The life of a freelance article writer is not easy, and you become a freelance article writer either out of choice or necessity. For most, freelance writing is an easy to do task, where you simply open Microsoft Word or something similar, and write a few hundred words! But believe me, it is easier said than done.
To be a successful freelance article writer you need a perfect blend of talent, marketing skills, great contacts, combined with perseverance, inspiration, and the right frame of mind to write!
Some freelance article writers manage to produce ten articles a day or are able to type 5,000 words a day, while others may just turn out 500 words, thus it all depends upon the capability and mood of the freelance article writer.
Most content writers do not have the choice to write on topics they would really like to, as they are busy writing articles to survive. Though Mark Twain had said “Write without pay until somebody offers to pay”, but for a freelance article writer, whose survival is based on writing website content, articles, short stories or novels, brochures, newsletters, the story is different, as 95% of what they write is for clients to generate income.
There are times in the life of a freelance article writer, when you have to write articles or website content, even when you do not want to, because it is your bread and butter.
Sometimes the writings become very tedious, strenuous, time consuming, as they take some skill, analytical thinking, creativity, and exhaust you at the end of the day, but yet you write, as it is your means to survive.
Freelance article writers also face increased health risks like eyestrain, heart disease, formation of blood clots and carpal tunnel. Samuel Rogers has quoted, “I lived to write, and wrote to live”, but on the long run writers tend to get isolated from people, with marriage and relationships taking a heavy toll on them, or they develop estranged relationship with their children.
Freelance writers need to write in order to bring in the income, though it’s important to give quality time to your near and dear ones as well.
The life of a freelance article writer doesn’t just end with writing articles for the day, as they are multi-tasking alongside writing. Averagely speaking a freelance article writer works for a minimum of 50-60 hours a week, as they are always on the lookout for the next writing job, once the present one ends.
For job hunting, freelance writers need to devote a major part of their time to networking, applying to various freelancing job boards, replying to their emails, and trying to increase their contacts.
If you really love to write the life of a freelance article writer seems to fly by, as it gives you the flexibility to choose your own working hours. Though a busy work life, but as a freelance writer, I don’t think I would have it any other way!
How has you life been as a freelance article writer? How do you divide your time between your family and work? Share in the comments below.
Article by Harleena Singh
Harleena Singh is a professional freelance writer. She has written this post and numerous other niches on versatile topics. Checkout her other blog for family and personal development and website to know more about her. Network with her on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook..
Harleena has written 15 awesome articles for us at Freelance Writers' Cafe
Twitter: @http://www.twitter.com/harleenas | Facebook | Google+ | Blog → AhaNOW! - a family blog
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for commenting on the Chillibreeze Post. Nice writeup
Thanks Kaushik Priya! Do visit the blog again.
This is great and paradigm shifting article. I hope to become a successful freelance journalist. Having read this article, I think I still have a lot to do. Thank you Harleena for this insightful write up.
Thanks for commenting Teslim. I am glad you liked the post, and wish you the best in your journey as a freelance journalist!
ITS really great to be connected with u .Just now I read ur article. I am honored to be connected with u. Plz connect with me at puthamadhurima@gmail.com.
Once again I appreciate ur hard work and potential.
Thanks Puthamadhurima for stopping by and leaving your kind remarks. I am glad you liked the post, and it is nice to be connected with you as well !
Thanks Harleena for this. Good insight. I will be sharing this on one of my Pages as well.
Regards
Pervara
https://www.facebook.com/pervarakapadia
Thanks Pervara for liking the article, and nice to know that you would be sharing it on your page as well.
Sure Harleena it is here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/About-Online-Earning-And-Lifestyle/161707857215928?sk=wall
Nice to see it up ! Thanks once again.
Awesome quote by Jakes! Love this post, Great Job and thanks for sharing on our pro writers facebook page!!
Glad you liked the post Joy! Yes, indeed it is a great quote with a deep meaning. Do visit the blog again for more stuff!
I just started this whole writing thing, I feel at home here Harleena. Anyone here writes for article directories? Article Marketing?
Thanks for stopping by to comment Kinghelmi. I am glad you feel at home here and wish you the best in your writing endeavor!
Thanks for the information, and sharing your experience.
Please check out my blog.
Good luck,
Gloria West
Thanks for commenting Gloria, and I am glad the post helped you. I had a look at your blog, and feel that you could include more social media and networking tools to bring in more visitors. All the best!
Mood is a huge factor, at least for me. Mentally you need to be in a good place to write most effectively.
I agree there Zachary- everything depends on our frame of mind and moods. However, there are times you have to make the mood to sit and write! It happens when you have work and projects to complete, at those times, you can’t wait for the right mood to get started, as they are all time bound projects.
Thanks for commenting- do visit the blog again!
Hi Harleena! Wow, it does sound like a challenging career, with lots of hours and not always writing what you’d prefer to be writing, but you’re still doing what you love and when you want to do it – good for you! I am looking forward to the Ultimate Blog Challenge and was happy to see your post on there as well. Good luck!
Welcome to my blog Suerae, it sure is nice of you to stop by!
Life is never easy, no matter what career you choose or work you do. It sure is filled up with it’s twists and turns, but what makes it worth while is the journey- which you should like and enjoy. Wishing you the best for the Ultimate Blog Challenge as well.
Thanks for your valuable comment, do visit the blog again
Hi Harleena that’s an interesting Mark Twain quote
most freelance writers want money first and then write. I can see that his way would be tough, but would give huge exposure and who is to know it’s unpaid? it would lead to work if the writing was good enough.
Luckily I am not a freelance writer and I am not sure I would be brave enough to try it!
Welcome to my blog Sarah, and glad you liked the quote! Yes, the quote goes well just as a quote, as I too wonder nowadays how can people really just write till they are offered money. If you are good in your work as a freelance writer, you do get well paid jobs and things are taken care of as well, or else you can do nothing about it other than practice and get better till you are paid the rates you quote.
Nothing is easy in today’s world, and surely the life of a freelance writer comes with it’s various twists and turns as well!
Thanks for commenting, and do visit the blog again
Twitter: ponchomeg
February 7, 2013 at 11:45 pm
Great article. I am still not a full time freelance writer – partly because I am far too interested in too many things, but also because I cannot yet survive off of my writing alone. I am more into the theory of writing what I like for free (or residual income) and only submitting work to magazines, websites, and such that fits with who I am. This probably means I will never be rich as a writer, but it does mean that it always brings me joy.
A major thing I get a lot with the freelance writing is that it is “not a real job,” which to me is hilarious. Where do people think all of their online content comes from? Or books? Or magazines? Or even just brochures, informational documents, and instruction books? Freelance writing is definitely a real job, and a hard one at that.
Thanks for sharing this great little article. It is always nice to read your work.
Peace and Love,
Meagan