Writing Articles for Profit

I like to point out that writing is an art, a craft and a business. Writing articles for profit is one of the best ways to stretch your wings and test your skills. It's also an excellent way to learn how to tailor your writing to fit the needs of others.

When someone else is telling you what to write and how to write it, you have an entirely different mind set toward the material. It is, after all, not yours but "work for hire." This means you have no vested interest in what happens to it after your client approves it and has sent you your money (one portion at the outset, as a down payment, and the rest when completed!).

Obviously, you must feel comfortable developing the article. If you find the subject matter offensive or against your principles, no amount of money will be worth even an ounce of your time and effort.

On the other hand, if writing articles for profit is a part of your freelance business and you are the person who seeks the clients, you have the benefit of being totally in charge. Often you'll even be suggesting your subject matter. The editor may give you a theme, but the rest may be up to you and your ingenuity.

That's when it gets to be fun and exciting. Imagine being able to tell an already identified public what you want them to know about, and why… and getting paid for it!

If you've volunteered your writing skills for an online or offline newsletter, blog, magazine, ezine or any other type of publication that accepts articles, eventually, you can self-publish them as a collection. (Make sure first, however, that they're copyrighted in your name.)

And… if you're really enterprising, for a small amount of money and a lot of fun (after all, you do love to write content, don't you?), you can develop your own content-rich website expressly for the purpose of selling that book… and others. I'd love to show you how, and work with you to develop it.