I started working online in the 1990s as a medical transcriptionist when things were still sent over a modem and a dial-up connection. I taught special education for the better part of a decade. But, how did I end up as an online writer? I started, quite literally, at the bottom of the barrel. I had no experience with search-engine optimized writing or online writing beyond my own blog at this time last year. I knew I was a decent writer and that I liked writing. So, when I quit teaching this time last year, I looked all around online to find something that I could do at home.
Initially, I began writing for Examiner.com. I still have my column, but have not written for a very long time. This was my foot-in-the-door job that I volunteered to do just so I could build up a bit of a portfolio of writing.
Shortly after beginning for Examiner.com, I discovered Textbroker. I became a web content ghostwriter. The pay was not so great, but I had no experience in this field, wanted to give it a shot, and it was some kind of income. Writing for Textbroker has been a good experience. I still write for them occasionally. I cut my "online writing teeth" there and learned how to write articles with keywords.
I did a couple freelance jobs and wrote for another ghostwriting content site. The pay was horrible, but, again, it was all going towards building experience. I even answered questions for Ask.com. You can get on a team to do that at Livework.com's website. I write articles for Triond.com and a few of the other revenue-sharing sites, such as Hubpages.com.
I'm actually still doing all of the above, but have recently added a new feather to my cap. I tried out for WiseGeek.com and actually passed the test. So, now I'm making more money in less time and can proudly say I'm in an elite class of writers. Just 12% of everyone who applies to write for WiseGeek gets past their initial writing intake articles.
In the midst of the last year, my two college-age kids started writing for Textbroker. My son is now writing for Demand Studios at Ehow.com. That happens to be a direct competitor to mom's WiseGeek writing. We got a chuckle out of that.
In any case, advice I would give to aspiring online writers is mainly this. Don't be too proud to start at the bottom. The learning curve is fast and before you know it, you will be making decent money online. It does take persistence (and an ability to write), as well as commitment. To make it work, you have to do it every day. Over time, your writing will get faster and better if you keep writing. Write everywhere you can: in your blogs, for article directories and revenue-sharing sites. There are literally hundreds of places to hone your skills. You never know if you like it or can do it until you give it a go. Best of luck to you!
Initially, I began writing for Examiner.com. I still have my column, but have not written for a very long time. This was my foot-in-the-door job that I volunteered to do just so I could build up a bit of a portfolio of writing.
Shortly after beginning for Examiner.com, I discovered Textbroker. I became a web content ghostwriter. The pay was not so great, but I had no experience in this field, wanted to give it a shot, and it was some kind of income. Writing for Textbroker has been a good experience. I still write for them occasionally. I cut my "online writing teeth" there and learned how to write articles with keywords.
I did a couple freelance jobs and wrote for another ghostwriting content site. The pay was horrible, but, again, it was all going towards building experience. I even answered questions for Ask.com. You can get on a team to do that at Livework.com's website. I write articles for Triond.com and a few of the other revenue-sharing sites, such as Hubpages.com.
I'm actually still doing all of the above, but have recently added a new feather to my cap. I tried out for WiseGeek.com and actually passed the test. So, now I'm making more money in less time and can proudly say I'm in an elite class of writers. Just 12% of everyone who applies to write for WiseGeek gets past their initial writing intake articles.
In the midst of the last year, my two college-age kids started writing for Textbroker. My son is now writing for Demand Studios at Ehow.com. That happens to be a direct competitor to mom's WiseGeek writing. We got a chuckle out of that.
In any case, advice I would give to aspiring online writers is mainly this. Don't be too proud to start at the bottom. The learning curve is fast and before you know it, you will be making decent money online. It does take persistence (and an ability to write), as well as commitment. To make it work, you have to do it every day. Over time, your writing will get faster and better if you keep writing. Write everywhere you can: in your blogs, for article directories and revenue-sharing sites. There are literally hundreds of places to hone your skills. You never know if you like it or can do it until you give it a go. Best of luck to you!
Really interesting read!! I am just getting started myself... so I hope to be where you are in a year or so.
Posted by: Moneymakergal | 08/20/2010 at 05:19 PM