Recently we’ve looked at several ways you might support yourself overseas through location independent work. You can see lots of suggestions here.
Basing a writing business on a website or blog is an option. But what if you just want to write, without dealing with the mechanics of setting up a website or finding or creating products or services to sell?
Get involved with blogging as a freelance writer! Lots of big blogs need freelancers to produce content, and some of them are even willing to pay reasonable rates. You’ll get paid for your writing without the headaches of marketing and technical stuff.
According to author Paul Cunningham,
“Freelance blogging is a simple, flexible revenue stream that you can use to earn a little extra money on the side, or scale up to a full time living income. It all comes down to how much time you want to put in, and what you want to get out of it.”
Paul Cunningham has done just that. An Australian, Paul developed some blogging gigs to bring in some extra income after having a child.
He’s written an e-book titled How to Become a Successful Freelance Blogger, which I recommend highly if you’re interested in going this route.
The book covers the basics, from information on how money is made from blogs to setting goals, deciding on what rates to charge, finding work and lots more.
One chapter deals with finding work through job boards. He advises caution about using sites that drive prices down by gathering lots of competition, but then includes some of them in his list of suggested sites. I won’t rehash my views on commodifying your talent — you can find them here if you’re interested.
Other than that one caveat, if blogging is in your future, this is a worthwhile book to have.
Hi Susanna,
That is an important point you make about commodifying your talent. Some of those sites do have a rep for cheap rates but they are still worth tapping into for the well paying jobs that show up there too.
I’m definitely in favor of charging what you’re worth. Being able to prove it is another thing though. You don’t want to be flipping burgers your whole life but some of us had to do it anyway on the road to greater things 😉
Thanks for the mention of my ebook.
Paul