I’ve Done It

It has been an awfully long time since I’ve written. I have some really great news! I belong to a forum called WAHM.com and through there I caught wind of a website called Demand Studios. I had not heard of it before, or maybe I had but dismissed it because it required a resume and samples to apply. So I got up the courage and created a resume, put a link to some sample articles and applied for a writing job. Two days later I was accepted!

The rates are $15 per article. I was accepted as an eHow writer and so articles are very straightforward. I am able to choose 10 articles at a time either from a compiled list of titles needed or titles I have submitted and gotten approved for. Articles are really no more than 500 words unless you choose to write an article over a very elaborate How-to subject. Most are a lot less than that. I could not believe that I was accepted.

This job was a perfect fit for me. I can write when I want over pretty much what I want and I do not have to come up with subject myself. I do not get measely pennies for time spent. Its great, and this is reason why I haven’t written in so long. I encourage everyone else to continue on their path, because hard work can only lead to success in the end!

I am a writer!

Update on Digital Point

I still haven’t been a member for 2 weeks yet, nor have I posted 25 posts, but I did discover that you do not need to meet this criteria to post replies to the Buy, Sell, Trade categories.  You only need to meet this criteria before you post a new topic or thread. Basically this is in place so you don’t sign up just to advertise your services before contributing anything valid to the discussions on this site.  So hopefully I will find some jobs that fit my expertise, or fit the type of work I know I can accomplish.

I also found another site that is quite popular. Online-writing-jobs.com is a job bank/forum type website where people can post jobs that they need filled.  Its almost like an online newspaper with ads that have contact information so that you can send them an email asking for more information, or to apply for that job listed.  They have different sections like high-paying, low-paying, or no pay jobs.  They also have a section where you can post an ad for your services or what you are offering. At this site, you can sign up for free and immediately create an ad. I just did this today and my ad, like all of them, must go through approval before they will be publicly posted.  I’m hoping I’ll be able to get some people to email with interest in me writing something for them. I’d love to give it a try no matter what the subject.

I’m just thrilled to finally feel like I’m getting somewhere with my writing. I love that slowly but surely I’m on my way to writing for pay and not just submitting articles in hopes that people read them and get paid pennies for page views. The idea that I’ve made it this far so fast is enlightening. All I need now is someone to show interest in my ad after it posts, or find a request for work that fits what I can do and then do the work. I know that not everyone who shows interest will like my style, and not every person I respond to for their request will accept my services, but the fact that I’m actually entering into freelancing is crazy. I really don’t even have that much experience yet, but you have to get it somewhere. I know I can write, and I’m a serious perfectionist when it comes to writing for someone. I’m obsessed with making people happy and although I know I can’t please everyone, I sure like trying.

 

 

Digital Point

Awhile back I had posted about other sites that are good for getting freelance writing jobs.  The Digital Point forum was one of them.  At the time, I wasn’t sure if I was ready to try freelancing jobs yet and since then I have gained some confidence.  I realize that as long as I pick a request that I am confident I can do, then there is nothing to be nervous about.  I signed up for a bidding freelance site and the going rates are ridiculous.  Usually by the time I’ve looked around and found a job I believe I can do, I’ll look at the bids put in and there will be at least 10 all for much cheaper rates than I think quality work is worth. 

So, I’d heard from a fellow freelance writer about how she had earned the majority of her money and jobs (almost all to be exact) from the Digital Point forum.  There is no bidding involved.  You can just comment in the forum or send the requester a PM with your information, questions, rate, and samples of work.  The downside is you  must become a member (for free), be a member for 14 days, and make 25 posts before you can post in the Buy, Sell, and Trade forum.  I thinks it well worth the wait.

I have heard that many people are wary of going there to get a job done because of so many non-English speaking people offering to write for cheap, but I figure since I am as English speaking as you can get (born and raised in the midwest) I might have a slight advantage.  I have seen some quite a few requests that I’m sure I could accomplish.

However, I have only been a member for 3 days so I cannot attest first hand to how great this site really is.  I will update the second I am able to get a job.  Oh, and another great thing is you can advertise your services there if you don’t want to wait around for a request to fit your expertise.  I will probably take full advantage of that.

Happy writing!

Writing an Ebook.

This whole concept interests me a lot.  Not that I am interested in writing one.  Well, maybe a little interested.  I am more interested in the idea behind it.  I cannot tell you how many times when I was stuck in the house as a kid with no books and I just searched my little heart out online looking for a book to read for free.  I was obsessed with reading and when I couldn’t get to the library, it was like torture.  Sometimes I would even resort to reading school books that I never would have read otherwise.  Maybe that’s why I did so well?  Anyways, the idea of an Ebook is amazing.  For someone to be able to just hop online and get quick resourceful information right then and there is beyond me.  As of right now, most ebooks are usually for learning something.  They more of a how-to for information that changes often, because if you were to write a paper book about information that is time-sensitve, by the time it makes it to print, that information might be completely outdated.  However, I have a feeling that ebooks will become the new future of reading and learning.

I think its entirely possible that ebooks will replace paper books the way that the DVD replaced VHS.  Now I do not think paper books will ever go away just because they are much smaller to carry around than a lap top, but with most people starting to take their laptops everywhere, why wouldn’t they want to just be able to access their books online?  Schools might even transition to putting all text books online.  Then again, not every student can afford a computer, but there are many programs available to help students get one.  I really do not know how popular they will become, but this is my idea of the possible future with ebooks.

Because of this, I’m wondering if I shouldn’t just go ahead and write one.  It would be time consuming, but once done, with proper marketing, it would more than likely be well worth the time put in.  The trick is finding something worth writing a book about that people would be willing to buy at the drop of a hat.  It has to be something that they couldn’t find anywhere else for free online, unless your ebook is free.  This is something I’m really contemplating.  It would really look good for a writing career, that’s for sure.

Maybe its something some of you would be interested in.  I would highly suggest researching this. 

Oh, and for a further update on my new goals for my future, check out my updated pages.