Writing is an art form that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With the rising popularity of Kindle books, Nook Books and other digital reading platforms, people now have the opportunity to purchase books online and read them on their devices without having to worry about getting spoiled by reading a real book. If you’re a fan of books and want to be able to express your creativity in a new way, you can easily become a freelance writer for major publishing houses that need fresh material for their lists. While not everyone may enjoy getting paid to write, for those that do it is a viable option that can allow them to indulge their passion for books while also being able to pay the bills.
The Most Popular Genres to Debut In
As a writer, you will be asked to submit creative briefs for publishers to help them decide what books to make. These briefs will outline the different characters, settings and storylines you can work with, as well as the target audience. If you’re lucky enough to land a contract with a publishing house, you will have the opportunity to write whatever you wish. Most frequently, you will be asked to write books in a particular genre or within a certain theme, so you will need to learn a little about that genre or theme before you can start writing.
The Different Ways Writers Can Be Paid
There are several different ways that freelancers can be paid for their work as writers. If you are fortunate enough to attract a large enough audience, you may be able to negotiate a higher rate for freelance writing work. Some freelance writers choose to be paid per post while others prefer to be paid per page. Some agencies and publishers only pay their writers once or twice a week, so you will likely need to look for other ways to be paid. As a starting writer, you may choose to take on short deadlines or relatively low-paying projects to begin with and build up your portfolio, eventually negotiating a higher rate for more complex or long-term projects.
Where Can I Submit My Creative Briefs?
If you are interested in becoming a freelancer, the first thing you will need to do is to submit your creative briefs to different publishers. These are the companies that will typically hire freelancers to write their books. Once you have landed a contract, you can contact your agent or manager and arrange to begin working. Depending on the terms of your contract, you may be required to complete a certain number of creative briefs before you are allowed to pitch your first full manuscript or book.
Earned Media vs. Organic Growth
When a publisher buys advertising space in a reputable newspaper, magazine or on a reputable website, they are paying for the privilege of having their brand advertised to the public. Typically, this is done to generate more sales for their product or service (e.g., a new car dealership), but it can also be done to simply drive traffic to a website (e.g., a freelance writer’s website). In today’s world, people are becoming more and more informed about the different types of advertising available to them, so a publisher that wants to reach a specific audience will want to consider the different types of media that their target audience consumes. The advantage of paid media is that it typically generates more leads and sales for the product or service, so it can be considered a ‘cost-effective’ way to gain new customers.
Pricing And Publishing Your Book
Some writers are able to walk away with a six-figure check after selling a single book. However, for those that choose to go the freelance writing route, their earnings may not be as high. Typically, you will be asked to write a book in a particular genre or theme, and once you have turned in your creative brief, you will be provided with a list of suggested prices that your book will be assigned to. If you are lucky enough to sell the book, you will typically receive a royalty check at the end and, once your agent has collected it, the check will be mailed to you. Of course, this is all subject to negotiation, so keep your eyes open for higher rates and better terms.
The Advantages Of Freelancing
As a freelancer, you have complete control over how your work will be used and you can set your own deadlines, which can be quite liberating. If you have a specific project that you need to complete that involves research and taking notes, this can be quite tedious and can eat into your brainstorming time. In many cases, you may not even need to research any more after you have written the book, as the publisher may have already done this for you. The only disadvantage may be that you will not have the security of knowing you’re working for a company, so if you get sick of writing or decide to take a gap year, you may have trouble finding new work. To mitigate this risk, you could consider joining a union or establishing yourself as a freelancer of merit.
The Disadvantages Of Freelancing
As a freelancer, you will have complete control over how your work will be used and you can set your own deadlines, which can be quite liberating. If you have a specific project that you need to complete that involves research and taking notes, this can be quite tedious and can eat into your brainstorming time. In many cases, you may not even need to research any more after you have written the book, as the publisher may have already done this for you. The only disadvantage may be that you will not have the security of knowing you’re working for a company, so if you get sick of writing or decide to take a gap year, you may have trouble finding new work. To mitigate this risk, you could consider joining a union or establishing yourself as a freelancer of merit.
Becoming A Freelancer
If you are interested in pursuing a career as a writer, you can easily do so without leaving the comfort of your home. All you need is a computer, a reliable Internet connection and the desire to write. You can begin by searching for creative briefs online and submitting your work to different publishers or collecting marketable ideas in a notebook. If you want to become a freelancer, you can begin by looking for freelance writing opportunities online and, once you have accumulated a portfolio, you can contact your agent or manager and arrange to begin working.