Tips for Finding Freelance Writing Work

Everywhere I go online, I'm hearing about the economy. Times are tough. People have been laid off. Jobs are scarce. That's the case with most brick and mortar jobs in my area, as well. However, online, it's a totally different story. 

While the competition for online freelance writing work is tough, there are still many, many jobs available. Whether you choose to market yourself to private clients, work for a content mill, apply to individual job postings, or work the bidding sites – the jobs are out there. Content keeps the internet alive, and most webmasters simply don't have time to generate all of the content that they need. 

However, the jobs aren't just going to fall into your lap. They're not going to suddenly appear because you've whined on a forum a certain number of times, because you've knocked another writer, or because you've finally flagged just the right number of posts on Craigslist. Fighting dirty and treating your colleagues poorly won't get you ahead at all, and might just knock you down a few pegs if potential clients see the way you're acting. (If you feel guilty now, I was probably talking about you). 

Instead, try these tips for finding freelance writing work. You'll maintain your professional image, and you might even snag a client out of the deal. 

#1 – Check the Job Leads. Daily. 

It never fails – the one day that I skip this step is the day that the killer lead I'm perfect for has been posted and filled. Never fails, I tell you. Add the following sites to your feed reader, and actually…um…read them. You'll likely be pleased with the leads that you find.

Freelance Writing Jobs 

Online Writing Jobs

 

#2 – Set Up Google Alerts in Your Field

Whether you're a tech writer, a mom blogger, or a jack or jill of all trades, you need to harness the power of Google Alerts. In just a few clicks, you can put Google to work for you – I use phrases like "we hire writers" and "we pay writers" to keep me informed. Often, a lead shows up in my inbox several days before it's posted on the lead boards or on the work at home forums, giving me a nice competitive edge.

#3 – Design a Killer Cover Letter 

Take the time to compose a great cover letter template. You can use it again and again to apply for jobs, with a few tweaks each time to match it to the specific ad. This tip alone can shave minutes to hours off of your day. 

#4 – Keep Samples Handy

Got an article that was never paid for? Drafted a sample for a specific gig, but didn't get the job? Keep these random content pieces handy to use for future samples. Convert them to pdf files, and send them along when samples are requested. This will allow you to put together a query quickly and easily, so that you can apply for multiple jobs daily.