The Business of Being a Writer

If you have begun your Internet path to a writing career, I don't have to tell you that writers are exploring a different world than Ernest Hemingway or Robert Frost conquered. These days, the internet plays a significant and powerful role in our success or failure to capture jobs. Millions of people are online each day going through various job boards with the voraciousness of a keyboarding athlete.

How Do I Survive in this Kind of Environment?

Make no mistake, if you are freelancing as a writer there are a multitude of job boards, blogging opportunities and scams as well as telecommuting opportunities. Writers in particular are not bound to geographic locations any longer, as long as you have a computer and an internet connection, then you are in business.

How do you survive when there are so many others vying for the same jobs? It's not easy, believe me. The best thing you can do is to peruse reputable boards and when a position or writing assignment presents itself, JUMP on it. Time is of the essence and putting your best foot forward is essential. Make sure your website is professional looking, try putting writing samples online so that potential employers can view your work without having to download documents. Viruses are too easy to pass on and most won't take the chance.

Another important point: Don't forget to pursue local businesses for work. The economy has been rough on most employers and the need for outsourcing "non-revenue producing" work, i.e. admin or HR work has become the norm.

Regularly submit your site to search engines and post your services wherever you can, especially if it is free. Who can refuse that?