Finding the "Write" Kind of Work Online

Many fiction writers are also freelance writers, and it's amazing how much that industry has changed, just like the publishing industry has. Years ago, the only way to find freelance work was through traditional networking methods. Now there are several web sites that act as brokers for clients and contractors.

I recently stumbled across www.Elance.com, which is a job board for all types of freelance professionals in the areas of writing, IT, sales, marketing, finance, design and law. Contractors create a profile and clients post projects they need completed. The client provides a job description and budget, and the contractors submit bids for the project. Jobs are open for bids for up to two weeks, and then the client may choose one of the bids to accept.

There are more than 1,700 writing-related jobs currently posted on www.Elance.com. They are divided into categories from proofing to blogging to ghost writing. I created a profile and found a short-term project I thought was interesting. A week later I was awarded the job! Elance.com ensures secure financial payment from the client upon completion of the project. I was amazed and excited at how easy the site was to use. It's interesting to see how many clients have used an online site to find freelancers.

There are other similar sites for freelancers, such as www.odesk.com and www.guru.com. As with any online transaction, it's a good idea to do your due diligence. Make sure it's a reputable site, and check the reviews posted for any client/project you consider.

I found it encouraging that so many people are in need of a good creative writer. Whether it's for magazine articles, blogs, short ebooks or full-length novels, having the opportunity to write for somone else is a great way to keep your skills sharp and earn a little extra money in the process--something all writers can use more more of!

I'd love to hear if you have used an online site for freelance work and what your experience was like!

--KSR Writer