Category — Freelance Writing Tips

How to make a portfolio – this may be one of your first questions when you ventured off to freelance writing.  For those who are just starting, you would eventually have this question as you grow in the freelance writing industry. It’s pretty easier to make a portfolio compared to putting up samples for clients each time you apply. It saves your time, energy and effort, plus you get to own your own domain. Pretty cool, huh?

My first domain was my name – Kristine Cruz over at Blogspot. When I finally hit the homerun, and decided that it was about time that I upgraded my own portfolio, I purchased this domain, Freelance Writing Philippines, over at GoDaddy.com.

Here’s a quick guide on how you can get your own domain, pick the right registrar, put your content and sell yourself to possible freelance writing clients.

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Working at home as a freelance writer means that you hold your own time in your own hands. On the other hand, it’s also a hard time for those who don’t know how to schedule. The results may be missed deadlines, backlogs, and cramming.

Guilty, as charged. I mean, as a freelance writer, you surely might have had one lazy day when your bed seemed to call you to come and sleep. Yes, I am guilty, as well.

However, I found some helpful things to aid me whenever I feel so lazy. And I bet other freelancers have their own techniques to get their butts up and running or writing.

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I wrote this one for Ezine. But I think it’s quite worth a read.

Freelance Writing – Taking $2-$3 Per Article Freelance Writing Jobs is Not Insanity
By Kristine Cruz

Most freelance writers charge according to how much they are worth. However, these rates are highly variable among different freelance writers. What could be a good rate for one may be a slave rate for another.

$2 or $3 may seem little, and yet there are still writers who take these freelance writing jobs regularly. We cannot blame them, nor should we condemn them for doing so. Especially if they are just starting out in the freelance writing industry, these gigs are actually opportunities for those writers. While other writers may scoff and smirk at these rates, they should still respect other writers’ decisions.

Why do writers take these low-paying jobs? Here are some real reasons.

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There was an email to me recently which caught my attention. She was asking me about how much to charge for an eBook. I remember one of my replies was something like, “I am sure that your would-be client won’t be paying much. He sounds barat.”

While others are actually valuing their writing and bidding accordingly to projects, more and more clients are offering low compensations for projects. As such, freelance writers are forced to bid low because of a lot of factors.

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I’ve once written about oDesk here when I first tried out the system. A few months later, and I am writing such again. Why? Because I find a lot of potential things in oDesk.

As a full-time web worker, freelancer, work-at-home worker, or however you want to call me, I see that oDesk helps a lot of Filipino people who seem to can’t get their asses off their houses and work (read: the unemployed.) By registering in oDesk, people can actually earn money to pay for their Internet connection and electricity bills, plus get to supplement their income – or even sustain a full-time job.

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I’ve written this piece for Ezine Articles, and it’s a good read I hope you get the idea of it. LOL.

Why do freelance writers need to set their own rates? How do you know how much to charge your clients? This maybe the hardest part you need to decide on – but is definitely one of the most important.
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I remember a film I’ve watched with my best Polish friends earlier this year. It was called ‘The Secret.’ Upon watching it, we made a promise to ourselves. We said that we’d live with that kind of positive thinking, and we’d believe that we will be together once again in the future after I left Poland.

Several months later, and I find myself applying the same positive thinking with freelance writing. Who would have thought that I would be freelance writing for a living when I come back to the Philippines? Who would have thought that I’d be making as much money as a local call center agent, without even having to leave home?

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I thought I couldn’t write at all today. But thanks to some chocolates, I’m back in shape. Although a bit sleepy, but I can now type. At least some words are flowing out.

Admit it – sometimes you have that kind of day where you simply sit in front of your laptop or keyboard and type words at more than 60 words per minute. But there are also some days when words simply won’t come out of your head, or your hands, if you are a freelance writer.

But is there really such thing as writer’s block?

Writer’s block is simply when you, as a writer, are not able to produce new works because you can’t seem to think. I know, freelance writing can sometimes get inside your head but sometimes, it just happens.

Although writer’s block is often times linked with procrastination (and I think this is true), there are a number of reasons why freelance writers have this so-called block.

I particularly liked one article from the Freelance Writing Jobs Network about writer’s block and procrastination. The title was catchy, kudos to Deb: ‘Is Writer’s Block an Excuse for Procrastination?’

It’s like me this morning: I was staring to my monitor and I got simply nothing. Nothing. I couldn’t produce anything except a spacebar and an enter. Then some chocolate mallows came in my body..and I was renewed.

I like to think that the words WRITER’S BLOCK is only a better word for PROCRASTINATION because the latter can also mean SLACKING OFF so it’s like a writer’s excuse for not doing anything.

No, Mom, I wasn’t procrastinating…I had writer’s block. Can you pass me the chocolates, please?

Likewise, here are some cool things you can do when you are having a writer’s block. While I do not assure that they really work, (it only works for me) they are still worth a shot, anyway.

1. Play with your dogs
2. Play a game
3. Sleep
4. Eat chocolates
5. Treat yourself to a hearty meal

These are my own ways to overcome that so-called writer’s block. But Deb over at FWJ had other tips, like:

Everyone who owns a writing blog talks about writer’s block at one time or another. We all offer the same tips:

• Take a walk
• Keep an idea notebook
• Talk to other writers
• Make an outline
• Make a list
• etc.etc.

Whoop-de-do. I guess I battle my writer’s block differently.

But what made me like this article is the fact that she pointed out real reasons why we have this writer’s block. Everytime you say you have writer’s block, it’s actually something else – and it’s definitely not only because you cannot write.

Here are some of my common reasons when I have that ‘writer’s block’ AKA procrastination.

• My bed is calling me.
• My dogs are calling me.
• My cat is calling me.
• My piano is calling me.
• My friend is calling me or chatting with me.
• I am not in the mood.
• I don’t feel well.
• I’d rather play.
• I’d rather write about something else.
• …and a whole lot more reasons.

See? There are so many possible reasons why freelance writers have that ‘writer’s block’ kind of day. Each one of us have our own reasons why we procrasti..err, have a writer’s block. Some days are definitely better than others.

One thing I’ve realized when I have that kind of day is to give in to what I really want to do. I want to play the piano, then I go and play the piano. After about 15 minutes, I am satisfied and I am in a much better mood which lets me write.

Getting yourself in the right mood gives you enough reasons to battle the so-called writer’s block. Never, ever force writing when you can’t. Never write when you are sleepy. Give in to your pleasures, and lift up that writer’s block off your head.

What about you? What do you do with your writer’s block? I’d love to hear from you!

A lot of people have been asking me why I decided to go as a full-time freelance writer.

Sure, I have a university degree up my sleeve, and though I didn’t have great grades, they’re still decent enough (my GPA wasn’t below 1.9). I could easily find an office job, but here I am – writing at home.

I always answer them one thing:

If you are earning as much as a regular office job without leaving home, would you consider freelance writing as a full-time job?

That usually gets them smiling and convinced.

As I said in my article here, I started freelance writing when I finished my internship in Poland as an English teacher. I basically started because I needed to get myself busy so that I won’t have to miss Poland and my friends so much, and to be so depressed with the reverse culture shock plus the humidity and heat of the Philippines. So I found something that would keep me busy.

While other people are running around, trying to score jobs in call centers, BPO companies, advertising agencies or events organization companies, I decided to stay at home and renew my love for writing and the English language. The pay wasn’t much – I started with a measly P60/500-word article. But that didn’t stop me from trying to get what I want.

As I write this, I could only think of 5 top reasons why people decide to go freelance writing.

1. You have more freedom – You get to set what time you wake up, what time you sit in front of your computer or laptop, and what time you want to start writing. Sure, you have deadlines to beat, but you have all the freedom in the world to set your own preferences without suffering the quality of your work. Like what Deb had written in ‘10 Empowerment Tips for Freelance Writers‘:

   “You control your own destiny…If you want to write content for a well-known website, well, you know how to land that gig too. My fellow bloggers and I? We can help discuss options, methods and tools, but the decision of what to do with that is yours. What is your destiny?”

   
   

2. You set your own rates - When you are starting, it’s okay to charge low. However, once you’ve build on your portfolio and gained more experience in freelance writing, you can increase your rates. Yes, freelance writing allows you to promote yourself to a higher position, let’s say. In ‘Who Sets Your Freelance Writing Rates,’ Deb had written about setting your own rates.

The main reason you should set your own freelance writing rates is to get paid what you feel your writing is worth. As a contractor, you determine what you’re paid. Many writers are afraid of a client balking at a set rate and hiring someone else, and it’s true this can happen. If you’re a good writer, with a good reputation and stellar references, clients won’t mind paying your asking price. If anything, you can use your rate quote as a negotiation point without allowing the bar to be set too low.

3. It’s okay to refuse projects – When you are working in an office, you can’t say no to your boss. But with freelance writing, it IS possible. If you aren’t comfortable writing a topic, then by all means tell your buyer that you can’t. You don’t want your work’s quality to suffer just because you don’t feel the topic, do you? If you can’t do it, then don’t. Don’t risk your reputation as a good writer. Just say no.
4. You can write in your pajamas – This would probably be one of my favorites. You can wake up, go straight to the bathroom, then go to work without the need to change into a corporate attire, or to put on make-up. You don’t have to wear heels, you don’t have to think which bag would go with which pair of shoes. You can even work while naked – as if anybody would care.
5. You get to save more money – Freelance writing allows us to stay at home. That means we don’t pay for our car’s petrol, fares, highway tolls etc. And since we don’t go out, we don’t need to eat in restaurants for lunch break. That means you get to save more money that spending it on everyday expenses when going to the office.

I know there are probably a hundred more reasons as to why people decide to freelance write, but I can’t write of anything anymore. There are even a hundred more reasons as to why people decide not to freelance write – but I’d write about that next time.

If you liked what you read, then subscribing to my blog would be nice.

Thanks for reading.

Most freelance writers start off where they can  be sure they’d get paid. Although the freelance writing scene may give you hundreds of potential earnings, scammers and fraudulent buyers are sometimes lurking around the cyberspace, giving you nothing but headaches and frustrations.

However, there are various services online which offer great features for freelance writers, other freelance providers and companies who hire them – such as oDesk. Their assurance of real payments make them one of the most popular outsourcing website nowadays.

I am currently a member of oDesk, where I have a couple of assignments. Although unlike other freelance writers, this is not where I first started working for companies outside the Philippines.

What is oDesk?

According to its Wikipedia entry:

oDesk is a company with a global job marketplace and a series of tools targeted at businesses that intend to hire and manage remote workers. Based in Menlo Park, CA, oDesk was founded by Odysseas Tsatalos and Stratis Karamanlakis. The name is a short version of “no desk” in reference to the company’s intent to enable anyone to work anywhere, anytime.

True to its word, it really enables just about anybody to work anywhere, at any given time. Companies, as well, can source providers from outside their country, saving them money, time and energy.

How does oDesk work?

oDesk works for providers (freelance workers, like me) and buyers (those who offer jobs). Providers make their profiles, then find jobs. They then write cover letters, and wait for the provider’s response for an interview invitation or rejection.

There are two kinds of assignments: fixed-price and per-hour.

Fixed price projects are your usual per article, per word…etc. However, payments are still made under the discretion of the buyers. Per-hour projects, on the other hand, allows providers to work with oDesk’s Team application. Upon logging in, it records all keyboard and mouse activities, takes screenshots of your desktop every 10 minutes or so, and logs every minute in your oDesk Work Diary. This process ensures of correct billing, and sure payments from your buyer.

Providers can also put in their ‘offline time’ if they are working even without logging into oDesk’s application. This can be useful if you don’t have Internet access, but you are still working.

oDesk and Me

Frankly speaking, I find oDesk a bit difficult – especially for new freelance writers and freelance providers. Sure, there are hundreds of available jobs ranging from writing to HTML developing to accounting, but with thousands of providers, it’s so hard to score your first assignment.

I registered on the first week of August 2009, and I got my first assignment on the last week of September. It’s quite hard to compete with other providers especially if they have an established work history and feedback. As for me, a newbie in oDesk but not in freelance writing, it was still frustrating to score that assignment.

However, I’ve learned some things that help me score interviews and hopeful assignments whenever I pitched to a buyer in oDesk.

1. Links to writing works in the Internet – It helps to tell what you’ve done, where it can be found, and how long you have been writing or doing a particular job. If you have an online porfolio, then it’s actually better.
2. A good cover letter – There’s nothing more irritating that a canned cover letter. Always customize your cover letter, saying how you’d do the job, why you bidded for that amount, how long it would take for you to finish it, etc. Don’t be afraid to sell yourself, but not too much. Also make sure that you have proper grammar and always get straight to the point.
3. Spice up your provider profile – Putting your picture, your educational background, your links to your online portfolio and your work history definitely help a lot. If you’re a buyer, do you prefer to get somebody who doesn’t even give effort on filling up his or her profile? I guess not.
4. Apply until you can – Because of the number of providers and competition in oDesk, you’d want to reach as many buyers as possible. Sending applications to projects, and regularly bidding on jobs would help you find an assignment for you.
5. Be patient – job buyers do not usually reply at once. Some reply after a few days, or even weeks. As long as they do not end your candidacy, you still have the hope of bagging that assignment.

By doing these things, that high-paying job assignment might just be a click away from you.