As some of you may know, I was a freelance writer before I became an author. I write articles, web content, blog posts and any number of other things. This is how I make money. Though I hope that as more of my books are released I can concentrate more on fiction and perhaps earn an income that way. I don't know if I will ever want to completely give up freelance writing, however. It's fun and allows me to write a number of different things and learn about topics I would otherwise never bother to learn about!
It's true of many careers, but there are ebbs and flows. Sometimes there's tons of work from tons of clients and other times things are slower. Right now I have two very steady clients that keep me busy for most of the time I have available to write. On the days when I don't have things from them that they need directly, I go to a few of the freelance writing websites on which I am an author and I can take jobs from their boards.
Monday, for whatever reason, I did a search on freelance writing and found a website that had a list of 20 different sites where writers can make money writing articles and other items. The site can be found here. Enough people have asked me how I got into freelance writing and where I find my work that I like to share what I can about the options out there.
I didn't have a ton of time to go through each of the websites mentioned on the above post, but I did look at a few. In fact, I applied at number 17, Writtent because it sounded interesting to me. I got an email a few hours later asking if they could interview my by phone. I did that interview the next day and now I have a sample blog to write for them. If I pass that test, I will be allowed access to their clients in order to write for them. I think...that's what it sounded like, at least!
These sites seem to be getting pickier about who they will hire. When I first started I created accounts and started writing and that was that! One some of the other sites listed on the site above, you have to take English, grammar and other tests in order to be allowed to write for them. It makes sense. They have clients to please and they want writers who can meet their needs.
So I plan on going through the rest of those websites someday. It'll be a great resource for when work is slow other places and I need something to fill the short amount of time I have. If that ever happens! I know when my daughters get old enough and they are BOTH in school I'll have a lot more time to mess with things like that. In the meantime, I wanted to get the resource out there for any other freelance writers or those who aspire to make money with writing!
P.S. For other details on freelance writing websites and tips, visit the "Freelance Writing" portion of my website. I list all of the sites I work for or have worked for and a few others where I have found jobs.