra jobs as you wish.
Is the pay lucrative? Yes and no. It depends on several factors - from which category of client base you are working with, to the type of assignment you are writing, and your knowledge and expertise in the topic concerned. Some companies appreciate the work of freelance writers, and are willing to pay more. Some have budget constraint and may not pay as well as expected.
Freelance writing is definitely an income opportunity worth exploring. You can treat it as a part-time income, or develop it into a full-fledge home-based business. To get you started, you might want to read up some guide books on how to start a freelance writing career or business.
I personally have read a book called “Secrets of a Freelance Writer“, authored by Robert W Bly, or Bob Bly. Bob is a highly renowned freelance copywriter with more than 25 years of experience in freelance writing, and has published more than 60 books! He writes a variety of commercial materials - ads, brochures, sales letters, publicity materials, newsletters, websites, etc.
Secrets of a Freelance Writer, Third Edition: How to Make $100,000 a Year or More
If you read his “Secrets of a Freelance Writer“, you will learn how to:
- Get started as a beginner
- Set up and run your freelance writing business
- Set your fees
- Find your markets
- Build your reputation and self-promotion
- Create a website for your freelance
- Write and publish your own e-zine
- Keep clients satisfied
- Handle some common problems
All in all, it’s a comprehensive guide with information and recommendations that every beginner can understand and put into practice.
I believe you can get a copy of the book in major bookstores. Or you can purchase online from Amazon.com.
