The tribulations of being a freelance writer...
By madden12
@madden12 (81)
United States
August 3, 2011 3:13pm CST
So I quit my job a few weeks ago to become a freelancer full time. I have a steady income and workload writing for Helium.com, but man has it been harder than I thought. While I enjoy making my own hours and determining when I get to do simple things like take breaks and eat meals, it is hard to motivate yourself LOL.
Also, it is aggravating having to pray that Google doesn't drop your article rank or that Twitter isn't down for some unknown reason therefore cutting off your ad revenue stream.
Anyone else having these same frustrations?
3 people like this
10 responses
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
•
3 Aug 11
That's pretty awesome. I'm surprised you can managed on Helium income, though: may I ask how you've managed that, especially with the US cost of living? As far as I can see, their assignments are all $2 a pop, maximum. I don't see how that and their revenue share could bring in enough money to live on unless you're quite mind-bogglingly prolific.
As for the frustrations, oh my goodness gracious... yes! I try so hard to stick to a schedule but the fact that I'm a carer as well always messes everything up and I end up trying to fit 2-3 hours' work into about 20 minutes. Probably why I never get to bed before 2am, come to think of it.
But isn't it great to take breaks whenever you like? Especially in summer. 
1 person likes this
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
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4 Aug 11
Hey Sandra! Yes, I understand there are better offers but I wondered how one actually goes about structuring things so that doing it full-time is possible (and how much "full-time" can actually bring in, of course).
I'm reasonably familiar with Helium's model but from your success there and Madden's new-found ability to go full-time (woohoo!) I figure I must be missing something.
Hey, there's an idea for an article for you both - how to structure things so you can go full-time. Even better, that'd make a top-selling ebook, I'll bet you! And if you needed somewhere to sell/promote it or someone to help with editing, I'd happily help for free - it'd be incredibly useful and that's the kind of thing I love (as long as it's not overpriced rubbish which, given how you two are, it wouldn't be).
2 people like this
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
3 Aug 11
Spike, there are higher paying assignments, and special promotions which allow you to earn more. I stick with Helium because it's more than a content mill. There's a good support network, and it's a friendly community. That matters when you're a writer - it can be a lonely occupation.
I do feel that Helium are looking for ways to maimise earnings in the difficult situation all writing sites find themselves in.
2 people like this
@Awinds (2468)
• United States
3 Aug 11
I am attempting to get three blogs off the ground right now - and so I hear you fully! Search engine optimization is a pain in the you know where and thinking of new article ideas everyday is a bit harder than you would think. Writing is a passion but I could sure do without the technical aspects and uncertainties that come with it! Rankings in everything are more important than the writing itself. At least you have freedom though! :)
1 person likes this
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
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3 Aug 11
Get your own domain. Pre-write about 3 months of content (because you WILL run into times when you have no time to write). Then market, market, market.
1 person likes this
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
4 Aug 11
I am self employed as well and some days, it just seems hard to make myself work. The worst part is the paperwork and the billing. I still haven't found a way to make myself work harder.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
4 Aug 11
Hi Madden12, after a while, you sort of get used to the idea.
If you want to make more upfront cash, you might as well join Textbroker as ghost writer.
Once you have made enough to pay the necessities, you can write for Helium to build up a passive income flow.
That is how many writers in US can survive by freelancing.
1 person likes this
@henkiprananda (2729)
• Indonesia
4 Aug 11
well, i like my job because i can online everyday, all day. and i like writting, all about science. do you know a freelance writer website?, i just wanna try it.
@madden12 (81)
• United States
7 Aug 11
I write for Helium, so I would suggest trying there. The community is a good one and people will always be there to help you develop your writing skills if that is something you ever decided you wanted to do for a steady source of income. Best of luck my friend.
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
•
4 Aug 11
You unfortunately chose the wrong outlet. Triond's been having a lot of trouble (especially recently) - your articles could probably have earned a lot more elsewhere. Don't give up because of a single unlucky choice, though!
1 person likes this
@madden12 (81)
• United States
4 Aug 11
I won't lie, most websites are pretty poor when it comes to earnings potential. People like to bash Helium a lot for not being a great place to make money, but you only get out of it what you put into it. Associated Content is another good place to make some money if you are interested in making money now.
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
4 Aug 11
its funny how anyone and everyone consider themselves writers especially now with the birth of helium and such sites (dont worry, i consider myself in this category) however. when i started writing i made over $10 per 500 words when the internet was in its infancy.
as to motivating yourself, read every book you can on writing. these will give you tips on motivation. my favourite is 'bird by bird' by anne lamot.
@GemmaR (8517)
•
4 Aug 11
I am a freelance writer, and I agree that there are certain difficulties which you might not expect to face if you were in any other job other than being a self employed writer. I make sure that I have other ways in which to make money incase nobody wants me to do any work for them for a couple of weeks, which has happened in the past. I also have a lot of investments and savings so that if the worst comes to worst I can always use some of the money from that instead of having to rely on my writing because, as you know, the work isn't always flowing.
@madden12 (81)
• United States
4 Aug 11
It's all in the page views my friend. You just have to be willing to look at it as a long term endeavor as opposed to simply something you do to make a quick buck. Or, as they say, you do it for the love of the game. Everything else just comes as it should naturally.
@ReViewMeMedia (3785)
• United States
7 Aug 11
For me, my motivation is all the new stuff I'm reading and since I review what I read and play, I try to finish what I need to read before I take it back to the library.
