Many freelancers make their living as ghostwriters; while they may write full-time, they never see a byline. This area of writing is not for everyone as there are some writers who write mainly for the thrill of seeing their names in print. However, if you don't mind leaving your name off of your work, you can make a lucrative living as a freelance ghostwriter online.
Online Freelance Ghostwriting Jobs
There are countless online freelance ghostwriting jobs and unlike print media, it's easy for beginners to get their foot in the door. Anyone who puts up a website needs content and much of that content is in the form of articles. While some website owners write their own content, many of them outsource this task to freelancers. Although freelancers are always free to negotiate rights, most of the time it is understood that once someone purchases an article from a freelance ghostwriter, it is theirs to use as they please with no credit given to the ghostwriter.
Where to Find Online Freelance Ghostwriting Jobs
It's relatively easy to find online freelance ghostwriting jobs, although beginners may have to work for less than they would like until they are established. One place to find these types of jobs is at online auction sites, some of which are free while others charge a fee. There are a variety of jobs listed at these auction sites, including ghostwriting opportunities. Ghostwriters can join the site, create a profile, and then peruse the listings and bid on the ones for which they feel qualified. Often, ghostwriters are able to land jobs that result in long-term relationships with clients through bidding on jobs at online auction sites.
Job Boards
There are often classified listings on online job boards that advertise for ghostwriters. These ads often provide a short description of the assignment and ask individuals to submit samples or resumes via email. Be wary of any ads advertising for freelance ghostwriting jobs that ask for a fee. Rest assured, there are plenty of opportunities for ghostwriters on the World Wide Web that do not include any upfront fees. Keep in mind, however, that auction sites and other sites that match writers with buyers will keep a percentage of the payment for a "finder's fee." This is an acceptable practice; just don't pay anyone to get a job.
What do Online Freelance Ghostwriters Write About?
Online freelance ghostwriters are asked to write about a variety of subjects, many of which are built around a keyword or a series of keywords. Internet marketers and other website owners often hire ghostwriters to write articles based on certain keywords, which, when typed into a search engine by the end-user will ultimately lead to the website owner's site. Sometimes these keyword phrases can be awkward or make little sense and beginning ghostwriters will often wonder if there has been a mistake and they will attempt to change the keyword phrase around so that it makes better sense. Although this sounds reasonable, it will be unacceptable to the client, who has spent a great deal of resources ferreting out just the right keywords that will lead web visitors to their site. Therefore, if you are given a list of keywords with which to build an article around, incorporate them into the article just as they are given to you regardless of how awkward they may sound. While it will take extra effort, much of the time, if you are creative enough, you can write copy that will make the keywords seem sensible.
Freelancing offers a wide variety of benefits and we will discuss a few of them here. That doesn't mean, of course, that there are no disadvantages to freelancing; on the contrary, there are those as well. But let's look for a moment at the distinct advantages freelancers enjoy.
Save Money by Working at Home
Not only is working at home more convenient, it can save you a great deal of money as well. This is important as many beginning freelancers struggle financially while they're building their businesses. Since you're working at home, though, you'll save a ton of money on commuting costs, lunches, dry cleaning, and clothing costs in general. If you've been used to working outside of the home prior to beginning your freelancing career, you might notice a spike in your utility bills now that you're home all day but you'll more than recoup that cost by saving money elsewhere.
Just grabbing lunch, coffee, sodas, and snacks at work or on the way to work can really add up so most freelancers will notice an immediate savings in that area. Not only will you save money, you'll likely eat healthier too as you will be able to raid your own refrigerator instead of the company vending machine. You'll also save a ton of money on gas, not to mention wear and tear on your vehicle.
Flexibility
Now that you're the boss, your work schedule won't be as rigid. While it would be prudent to establish regular working hours, you get to decide what those hours are. In addition, you won't have to ask the boss for time off when you have an appointment or when your child has a school activity you'd like to attend. You can take vacations anytime you like and you can roll over in bed when you hear your neighbors scraping their windshields at six o'clock in the morning. No more rush hour traffic or driving to work during inclement weather.
Gain Control over Your Time
There is never enough time to get everything done, regardless of your work situation. However, being your own boss and working from home does give you a distinct advantage when it comes to managing your time. For example, instead of stopping at the grocery store after work when it is crowded, you can shop at off peak hours, at your convenience. You'll have more time to attend to household responsibilities because you're already there. When you get up from your desk to stretch or take a break, instead of walking around the company break room, you can toss in a load of laundry or start dinner. Furthermore, in addition to saving money driving back and forth to work, you'll save time.
While freelancing is not all wine and roses by any stretch of the imagination, it does offer distinct advantages that you won't find by working for someone else outside of the home. More than anything else, the freelancer retains control over things they have no control over in the workplace. While freelancing isn't for everybody, the sheer number of attractive benefits has propelled more freelancers to take the plunge now than ever before.
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