Ever wonder what it would be like to write for pay? What would you do if you got a chance to write for some of the most popular magazines in the world, but you had to do it remotely, from the comforts of your home? Would you jump at the opportunity, or would you pass?
You may wonder these things, but chances are, you won’t ever know the answer. You see, most writers never get an opportunity to write for pay. They may get a chance to pitch a story, or they may get a book deal, but outside of those exceptions, most writers will never know if they’re capable of writing for pay. As a result, they’ll never get the opportunity to try. That’s not fair, is it?
Thankfully, things are changing. More and more brands and companies are realizing the value of freelancers like you and me. They see the benefits of working with someone who can take the risk of trying new things, and they’re willing to gamble that you can produce quality content on a regular basis. In addition, digital nomads like you and me are the perfect intermediaries. We can easily bounce between clients, getting paid for our work along the way. It’s never been easier to get paid to write stories.
The Biggest Obstacles
Let’s be honest, as writers, we often have a hard time selling our work. We’re pretty good at writing, but when it comes to getting paid for our work, we often stumble. Here are some of the biggest obstacles that stand in the way of getting paid for your writing:
Unsure Of What You Should Be Getting Paid
One of the primary reasons that you haven’t been able to get paid for your writing is that you don’t know what you should be getting paid. It’s not that you’ve never been asked to write for free, because you have. Everyone has. But once you have a number in mind, it’s easier to negotiate your pay. For example, if you’re asked to write a press release for free, you can say, “Okay, I’ll write up a press release for you in exchange for a small payment.”
Sometimes you may not even be sure what the end product will be, so there’s no point in negotiating. Other times, you may be asked to write a piece for free, and you’ll have no idea what it is that you’re being asked to write. In that case, it’s better to just go with what you’re offered. Otherwise, you’ll never get paid for your work.
Lack Of Exposure
While you may be able to find some exposure through traditional means like pitching stories to a professional publication, it’s often difficult to gain real exposure and build a reputation as a writer. The best way to get paid for your writing is through exposure. Build a reputation as a reliable writer, and eventually, you’ll be able to charge more for your work. For example, if you’re a journalist who has built up a reputation for writing sharp and concise articles, you may be able to pitch a story to a major publication for higher pay. The advantage to this is that you’ll be able to establish yourself as a professional writer, capable of churning out quality content on demand. In addition, you’ll be able to show how much you care about the topic by taking the time to do your research and by writing an in-depth article that offers valuable insights. Finally, you’ll be able to establish yourself as an expert in your industry, which may very well translate into more work in the future. It’s all about gaining exposure.
Lack Of Confidence
Believe it or not, sometimes we have doubts about whether or not we can actually pull off a project. Sometimes, when we’re faced with a challenge, we have doubts about whether or not we can overcome it. Confidence can be a precious commodity, and it can be difficult to gain and maintain. When it comes to getting paid for our writing, we often lack the confidence to ask for what we’re worth, or to ask for more money. The truth is, we’re often not even sure if what we’ve written is good enough. This, of course, stems from the fact that we haven’t been able to assess its quality properly, so we don’t know if it’s valuable or not.
As I stated before, the best way to get paid for your writing is through exposure. If you write for an established publication, or if you’re a highly-respected columnist, then you can be fairly confident that the content that you generate will be of good quality. From there, you can either raise your rates or ask for more work. Either way, you’ll be able to put a dollar figure to your work and determine if it’s worth it or not. In the end, it’s all about having confidence in what you’re doing, and knowing that it will pay off in the end.
The Rewards Are Endless
Last but not least, let’s not forget about the sheer volume of possibilities that exist when it comes to getting paid for your writing. With more and more brands and companies realizing the value that freelancers like you and me can provide, the opportunities are endless. Just take a look at the freelance writing directories to get a feel for the volume of work that’s available. There are hundreds of opportunities for you to get paid for your writing. All you have to do is find them.