5 Steps To Help You Make A Full-Time Income Now!
January 15th 2010 16:56
I've been working full-time as a freelance writer/web guy now since 06. (I did work weekends in a deli for a while for free food/store discounts).
I did get some negative feedback from my last top 5 list by saying pure English speakers were usually better than those who have English as a second language. I wasn't being discriminatory and of course there are exceptions but go look at the GAF writing area or even Digital Point to see what nonsense is being posted as English. Some may be structurally ok but just not something someone would ever read. That's all.
Now to the list!
1. The Work
Obviously, the first thing is to find a job online that pays well enough. Right now, that place for me is probably Demand Studios. They pay $15 per short 500 word how to, how does, and other types of articles. It's great. I'm kicking myself for avoiding them for so long as my last published piece with them was back in early 2008. I make a lot on the side too so make sure you spread your name around as much as possible. Don't forget about the wahm forums.
If writing isn't your thing, get going on transcription, building little niche money maker sites, or turn your hobby into your job. Like making dog houses? Sell em!
2. The Schedule
Working at home can be de-motivating. I'm a gamer. It's very hard for me to sit in front of the computer 1/2 the day and not click on Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, or Dragon's Age. If you schedule 4 hours of "work only" time, stick to it. I've been doing 1 hour blocks. I allot 1 hour for Demand Studios ($45-$60), 1 hour for website stuff, 1 hour for looking for new work, and 1 hour for trolling the Bidding sites to see what's out there. Yeah, I only work 4 hours a day at the most.
Really, I'm fairly lazy so what I usually do is work enough to make between $75-$100 per day. Takes a couple of hours, and I'm done before the kids get home from school.
3. Doing the Work
This is the same as the schedule right? No. While working online, it's easy to simply NOT do your work. Who's going to punish you? Some guy 1/2 way around the world? Who cares right? Well, eventually you'll get a reputation as "unreliable" no matter what your excuse is. The secret here is easy. Don't take on more than you can do. That 10 article per day job may pay very well but I guarantee after about 20 articles on heartburn, you won't have it in you do keep going at that pace. I burn out quickly though maybe.
4. Improving your Skills
You may think I'm an idiot the way I write on here. Well, this is more like a casual warm-up for me. I do have a few errors slip by and that's ok. It's a blog, not an academic research paper! Improving your skills should be in two areas. General English (spelling/grammar) and typing.
If you know your English skills are iffy, study online. There's tons of games out there to help. Same goes with typing. Find a fun game. I prefer "Typing of the Dead" where you shoot zombies with letters.
5. Work part-time. Yes, I said it. If you simply aren't pulling in enough to live comfortably, find a place you think you'd like to work and apply. I prefer grocery stores and video stores because usually you'll get a discount. I love 10% off my grocery purchases and miss that job a lot.
These are pretty basic and I think I've gone over them before. Just keep at it and you should be just fine.
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Comment by Kind Regards on HubPages / Ozarks Crescent Mural on BlogSpot
My Freelance Road Trip
"Obviously, the first thing is to find a job online that pays well enough. Right now, that place for me is probably Demand Studios."
I'm in agreement. I too make the bulk of my money from Demand Studios, but I do it in Keyword QA. I like to write the occasional article at HubPages or on my blog and I've got one so far here, but I do not enjoy writing on a full-time basis. I give you guys credit, that's for sure.
I am curious when you say, "1 hour for looking for new work," where is it that you look.
Perhaps you could write a piece here on your strategies for looking for new work and let us in on your tricks.
Thank you.
Comment by Shrine