Freelance writing tips and links

Every experienced freelance writer has a closet full of stories and tidbits that describe how they made it in a freelance world. Being a freelance writer has its perks, but it isn't always an easy path to get here. I feel privileged to be a freelance writer on a full time basis, and I borrowed a lot of great advice on my trek to get here. I thought that since I have made it as a successful freelance writer, that I would offer others coming behind me a few of the freelance writing tips I learned, to help as they develop their career. I have also come up with some of my own ideals for surviving as a freelance writer along the way. In this freelance writing section, I have put together some of the best freelance advice I have come across, and I will also share some of my own experiences that might help others avoid the pitfalls in the business. Each freelance writing career is going to be different, but for the novice freelancers out there, any advice is probably going to be welcome.

I will post freelance writing tips here as often as possible, but for those of you out there who have questions on breaking into the freelance writing world, contact me here. If there are any experienced freelance writers out there who want to share a piece of advice with the rest of the freelancers out there, you can also contact me. Please leave your name and e-mail address and I will post your tip, complete with your very own "byline". Sorry, but no payment for that stuff - just your name on my freelance writing site! Any tips can be edited for content and/or clarity.

Freelance writing tips

Breaking In as a freelancer - The toughest part

Where to find work

How much to charge for freelance writing

Writing a query letter

Finding Your Writing Niche

Interviewing sources for your article

Freelance writing links

Sites to find work

www.elance.com - This is probably one of the most professional and dependable online marketplaces for freelance writing and other freelance work.

www.freelancewriting.com - This site has dozens of great job listings along with an entire site full of tips, a newsletter, and a lot more. Overall a great freelance writing site.

www.writerfind.com - A good site for jobs. The only problem with this one is that you can only access the best jobs with by joining the site.

www.tjobs.com - This has more than just freelance writing jobs to offer. There are all sorts of telecommuting jobs to offer at this site.

www.freelanceworkexchange.com - Another good site with jobs and freelance writing resources for you to use.

www.freelancebank.com - Good site for freelance writing work, but a great site for freelancers of all types.

Freelancewrite.about.com - About.com does a great job of provide a wealth of insight on hundreds of topics, and freelance writing is one of them. Jobs, tips and other information is available on this site.

Writer's Market.com - This is one of the most reliable resources for you to find paying freelance writing markets. They provide a 'complete' list of consumer magazines, trade magazines, book publishers, and what you need to do to break into the markets. I am a member, and I would advise anyone who wants to break into the magazine market to be a member as well. Well worth the investment in your freelance writing career. It is also available in hard copy at your bookstore.

Today's-Woman.net - This is a great freelance writing place for anyone. A wide array of articles, a free writers' community for men and women, publication how-to's and discussions, free e-books and a weekly newsletter. A top notch freelance writing site to check out!

Resource sites

Dictionary.com - Just like the name says, this is a dictionary. I think it is a great online version. You should still have one at your desk though.

Visual Thesaurus - I love this online thesaurus because it shows you a visual of all of the words and even distant relative words for you to choose from. I think this is a great resource for anyone needing a good thesaurus. But, just like the dictionary, you should keep one close at all times. You can use this one for free a few times, but then you have to pay for it.

Writer's Digest - Either in the print form or the online magazine, Writer's Digest has been a mainstay in my life for the past 10 years. I have either subscribed to it or got the online newsletter for some time, and there are always valuable tips on freelance writing.

Fact Monster.com - This site has information about all sorts of things. It is a well-rounded freelance writing resource that will show its benefit over and over again.

Merriam - Webster Online - I was overwhelmed by the amount and quality of the information on this site. It has everything about words that you need to know. History, origin, how often it gets searched on the Internet... I loved it as a freelance writing resource.

This is just a start and I will continue to add some great freelance writing links to this page as time permits!