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Regarding my writing - Im hoping to finish a novel, and write more of what I enjoy writing.

For my personal life - Im hoping to get a bit fitter this year. I shed a lot of weight last year, and love the fact that I feel better in general. Now I want to build up the fitness, and may train for a marathon.

pp

Im also amongst the 'just love to write' people, and think its great that I can make my living from something that I love to do so much!

As for other people reading my work - I once wrote an article for a magazine, and they always put a small photo of the writer alongside the piece. A friend said 'I saw your article and really liked it', and I wanted the ground to swallow me up!!!

Thats one good thing about writing for the Internet - it can be don annon.!

But....I also like the thrill of seeing my name in print - I just dont want anyone to know its me...lol

pp

Im also finding things a bit slow, so Im using the time to work on some fiction, without the guilt!

Ive got a few regular clients, but they are only really providing bread and butter, and to be honest, I want some honey to go on my bread!

But, I have to be honest, and say that Im loving the time to work on a novel :-)

pp

I have both on my computer, but tend to use IE the most - probably because Im used to it. I like the layout of firefox though, but find bookmarking a bit difficult and also opening new windows.
pp

Regarding the print copies - I think writers are more willing to submit to them because it seems a bit more 'tangible' than web content. At least you get your name in print - whereas on the web you are often working under 'work for hire' conditions.

I take each project on its merit. I can understand the point of view that it lowers the rates for everyone, but in a global market, its just a fact that some people can tender lower due to the lower cost of living - I dont always agree with it, but its how it is.

How about...all the internet writers went on strike...(all those websites falling down the search engine ranks...)

I hope that the Writers in the US can make their point and get the salary they are worth, and it seems to be begining to bite as shows are being postponed.
pp

Ive considered a blog, but the amount of time it would take to maintain it puts me off. How do others manage, and how much time do you spend on your blogs?
pp

When I first looked on the Internet for writing projects I was also amazed by how many were available. But coming from a 'print' background, the fees for Internet writing seem to be much lower than for a UK magazine.
pp

Ive bitten the odesk bullet and have completed my first assignment through them. However, Ive found a bit of a glip...I was asked to do something as a trial, and was told I could only bill one hour - the buyer said he realised that was not long, and to just do the best I could within that time (he was trying out odesk too!).

But I finished the job in 1/2 hour, so that was all that got billed - so it seems if you are quick at typing, or can produce articles quickly, then you get penalised. Im not sure how people get around this as the software gives snapshots of what you are doing.

I know they are paying by the hour, but I got paid less for completing a project more quickly than the rest of the team!

pp

I find that Im more in the mood to work after about 7pm, but for years I seemed to be fighting against this, as I had a family etc. Now all my kids have left home, I often work until well into the small hours, and love it! I think we are all different, and going against the best way to work for 'us' means that the best work often gets stifled.
pp

Has anyone else found that the writing business is quiet at this time of year - or are your articles flying off the computer? Im found it difficult to drum up business at the begining of the month - luckily things are moving a bit more now - but is this just me, or is anyone else finding the buyers are reluctant to part with their cash?
pp

I know what you mean about getting distracted! My main distraction happens when I am researching a topic, I tend to find something else that interstes me, and then something else...Also online magazines...horoscopes....the list goes on!
pp

Ive taken on some lowish paying work in the past to build up an Internet portfolio. It has proved worthwhile for me, as I often have clients approach me who dont bat an eyelid when I increase my prices.

I suppose its the old thing of what suits some wont suit others.

Chrisitne

It may also be worth looking at offline sources of writing as well. Print magazines usually pay more for articles than online clients. The more strings you can add to your writing bow the better if you intend to live off the income.

All the best
pp

I probably spend around an hour a day on marketing. I use the time when I first log on with a cup of coffee in the morning, and around lunchtime when Im having a 'break'.

I see my marketing time as a bit of a warm up for the main event of writing. I will say that Im sure I could use my time more effectively, and somehow marketing doesnt seem like 'work'. On the other hand, Ive build up a nice client list, so it must be working!

pp

I write to my brief. If they client wants a high keyword density I usually advise them against more than 4/5% as the article seems too 'manufactured'.

Whatever Im writing for the 'net, I always make sure that there is some value for the reader in the article, mostly as I know how I feel after ploughing through websites looking for info!

pp

Hi to all,

This is my main (and only) income. I copywrite, content write and write features for many print magazines that Ive built relationships with over the past ten years. I also dabble in writing short stories for magazines and have even done a bit of erotica!

Quite simply - if someone pays - I will write it!

pp

I agree with the previous poster in that success isnt all about being rich. Ive been in a position of 'having money' and 'being on the bones of my backside', I wasnt particularly happy in either position.

For me, success is having the lifestyle I want, and working in copywriting does this for me. Sometimes I have high paying clients, sometimes I write for min. wage, depending on how interested I am in the project - the thing being - its me who decides :-)

Hope you get to where you want to get to, but dont forget to smell the daisies along the way

pp

That sounds like a great idea! I love writing but hate the marketing side of it - and Im not very good at it.

If you are going down that route, I would also suggest that no matter how much you trust the other person, or what good friends you are, have a written contract in place, so that everyone knows what is expected of them.

All the best
pp

It would be interesting to know how many people see writing as a hobby, that gives them a chance to make some money out of what they enjoy doing, but would not want to write full time, and how many have writing as their full time employment.

For me, it began as a hobby while I worked as a credit controller, then on December 31st 1999 (Im *that* old), I decided that I was going to throw in the nine to five towel and write full time. Luckily I wasnt the only bread winner in the family, so I was able to do it.

So, who has copywriting/content writing as their main source of income?

Who would like to, and is working to get that way?

Who loves to write, but wouldnt want to do it full time?

pp

Hi to all,

Im based in the UK, and the fall in the dollar is seriously begining to affect my income. Add to that the charges made by paypal, and the often below average exchange rate, and its begining to bite hard.

I toyed with the idea of changing my fees into £'s rather than $'s, but the copywriter in me tells me that its not a good marketing idea.

Are any other writers affected in this way, and how do you intend to deal with it?

Any Financial gurus out there who can give us a hint on how long this is likely to last?

pp

I wholeheartedly agree with this. Ive just had to turn down a very nice ongoing contract because the subject matter is totally out of my experience, even with extensive research. Yes, I could write some ok pieces stuff with his chosen key words, but I knew that in the long run, I wasnt right for that job. (going to have a cry now!)

But it can be difficult when a client 'thinks' they know what they want, but you know that they need something different.

I see copywriting as something that I should be able to put my name to, as happens when photographs are used. Ghostwriting is something that I just have to write and let go of. (But I often copyscape to see where it ended up_
pp

Thanks for this! Ive just tried this search engine (had to google it to find it - which seemed wrong somehow..lol), and its great. Lots of sites Ive never come across on google or yahoo etc.

I find a lot of people on forums, just arent willing to pay a decent rate, and then they often complain about the quality of the work. I bid through guru for the higher paying jobs, and Ive got quite a few even though I know I cant be the lowest bidder. Other than that, its slowly building up a client base that has worked for me.

pp

I use lines like 'In my book/course (the bit you hope they will pay for), I tell you how to (overcome/be the best/ etc), but are some of the basic principles...

In short, I try to give them enough information to make the ebook useful, but not enough so that they think they have all they need!

pp

I think that people have the right to say 'no', and if they want to buy something then they will. You cant force someone to get out their credit card, fill in online forms etc (if buying online), although you can 'persuade' them ;-)

My family have finally begun to see that writing is my 'job', but it took a while. For a few years it was like a had a bit of a hobby. But now I get lots of support, and my kids do some writing to supplement their incomes as well, so its good to have family to talk to about it, that acutally understand.
pp