how to get paid - Be a REAL writer

Hello fellow scribblers!

There is always "talk" on this forum about writing and getting paid as a writer. The debate rages as to whether or not it's worth writing because of the large number of low-cost projects. I recently engaged in a discussion about this regarding what should be charged for a 500 word article.

I have found that you can indeed find quality fair-paying clients. But what I wanted to point out in this thread was why, or at least, one of the reasons why.

In my opinion, one of the most important factors in earning a decent wage as a content writer is the quality of your work. you will see people consistently saying that content writers on the internet will simply re-word someone else's content. This source content may or may not be very good to begin with.

So, by quality of work, I am in great part saying that you must be an original writer. That's not to say that you cannot read other related articles. However, you should form the general idea of what you want to say in your piece of copy and then write it from scratch. It's impossible to be 100% original. After all, as the old writing axiom goes, "There are only 5 original ideas in the world, the best is just re-working." But when you write from scratch, your own style, intellect and skills will come out. your writing, when it's totally your own, will convey your feelings as well as your thoughts.

Often, this is the difference between effective sales copy and pointless drivel. That line can also be very small.

One final point, if I may, is to be a good reader. Avid readers make the best writers. You pick up on styles, you put your thumb on the pulse of the readership by seeing what they find popular in other published works, and you grow your vocabulary and wit by reading.

if anyone has anything else to add, please do so.

 

I would like to add that you have to have decent turnaround times as well. People pay more money for high quality work that is delivered in 48 hours max. If it is going to take you a week to do one 500 word article you are not going to make much because writing is needed on demand.

 

This one adds up to funmom91's comment - stick to the niche of your expertise, or become an expert in one or two high-value niches. Productivity depends on speed, and speed relies on experience.

 

Absolutely true! Trying to make money by writing in "almost any topic" isn't always a good idea unless you're really good at writing on a variety of topics.

Trying to get caught up as many articles as you can may slow significantly your productivity if you aren't expert on such topics you're writing.

 

I have often found that although there are many cheap content services out there, a client who needs quality will usually appreciate the extra it takes to achieve that. Building a relationship with a client, understanding what they are looking for and then over delivering have always helped me build long-term income.

As with most things in life, when it comes to content you get what you pay for! Most clients end up working this out the hard way by taking the cheaper option and then coming back to see how much better you really are for the extra cost. Don't disappoint them!

 

Originality, personality and knowledge are the key facets in my opinion. Of course, delivering more than expected is always a goal no matter what the project.

No matter the form of content (whether it be a product description for an eCommerce site or an article for an affiliate blogger about a new gadget) there are always opportunities to make it stand out from the rest. If you can provide something to engage the reader, the client will appreciate it more than they would if it simply states the facts without any flair or passion.

 

I would have to disagree.

Writing is a very common skill, good writing is fairly common also, awesome writing is not that common, -But the amount of people running around say "I am so awesome" is extremely common, so yeah, yeah,, another writer.

I work around an industry that has writers and see writers that make .0??? a word to writers that make $50-$500 an article.

The writers that make $100+ an article make a name for themselves and usally have accounts at leading websites, not ezine REAL leading websites and marketing agencies pay them a lot to get stories in hard to get into places were ten of thousands of readers read their stuff. It probably took them years and tons of rejections to get in certain places and even be able to submit stuff to certain editors.
That is their selling point and what makes them valuable "I am a writer for _____." = I can get your company in this place.
Others have accounts at leading publications and websites just to do a monthly article that keeps their name out there as a specialist, expert in that industry, advertizement.

Many of the few high paid writers specialized in niches and the niches took thousands and thousands of hours of education. People can hire them to write about a subject and they know more about the subject then the people hiring them that means-they don't have to say "ahhh.. I am going to have to charge you to do research...?"=they have no clue and want money to educate themselves.

Then back to your average writer that has an average writing skill that is worth what ever an average writer makes. Which is very bad these days with much or the media taken over by mass cope paste subscriptions and magazines dieing every week. Your average small business has their sister write content and your average large business has the secretary write content.

My point is to make good money as a writer you need more then "I am a good writer".

Disclaimer- I suck at writing I just know a good amount of writers and know how some of them make money.