Freelance Writers Appreciation Week
February 10, 2009 by Lillie
Just like last year, Kristen King at Inkthinker brought Freelance Writers Appreciation Week to my attention. Visit her blog this week to read posts about what she appreciates about being a freelance writer.
I appreciate many things about being a freelancer, most of all, being able to work from home on my own schedule doing what I love.
Secretaries get flowers from their boss on Secretary’s Day. What do freelancer writers get during Freelance Writers Appreciation Week? Our clients don’t even know about the event, but I’m blessed to have clients who appreciate me even when it’s not a special occasion.
To all freelance writers, here’s a hug of appreciation. 
I did not know that we had a special week all to ourselves.
No special gift is needed, just an occasional “thanks” and the timely payment of completed projects will do it for me.
Matt Keegan´s last blog post..GodTube Becomes Tangle, Expands Purpose
Matt,
Yeah, that timely payment is important!
A big virtual hug to you, Lillie, on this very special occasion! I know I’m not a client, but I’d like to show my appreciation for each and every post I’ve ever read on your blog. And also thank you for all those you’re planning on writing in the future.
Thank you, Alina. I appreciate the appreciation.
Thanks for the recommendation, Lillie. I’ll surely have a peek on it!
wilson´s last blog post..Your Body Type Determine Your Healthy Condition
wilson,
Those of us who are freelance writers probably have a long list of our own of what we appreciate about freelancing, but sometimes it’s good to be reminded.
I actually hired a freelance writer a few days ago to write 20 articles for me… He did a REALLY REALLY good job…
I was wondering, what is the going rate for articles? I was charged 10 dollars per article… 550+ words each.
Los Angeles (if you wrote YourName@Keyword, I could address you as a real person, and you would still get your keyword link),
You got a real bargain. I would have charged you ten times that for original content.
For a better idea of typical rates, visit my Series and Related Posts page and look under Freelance Writing and Editing Rates.
Hi,
Everyone likes to express his ideas ,i love writing for that,but i am unable to get a good payer for me.I created a profile for free on OySite.com and discuss my businees there.I hope i will get some good buyer one day.I want to succeed as freelancer.
Rosen,
It’s not easy to get started as a freelancer. Look at some of the articles you can find in my Series & Related Posts page and read some of the blogs in my blogroll. You’ll find helpful advice both places.
You have to demonstrate that you are an excellent writer. Even in a blog comment, it is important to pay close attention. You never know when a prospective client is reading your comment and loses interest when they see a run-on sentence. Of course, we all make mistakes and a blog comment doesn’t show the kind of care we would take with a project. But still clients look at those things.
I’m not familiar with the site you mention, but you can’t depend on any one site or any one source of clients. You must be aggressive in marketing to succeed as a freelancer.
I love being a freelance writer. I am happy that we are given a chance to earn from something that we love to do. This is also an opportunity to make easy money.
I do agree with Lilie that it is not easy at first. I gave up bidding on sites like odesk and scriptlance. But then, more and more jobs are being offered online.
The good thing about this job: you do not have to leave home. You can work anywhere and the pay is good.. Love being a freelance writer and I also want to send back a virtual hug for you..:)
kimmy,
Thanks for the virtual hug. I’m glad you’re doing well and enjoying being a freelance writer. Although I love what I do, I don’t exactly find it easy money. I work very hard to keep my clients happy.
although Im not a writing, Im also a freelance and I love it. I didnt regret the day I quit my day job. It does not restrict your earnings coz it depends solely in your effert. while day job in the other had, you only get a fixed amount of salaray regardless of how hardworking you are.
Gabby,
That is one of the greatest benefits of freelancing and also the reason some people don’t like it or do well at it. Some people are terrified at the thought of not having a guaranteed income. Of course, nothing is guaranteed, and in today’s economy, that salary could disappear at any time.
Freelancing has both negative and positive side.
advantage:
The most fascinating part is when you get to take your own decisions, choosing which jobs to take, negotiating contracts, and determining your prices. If you feel that you are worth more money an hour then give yourself a raise and up your quote when the next company comes a calling. As an employee in a company whenever your manager assigns you a project, you have to accept it dutifully, although it is not of your interest at all. Freelancing, offers you enough choice to take your decision. You get a chance to work in your comfort zone, as some people find working early hours convenient while others work more efficiently during late hours…so you can make a choice.
Disadvantage:
In freelancing, a month you can be loaded with too much work but the next one you are looking for a waiter job because you can’t pay your bills. 90% of your cases you have to get solved yourself as you have no colleague designers sitting around to help you in any way. This way stress and worries keep going on with you.You are your own boss, if you aren’t able to do a task by yourself, because of your lack of motivation or capacity, there is no one to help your customer understand. Freelancing is not only about designing, drawing, writing or whatever you do but like a good businessman, you should also know about law and accountancy.
James,
That’s a very good analysis of the pros and cons of freelancing. Anyone considering a freelance career would do well to consider these before deciding whether freelancing is right for them or not.
I can’t imagine being tied down to a regular job. Although I probably work far more than I ever would working for someone else, I love being in control. However, some people prefer predictable income and having someone else deal with problems and tasks like accounting and marketing.
I would like to ask Lillie what does she think of the Indian freelancers that charge $10 per article as already mentioned above? Do you think you can trust them? I’m asking because I would need some offshore content soon and those guys offer really good deals…
Moneybookers (if you wrote YourName@Keywords, I could address you as a real person, and you would still get your keyword link),
I won’t comment on specific kinds of freelancers. However, in general, I think you have to be wary of any freelancer who works so cheap.
I realize that the cost of living and normal incomes are lower in other countries so freelancers living in those economies can afford to work for less. However, they could become rich by their country’s standards by charging more money and still be less than the standard rates for freelancers in the US.
The other issue is that people for whom English is a second language have a hard time producing copy that sounds like it’s written by someone for whom English is their native tongue. I just edited a technical paper for a college professor that he is submitting to a trade journal. The article was exceptionally well-researched and documented. However, some of the phraesology was awkward and word choices were strange. When I questioned him, he said the student he was collaborating with on the paper wrote that. He didn’t say that English was a second language for his student, but I’d be willing to bet that it is.
I can’t even speak another language well, much less write in one. I’m impressed with writers who can write copy in another language. However, they usually do not know the jargon and slang that you might want to use, and they typically phrase things in the way they are accustomed to in their native language.
Do you want your copy to be filled with awkward phrases, “the” modifying words that aren’t usually modified in English, and stilted word choices in your copy? If that doesn’t bother you, then hire the cheapest writer you can find.
If you want your copy to flow smoothly and deliver your message in the way you would deliver it yourself, then look for a writer who can do that. And expect to pay more.
I enjoy working as a freelancer and through this I earn while working at home.
Jan,
Those are two good reasons for freelancing, ones that I share.
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