I've been pretty lucky about long-term clients finding me. When it comes to short-term clients, I seek them out in writing marketplaces. Once you become established as a reliable writer in them, it's always possible to find work.

Yes, it took a year or more to reach a point where I was sure I would have regular work. I filled my down time reading about freelancing, writing blog posts and creating profiles at virtually every worthwhile writing marketplace online. There was a time when I wasn't sure if these places would accept my applications. Nowadays, it's rare to get turned down, and it's usually because my niche just isn't right or they're looking for people with degrees in non-writing fields (I don't have one in a writing-related topic, either. You seriously do not need one at all to freelance the way I do), so I've definitely developed some job security.

Sounds pretty interesting. (Sorry about dissing your beloved genre recently BTW. My tastes may all be in my mouth for all I know.)

Not sure I understand how copywriting happens. There are online meeting places where people needing content written and willing writers go to hook up? What sorts of products come out of copywriting? Could that be like pamphlets and buisness forms? Or maybe it's presenting information about products for online advertising?

(November 22, 2016 at 12:33 pm)Whateverist Wrote: Sounds pretty interesting.  (Sorry about dissing your beloved genre recently BTW.  My tastes may all be in my mouth for all I know.)  

Not sure I understand how copywriting happens.  There are online meeting places where people needing content written and willing writers go to hook up?  What sorts of products come out of copywriting?  Could that be like pamphlets and buisness forms?  Or maybe it's presenting information about products for online advertising?

Oh, I'm not married to it. Different strokes for different folks. I don't expect people to like all the same things I do. I'm just arguing its merits.

So, like any other job, you can answer ads for copywriters needed. You can also connect online in places just like you described. Copywriting covers a ton of material. Some people do pamphlets and the like. I don't. You can also write pages for business websites, such as about us pages and product pages. You can write ad copy, product descriptions, best of lists, etc. Some copywriters even specialize in social media posts. They'll be offered a set payment for a batch of facebook posts or tweets on a topic relevant to the client. It can be anything from rug cleaning to movie promotions. I've been asked to do food descriptions for menus. I've done real estate listings. I've done research articles on the benefits of medical marijuana–that project was months long. Eventually, an entire website was populated with medical research content I had done on the benefits and risks of medical marijuana for a huge variety of conditions.

How do you feel about copyrights expiring upon the death of the author?

That is so. Fucking. Cool.

I legitimately want to make a living writing but I still don't understand how I'm supposed to get my first gig. If I have no work to refer my clients to as an example of my skills, how am I supposed to convince anyone to pay me to write for them? Should I just keep answer ads online until someone gives me a chance? What sites do you use to answer ads?

edit: No I do not have a college degree.

(November 22, 2016 at 1:33 pm)Minimalist Wrote: How do you feel about copyrights expiring upon the death of the author?

Alternatively, how do you feel about your kids having you preserved a la Hitchcock in order to keep those checks coming?

Do you still do NanoWriMo, are are you too busy with paying the bills? What compelled you to take the plunge?

(November 22, 2016 at 1:33 pm)Minimalist Wrote: How do you feel about copyrights expiring upon the death of the author?

I don't like it at all. Tibby and I disagree on this one, but I really think authors ought to be able to decide their own legacy. If mom and dad's bakery can go to little Timmy, why shouldn't I be able to leave my novels to my family? Of course, there has to be an expiration at some point, I guess.

(November 22, 2016 at 2:33 pm)Shell B Wrote: I really think authors ought to be able to decide their own legacy. If mom and dad's bakery can go to little Timmy, why shouldn't I be able to leave my novels to my family? Of course, there has to be an expiration at some point, I guess.

Just change your name to Walt Disney.

(November 22, 2016 at 1:34 pm)operator Wrote: That is so. Fucking. Cool.

I legitimately want to make a living writing but I still don't understand how I'm supposed to get my first gig. If I have no work to refer my clients to as an example of my skills, how am I supposed to convince anyone to pay me to write for them? Should I just keep answer ads online until someone gives me a chance? What sites do you use to answer ads?

edit: No I do not have a college degree.

Take shit gigs until you have enough shit gigs to convince people you have experience. Yes, keep doing that until someone gives you a chance. Some great beginner ones I think are upwork, Textbroker and WriterAccess. I'm not sure, but WA may have become more stringent about the application process. It's been years since I've actually applied to a marketplace that acted as a go-between.

You don't need a degree, but definitely pick up style guides. There are a few really important ones. I keep them on my shelves, but you can also access some of the details online. You need to know what a client means when they say "use AP style." Google the shit out of freelance writing until you know what you're getting into. This is most important.