Stephanie Mojica
By Stephanie Mojica
I’m not one to knock legitimate writing opportunities. And yes, those “content mills” like Demand Media Studios, Bright Hub, and Break Studios will pay you on time for rather formulaic writing work.
But what if you’re a slow writer, don’t believe in content mills, or are simply sick of churning out article after article?
What if you have some great writing samples (either print or online) and are ready to focus on quality rather than quantity while earning the money you truly deserve?
Job bidding sites like Guru and oDesk have given me even more economic and creative opportunities than mills, especially as a blogger and book editor. It literally is like an eBay for writers and all types of work-from-home professionals.
I have garnered numerous clients on bidding sites for press release writing, environmental blog writing, horoscope writing, financial blog writing, divorce blog writing, book editing, and publicity campaigns.
Like any site, once you learn the system you can and will succeed. If you take the right action steps, it’s not a matter of if you will succeed but when.
Good rates are possible on the bidding sites. I have consistently made at least $90 an hour and usually $150 to $300 an hour devoting my time to writing clients I’ve found on Guru.
If you have a resume and a few writing clips to show potential clients, you can do the same. My tips:
Bid only on jobs that pay what you’re worth. This is extremely important. So many writers give in to deprivation thinking. Twelve-step groups like Underearners Anonymous, Debtors Anonymous, and Workaholics Anonymous are full of writers with financial problems. Believe me, I personally know this. Part of the problem is that so many writers think it’s not “spiritual” or “creative” to ask for a great wage, I eventually discovered through working with author and life coach Sheri Kaye Hoff.
Set a goal of how many bids you will make per day. It’s a sheer numbers game, my friend. The more bids you get out there — especially at first when you have little or no client feedback posted online — the better you will do.
I’ve competed for jobs listed in online ads with 1,000 people. On Guru and oDesk, I’ve often been the only bidder or one out of three, five, six, 10, or 20. I’ve seen projects that I haven’t bid on with identical odds.
I wish you the best of luck in your journey to financial freedom and creative prosperity.
Have you used bidding sites? Share your experience in the comments below.
Stephanie Mojica, a writing and business prosperity coach, blogs at “Hot Freelance Writing Secrets“ and is the author of several eBooks including”5 Business Prosperity Secrets.” Her credits include The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Virginian-Pilot, Louisville Magazine, USAToday.com, and SFGate.com.
