By Subashish Das Submitted On March 11 , 2021
Many freelancers writing for giant content houses saw their paychecks disappear quicker than a magician's rabbit when Google adjusted its algorithms. Google's ongoing effort to enhance search results will ultimately bring more changes. Authors got to broaden their client base to earn a living freelancing.
A well-rounded freelance portfolio should include several clients. If one or two pack up or reduce hiring opportunities, freelancers with a strong client base can continue working.
The Status of Up-Front Paying Content Sites
Since Google's recent changes, upfront paying content sites are hard hit and have re-focused on quality. Both Bright Hub and Demand Studios, which paid $15.00 per article have drastically limited writing opportunities.
Demand retested and disqualified many of their freelancers and now require a minimum of a university degree in journalism, English or communications. Bright Hub discontinued their revenue share program and limited their paying assignments to in-house writers.
Bright Hub currently offers non-paid guest post opportunities to bloggers trying to plug their tech or science related sites. Another, Break Studios, has only posted a couple of assignments since June 2011.
Even though a number of these sites continue hiring, many new writers haven't completed one article. meaning no first paycheck, including second.
Using Job Boards to urge Clients
Online freelance job boards post thousands of obtainable jobs freelancers can bid on. they provide another avenue to create a healthy client base. Freelancers typically pay a monthly fee to look at current assignments. the foremost efficient thanks to use job boards isn't just to urge assignments-use them to urge clients.
One drawback of freelance job boards is that the low paying assignments many offer. However, writers who follow opportunities can fatten their client list and sometimes find long-term, regular assignments with customers who like what they produce. After proving your worth as a top quality writer, you'll renegotiate your fees.
3 Job Boards for Freelance Writers to think about
Freelancewriting.com has been linking freelancers to many hiring sites for over ten years. This writing blog keeps current on postings. this protects time because you'll sign up daily and explore which membership site offers the simplest fit you.
Guru.com advertises thousands of freelance opportunities for writers, editors, graphic designers, web designers and broadcasters. First level membership is free otherwise you can check in for packages from $9.95 to $34.95 monthly. Guru charges the freelancer 4.5 to 9 percent of the fee she receives for completing the work . the share depends on the membership level.
Realwritingjobs.com posts thousands of freelance jobs including assignments for writers, editors, and graphic designers. A free seven-day trial to seem over opportunities and choose if their clientele fits your skills is that the smartest thanks to go. After the trial, membership runs $47 a month.
Are Job Boards Beneficial to Freelance Writers?
While some writers balk at having to spend money to urge assignments, many use these services to grow their portfolios. Imagine the time it might fancy look for online opportunities in only one genre like finance. it might take hours of querying clients via email or phone. Job boards offer the convenience of listing thousands of consumers actively hiring.
If you were job-hunting, would you waste time going from business-to-business inquiring about hiring opportunities, or wouldn't it be wiser to shop for your local newspaper and skim the help-wanted section?
Smart freelancers realize time is money. And while authors should regularly market to potential clients, ways to shave hours off the method are always worth a glance .
One Online Client isn't Enough for Profitable Freelancers
It once seemed a no brainer for online authors to write down for upfront paying article sites. Pundits however, kept warning about the precarious position freelancers where putting themselves in.
To the freelancer just trying to pay the bills it had been like having a touch noticeable toothache nagging within the background. The ache becomes a touch more painful once the assignment pool begins reducing the amount of obtainable titles but you hope things will recover . you'll accept the nagging.
Suddenly, the assignment pool goes from over 300,00 right down to but 80,000 for over 20,000 freelancers. Many titles are unwrite able because they either don't add up or are so technical they require a rocket scientist. And a rocket scientist ain't settling for getting paid $15 per article.
Unfortunately, when the signs were screaming in our faces, (get more clients) many folks stayed with the established order . Virtually overnight that nagging toothache became a pounding, pummeling abscess needing immediate surgery--on the portfolio.
The lesson? Keep a diversified client base and work to enhance your writing skills so you'll charge what you're worth. Write for offline and online clients. Some will need tons of copy, others less. Freelance writing may be a business. It's all about growing your customer base by providing excellent service-one client at a time.
