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When it comes to freelance writing jobs two questions are often asked, where are they obtained, and how much should a writer charge for his or her services? The answer to both questions is not a black or white one, but there are some tried and true methods of both picking up freelance writing jobs, and finding the appropriate rate to charge that will have you writing for greenbacks before you know it.

One can not start charging money for their writing services without a client, thus it is first and foremost the job of a new freelance writer to seek out work before deciding what to charge. Doing this can be a daunting task, since most new freelance writers have little to no professional experience. Lesson the blow of stress and anxiety by creating several feature articles on a favorite set of topics that can showcase your work.

Once a basic portfolio of the written work has been created, it is time to start searching for freelance writing jobs. Start the search for writing gigs by looking on the large freelance websites that offer an abundance of content thirsty clients looking for a professional writer.

Another great place to find freelance writing jobs is online forums. Forums, especially those dedicated to webmaster tips and discussion offer a virtual jackpot of writing opportunities. Since the web is still dominated with the written word, there is no better client than that of a webmaster with a series of niche sites that is in need of constant content. Further, webmasters tend to be more patient with new writers as long as the rates are relatively inexpensive.

Whether you land your first freelance writing job from one of the big name freelance job boards online, or from a online forum, make sure to start with an affordable menu of prices. While some new writers can instantly charge larger than average rates for their work, most start with modest fees to help gain a client base and build up their portfolio.

While the term modest is left up to reader interpretation, charging between $20 and $100 per page would fall into that category of affordable writing services. This also will differentiate your services from the glut of writers that attempt to command rates 5 to 10 times the above amount.

Remember, there will always be time in the future to raise your rates, create retainer packages, and come up with ways to earn more for writing less, however when starting out it is imperative to keep it cheap for the clients so they have an incentive to take a risk on a new writer.

Finally, be sure to be persistent in your search for freelance writing jobs. Without doubt you will face some adversity along the way to becoming an established freelance writer, but for those that stick to the above advice a world of creative satisfaction and financial stability awaits.

Ron Subs is a marketing consultant for the bestselling book The Definitive Guide to Making Money Online with Your Writing. For more information about the book and the author visit Http://www.WriterWork.com

Someone once said that the invention of the Internet was the most innovative thing that has happened to the professional writer since the creation of moveable type. There’s no doubt that after a shaky start a decade ago, web content is here to stay as a juggernaut that twists and turns as it evolves through the exorbitant professional writer rates that were charged and the cheap overseas copy that was found in the end to actually turn business away. Like any other transformation, the writer who makes his/her living from the web needs to shed some of their old beliefs and attitudes to keep up in this new world.

Statistics show that the average office worker spends about thirty hours a week looking at a computer screen. And although computers have made it easier to share and pass along information, reading from a monitor has proven itself so far to be less effective than paper. Because of the slight flicker that’s present with monitors and the fact the resolution is a little harder on the eye, the experts have been able to ascertain that reading from a screen is 25% slower than paper.

So this means that the professional writer will have a different set of criteria they need to address when they’re writing for the Internet; because they’re up against a medium where people find it more laborious to read off their monitors and they tire out more quickly, the adaptable writer comes to the conclusion that they must somehow adapt their style to this new wave of progress. At least one of the ways to do that is by shoring up on the tenets of good old fashion journalism and cut the fat from everything you write.

Get to the point. Be brief and concise. These have always been the trademarks of anything that’s well written anywhere, but these adages take on an added urgency when you’re dealing with a standard where the professional writer will have on average nine seconds to hook someone’s attention before they click away. While every word always counted back in the days where all our information came on paper, the amount of avenues that allow readers to get the same input different ways has increased exponentially with the Internet forcing writers of all kinds to sharpen their skills.

However, while writing for the Internet should be anything but bland, there is an apparent lack of tolerance for self-indulgence present at the same time. The best content seems to follow the rules of all good writing and be factual, clear and lean.

Robert Starr is a professional writer/editor with several published books and a degree in journalism. He’s brought 20 years of experience in the craft to his own online writing/editing service. You can reach him at

http://www.robstarr.org/index.php

Imagine that you are a busy college student, waiting in line to copy an article you need for your upcoming final exams. A stranger taps you on the shoulder: “Could I cut in? I want to go first because I’m in a hurry.”

Meanwhile, in the next line, another stranger taps on your friend’s shoulder: “Hey, could I cut in?”

Actually, you’re part of an experiment. The researcher wanted to test the power of “because.” Sure enough, those who were interrupted with a “because” story were more likely to say, “Sure, go ahead.”

Apparently even a bogus reason (“because I’m in a hurry”) was more effective than no reason at all.

So when it comes to writing copy (the words on your website or advertising), you’ll find copywriters love the word “because.” Some say it’s the most powerful weapon in our copywriting arsenal.

You can harness the power of “because’ in these 3 ways.

(1) Power up your promises.

One challenge facing marketers: Convince your prospects that you really can deliver the benefits you promise. You and your 500 competitors all promise to change someone’s life, take their business to the next level, or help them lose weight and keep it off.

But your readers say, “Oh come on: I’ve heard that before.”

That’s when you back up your promises of benefits with a statement of features — the process for delivering your benefits. You light a fire under your promise with the “because” word;

Example; “You never get a cookie cutter solution (because we begin work after you complete a detailed questionnaire).”

(2) Offer a special without sounding desperate.

Price reductions can be dangerous. It’s important to signal that you’re coming from a strong place of abundance and you’re not the least bit needy.

Example: “I’m offering this special price because we’re coming out with the new version in just a few weeks.”

(3) Relate to your market.

“We’re offering this product because we know it’s hard to stay motivated during this hot weather.”

or

“We’re creating a special workshop for displaced executives because we know how traumatic a layoff can be.”

Although I cited an experiment suggesting that bogus reasons might work, I recommend sticking to the Real Deal when you’re marketing and writing copy. Creating disbelief can be fatal to your sales.

When I read, “Because I want to share,” I shake my head and click away.

But you can make readers smile with a “reason” that’s patently absurd. Every so often an Internet marketer offers an “overstock” sale of digital products (think about that one). Or you get a special “because it’s my birthday” or “my dog wanted me to do this.”

Risky but sometimes effective.

Stil, the “because factor” is most powerful when you can find an honest, realistic reason.

Recently a well-known marketer extended a promotion for a few hours. Extending a deadline can send mixed signals, but he came up with a convincing reason: “Because I forgot to put the time zone in the ad. When it was midnight in New York, it was just 9 PM in California.”

That works. In fact, it works so well I can’t help wondering if he did it on purpose.

FREE 7 Best-Kept Secrets of Websites That Really Attract Clients: My Special Report gives you insider tips to convert tire-kickers to buyers and earn money while you sleep. From Cathy Goodwin, The Content Strategist, at http://www.copy-cat-copywriting.com.

Writing the sales copy is one of the biggest challenges you will have to face when selling your service or product on the Internet. You have to be able to put across the benefits of your product to the potential buyer, who with a bit of luck has already been trying to find the answer to their problem. It becomes your task to make them believe that what you have to offer will satisfy their needs.

You need to show the customer that you believe in the product and endorse it fully. The price has to reflect competitiveness and you may wish to offer further incentives to secure the interest of the buyer. Bearing these things in mind you have to produce a concrete sales letter which will encourage your prospects to make a purchase from you. Although there are numerous ways to come up with effective sales copy it is clearly not a cookie cutter science. You have to become aware of the needs of your customers and let them know in straight forward talk why they would be best buying your product over anyone else’s. Keep the sales copy to the point and include some, if not all, of the following to make your letter stand out from the rest.

Begin by asking yourself about the main focus of your sales letter. What is the USP (Unique Selling Position) of what your company is promoting? As yourself how your product or service can be of exceptional benefit to your customer. Once you have answered this question in your mind, you have the start of your sales message.

Your USP has to be something that your competitors cannot offer, or that your company can provide in a better way for your customer. It could be the cost or the superiority of the product, or maybe even the great after care service that you give. When you have decided exactly what your USP is, stress this point in language which the reader is sure to understand.

The guidelines to producing good sales copy should include the points shown below in the order in which they are best to appear.

1. Show the benefit in your headline by telling your customer exactly what advantages they will receive when buying your product.

2. Let your customers know your USP in simple to understand terms making them aware that you hold the unique solution to their particular need.

3. Suggest the many advantages of owning your product. This will encourage them to be more interested and read on to make sure it is really what they want to buy. You only need between three and five bullet pointed examples to create the necessary desire in the mind of the reader

4. Using just one line with a definite purpose, state again the main benefit, the one you mentioned in the headline of the sales copy.

5. Then draw the readers’ attention to a small list of the best bits of your product and what it has to offer. Mention a feature which makes your product special. This is very important as it is likely to make or break the sale for you.

So now you have got the attention of your reader, the next part is considered by some to be the most important part of the sales letter. This is where the sale is made and an interesting incentive to close the deal is necessary. Use your judgment to decide what that offer should be but if chosen well it is sure to increase your sales conversion rate.

At the end of the day you are simply asking the person to buy your product. As elementary as this may sound it is a vital part of the process. Try different kinds of closing statements and see which one works best for you. Writing your own sales copy using the guidelines supplied here can lead to a healthy and profitable on line business.

Kevin Sinclair is the publisher and editor of Be Successful News, a site that provides information and articles on how to succeed in your own home or small business. http://besuccessfulnews.com/

If your goal is to be the best web copywriting success that you can be, and to do it in the shortest amount of time possible, then this article is a must read for you. During the course of this article, you are going to be provided with the seven of the hottest and spectacular copywriting concepts. With this information you’ll be well on your way, and a step ahead of your competitors, to being a breakthrough copywriting success story.

1. One step that you can take is to increase your writing is to write with a partner. Due to the sheer amount of writing that is generated many writers are enjoying greater success simply because they are not writing everything alone.

2. In addition, because you will be working with other writers, you will be more open to opportunities to develop a combined promotional plan through which you can all enjoy copywriting achievements. More people working toward the same goals are better then one.

3. Another thought that you will need to keep in mind when it comes to being a breakthrough copywriting success, is becoming involved with the many freelance writing web sites that are available. Many writers have already laid the groundwork for their definitive triumph through active contribution and association at one or more of the reputable freelance sites that are in operation today. You get access to people who need products written, paid income, and a chance to learn more as you get better.

4. One course of action that you can take when it comes to your own advances in copywriting success is by developing your expertise in very specific, or even new and emerging niches. Writers that take the effort to develop their expertise in a particular niche are going to be those same writers that enjoy the greatest level of success.

5. You are also going to want to develop some system through which you can make contact with those area of the market that will be the most interested in reading your material. Then write about those things in which you have the greatest expertise and market it to those people.

6. Along these same lines, you might want to develop a website with one or more than one writer through which you can all develop your efforts.

7. Finally, if you run into trouble, then you may feel like hiring the services of an already professional copywriter to support you in creating your first copywriting business. There are many professionals already out there that can offer help to you with everything from developing a business plan to developing and implementing an advertising campaign that will ensure your best chances of ultimate success.

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