There are endless opportunities to find freelance writing gigs. If you just do a Google search, you will find all kinds of links to writing jobs. They may not all be good opportunities or many not even legitimate. There are great websites that have information and include compiled links to writing jobs. Two of the sites I enjoy looking at for information is The Freelance Writing Jobs Network and About Freelance Writing.
Currently, I have 20 articles on Suite 101 and have not written one in almost a year. My goal is to get back into writing for that website because it is a great site with lots of opportunity AND I can stick with one niche: travel.
SMART Goals
This goal is very specific and states exactly what I plan to do to accomplish this goal. The thing is that these type of specific goals, while it fits the SMART model, cause the most pressure. There is no out. Maybe I need the pressure to prevent me from slacking. Maybe. Either way, since this goal is so specific, I decided to be a little conservative in the 'M' and 'T' part of SMART.
Truthfully, I would like to have about 50 articles done by the end of the year. But, 30 seemed more reasonable since Suite is more particular on their articles.
Aim High (Or Somewhere Within Reach)
Aiming high works for some people, for others it may be better to aim low or at least aim at a target that is within your reach without over exerting yourself.
The point is to find a goal that is reasonable and achievable... sound familiar? SMART goals!! Sure it would be nice to have a goal of 50 articles a week. But, is that realistic? You do not want to set yourself up for failure. This will only lead to disappointment!
Find Your Niche
When I began freelance writing, I started with a few different sites and over time lost interest in some of those sites. There are so many subjects and topics to write about, it was difficult to decide. There may be a high demand for a topic that seems to be high earning, but you know nothing about, You will struggle with this niche and be frustrated and tempted to give up.
But what I have learned is this: write about what you enjoy or at least know a lot about. Find an area or two and stick with it. Otherwise, you will spread yourself thin and get bored. Travel articles are my passion. At some point, I would love to JUST write about travel... my niche.
I once had to write a single (only one) article for a freelance gig on "handicapping" related to horse betting. Yep, I didn't even know what that meant! Well, I will tell you what it is NOT -- horses with some sort of injury or ailment. If you choose that as a niche for some reason, you better have a passion for it. Don't get me wrong, I learned that some people DO have a passion for it.
Bottom line is this. Look for freelance writing jobs that you can reasonable accomplish, that are worth your time, and most of all that you enjoy writing. Find your niche and stick to it!
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