Things I've learned from being a freelancer writer

Philippines
March 6, 2012 12:40pm CST
I've been away from myLot because I have to focus more in my life in the real world. Family matters, personal and even somebody else' life. I had already been to different jobs and God knew they were all not worthy to be called a profession. That's why I salute those people who have stick and overcome those kinds of jobs, I just hope that their employers will compensate them well. Jumping from one job to the other was not fun at all it was in fact frustrating because I can't find the right job for me. But thankfully my brother introduced freelance-writing to me and finally, I found something worthy for me; a freelance writer though part-time but I can still manage to get the job that will pay me fairly for my skills. My freelancing job helped me a lot on enhancing my writing skills. I thought at first, nobody would hire me because I don't have enough experience and honestly it is my first writing job. I was clueless of this kind of business and I realized that it's not easy to be a writer because you need to consider lots of things. As a first timer in this field, I went back to review my English lessons, and in there I saw my mistakes. I enhanced whatever mistake I made and continued writing. Through this job too, I learned new things, I discovered new products, new places and even new people with different nationalities. I've learned that through reading you will discover those things you ought to know. Through reading you will learn to write and, through writing you will learn to read even more.
1 person likes this
5 responses
@l0belia (11)
6 Mar 12
Hi! I am just new here in myLot and found your post interesting. I am interested in starting a part-time job as a freelance writer but the problem is, I do not have any background in writing. Do you have any advice to amateurs like me? Let's say, websites I could sign up to for a freelance work that does not really require professional writers but would also give opportunity to first-timers like me. Thanks! :) By the way, I am glad that you have found the job that suits you. :)
• United States
6 Mar 12
I am new to freelance writing. I can suggest some sites. Triond is very easy to write for and publish to but it pays very low. Yahoo Voices is easy to write for but requires patience before getting published. You have to submit your material and wait for feedback. Sometimes it gets published without changes but other times, your article requires some changes. It usually takes a week or two to get your submitted article published. Sometimes Yahoo Voices will pay you a small amount upfront. Otherwise pay is $1.50 per thousand views. I like the site but it has gotten more difficult to get uprfont payment over the last few months. Helium is another good site for beginners. I found Helium to be complicated in the beginning but have grown to really like it. Once you get the hang of Helium, it is easy to write for and get published on. The three I have mentioned are my favorite sites. Other mylotters feel differently.
• Philippines
7 Mar 12
For freelancing, yes bostonphil is right, you can try signing-up with Triond. I just had my first published article there yesterday. They pay you low but at least your writing skills will be enhanced there. For a real job try the Odesk.com there are lots of employers who are seeking for writers and you can be sure that they will pay you for an hourly bases and fixed price contract.
8 Mar 12
Thank you very much for your suggestions. They would be of great help. I have just signed up with Triond and hopefully I would get some ideas to be published. :D
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
6 Mar 12
I am new to the freelance writing sites. I have been enjoying them but I find them also frustrating. I have had some highs and I have had some lows. I do not have enough time to give to them. When you talk about being a freelance writer, are you talking about the online sites? Or do you work for one particular company or client?
• Philippines
7 Mar 12
it's an online site (odesk) that mediates the employers and contractors(freelancers)like us.
• United States
7 Mar 12
Other mylotters are on odesk. I have seem some discussions, responses and comments that reference odesk. I keep meaning to check it out. But I am on many sites and work p.t. I am busy. However one of these days, I will check out odesk.
@shylade (3132)
• Philippines
7 Mar 12
i am a working mom and i am wanting to be a stay at home mom for good. that is why i am searching online jobs and that includes freelance writing. i have signed up with oDesk and have passed several tests but the thing is, i just can't start yet because i do have connection at home. i am planning to have it as soon as my husband has time. but i am glad to share that i have written two articles paid for 5$ each. i am earning also thru joining giveaways. i am a mommy blogger and sometimes i get a chance to review products and have it published on my site. i try to register my blog here but the page would not load. anyways, i am studying English language too because most of the employers require that you are good at it. hopefully i can make freelance writing full time. good luck to us.
@Rick1950 (1575)
• Lima, Peru
6 Mar 12
Good for you that you've the opportunity to write articles. Main thing is that you enjoy by writing. Off course, it is needed to know about grammar, but with the practice you'll learn a lot. Search for a good grammar book, or visit a short grammar course to improve your knowledge. I think that sites as MyLot can help too.
• Philippines
7 Mar 12
Yes, I agree with you, myLot helps me to practice my skills here. My first job as a freelancer was a mess but later on I was improved through constant practice.
• Philippines
7 Mar 12
I read that to be able to become happy at your job, you need to love what you're doing. Many people have nice paying jobs but they can't seem to feel content about whatever their job is about. I think this is because they are not using their core-gift. Core-gifts are an individuals talents. If a person uses their core-gifts as their main tool for their job, then it is something they will never get bored of. I myself I love writing, but I love computers too, which I think explains why I work in the IT industry. To be honest though, I see myself more of a writer than an IT professional. My dream is to eventually write a book or a screenplay for a movie. I'm sort of working on a story right now, but it hasn't come together quite well just yet. I'm posting the story online to see what people's reaction to it will be. However, I don't want it to end at that. They say that when you're good at something, don't do it for free. So being a freelance writer is something I am looking forward to do as well. It takes work and a helluva wisdom pool, but then I am already in myLot, so I guess, I have a very good starting point.