Want to work from home at your own pace, and avoid traffic jams when you go to work? A career as an online writer can be an attractive option. However, as a new writer, you may find it difficult to penetrate the market. Therefore, work hard and gain experience to find a stable job.
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Method 1 of 3: Prepare Before Writing Online
Step 1. Customize your writing for each site
Generally, every site has writing rules that you must follow, but you should always write that fits the site's target audience. For example, readers of academic sites will like writing differently than readers of sports sites. Therefore, adjust the writing to the target audience of the site so that your writing is accepted.
- Keep it short, with a maximum length of 1,000 words. Writing on the internet will be read by the general public, and generally long writing is not very liked. If you usually write long, avoid this habit when writing online. Keep your ideas short and concise.
- Write a catchy opening sentence. According to journalists, you have to open your writing well. Crowded audiences have a short attention span. Therefore, you must entice them to keep reading by writing a catchy opening sentence. No matter what topic you write about, don't forget to open it with a spectacular main sentence. Keep readers interested in continuing to read your articles.
- Break up your writing into bullet points and subheadings because long text will bore the reader. Articles with bullet points and sub-headings will be more interesting in the eyes of readers, and they will not feel bored while reading them.
Step 2. Create a blog
The best way to showcase your work on the internet is with a blog. By starting a blog, you can demonstrate your writing skills, and prove to site owners and companies that you can create content according to their needs.
- Make sure your blog contains the topics you want to write about professionally. For example, if you want to review technology, don't blog about recipes. Show your professionalism in your chosen field by blogging.
- Edit your blog entries carefully. Do not let the writing in it impress "amateur". Remember that your blog posts can be read by everyone in the world. Therefore, make sure each of your blog entries is neat and grammatical. Bad blog entries will reduce your chances of getting a job.
- You can also make money with a blog. If your blog is followed by a large number of people, some companies may contact you to place ads on your blog. You can use this as motivation to maintain the quality of writing on the blog.
Step 3. Network followers on social media
Like writing a blog, your activities on social media can also be a way to promote yourself. Have an account on every major social media, including LinkedIn, and include a link to your writing portfolio in every post on social media. That way, potential clients will be able to see examples of your writing.
Step 4. Join sites that offer freelance writing jobs
Most freelance job vacancies are advertised on the internet. Therefore, look to the websites of job providers to find opportunities.
- Sribulancer and Projects.co.id offer various job vacancies for free.
- Some sites require you to pay before you can access the job listings. While it may sound annoying if you can't afford the fees, they can be a good investment if you get work from these sites.
Method 2 of 3: Creating Content for the Site
Step 1. Write content for the guide site
There are various sites on the internet that provide thousands of guide articles. Generally, these sites require expert writers for a particular topic to edit existing articles, or write new articles. If you are an expert in a particular field, try applying to be a writer on these sites. By being a writer on guide sites, you can share your knowledge and earn at the same time.
You may not need expertise in a particular area to write on a guide site. However, you may have to develop your ability to find information and learn a topic quickly. With good information seeking skills, you will be able to write on a wide variety of topics
Step 2. Submit articles on travel sites
Many sites contain articles about travel to exotic and domestic locations. If you love traveling and want to share stories and experiences while traveling, find work on travel sites.
If you write travel articles in English, The Expeditioner accepts them, and will pay you around US$30 per article
Step 3. Submit a review
Some sites will pay you to review movies, plays, music, and products. Earn money online by submitting reviews for these sites. Start writing for a site like Sponsored Reviews or Review Me to explore experiences.
Step 4. Be a ghost writer for bloggers
Independent or corporate bloggers who are not able to write quickly generally require the services of a shadow writer. Job vacancies as shadow writers appear on a case-by-case basis. However, if the blogger likes your writing, you might be able to become a regular shadow writer for them.
- Look at job posting sites to find work as a shadow writer. You can also apply directly to shadow writers.
- Shadow writers cannot acknowledge their writing. You may find it difficult to build a portfolio if you make a living in this field. Ideally, make shadow writing a side job.
Method 3 of 3: Writing for Companies
Step 1. Be the social media manager for the company
Social media is an important part of advertising and marketing. Unfortunately, many business owners are social media stutterers. Therefore, they are willing to pay for a social media specialist. By setting up the company's Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts, you'll be able to earn a steady income, something that online writers find hard to come by.
Step 2. Be a writer for a company blog
In this day and age, companies also need to have a blog. Like social media, blogs are hard to "conquer" by companies, and companies generally hire writers and marketing experts to run their blogs. If you are a professional blogger, you can try becoming a corporate blog writer.
Step 3. Create press releases and creatives
While large companies have a dedicated marketing section, smaller companies generally only have 1-2 authors. Because of this, they usually outsource the task of writing press releases and creatives to freelancers. To become a writer in this field, try applying to small companies or freelance agencies.
