The Freelance Writer: Is it right for me and how can I find jobs?

By Mackenzie Rose

Almost anyone can do it, but only few excel at it; the job of a writer is to create a wide variety of written materials for an audience in any of a number of ways. Many professional writers are freelance. They are self-employed and sell their work to publishers, publication enterprises, manufacturing firms, public relations departments, or advertising agencies. Sometimes, writers contract with publishers first to write a book or an article. Others may be hired to complete specific short-term or recurring assignments, such as writing about a new product or contributing to an organization’s quarterly newsletter.

Writers fall into two main categories—writers and authors and technical writers.

Writers and authors develop original written materials for books, magazines, trade journals, online publications, company newsletters, radio and television broadcasts, motion pictures, and advertisements. Their works are classified broadly as either fiction or nonfiction and writers often are identified by the type of writing they do—for example, novelists, playwrights, biographers, screenwriters, and textbook writers. Some freelance writers may be commissioned by a sponsor to write a script; others may be contracted to write a book on the basis of a proposal in the form of a draft or an outline. Some may construct materials for publication or performance, such as songwriters or scriptwriters.

Recently, lucrative writing fields include those professionals known as Copy writers. Copy writers are a very specialized type of writer. They prepare advertising copy for use in publications or for broadcasting and they write other materials to promote the sale of a good or service. They often work with the client to produce advertising themes or slogans and may be involved in the marketing of the product or service.

Technical writers, on the other hand, put technical information into easily understandable language. They prepare product documentation, such as operating and maintenance manuals, catalogs, assembly instructions, and project proposals. Technical writers primarily are found in the information technology industry writing operating instructions for online Help and documentation for computer programs.

Most writers and editors have at least a basic familiarity with technology, regularly using personal computers, desktop or electronic publishing systems, scanners, and other electronic communications equipment. Many writers prepare material directly for the Internet. For example, they may write for electronic editions of newspapers or magazines, create short fiction or poetry, or produce technical documentation that is available only online. These writers also may prepare text for Web sites. As a result, they should be knowledgeable about graphic design, page layout, multimedia software, and even some basic HTML. Additionally, it is helpful to be familiar with interactive technologies of the Web so that they can blend text, graphics, and sound together.

A college degree generally is required for a position as a writer. Good facility with computers and communications equipment is necessary in order to stay in touch with sources, editors, and other writers while working on assignments, whether from home, an office, or while traveling.

Writers must be able to express ideas clearly and logically and should enjoy writing. Creativity, curiosity, a broad range of knowledge, self-motivation, and perseverance also are valuable. Writers must demonstrate good judgment and a strong sense of ethics in deciding what material to publish. In addition, the ability to concentrate amid confusion and to work under pressure often is essential. High school and college newspapers, literary magazines, community newspapers, and radio and television stations all provide valuable—but sometimes unpaid—practical writing experience. Many magazines, newspapers, and broadcast stations have internships for students. Interns write short pieces, conduct research and interviews, and learn about the publishing or broadcasting business.

Advancement for writers, especially freelancers, often means working on larger, more complex projects for better known publications or for more money. Building a reputation and establishing a track record for meeting deadlines also makes it easier to get future assignments. Experience, credibility, and reliability often lead to long-term freelance relationships with the same publications and to contacts with editors who will seek you out for particular assignments.

In 2007, writers and authors held about 135,000 jobs and more than one-third were freelance and some made upwards of 100,000 dollars. Writing can be a very lucrative job and makes for an exceedingly flexible work schedule. If you are serious about pursuing a writing career, take an unpaid internship somewhere and get the experience you need; who knows, maybe one day you’ll have a book on the shelves and an article on the front page of the New York Times. You will never know unless you try it, so visit Sologig.com now and find freelance writing opportunities today!

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics