Experiences - Blog Posts

What I’ve Learned As A Freelance Writer

Hello, hello, helloooo. I hope you’re all doing well. :) I’ve been freelance writing for over 10 years, and I thought I’d share what I’ve learned as a freelance writer.

Don’t Put All Your Eggs In One Basket I’ve seen websites go under, and I’ve had clients disappear on me. It used to send me into panic mode, but I’ve learned not to put all my eggs in one basket. Now, I always make sure I’m on enough writing teams and keeping in touch with my regular clients. I also bookmark other freelance/content writing websites to research as needed. Always Do Your Research Sometimes, a writing website sounds too good to be true because it IS too good to be true. Whether it’s for blogging or content writing, you should always research a website and/or ask for opinions before diving right in. At least that’s what I do. Don’t Be Afraid To Try Something New Even though I had an account for years, it took me until 2018/2019 to even post a gig on Fiverr. It was different from the websites I’m used to, so I wasn’t ready until then. I’m glad I made that leap because that’s where I land some of my writing clients. The same can also be said for joining new writing teams and websites, or taking on a new client. If it’s possible and legit, do not be afraid to take the leap because it could lead to something great. However, Learn When To Say No When my Fiverr gigs started picking up traction, I would try to do anything. If I didn’t feel qualified? I’d turn it down. If I was already swamped with work? I would do it and cut it close to my deadlines, or I’d pull an all-nighter to get things done. I’ve learned when to say “no” and/or put up my away message. It’s good to be productive, but you don’t want to overextend yourself and risk burnout. It’s Okay To Make Mistakes - But Make Sure You Learn From Them When I first joined Textbroker, I made a lot of comma mistakes because I wasn’t knowledgeable in the AP Style. I went from avoiding commas (unless I was sure I was right) to taking the time to learn how to properly use the commas. If I’m unsure of anything in general, I hit up Google to double-check it. I also read out loud when proofreading, and I proofread my longer writing orders twice. You’re a human being. You’re going to make mistakes, and that’s okay, but you want to make sure you learn from them. Write Outside Your Freelance Work It’s good to write for fun and as a hobby. I run this blog, as well as a grief-related blog (because I lost my parents) and a fan blog for my favorite band. I’m a member of MyLot, and I have multiple online/offline journals for sharing my thoughts. Write outside of your work. Express yourself. Keep the creative juices flowing. And mostly, don’t lose your passion for writing.

Those are just a few things I’ve learned as a freelance writer, and I hope they help you to grow into the writer you wish to be. :) What have you learned as a freelance or creative writer?

My First Experience On A Writing Website

Aside from online journals and diaries, my first experience on a writing website was Associated Content (later known as Yahoo! Contributor Network). I submitted a few articles here and there in 2009, and in 2010, I decided to start writing and submitting articles to AC/YCN weekly. I’m not going to lie and say that I made a ton of money off those articles. I received upfront payments for a lot of them, as well as monthly payments for article views. What I really received from my time on AC/YCN was (freelance) writing experience. My articles were mainly things such as “Top 5 Toys For Infants” and “5 Craft Ideas For Valentine’s Day” because those were familiar topics for me. My late Father introduced me to “Top X” articles, and I knew of craft projects because I used to work with children. Other topics were local and seasonal, from museums in my area to autumn-themed activities. Even when I moved on from submitting articles for upfront payments to working on other websites, I would still receive a little each month for views, so I thought that was cool. I did try out other websites, such as Triond and Bukisa, but I still preferred Associated Content. Associated Content/Yahoo! Contributor Network has been gone for several years now, but I’m grateful for my time on that website. I feel it helped me to learn and grow as a writer, and I got my feet wet in freelance writing.

Where did you first get your start in freelance writing? If you’re just getting started, keep at it. I know you can gain experience, grow as a writer and reach your goals. :)

My strange experience on the bus.

I was on the metro bus on the way to Whataburger while the bus driving to its destination. There was this guy behind me, he's black, and must be 40.

He was staring at the window and muttering something that I couldn't make out. I just brushed it out at first.

Until he became loud with his rambling. I slowly became irritated, but I held it in not wanting to get any trouble. However, his rambling kept going as I covered my ears to mute the nonsense, he is talking.

He became aware of his surroundings and apologized. He muttered softly but kept doing it until my stop arrived.

I felt relieved as I exited the bus. I entered Whataburger and I'm waiting for my order. I won't forget that strange experience I had on the bus.

Have you had the same experience that I had on the bus? If so, leave some comments.

Autosabotaje Cuando pensaba qué estudiar decidí que podría ser bueno en cualquier cosa así que me incliné por trazarme un futuro como químico, quise complacer a mi madre que veía con ojos prometedores a mi hermano que estudiaba físico-matemáticas "mis hijos son unos chingones" decía y lo peor es que le creí. Mi infancia estuvo basada en la competición, siempre estaba compitiendo con mi hermano mayor y siempre perdía por diferencia de edades. Como hombre debía ser siempre el mejor, no importaba que quisiera ser barrendero, tenía que ser el mejor barrendero de México; si me peleaba en la escuela y "perdía" madre me golpearía peor -por pendejo-, sacaba dieces o nueves porque si no me pegaba -por pendejo-, cuando algo me salía mal por intentarlo la burla caía sobre mí -por pendejo- y así. Aprendí que como hombre tenía que ser SIEMPRE chingón, fuerte, ganador, inteligente, capaz. Aprendí a competir por amor, a dejar a un lado mis necesidades para conservarlo, a tenerle miedo al fracaso, a menoscabar a otros para minimizar su potencial de ganarme, etc. Hice mío todo aquello que me dijeron, lo interioricé a tal grado que hasta se lo enseñaba a los niños de mi derredor. Entonces me hallé inscrito en mis prejuicios, fracasé en química, en mi relación de pareja, al elegir a mis amistades; no me soportaba ni a mí mismo y le tenía pavor a intentar nada, entonces entendí que lo que me llevó a ese punto fue lo que aprendí de niño y me lo creí -por pendejo-. . . . . . . . #masculinity #acrylicpainting #contemporarypainter #art_ curator #experiences #flesh #autosabotaje #conceptions #boxed #impressionism #contemporaryart #acryliconwood #figurative #figurativepainting #body #isaacCM (en Mexico City, Mexico) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpYLBvIgayT/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=4qnvcqezrm9q

butterflyinthewell, hello friend, I hope you get this. This is my 3rd attempt trying to post this, but every time I’m almost done writing, my screen goes blank and my whole text disappears. I want to say that I hope I didn’t offend you, and I had no intention to offend anyone. This poem when I wrote this was about the autistic boy I’ve been working with (I’m an ABA therapist and Respite care worker) who recently had a seizure (his first one) out of the blue, and I watched as his mom stared at him with such love while they were eating that it very much warmed my heart, that the image has been sticking with me for weeks, and I had to write it down.

When I wrote that his mind was in bondage and in chains, I wanted to include my own experiences teaching different autistic children on the spectrum how frustrated they get usually because if they’re completely non verbal, it must feel infuriating to them because all the words they want to say could be on the tip of their tongue, but unable to fully go over the edge to form words, but the love AND freedom is in the way they express themselves, in like you said, “flapping of the hands, laughing, spinning or jumping,” as a form of communication. And again, I hope I didn’t offend, it was not my intention. My experience with this boy has been amazing, and I know that I’m on his mind, because once when I went away for a month on vacation, and came back, he did stare at me, and sat on my lap, and I knew that I was loved and trusted. I still smile at that memory, because I love him and his whole family.

I guess, now that I think about it, it’s not much of a prison if you have loved ones around to keep you grounded, and those willing to help you out to the best of their ability, and to know that you have a whole community backing you up. Thank you, friend, for calling me out so that I can experience other peoples experiences. Again, I hope I didn’t offend you too much, it was not my intention to upset you. But this was a great learning experience in how people deal with obstacles in their lives. Thank you for also sharing part of your story.

His eyes...

she thought, are beautiful. There is life in there far beyond her reach.

Behind his eyes was freedom, far from the chains of his mind and the complex bondage he was held fast to. If only he could reach out. But he is left with a blank stare and various stimulation that were expressed with a flap of his arms, and twirling, his constant twirling around.

She held fast though, returning each time to look into his eyes, because she knew, she knew there was freedom behind his eyes.

A freedom that would break free for an instant, and he would focus and be free from the chains for but a moment, and stare back with recognition, with a single word on the tip of his tongue, but would never be uttered; “mom.”

His eyes, she thought, are beautiful. There is life in there, far beyond her reach.