Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Switched to my site!

Hi to all!

If you happen to drop by to this blog ( thank you...), I would like to transfer you to my own site. I have been busy and I can no longer manage to write different posts for this blog and my own site..

So check my site out..thanks again!

click here!

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Make Money Online with Constant Content

I am on the quest to search for high-paying markets. As we all know, there are many writing jobs that are so low for any freelance writer who writes in highest quality possible. For me, it is just not worth my time and effort; if I can write one article for a price of 5-10 articles, who can refuse right?

For my fellow freelance writers, I would like to share a new site where you can sell your articles. Some customers would post a "request" for a specific articles.

If you are not into writing, this site also caters to those who are into graphics, photography and videos. In short, this is one of the most legitimate arenas to make money online!

So check out their site, sign up and submit your materials!

Click here to get started..

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Having your own blog: The best investment

I had my own domain for my site valcaulin.com for $15/year and it is my first investment as a freelance writer. If you really want to be serious and work full-time as a freelancer, then you must invest in some things. Some would buy some software like Copyscape and some ebooks on freelancing or as a freelance writers.

But for me, the first thing that you must spend in order to earn more is to have your own blog. There are many free blogs like blogspot and wordpress but to have your own domain like yourname.com is more professional.

Also, your client will know that they are dealing business with someone who is really serious.

Your blog or site is your own portfolio. Writing anything or posting your latest pic will sho what kind of a writer are you. It also saves time when you apply for a job; you dont have to attach a document. You just have to say.

" Kindly refer to my site, www.valcaulin.com for my writing samples."

Is it quick and more efficient?


So take your time, save some bucks and get serious in your writing!


Earn and Write!

Sunday, January 11, 2009

How to Retain a Client


In every business, success lies in the number of customers or clients that you have. In the world of freelance writing, it is hard to find clients who will trust your skills and who can be trusted.

My first client for travel related articles is still with me and I rely on them whenever, I don't have any projects lined up. The secret to freelance writing to have a loyal client, someone who is consistent in giving you projects.

This article will list down some ways on having a good relationship with your clients.

1. Listen to them.

I myself appreciate if a writer can catch up my instructions fast and well. You must follow each instruction from the dot to make your assignment successful. Save all the clients messages so you can go back to them in case you are not sure of what he or she wants.

Clients are also busy and they find it such a pain in the neck if you keep on asking instructions, flies over and over again.


2. Take your word.
If you promise to deliver your articles when 3 days, then you must hand them on or before the said date. If you think you can't make it, inform them ahead. It is such a silly excuse if you inform them hours before your deadline.

Deadlines are the main priorities among clients. If you can't make them on time, they wont deal with you.


3. Communicate and update them.

Especially if the deadline is within a longer period of time like a week or month, you must keep them updated. Doing so, will make your clients will assured that you are working and they can expect some articles on your deadlines.

Also, communicating with them will make your work easier. You can submit few articles ahead so the client can evaluate them. This will also guarantee that you are on the right track.

4. Be honest.
Like any business, honesty is still very important. on your side, you want clients to pay you on time and well. And as freelance writers, you must provide them with original work. Aside from handing down original works, you must be honest in terms of making deadlines.

Never give, silly excuses..any person will know if you are just making it up or not.

5. Quality work.

Any client will adjust to your pricing and schedule if they like you as a freelance writer. The quality of your work is very important, they dont want to consume so much time editing your work.

Also, if you are professional in terms of communicating, skills and meeting deadlines; there is no way that theywill not hire you...


Earn and write!


visit my site!

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Christmas break for Freelancers

Hi all!

As a freelancer, you only get paid whenever you do and finish a job and being a freelance writer means no break for me. A survey was posted in Odesk if freelancers are planning to take a break during the holidays. I was quite surprised that majority are still willing to work as long as there is work for them.

On my part, I took a break or a sit back with my writing during the season. First, we had to transfer to our new house (yehey!) which means that my internet connection was temporarily cut-off by my ISP (ouch!). Secondly, we had to travel to my parents' home for Christmas. And lastly, the endless get togethers, parties and weddings that I was obliged to attends keeps me off from my laptop.

For freelance writers and freelancers in general, it is not imposible to take a break especially during a " global holiday" like Christmas, all you have to do is to inform the dates that you can't work and your expected return to work. It would also be nice if you check your email everyday in case there are urgent things.

So, rejoice and celebrate the season!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Do's and Dont's of Article Writing

This post is to answer someone who asked me about the "do's and dont's of Article Writing". Thank you for the idea...here it is. I hope you will learn something.

In general, there are two things to remember when writing any article; they must be original and of high quality. This post will elaborate so please read on...

1. Copied work and plagiarism.
To be frank, we are not that trained to make our work original way back in our thesis, essays and term papers. It's like we are tempted to copy some sentences and add it to our project so it can become 5 pages or we are "confident" that our teacher may not know. Well, as a teacher; we always know. The words and ideas are too perfect and not that coherent with the rest.

In writing articles, clients are very anxious that you will give them copied work. In the end, its their names who will be jeopardized and "flagged" by Google. But there are times that we have the same wordings to other works even though we really made it. The easiest is to check your work with the online tool, Article Checker or Copyscape if you have it before submitting to your client. Make the necessary changes to make it 100% original.

2. Spend time researching for your topics.
Some might consider "researching" for your topic a waste of time especially if you are writing a very short web content article. But researching by getting some key points and facts can save you time when writing. You must have some piece of paper and jot down all the necessary facts that are important for your article. This can save you time once you are writing your article. You will not be "lost of words" and your ideas are there already; you just have to combine them all.

3. Never rush your articles.
I have experienced being so loaded with many assignments because I got addicted to getting projects ( I will discuss this in another post; kindly remind me..lol) that I don't have time to write them all in the best that I could. If you rush your articles, it will turn out so mediocre and you lose your client.

4. Make your article "readable".
Online article writing gives opportunity to those people who are not " walking dictionaries" to publish their works. Majority of people who use and read contents in the internet are just like us so keep your words simple. I read in one article that your work should not prompt our readers to look for a dictionary. Unless you are writing some specific articles like insurances, medicals and the likes where you need to add some jargon.

5. Grammar and Spelling.
Review your basic grammar in case you forgot. Do not rely on the spelling and grammar check of your computer since it can outlook some errors. Manually edit and check your work. Read and read your article before submitting it to your client.

6. Avoid "Fillers".
A client asked you to write a 600-word article about "losing weight" and you are completely lost with words; you are still with 400 words. Some writers would make their sentences to long and repeating some ideas over and over again just to reach the number of words. Now, this is not good especially for readers, this will no longer interesting to read. Your work should be concise and direct to the point.

7. Make headings
To make your article readable, make at least one heading. For example your writing an article about "Losing Weight"; your article should look like this

How to Lose Weight

__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

Foods to Eat and Avoid
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

Exercises to Start with
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________


Above, you made two headings which are " Foods to Eat and Avoid" and "Exercises to Start With". Having headings will only make your article organized but it can be easier for you to meet the number of words required. So it is easy to make a 600- word article if you do this; just allocate the number of words to each part.


There you have it, some of the things to keep in mind when writing any article. If you have other ideas, feel free to comment...


Earn and Write!

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Freelance Writer: How to Start

First of all, my apologies for writing this post quite late as I have promised. I have been busy looking for projects and finishing them. You see, I have this bizarre complications of being an "OC" that once I started with a project, I would finish it in a day or two. Anyway, one asked on how to start a freelance writer. Yeah, it is a very promising venture; earning while at home. And not to insult those other home-based "jobs", freelance writing is really a job.

Here is a step-by-step procedure to get your career as a freelance writer a start..

1. Recall your writing skills
This should be the first thing that an aspiring freelance writer should take into consideration especially if the last time you were into writing was during your essay final examination in college :-0. Remember, clients are into the quality of work that you can render to them. So how can you do this?
  • Start writing! This is the only way to do this. Start with what you did when you were little, you can write about your day or anything in your thoughts in a piece of paper or in a notebook just to be back in sync with your writing.
  • Create a blog. Since you will be dealing the online world then your writing must be available online. There are many free blogs like Blogger and Wordpress which are user-friendly. Then try to write a piece which is at least 300 words and increase this as fast as you can. When applying for jobs, most articles would run for 500 words and some would demand 3-5 articles each day!
2. Prepare your portfolio.

A portfolio has all your past work like articles. It is not enough to attach a word document of your article when applying for a writing job. As mentioned, there are many free blogs that you can use. Your blog can be your portfolio if you have articles in it or you really have a separate portfolio that potential clients can refer to. Like this blog can already be my portfolio for some clients. For my website, I have a menu for my portfolio, I have listed down my articles that has been published; my clients will just have to clink on the URL and viola! my article!

3. Get your Paypal account
Most Filipino writers cannot move on with their career as a freelance writer simply because they don't have a Paypal account. Paypal is still the most common payment method online though I use Payoneer often since they have higher exchange rates. For Paypal, you need to have a credit card or go to apply for an EON Cyber Account with UnionBank. It would take at most ten days to validate your Paypal account. While you still don't have Paypal, you can use your bank account or Gcash.


4. Look for clients

This is one of the most time-consuming part of this industry. Even if you already an established writer, just like any business you need to look for clients. You can either market your site or blog or look for them by yourself. For a start log on to freelance sites like Odesk or Getafreelancer. Some find it hard and long to land on their first assignment, but it is worth it. You can start carving your niche in these sites as a freelance writer.

Now, while waiting for your assignment from freelance sites, you can look for small scale writing jobs. Believe, the pay is very low but as I said, make this as an investment to enhance your skills and to learn about the world of freelance writing. There are some writers who need help from others to meet deadlines. You can visit pinoymoneytalk, Entre Pinoy Atbp. and even friendster!


After you land your first assignment, please do your best. Like any business, repeat client will make your business grow; on my experience, my first client with Odesk is still with me and she keeps bringing income to my wallet. So never let go of this opportunity!

Write and Earn!
Sign up for PayPal and start accepting credit card payments instantly.

About Me

My photo
Shifting to be a freelance writer from the conventional 8-5pm job was the best career move I made. I have control of my time especially for my toddler and most of all, I reap higher financial rewards!