4 Useful Websites for Freelance Writers

If your aim is to make a living as a freelance writer, it can be overwhelming to figure out which resources are trustworthy and helpful. There’s a near-endless supply of bad advice and low-paying job “opportunities,” But there are also gems out there that are worth your time (and possibly your money) because they can help you advance your career and find high-paying work. Here are my favorites:

1. Freelance Success

Freelance Success (abbreviated FLX) is a membership-based website and publication that’s been around for more than 20 years and still has many of its original members. There’s a solid reason for that, centering around its two big benefits: its message boards and its weekly “Market Watch” newsletter, with in-depth looks at good-paying markets.

Back when the site started, its members were almost all writing for the major consumer print magazines and newspapers. As things shifted to digital, so did the newsletters and advice on the message boards. These days, most members do some mix of content writing and traditional journalism. One of the great things about joining is that you’re surrounded by pros—these are people who know what they’re doing, make a living at it, and are generous with their contacts and knowledge. I find it well worth the $99/year.

2. The Freelance Content Marketing Writer

Chances are that if you’re working as a content writer today, you know who Jennifer Goforth Gregory is. She was an “early adopter” of the career and spends a lot of her time helping other writers learn about what content marketing is, find their niches, and promote themselves so they can make a “crapton of money.” She is a treasure, and so is her online presence.

Jennifer offers three things of high value to writers—her book (The Freelance Content Marketing Writer), her blog, and her Facebook group (more than 6,000 members). On the blog, which has new content once or twice a week normally, you’ll find nuts-and-bolts business advice on topics such as when and how to send letters of introduction, how often to follow up, which niches are the most profitable, content marketing ethics, and networking. Most are Jennifer’s own posts, but she also has several guest bloggers who write about their successes.

The very active Facebook group has calls for writers, motivational challenges, and lots of questions on everything from how to deal with a lowballing prospective client to whether Grammarly Premium is worth it (yes, according to 28 out of 35 people who responded, by the way).

3. ASJA

The American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) is a New York City-based organization for nonfiction writers in operation since 1948. On its website, you’ll find its blog, webinars and podcasts, their annual writing awards (anyone can enter), information about their annual conference, details about their advocacy work, and a “members only” section. Most of the valuable content on the website is in this section: message boards, information about local chapters and special interest groups, a confidential database, and sign-up information about “Client Connections” (meetings with editors, agents, and content producers—currently held virtually) and pitch slam events where you present your idea and editors give you feedback.

A friend introduced me to this organization, and I’ve found it helps me to connect with writers and editors—something that feels more important than ever in this time of isolation. You’ll need professional credits for full membership, or there’s an associate level for newer writers. Both are currently $235/year.

4. High-Income Business Writing

Ed Gandia is another well-known expert in the freelance writing space. He’s a salesman who started dabbling in copywriting in 2004, and then quit his job and went full-time with his writing. On his website, you’ll find an article section that focuses on one thing: making good money as a business writer.

Ed’s articles are generally short and to the point, covering how to get clients, run a business, have the right mindset, price your work, and become a better copywriter. He uses his own successes and setbacks as the basis for his advice, as well as studying what other writers are doing right. What you’ll find here is very practical, but also often “thinky”—such as his recent article about Parkinson’s Law and how to implement controls so you don’t spend all your business income as it comes in.

 

Ramping up your freelance writing income becomes less of a challenge when you have the right resources to turn to for advice and networking. These sites have great value no matter where you are in your career.

Are you looking for a freelance writer? Check out my portfolio of work, or contact me about what I can do for you!