Three Freelance Writing Sites

I have always enjoyed writing. This past year I've been able to devote time to publishing online content. I like the idea of earning money from home. My husband and I began nine months ago with Associated Content, added AOL's SEED in January, and most recently Demand Studios. Perhaps my experience will help you decide if you'd like to write for any of these freelance companies.

Before embarking on writing for the internet, understand that online content has a style of its own. It's important to research topics such as SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to ensure that your work will receive its share of hits from online viewers.

Associated Content
Text, Slideshows, Audio and Video
www.associatedcontent.com

Associated Content is a great place to begin as a freelance writer. This online content site connects articles to consumers, Associated Content partners, and advertisers. The advice of other writers, especially in the New Subscriber for Subscriber Forum, has been invaluable to me as a newcomer. There is basically no limit to the genre type that can be published on Associated Content, as long as it meets the guidelines. Many articles garner "upfront payment". For beginning writers, these amounts are generally a meager $2-$4. The goal of Associated Content authors, however, is to build a library of content that can remain online and be read indefinitely. Writers earn "performance payments" which result in a base pay of $1.50 for every thousand page views. Even if an article was written in 2007, the author is still receiving residual payment for it today. More articles = more hits = more money. I recently became a Featured Education Contributor for Associated Content, meaning I write a minimum of four articles per month on the topic. I receive $10 upfront payments for each article as well as performance pay. Writers are paid monthly. Associated Content encourages its writers to accumulate fans and followers. Their participation and comments do provide great incentive. The best part of Associated Content is that it's a warm, inviting place to interact with other writers.

AOL's SEED
Writers, Photographers and Filmmakers
www.seed.com

AOL's SEED was just founded in 2009. Writers select topics and are paid upfront fees when their articles are chosen for publication. There are ample topics, so I've always been able to find interesting subject matter. At this time, SEED does not offer additional performance payments. Most articles pay $25 to $60. The pay is clearly posted with the topic, so there are no surprises. I was paid $55 for "Confessions of a Walmart Greeter". Some articles offer compensation in excess of $60. My highest payment thus far was $200 for a 400-word article on "Hot Hair Tools". Conversely, I was paid $15 to write a short paragraph reviewing my favorite mascara. These articles are put on sites such as Spinner and StyleList, reaching over 100 million people around the world each month. Although the potential to make money is evident, the drawback lies in the fact that most writers have just as many articles rejected as accepted. The refusals are accompanied by a polite, "We love what we see, but the article was not an exact fit for publication on one of our AOL network sites." Of course those articles can then be recycled to Associated Content. SEED is a new venture, and they seem to be working hard to remove the current glitches in their system.

Demand Studios
Writers, Copy Editors, Filmmakers, Titlers
www.demandstudios.com

A writer needs to submit an application in order to work for Demand Studios. From what I've heard, several good writers are not accepted, yet they're not really sure why. I have written just five articles so far for this online writing site. Fortunately, they've all been accepted to this point. Demand Studios pays approximately $15 per article. They have very strict guidelines, but that shouldn't be a turn-off. I actually appreciate knowing the expectations. This is not the place to showcase your creative writing. Rather, it's all about disseminating information to readers. There are 'Style Guides' to follow for each of the Demand Studio formats (How To, List, About, and so on). A writer is also required to adhere to the Associated Press guidelines for grammar and writing technique. Prepare to be evaluated if you write for this site. After submitting five articles, a writer receives a 'scorecard', grading her on a scale of 1-5 on grammar and research. Hmm...I'm the student now instead of the teacher. Articles are accepted, returned for a rewrite (one chance at this) or rejected. If a rewrite is requested, an editor provides feedback as to the problem/s . My rewrite was due to the fact that I included pricing on an article about all-inclusive resorts in Puerta Vallarta. I had to remove them as they don't want prices listed since they often change. Demand Studios pays twice weekly, which is a nice perk. I think if a writer set and reached goals regarding the desired amount of produced articles, he could do well with Demand Studios. The problem I have encountered with them is topic choice. They simply offer a title and there is no more direction on what is to be written. There are many selections; however, the titles often indicate expertise. An example is "What type of laboratory setup would you find in a brew house?". No clue. I'm learning to navigate the site better to seek out topics that I can research.

There are other sites such as Textbroker, Triond and more. I don't have experience with those as yet. Many writers dedicate eight hours a day to writing as freelancing is their main income source. A definite advantage is the freedom that online content writing affords.

See also: Freelance Online Writing Tools Enhance Success