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How many times have you
checked out a job board to that either it no longer exists
or that there is one or two jobs listed. Out of the
hundreds of job boards on the Web today, how do you find
those containing projects that you are interested in and
qualified for.
I have recently surveyed
over 300 freelance web sites and these are the best boards
for freelance writers. The benchmark that I used for
judging the board was the number of legitimate projects
(as opposed to “business opportunities” ) and requests
for submission being posted every month. I have only
included ones posting 30 projects or more a month
The very best
I picked Guru This huge
all-inclusive board connects independent professionals
(a.k.a. "gurus") with contract projects. If you
are new to independent consulting, check out the Run Your
Biz section, which includes a “Getting Started”
column, where you can leave a question to be answered by
experts. Lots of other useful information (e.g. tax and
finance, legal, etc.) for contractors. Find a contracting
job ("gig") searching by field (creative/media,
finance and legal, etc.), keyword, and geography..
Recently, it acquired IT Moonlighter , another with lots
of freelance jobs. Whatever, Guru is probably the largest
freelance marketplace on the Web. Over 3,300 projects
posted last month.
What makes Guru.com
stand out from is the number and variety of projects
listed and the easiness of accessing the job. Unlike the
others, Guru sends daily email alerts of writing gigs that
match your profile.
Number of writing projects
posted every month: 207
Type of projects:
Everything and anything, many articles, ghostwriting,
editing, copyright, some onsite, some technical. Has the
best all around listing of freelance writing gigs.
Other good freelance
writing sites
AllFreelanceWork. Its
sister site AllFreelance is my number one site for
articles about freelancing and freelance resources.
Number of writing projects
posted every month: 10
Type of projects: Technical
and business writing
Contracted Work A freelance
site that has grown in great leaps and bounds. You can do
a search and find a great number of projects. There is a
monthly fee in order to search for projects, but it might
be worth checking out. I personally found that I was not
finding enough leads for the type of writing I do to be
worth the fee.
Number of writing projects
posted every month: 50-74
Type of projects: Openings
tends more to web content, copywriting, and sales and
marketing
Elance. I was actively
involved in bidding on this site for a year. However, I
did not get my money’s worth. It is geared towards
business and technical writing.
Number of writing projects
posted every month: 130+
Type of projects: little
bit of everything: articles, ghostwriting, e-books, web
content, technical. Lots of editing and proofreading jobs
too
Freelance Work Exchange
Non-Auction freelance site. The Freelance Work Exchange
has listings for writers, designers, consultants,
programmers. Yes ... it does cost to join; however, there
is $3.00 7-day trial memberships so you can test it to see
if it will get you work! Highly recommended. Freelance
Work Exchange is a solid, reliable freelance site, but in
order to search jobs it will cost you a monthly fee.
Number of writing projects
posted every month: 30-40
Type of projects: little
bit of everything: calls for articles, ghostwriting,
e-books, web content, technical. Geared more towards
general writing markets, as opposed to corporate-style
stuff.
Freelance Writing This is
the ultimate job board for freelance writers. Contest,
blogs, forums, resources. Everything.
Number of writing projects
posted every month: 40
Type of projects: Calls for
articles, copywriting, E-books, research papers,
ghostwriting,
Independent Homeworkers
Alliance -- touts itself as the "largest provider of
legitimate home-based jobs on the Internet.” Offers a
search engine for at-home jobs, as well as numerous
resources. $29.95 a month Subscription
Number of writing projects
posted every month: 70
Type of projects: calls for
submissions of articles, scripts, e-books, some sales and
marketing, not much technical writing.
Sologigs With over 20,000
projects for freelancers, Sologig has a lot to offer. You
need to register to get access to all the projects, with
the higher levels of membership securing you a higher
profile in the exchange. Most of the freelance writing
jobs were onsite technical/business writing.
Number of writing projects
posted every month: Estimate 100+ projects posted every
month. To see the exact number, you have to register. A
Bronze membership with $78.75 prepaid for three months
Type of projects: geared
heavily towards onsite technical writing gigs
Telecommuting Jobs -- where
job seekers can view several hundred telecommuting/offsite
jobs posted directly by employers, as well as thousands of
jobs posted to other major job sites. Searching is free,
but there is a small fee to post your resume.
Telecommuting Jobs Telecommute jobs for Writers,
Programmers, Artists, etc. Links to additional sites to
continue the search for that which is so hard to find - a
good paying, mid-term telecommute contract. Good deal for
the $10/yr registration fee required.
Number of writing projects
posted every month: 80
Type of projects: Wide
variety of projects: article wanted, research papers,
journalism, copywriting, not much technical
Workhome.com
Welcome to Workhome.com
a resource for work at home jobs for your small office or
home business. We provide job posting for work at home
jobs and advertising to work at home businesses. Posting
on work home jobs is free and you may contact our work at
home providers by visiting the profile page and clicking
email professional
Number of writing projects
posted every month: 20-30
Type of projects: Wide
variety of projects: articles, web content, sales and
marketing, technical
A word to the wise
Be selective about what
types of projects that you bid for. There is a lot of
competition out there, so do not waste your time with
projects that you are not qualified for or do not interest
you. If you are spending more than an hour a day
responding to leads from the job boards, then you may need
to redefine your niche. Don’t try to be all things to
all people. In addition, remember that, in order to be a
successful freelance writer, you should not be using the
boards as your only way of finding projects. You should
also be out there networking with other writer, setting up
your own website, and researching writing opportunities in
your own community. In the end, these strategies will net
your more work than limiting yourself to working the job
boards.
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About
The Author
Janet
K. Ilacqua is a freelance writer based in
Tracy, California. She specializes in
academic writing and ghostwriting of books
and manuals for individuals and small
businesses. For more information about her
services, check her website at http://www.writeupondemand.com.
jilacqua@aol.com |
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