Finding Great Photography for Your Blog

It’s no secret that having fantastic photography on your blog is a great way to garner interest and make it visually appealing. Not all of us, however, have the funding necessary to purchase fantastic stock photography. I am one of said people. When it comes time to illustrate my writing, I usually go one of two ways: I hop on the Flickr Creative Commons train, or I take photographs myself.

Flickr Creative Commons

If you’ve never been to Flickr, then it is high time you take a look. You probably understand that it is a photo sharing website. What you may not know, however, is that not every photo uploaded to the site is available for use. This is where the “creative commons” license comes in. Be sure to find out what license a photo is using prior to posting it on your blog. If it says “attribution,” then you have to mention the photographer—which is generally no problem! I like to put a little comment with a link to the blog posting just to let them know that I’ve used and attributed the image just as a courtesy. You can go straight to this link to visit the search through this license. Whatever you’re looking for you can search. There is often really quality photography from novices just like us!

Using Your Own Photography

I’ve just hopped on this bandwagon, with a new purchase of a Canon EOS Rebel XS… which is a bit of a pricey toy. If you do quite a bit of writing, however, it can certainly be a worthwhile purchase. I absolutely love it. This comes in handy particularly when you are blogging about activities, crafts, food, or anything else that you’ve created. It makes your site seem much more legit to have high resolution shots of your work, and it’s another creative outlet. If you’re like me and do not have the funding (or hard drive space) for programs like photoshop, free online photo editing software is out there. One that I’ve started using, and rather love, is Picnik. There are many out there, however. Find what works best for you! Remember that you don’t need an incredibly expensive camera to get great shots. A clever friend of mine has an incredibly creative eye and uses a point and shoot very effectively for her post photos.

[Edited using Picnik]

There you have it! Two inexpensive means for getting great photographs on your blog. Enjoy!

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Tara, May 20th 2011 | Tags: , , ,
Posted in Freelance Writing

How to Turn a Passion into a Success

I just wanted to share a fantastic success story that involves a lot of the things I’ve discussed on this blog. As writers, we don’t always get the pleasure of really turning our passions into something particularly profitable. Historically, that’s the way it’s been for me. Marketing writing, while at times quite lucrative, is not the most exciting or rewarding work in the world. A recent article I published, however, was both– and got accepted for posting on one of my favorite websites. But looking back on what was required for me to create that piece of work is really in depth.

The article: Adaptive Reuse: Green Space as a Tool for Neighborhood Revitalization

Here’s what I mean:

*Networking: Without a bit of networking, I would have never found my way to Buildipedia.com, and now I am a regular contributor. I’m not talking about social networking either, kids. Real life, face to face interactions are priceless even in this digital age.

*Doing my homework: I’ve posted here about HelpaReporter.com before, and it has become an incredible resource for me. I’ve been in contact with fantastic experts in the field of architecture and design, who have given my work much more “oomph.” Just another way to increase your networking potential.

*Going out on a limb: I contact a lot of people every week. People that have written books I’ve read and loved, people that I wouldn’t think for two seconds would give me the time of day. For the most part, I don’t get any responses– but I still put myself out there. I submitted my story to a very reputable and favorite website of mine, Planetizen.com, and to my utter elation they actually posted it. I’ve talked about reading great writing in order to inspire the kind of quality that you wish to present in your own. Live it. It works!

    My passion is the improvement of urban communities through sustainability, and I was able to manifest that into a success in my writing. What is your passion, and how are you going to embrace it?

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    Tara, April 26th 2011 | Tags: , ,
    Posted in Activism, Freelance Writing, Society, Sustainability

    Second wind, anyone?

    A formidable list of goals...

    After realizing that the first two months of 2011 were over, I took a look through my list of goals for the year and realized that I really hadn’t been actively working on any of them. Some were naturally progressing (spending more time with friends rather than being a mere workaholic recluse), but others are just sitting on the shelf like an afterthought or an old, rather mundane memory.

    I adamantly vowed that I would revitalize my yoga practice (you know, like do yoga again). I haven’t set foot in a studio but once this year. Getting to a conversational level in German, but haven’t cracked a book in months. Making at least one fantastic batch of beer, but to date I still don’t own the equipment. Oh, and that book I’m supposed to write this year. ha! Not even sure what it will be about.

    What is it about goal-setting that ultimately fizzles out and leaves us back in our day-to-day routine? I wondered if maybe my goals were a bit too lofty, or perhaps didn’t hold enough “oomph.” But I’m passionate about helping others and volunteering more has taken the back-burner to things like sitting around and watching countless episodes of Mad Men (there’s a reason I haven’t watched TV in a while… so addictive).

    I was reading a friend’s blog, Dina’s Days, and she was discussing the book, “It’s Never Too Late” by Patrick Lindsay (fabulous post that you really should check out). It reminded me that goals are often very dynamic, and just because I haven’t really started yet, there’s still plenty of time! It’s only March, after all. It’s never too late to do all of those things you said you were going to do. So do them! I’ll be starting today with one of the goals I’ve really been botching:

    Severely limiting the amount of time I spend on the internet and Facebook.

    Because it’s never too late to disconnect and really live your life, after all. Oh, and get thing’s done, too. Getting things done is good.

    What are your goals for the year, and what are you doing to stay motivated to achieve them?

    ***

    Photo by John O’Nolan

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    Tara, March 2nd 2011 | Tags: , ,
    Posted in Freelance Writing, Life

    Life Lessons for the Freelance Writer

    I know, no string of excuses will really wash over the pain of my absence. Therefore, I merely apologize. January was a hectic and emotionally trying month. Forgive me. All that being said…

    I have no groundbreaking information to provide to you today, but rather a brief list of some life lessons that every freelance writer should learn at one point or another. Perhaps you’ve just started out and could benefit from these little tidbits, or you’ve been at it a while and read them over with warm nostalgia—thinking of those hair-pulling moments when you learned them yourself. Regardless of your place in the world, enjoy.

    1. The only certain thing in life is uncertainty.

    I’ve learned this in a number of ways (though the military is likely the key place). I have found that even the most seemingly consistent of writing gigs can fall in and out, cut off abruptly, or arrive on your doorstep without any notice. Plan for that inconsistency. Always have a plan B if your best gig falls through your fingers. Be wholly appreciative when luck plays in your favor, and don’t take it for granted.

    2. Organization is the key to not losing your mind.

    When you write online in a variety of publications, maintain your own blog, and have a steady stream of ghostwriting opportunities, it is essential to keep things organized. Understanding your deadlines and the amount of time you need to invest in each piece will be invaluable. Taking a weekly bubble bath to wind down may not be a bad idea either.

    3. Saying “no” is okay.

    If you are inundated with piles of work that you cannot keep up with, it is absolutely just fine to say no to a request for material. So you may lose one assignment. Be sure to follow up with that person a few weeks later to remind them you are still around, but don’t kill yourself trying to find and keep clients. Work will come if you put in the time to find it.

    4. Know your value, and don’t get discouraged.

    When we all start out, we start out writing for not much more than a handful of beans. This is a rather frustrating experience, but understand that like our friend Jack, we vastly underestimate the power of growth. You have to start with beans to get a beanstalk. On the same note, however, it is vital that you reassess the value of your writing. If you’re getting dozens of emails for assignments because your writing is great, it is likely under-priced. Remember the fundamentals of supply and demand. You can cut down the quantity of work and focus on quality when your writing is priced appropriately.

    5. Love what you do.

    So writing about memory foam mattresses or knock-off handbags may not be your “thing.” That’s fine. There is a distinct difference between writing about things you love, and writing to make money. Just make sure you do both if you cant get them in a lovely package deal. If you’re lucky enough to make money writing about things you love (and we’re out there!), awesome. If you haven’t found your golden gig yet, however, make sure you maintain one place where you write about things in which you are passionate. Even if it’s your own blog, or you make next to nothing for it. That is the key to maintaining your sanity and reminding yourself that you love to write. Remember to love what you do, and the process gets so much easier.

    This is clearly not a comprehensive list, but some important lessons from my own experiences. What life lessons have you learned as a freelance writer?

    ***

    Image by Kristian Clifford

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    Tara, February 7th 2011 | Tags: , ,
    Posted in Freelance Writing, Life

    The Best Writing Advice You Could Ever Get

    It seems everyone has a tip they give when advising budding new writers. Still being a somewhat budding new writer, however, I’ve found the one that really works. It has nothing to do with a morning yoga routine (though I’m sure that would help), nor is it an easy and effective e-book for $9.99. Though I’m sure there are a variety of books, pamphlets, workshops, and websites out there that could be quite helpful in honing your talents, I think the best piece of advice I ever received for improving my writing was this one: Write.

    I’m not 100% sure where I read or heard it, but it makes so much sense, doesn’t it? It seems like we waste a great deal of time looking for that instant gratification product that is going to increase our word count output overnight and drastically turn around our freelancing careers. Social networking is important, sure. Getting our names out there in order to solicit more work is important. Without work, how do you write? But wasting countless hours on Facebook and Twitter attempting to catch your big break just isn’t going to happen– and it will distract you from the matter at hand.

    In my experiences, however, I became a much better writer by just plain writing than I did reading an article on how to do it better. The more I’ve written, the better I’ve become and the more streamlined the work is. I was able to take on more work, then, and write even more. I think it’s unnecessary to point out that this obviously allowed me to make more money (and who doesn’t want to do that?). Beyond the cash benefits, though, I allowed my work to speak for itself. I got referrals from other clients, and the cycle continued.

    I’d continue on with the point, but I think you get it. Stop reading this crap (I know, so counterproductive to my cause…) and start writing. If you don’t have work, then start writing articles about something you find interesting on Associated Content by Yahoo! or a website like it. They may pay you for it, they may not. They may not pay you much for it, even. But writing is just like everything else in our little neural-connected worlds: Use it or lose it. If you want to improve your writing, just do it, then learn from the feedback.

    ***

    Photo by Francis

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    Tara, December 6th 2010 | Tags: ,
    Posted in Freelance Writing

    Reading Great Material Makes you a Better Writer

    There are a million blogs and websites out there aimed at giving you tips on being a better writer—mine included. There are others that claim to magically transform you into a better writer with a fantastic workshop with a great eBook for $28.99. I certainly feel that if you are a writer, going the extra mile to educate yourself and hone your skills is admirable, and there are certainly tricks and tips out there worthy of your viewing.

    I’m going to say, however, that the best way to improve your writing is to read the kind of crap you wanna write. In many ways, this is more beneficial to you than any workshop or online course you could enroll in. Gaining a greater appreciation for the industry you wish to be working in, establishing the standard for writing quality in order to set goals, and getting more familiar with the writing styles and jargon of your industry are all incredibly important in the writing process. Not only that, but you as a reader of that publication really know your audience.

    Set up a list of blogs and websites that publish frequently and read them daily. It’s certainly more exciting than reading twenty blogs on how to write well. Here’s a list of the blogs I visit on a daily basis. They’re rather varied, but then again so is the scope of my writing. I hope you take the time to leave this blasted site and go read some of them:

    Blog Tidbits a la Internet Ninja

    Planitezen : A collection of articles from various publications discussing urban issues and planning. There are always at least 2-3 things I find interesting posted daily.

    Grist : These people are all about the environment and sustainability. They post some really interesting stuff.

    The Oatmeal : This guy is a cartoonist with a particular flair for absurdity. This is where I recharge during my day with a few good laughs.

    Dezeen : A design-centered online magazine with fat chairs, sweet watches, amazing architecture, and everything in between.

    Small Notebook : This woman is a fantastic blogger, and gives tips and inspiration on simplifying life. Cleaning tips, cooking tips, organizing tips, decorating tips. You name it.

    Foodgawker : This site pulls together a collection of recipes from food bloggers daily, all with high res photos for the voyeuristic foodie like myself.

    Oh Hey Mktg : My friends over at Oh Hey Mktg (a creative agency that really knows their stuff) run a blog on marketing, social media, advertising, and actually interacting with people.

    Sustainable Life Media : This website is dedicated to informing consumers about different measures taken in corporate America toward more sustainable operations.

    Whorange : Another design-related blog, this woman is witty, catty, and really has great taste. Not so much architecture, but certainly some really cool stuff.

    So what blogs or websites make your daily routine?

    ***

    Photo by Andy Piper

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    Tara, November 19th 2010 | Posted in Freelance Writing

    Finding Sources for Your Articles on a Deadline

    I’ve been neglecting this blog for the last couple weeks—not because I have no love for you diligent readers (or backlinking trolls looking for somewhere to post meaningless comments). I’ve been, as usual, incredibly busy with things. By things, I mean keeping up with my schoolwork, making some fantastic progress over at Sustainability Guild, applying for graduate schools, and meeting the never-halting deadline.

    I wanted to talk today about deadlines, because they’ve become incredibly important in my writing career. There are times when I get a deadline for an article that’s only a week or two away. Whereas a 400 word article on the new restaurant in town, or making your own sushi can be accomplished in a mere hour, some of my more recent articles require much more research and journalistic prowess. By that, I mean I have to get interviews with people, talk to experts on subjects that I myself do not specialize in.

    These are fantastic articles to write because I get to reach beyond the hermit-like nature of my job and actually connect with people. It’s a beautiful thing. The only issue is that I have to seek out complete strangers and ask them to talk to this no-name writer writing for a website they’ve probably never heard of. When you’ve only got a week or two to hunt for these people, write emails, finagle a time in your busy schedule for an interview, actually conduct the thing (which involves some really fast typing when you’re talking phone interviews), and then finally putting it all together using the appropriate quotes and themes—it can be quite time consuming and hectic. Thankfully I’m superwoman, and thankfully I have discovered a fabulous resource for all writers out there looking for those strangers with all the expertise.

    A website so appropriately named “Help a Reporter Out” is my new best friend. I don’t remember how I came across this gem, but I’m certainly happy I did. It’s a great tool that is incredibly easy to use:

    1. You come up with a story idea (or get assigned a story idea).

    2. You sign up for an account at Help a Reporter Out.

    3. You send out a “query,” which is a fancy way of saying, “Hey, I’m writing an article about this stuff, and I need someone that knows stuff about this stuff.”

    4. People see your query and write back to you that they know stuff about your stuff, or that they know someone that knows stuff about that stuff (there are quite a few publicists that use the site, I’ve noticed).

    5. Voila, you have interviews.

    I used this site for a few of my articles recently, including one on kitchen design trends and ideas as well as bathroom design trends and ideas. I was able to talk to some really cool people—some that did design work on celebrity homes and really know what they’re talking about. Not only that, but I got about a million responses from my query—responses that I didn’t have to solicit individually after an hour of searching through Google for “interior designers.” Oh, and it’s free (for us starving writers, this is pretty fantastic).

    There were some responses from people that weren’t really what I was looking for, but I got to pick and choose. I was able to pull enough interviews within a week to satisfy both stories and have a lot of input. Obviously, this doesn’t work in the case of all interviews. Sometimes doing a search for something a bit more specific will be more appropriate, but still this website can be an incredible resource—and eliminate a bit of awkwardness.

    I give it a thumbs up, and hope you find it as useful as I have.

    *Note: I did not (unfortunately) get paid to write this.

    ***

    Photo by Alex Steffler

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    Tara, November 11th 2010 | Tags: , ,
    Posted in Freelance Writing

    Tips on Writing a Book for NaNoWriMo

    I have to admit, this is my very first NaNoWriMo. In all honesty, I just found out what it meant yesterday, which ironically was just in time! For any of you who don’t know, NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month, which happens to be November. Writers are encouraged to push out 50k words between November 1st and 30th to win. What do you win? I’m really not sure. I think you just, ya know, write a novel. The great news, however, is that I’ve been planning on writing a novel since I was about the age of 11. Further, I’ve had a plot for a novel decided since I was about 17.

    I decided that this year was the time to get it done. So I’m writing it.

    Yes, it’s true: I do have a million things going on. But the fact of the matter is that I will always have a million things going on. Why? Because I’m a workaholic that really doesn’t have the good sense to say no to anything. The “bucket list,” as you kids call it these days, includes the writing of a book. It’s been on that list since I can remember. If I keep putting it off to a time when I’ll have the time, it will never get written. Ever. So here we go.

    Though I don’t feel entirely qualified to give you advice on how to write a book (because I myself have never written one), I will give nonetheless. This is more or less advice on how to finish your book, rather than writing advice. Motivational information this month will be just as important as any style or character development tips I could give, so here goes…

    Tips on Writing a Book for NaNoWriMo

    *Put aside time: I know, this sounds rather common sense, right? This is true, but this also falls along with prioritizing your time. Understand that if it comes down to choosing between going out with the girls or writing, you may have to give up some time to get it done.

    *Plan, and plan well: Things will in fact come up, and you will not be able to write the necessary 1,667 words per day. I’m going to a wedding this weekend, and know I’ll be out of commission all day Saturday. How do I make this up? I make a daily quota that is not 1,667 per day, but based on 11,900 words per week, according to my schedule. I have more time some days than others. I also have split my novel into three parts, which have a set amount of words and distinguishing changes in them. Organization is key.

    *Get rid of distractions: I’ve already found myself updating my twitter three million times about this whole process. It has to stop—both for the sake of my followers and the time I’m allotting to this novel. Close your internet browser while you’re writing, put those headphones on. Do whatever it takes to eliminate the distractions, or you’re going to run out of time.

    *Take it in bite-sized pieces: The other great thing about organizing your novel and planning daily quotas is that it gives you shorter term goals to work with. Writing 2,000 words is a lot easier to swallow than 50,000. One chapter or one part of a book is much easier than a whole novel. Be sure to reward yourself for added motivation.

    *Get involved in write-ins: I have not yet been to one, but it only makes sense that being around other supportive people that are doing the same thing you are would be motivating and help you to stay accountable for your novel. There are several listed in my area, and I’m going to do my best to make at least a few of them. I mean, why not meet other cool people? (It’s a great opportunity for networking as well).

    *Don’t get discouraged: The words will not always come. All of us writers have at one point or another experienced writer’s block. Just realize it’s all in your head… and replace the things in your head with other things until it comes back to you. Go running, take a hike, do karaoke, whatever it is that may inspire you—and don’t let the frustration stint later progress.

    *Have fun: I’m assuming that people participate in NaNoWriMo because they enjoy writing. If that’s the case, don’t forget to enjoy what you are doing. Deadlines shouldn’t bog down your passion, but give it motivation to flourish. If you start resenting it, then stop. It’s not worth it.

    *If all else fails, go to the pub: You all know me… a beer or glass of wine solves many inspiration problems (as always, however, I encourage moderation).

      That’s all I’ve got for now. I wish you all the best of luck on your NaNoWriMo endeavors! Cheers!

      1 Comment

      Tara, November 1st 2010 | Tags: , , ,
      Posted in Freelance Writing

      Creating the Right Atmosphere for the Work at Home Writer

      Anyone who works from home knows that it can be difficult to stay on task—having everything in the world to distract you, and no one to hold you accountable for your lack of discipline except yourself. What many people don’t pay attention to, however, is the ways in which our space affects our work ethic and productivity. I previously covered the idea of dressing for success at home, and today I’m going to talk about how your workspace can be improved to increase your success as a freelance writer.

      Truth be told, this morning at 7:30am I awoke and walked into my home office—which has been a complete disaster for the last three weeks or so. Well, my entire apartment has been pretty bad recently given my time has been monopolized by school and other silly things. The boy and I finally broke down and attacked our bedroom last week. It literally looked as though a tornado had blown through and scattered half of our wardrobes all over the room. It was ridiculous. We had gone on a putting-away-laundry strike for about a month and a half.

      When everything was put in its place, and the floor was sufficiently visible again, I noticed a really big change. I loved being in that room. Before, it was anxiety-arousing and downright stressful. Since cleaning it, I’ve made the bed almost every morning when I wake up. Just so I can feel refreshed when I walk into it. Now, I know nothing about feng shui except it’s supposed to have something to do with energy flowing through a room or something. I don’t know if cleaning the room allowed for a better flow of energy, but I know that I felt much more energetic when I was in the room post-cleaning.

      As you can see from the following photo, my office wasn’t doing so hot this morning. I had a huge disorganized pile of books, papers, and crap all over my desk. A half-done puzzle was sitting on the floor with another chaotic pile of more crap (causing pieces to stick to my feet constantly—no fun), as well as the remnants of a raspberry milkshake I left sitting for a day on top of my desk. I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking, “Really Tara, a Cleveland Browns blanket on the couch??” Well, I’m telling you it’s not mine, and I’m probably more embarrassed of it than the mess. But only a little.

      The Hurricane Cometh.

      Closeup of Hideous Chaos

      I don't know how I made it to my desk.

      So as we see, major work needed done here. Where did I go from there? Let’s see!

      Alrighty, so the first step was to clean up the floor. I put the puzzle away—because I’ve faced the fact that it will not be finished anytime soon. I started a big trash pile for old receipts or papers that seemed to have no real use. I put all electronics and randoms in my catch-all basket to keep things contained. I put all book-bags and stray socks where they need to go. Books went on the bookshelf.

      Once I could see the floor again, it was time to organize the desk. I realized that the huge stack of papers desperately needed sorting and organizing. I have a billion to-do lists running around, so I put them into a binder I organized by category. I put my books vertically on the second shelf so I don’t have to search for them every time I need one. I took other papers and mail that had been sitting in those piles and put them in my filing basket under the desk—in the right place.

      Once everything was properly organized, I wanted to assess the sensory quality of the space. I changed out a tiny, cozy-smelling candle with one a bit fresher—a green apple soy candle. It’s on the shelf closest to my face now, so I can actually benefit from the energizing quality of the candle. I decided to take my dear piggy bank down, and instead opt for more calming décor at eye-level: a photo of me and a dear friend, the candle, some shells, and an adorable handmade paper book a friend bought for me. I also finally filled the photo frame that’s been sitting empty on the top of the desk with a small collage comprised of some scrapbooking paper, a cut-out photo of my boyfriend and I, as well as one of the flowers from a bouquet he bought me earlier this week pressed into it. This, too, is at eye level.

      Hey! There's wood under there! Well, fake wood...

      A Little Organizational Love

      Desktop Zen

      As you can see, this workspace looks much better. I feel much better about sitting here for hours typing away. I’ve got my Pandora station playing calming music, and all of my work materials are organized—which means I’ll work quicker and not struggle to locate anything that may be work-relevant

      I know this is a long ramble about my cleaning escapades, but really think about how your workspace affects your productivity and mood. Try organizing and cleaning up a bit, then incorporating some motivating or calming decorative pieces, or additional light sources into your space to see if they improve it. Adding anything natural or fresh will boost your energy and uplift your mood. Who wants to be miserable at work? Particularly at work in your home?? Not this girl.

      Unfortunately, the Browns blanket is staying—the boy wont part with it. I guess we just have to pick our battles and work with what we’ve got. It’s on his side of the couch now.

      4 Comments

      Tara, October 1st 2010 | Tags: , ,
      Posted in Freelance Writing

      The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: An Overview of Writing Websites

      When you’re just starting out as a freelance writer, there’s much to learn. I’ve been serious about my writing for only about a year now, and still I feel there’s so much more out there for me to digest and use to improve and market more effectively. However, in my experience, knowing how to go about building a freelancing career using different websites was incredibly nice. I talked to many other writers along the way, and was pointed to a variety of different venues for my writing… and the rest is history. There were many that I came across, however, that I really didn’t care much for at all. Here are a few of my likes and dislikes:

      Associated Content

      This was the site that started it all. Associated Content is a great website for writers that are just starting out—for a few different reasons: 1) you have endless freedom to write about whatever you wish; 2) they offer up front payments for quality work, as well as per view payments; and 3) there is a community on that site that is incredibly supportive, and essential for not only learning a ton about the field, but gaining a core base of readers to start with. I started just writing a few random articles, some restaurant reviews, and relationship articles here and there. Then I applied for a featured contributor position, and got accepted as a Featured Food and Wine Contributor. Eventually, my articles started showing up on the main Food and Wine page. Good stuff!

      oDesk.com

      I honestly have no idea how I came across this site. Possibly a friend, possibly from a Google search. Regardless, oDesk has probably been one of the greatest sites I’ve found. It works more or less like a classifieds site—where businesses can post jobs, and contractors can sign up for an account and apply for these jobs. You can search for flat rate projects, or hourly work. I’ve personally only done flat rate gigs, but I’ve never gotten ripped off, and I’ve made a lot of contacts from the jobs I’ve done—for continued work. Some of those clients now refer others to me as well. It’s pretty fantastic. It takes a bit of time to build up a profile, and really beef it up with experience and tests and the like, but I get invitations for interviews for jobs now without even applying. Very good resource.

      Twitter

      Though Twitter really isn’t a writing site, it’s likely the most useful tool I’ve found for gaining exposure—and writing gigs. Different companies in certain niches I write for, as well as local advertising companies, have contacted me due to something I’ve written and posted on Twitter. These referrals are great, and exposure of course is an important part of building a freelance writing career.

      Alright, now for the websites I’m not so fond of.

      Examiner

      I am the Cheap Eats Examiner for Akron, and I don’t really care for it. I don’t like the fact that I need to pump up my page views in order to gain revenue from my articles. It seems to get decent exposure, but I only put up two articles in the last year, and have earned a whopping $1.98… I’ve earned much more through Associated Content, and I think posting is a much easier process there as well. I’m sure if I invested more time into Examiner that things may be different… but otherwise, it’s not so great.

      Seed.com

      There are a lot of high-ticket articles posted here, but I’ve never had an article accepted. The problem is that these articles are highly competitive—which is great, but if I spend a ton of time and research on an article, I like to know that I’m going to get something for it. Rejections can always go on Associated Content, but for the rates you get at AC it’s not worth it in my opinion.

      TextBroker

      This one isn’t so bad, but the articles are for rather low rates, and you can’t really use them as writing samples to boost your credibility in the writing world. It’s not a bad site, but I usually have to spend quite a bit of time searching through tons of different topics to find just one I’d like to work on—as they all tend to be really specific.

      So there you go… I hope you find this information useful, and perhaps snag a job or two as a result of reading this. I always try to help new writers out… and those that have been doing it for a while!

      My best advice for grabbing gigs: network, network, network!

      ***

      Photo by John A. Ward

      4 Comments

      Tara, September 26th 2010 | Tags: , , , ,
      Posted in Freelance Writing
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