Writing For Online Markets – 5 Tips From A Professional Writer

When I first started out in writing for online markets, there was very little information about approaching clients, managing projects, choosing the right payment processors, calculating a good writing fee, deciding how many drafts or reworking requests to take on before submitting a final copy and matters related to actually getting byline credit and payments released.
That was over 8 years ago and things in the online writing world have changed considerably since then. However, I write this article about 5 tips for the online market in the hope that the mistakes I made can be avoided by new writers and freelance writing success can be a constant for new authors!
So, here goes:
Tip # 1 – Research Writer Guidelines
When applying for an online writer’s job in any ezine, blog or website copywriting job, such as a guide or contributing writer, be sure to conduct some basic online research for the writer’s guidelines that most sites have so you know what the site owners expect from their writer. Sometimes, there may be other niches you could really shine in, which you may overlook applying for in your haste of sending off a general writer’s application so do make it a point to find out the various fields of expertise the online markets you want to write for are currently advertising for.
Tip # 2 – Subscribe to top ezines and newsletters in your areas of interest
If you like camping, parenting, relationships or health subjects, it makes sense to subscribe to the top online magazines or newsletters from popular ezines or websites specializing in areas of your interest so you can pick up tips, latest news, expert views and possibly writing advice based on the content you find featured here.
Most are free and easy to sign up for requiring you to give only your name and email address in order to receive lots of interesting articles, information and industry updates about your choice of online markets. Once you have good knowledge of your hot favorite online markets, writing for similar websites, blogs or ezines will be a breeze because you will already be familiar with the acceptable styles and favored topics by being an avid reader!!
Tip # 3 – Target smaller ezines and always send more than one story pitch
Most online writing markets prefer receiving more than one story pitch from a writer since 2, 3 or more article ideas with a brief overview of what the article will offer readers helps editors determine the range and variety of thought a good writer can bring to the magazine.
Besides, smaller ezines are likely to have lesser competition because of lower circulation and modest writing fees offered. Therefore it makes sense to target smaller ezines when starting out in your writing career. Also apply for copy editing, proofing and volunteer writing gigs to get some bylines to your credit so you have a decent portfolio to show for better writing jobs when they come along, thanks to the exposure and confidence you will have gained due to these.
Tip # 4 – Get popular with editors
Most new authors and freelance writers find landing the first gig with popular online publications the most difficult of tasks, even after receiving a favorable response from the editor, like when the editor wants to see a story they’ve pitched ‘on a speculative basis’ because they are not sure it won’t be misused.
But, stop and think for a moment, editors are constantly looking out for good writers who they can depend on for delivering quality content and are not likely to steal a newbie’s introductory writing piece for padding their nest egg. Chances are, your first piece won’t be all that polished to warrant an established editor eyeing it for their own byline anyway. So shoot off that ‘sample article’ anyway, wait at least two weeks, get a copyscape account and verify it hasn’t been published anywhere on the web so far and post it under your name to secure your copyrights!
Tip # 5 – Join good writing communities
Online writing communities and forums are the best resource for new writers. These places can alert fresher entrants in the online writing world to writers markets, publishers to avoid, the good and bad paymasters, reliable payment processing systems and loads of other useful information such as free writing tools, writing software, editing tools and even reprint advice that can help a good writers earn extra income from one piece of good writing and also earn good exposure at the same time.