Thursday, November 09, 2006

Write for Cash


Get boatloads of cash writing a book or an article for someone else - more commonly known as ghostwriting. It’s a practice that has been around for a long time now. It’s just more prominent now because people are starting to understand the difference between ghostwriting and cheating. As a ghostwriter, you’re fully aware that your work would soon belong to another person. But you do not give away the credit for nothing. There’s a load of cash that comes with it as compensation.
Constantly writing enriches and enlightens you because you have to research on a plethora of topics ranging from popular to obscure. However, ghostwriting does restrict you in one way: you need to write as per your clients’ requirements.
Don’t worry if you’re not a super expert in coining words. You don’t even need to have a degree in literature to make money from writing. If you’re planning to specialize, let’s say as a medical ghostwriter, then having a strong background in the fields of science and technology will work to your advantage. Find your innate capabilities and interest.
How do I start?
Finding writing jobs is easier nowadays with the availability of several online marketplaces wherein you can bid on writing jobs. Sign-up as a service provider at GAF, Scriptlance, FreelanceWorkExchange or other similar contract-based work sites. Then bid on the projects that suit you. Be creative in marketing your services. Buyers would usually want to see your portfolio - articles you have written in the past. Don’t give up if you’re not awarded a project immediately. Keep on bidding. Sooner or later, you’ll get your hands full with multiple writing projects.
Publicity will bring you in more projects so place ads on classified ad sites. Build your reputation as a professional writer in online forums. Business cards are a good way to showcase any business and it holds true for a ghostwriting business as well. Passing them out whenever possible gets the job done. An alternative way is by putting them up on bulletin boards in permissible public places. Announce your writing services through a press release both online and in print.
Will I really make money by simply writing?
Ghostwriting doesn’t involve any cost apart from the internet charges that you incur while bidding for the projects. There are certain online marketplaces that require service providers to pay a monthly or annual fee for anything between $75 and $350. They will usually get a commission fee for every project that you’ve gotten through their site. Charge around $5 to $10 per article. With this, your initial costs can be covered with the first three or four projects.

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