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| by Susan Molthop | |
Revised August 3, 2007
The biggest surprise to me, when I started freelance writing, was how long it takes to get paid. In every case, I've invested from 20 to 100 hours before their check hit my mailbox. In some cases it's taken five or six months, because some periodicals don't pay until they've scheduled the piece for publication. Others "pay on acceptance," which may get money into your pocket a little sooner, but don't hold your breath.
On the other hand, once the money starts rolling in, the work you did 3-6 months ago, can subsidize the writing project you're working on, now.
It is possible to support a family by freelance writing only, but it's more common (and a whole lot easier) to combine freelance writing with one or several other money-making activities, such as consulting, Web site design, teaching/training, public speaking (seminars, workshops, etc.), or a specialty hobby/business. Cooking, gardening, photography, and travel-related businesses are just a few examples that offer lots of freelance writing opportunities. The most important element here, is a love of your subject. You will be spending a lot of unpaid hours getting established as a freelancer, so you really need to enjoy what you're doing.
Thank goodness for the Internet -- you can let your mouse do the walking. There are lots of websites that post freelance writing markets, with complete submission guidelines. Here is a link to my Markets Page, to get your started. Start with a small publication.Put on your creative hat and pitch an idea that would interest you, if you were one of their readers. If you're an expert in a popular field, you should be able to start out in paying markets ($25-$50 for 500-1,000 words). If you're a generalist, you may have to start by writing for non-paying markets, to get experience and the necessary "clips," to submit to the bigger outfits. Once you've published a few articles in publications that pay, you'll be ready to move up to the $100+ markets. Then you're on your way.
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