SUBJECT: Lesson #7 - Ways to Find Freelance Writing Jobs {!firstname_fix} There are a number of ways which we are going to explore in this chapter to find online writing jobs for freelancers, but a word of caution for you is to beware of scams and fraudulent employers. Always research well and be prudent in selecting the right job and the right people. List below are several ways to locate freelance writing jobs. Some of these options are free and others require that you pay a membership fee. All of them, however, have the potential of helping you find jobs. • Websites: There is huge number of websites that provides you with freelance job listening. Craigslist.com is a one the best and free place to find freelance work. There are job listings posted daily. Other available free websites are getafreelancer.com, rentacoder.com, monster.com, but their reliability is lower. However there are few paid sites that are more reliable for example guru.com, Ifreelance.com, elance.com. • Social Media Sites: Famous social media sites like face book, twitter, LinkedIn also help you in job search, but again the reliability is questionable. • Email marketing: For tyro writers daily emails may also work. But it is most effective for people already in the field and if they have a lull in work schedule, as happens to almost every freelancer at some point. Sending out emails to existing clients is effective. • Solicit references: Enquire from your friends, family members and colleagues for reliable employers. These sources are more reliable and trust worthy. Even many people looking to hire a freelance writer will ask someone they know for a referral so keeping in touch with friends, colleagues proves to be beneficial. • Registering with professional organizations: This strategy works best for professionals. Writers who specialize in areas such as marketing, medical, or technical writing could join organizations specific to those industries. • Alternative approach- Market yourself: This is the you turn approach for which you do your work first i.e. prepare your article first and then email it to various related businesses and people who might be interested in your work and get you a freelancing job. Or you might submit your articles to various free directors and solicit work. • Create your own blog or websites to market yourself: This is the most effective approach for professional freelance writers. You can update your blog or web sites and present your work and market your specialties which will help you to get work of your choice. Hence, there are a variety of ways through which freelance writers can find opportunities and there is no one best method for everyone. Some freelancers are novice, others experienced, some are better at online networking, while others are more proficient at talking with people face-to-face, some see freelancing as a source of additional income while others want desire to take it as a long term profession. One thing is sure, freelance market is full of opportunities, one just needs to be prudent finding them. To Your Success, YOUR NAME YOUR LINK