Those that have a strong flair for the writing; freelancing can be the magic that they needed to get extra bucks. There are several paths to getting started as a freelancer; if at the end of the day it puts money into your pocket; then it is worth taking the risks involved.  

To start with, many people turn to Freelancer, Elance, or oDesk where they can bid for work on their platform and get paid. This is a good idea for those that desire paid work and want to build a profile. You must work only with employers who are verified to avoid working for employers who will disappear into thin air after you have put in hours of serious labor.

If you want to apply to work with magazines and newspapers; your pitch should be kept short, highly attractive, and interesting. Rejection at the first trial should not put you off; keep on knocking at the door until it is opened. However, you must be very careful in your choice of words to sound as polite as possible.

Whatever the route you chose to get into the freelancing business; you have to be mannered and polite in your approach. Persistence is the character that will eventually see you through. Once you can get your foot into this highly paying notch; more work will roll and things will fall in line. You have to build bridges and be open to the opportunities that will come your way.

The Benefits

The pros of becoming a freelancer as a graduate are huge. You are working for yourself and at the same time determining the workload that you can take. You get paid for carrying out your passion at a very flexible pace. The work demands on new graduates are strenuous; if that is not your take; then you have a haven in freelancing. This is a part-time job opportunity that has the possibility of paying you a steadier wage. If you are comfortable working late into the night or your take is working on weekends; then freelancing will give you the enabling scenario to fully express yourself. 

The Drawbacks

It cannot be described as a foolproof money-making venture and not a sure money maker. The market is saturated and because companies have graduates who are willing to work for free; they end up not spending a dime. When you write for nonprofit websites and magazines; you will easily get the exposure that will stand you out.

Conclusion

If you are not self-motivated, then freelancing is not for you. It will take your time no doubt before you break into the league, but the door will open with persistence on your path.

Ways of Countering the Stereotype of Age in Getting Freelance Writing Jobs 

Personal experiences from different freelance writers suggest that ageism is just a myth. You mainly get opportunities for freelance writing based on your capability to deliver. However, if you still have doubts about your age in getting into a successful freelance writing career, consider the following guidelines to change the perception and be successful.

• Change your mentality. Everything starts in mind, and you become what you think. You need to transform your perspective on age and freelance writing. Most of the experiences people go through reflect on their perspective about the future. Don’t assume that age will impact your ability in freelance writing.

Freelancing entails a short term commitment to delivering on a pressing writing need. Your client won’t consider all the factors that come with formal full-time employment. They value proficiency in a subject matter. Clients, for instance, look for an individual who knows robotics and who they can rely upon to deliver within the set timelines. All they care about is how well written the paper is from an expert writer.

• Take advantage of your demographic. You need to understand who can appreciate your work the most, especially when it comes to age. Entities exist that focus on serving the elderly, which forms the largest demographic segment in the United States. Some companies appreciate a writer’s worth in driving their revenue, have severe marketing budgets, and love writers who form part of their customer base. Such entities include health insurers, consultants and providers, magazines for the elderly, chains of retirement homes, etc.

You can comfortably write for any target group, but targeting an old demographic market is a simple and perfect strategy.

• Go bigger. The obvious place to start at for most freelancers is the well-known avenues such as Craigslist ads and UpWork. But, this isn’t for an elderly writer who wants to earn pro rates for their writing services. The meager rates offered in bootstrap startups can demoralize and make you believe the ageist stereotype. Acquire a writers’ market and look for magazines that pay well, especially those that cater to your niche. You can also write for major nonprofits and finally clinch government writing contracts.

 

• Market younger. Display your relevance through effective marketing of your writing profile. Use a modified selfie with a stylish background such as a beach and use modern captions. Research the modern writing styles and update your LinkedIn and writer’s profile. No one knows your real age over the internet, so take advantage and earn better.

 

• Lose the stereotype excuse of ageism. Excuses such as “I’m so old” are akin to other lame excuses such as blaming the economy and many more for not starting your revenue-generating entity. Don’t blame a lost freelance writing opportunity on an old age basis as there might be other reasons for it. Also, avoid self-sympathy, especially on the age front.

Conclusion

Ageism is a stereotype that can stop you from realizing your dreams. Freelance writing has a place for everyone regardless of age. You only need to debunk the myth and get started. You will get astonished at how much success you can achieve at your age as a freelance writer. 

Talk to people

Talking to everyone means, you broaden your search base beyond the official job sites and bulletin boards. It is essential to put yourself out there and talk openly to people about your passion for writing. You can talk to family, friends, and colleagues. These people can refer you to their friends or colleagues or even sub-contract you in what they are doing. Some of them could be working in publishing firms and thus can influence you to get writing or review jobs. Knowing someone who does freelance writing jobs is even better because they can mentor you by providing career tips in the field.

Build your platform

Having your platform is useful to showcase your prowess. The simplest and cheapest way to create a platform is through various social media applications like Facebook, LinkIn, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. The platform will be a point of reference for your abilities. Establishing a blogging website is the best option as you can create regular content while practicing your writing skills. With quality content, you will have a huge following and can be a source of referrals for your writing skills. Your platform can be your portfolio to showcase to the clients of your abilities.

Consider the pros and cons of working for free.

Many writing professionals have argued that writing for free isn’t a good idea, but starters may not choose to pitch a tent in the field. Writing for free can be a way of building experience, but you’ve got to be discerning and strategic. Some would write for exposure, but if a company can not pay its content creators or writers, something then it is an indicator that they don’t value quality. It can be rewarding to write a guest post in popular blogs or websites, as you can get your name out there and land freelance writing jobs in the future. Regardless of whether you write for free or write for pay, your work should be of utmost quality as much as possible.

Source online freelance writing

There are many online freelance platforms today that offer a myriad of jobs, including writing posts. Some are free, others require job seekers to subscribe. Before engaging in any freelance online platform, read the terms and conditions, especially those related to payments after doing the work. The following is a list of those platforms: www.upwork.com, www.contenta.com, www.freelancer.com, www.freelancewriting.com, www.freelancewritinggigs.com, www.problogger.com.

Get to know the art of the pitch.

Even if you get someone to connect you to a magazine, a website, or an editor, you need to know and master the trade tools for the job. Learning the needy gritty details of writing is crucial to any writer. Pitching involves the following key steps:

• Composing an idea or headline
• Take in all the needed information like research areas and prospective interviews.
• Identify the editor
• Introduce yourself and send work

Landing the first writing job may look complicated, but it will only be possible if you overcome the challenge of experience. Once you deliver your first quality gig, it will all be smiles because jobs will follow you.

How to Stand Out As a Freelance Technical Writer
Freelance technical writers are in high demand as businesses in different industries try to target new markets. As a technical writer, your job is to create content in a language that everyone can understand. Whether you are writing about the latest car model in the market or the latest invention in biotechnology, your clients expect you to break down complex material into easily readable content.

As you establish yourself in the industry, identify a niche where you can write comfortably. Make sure you pick the type of content which interests you to make your work easier. Also, you should consistently deliver high-quality content to build a strong client base. The referrals from your satisfied clients will help grow your writing career. With time, you can create a blog and post helpful industry content. It will establish you as the go-to writer for technical content.

Where to Find Technical Writing Gigs
Competition is high in technical writing like in any other industry. To find a constant flow of orders, you have to target the right places as you build a name in the industry. Some of the best places to find freelance writing jobs as a technical writer include:

1. LinkedIn: LinkedIn remains one of the most prominent social media platforms for professionals. It is a powerful platform for anyone interested in building a strong network, and you can easily grow your freelance writing career here. Once you create a comprehensive profile, it is easy for clients to connect with you. It is also possible to seek writing gigs on the platform.
2. Freelancer jobs platforms: If you have just started your writing career as a freelancer, freelancer platforms remain the best option to find gigs and grow your network. On these platforms, writers and clients meet and do business. It is a marketplace where you can find all types of technical writing jobs.
3. Craiglist: For legit technical writing gigs, Craiglist is a good place to start. Clients post ads looking for specific types of writers and your job is to review such clients to find the best jobs. Look for highly rated clients to avoid scams and if possible ask around about the client before working with them.
4. Government bids: It is one of the most overlooked sources of technical freelance writing jobs. Local, state, and the federal government agencies always have jobs for highly experienced writers. You just need to prove your expertise and bid for the job that suits your qualifications.
5. Problogger: If you already have a blog, Problogger is a good pale to look for serious writing gigs. In addition to providing writing tips, this platform also has well-paying writing jobs for corporations or businesses.
6. Academic writing platforms: When looking for a freelance writing job online, it is advisable to expand your search beyond the usual sources. One of the best areas to utilize your technical writing skills is in the area of academic writing. Many college and post-graduate students are looking for a highly experienced technical writer to help them in their research proposals, assignments, term papers and other projects.

There are other emerging avenues where you can get a technical freelance writing job including Facebook and online tech magazines among others.