The Freelance Experience # 1

I applied for a job on Elance.com for my first freelance writing experience. The job was looking for

someone to write for a women’s online blog which is right up my alley. I am currently writing my blog

for women although my blog is aimed at Christian women so I was excited to submit my proposal.

In addition to the fact that I write my blog for Christian women, I also have started my own business

in the past. I know what it is like to leave a traditional workplace for something more nontraditional

which is exactly what the article was calling for so I felt confident although I have never applied for a

writing position before.

The thought of someone paying me to write my thoughts was a bit exhilarating. The work involved in

finding a job that I was interested in was minimal on this site. There were a lot of things that I still

haven’t had the chance to look through. Also, I would have loved to have spent more time working

on setting up my profile but all in all, I thought that the experience was easy. The site was easy to

work with and the reassurance about pay going through the site is nice.

I also found the thought of applying for the job a bit nerve racking. In the back of my mind I was

nervous about the fact that there was a chance that I could actually get a job writing and then I would

have to write something that people might actually read.

I had to submit a short bio and a one line pitch about what I would write about. Below is a copy of

what I submitted. I can see how it would be much easier to bid on jobs when you have a few

general items prepared such as a bio and a query letter that you can easily adjust for each job that

you are attempting to get.

I learned that a freelance career does not have to be out of reach although based on the prices that

were being offered for pay I have trouble understanding how someone could make a very good living

at it. It seems like you would have to find some very good recurring clients in order to be secure in

your finances. It does however seem like a very great way to supplement an income which I think

would be fantasitic.

Short bio written for article:

I have a heart for women and I know the struggle that we all face trying to balance all of the things in

our life.

I had a good job making good money working 8-5 Monday through Friday. It was a job that I worked

hard at and I liked it however I hated being away from home. I wanted to be home with my young

son. I wanted to be a stay at home mom but we simply could not afford for me not to contribute

financially to my family. I worked about an hour away from where we lived and was gone for most of

the day. When I got home I was tired and it was depressing for me not to have the energy to do all

of the “mom” things that I felt like I should be doing.

After a lot doubts and heartache, about a year ago I quit my job and decided to try my hand working

as an independent accounting consultant. I knew I had a lot of contacts and that the work that I was

used to doing could easily be done remotely and I have loved working this way.

Attached is the description of the job that I applied for on Elance.com.

Women's online social network is seeking talented freelance bloggers to write about women leaving

traditional careers to start their own businesses. Stories can be personal or about how women are

creating non traditional work environments to meet their changing life needs.

Prior publication exposure preferred. Must have a strong interest in helping women redefine the

traditional workplace. If you are interested please contact me with a short bio and a one line pitch of

what you will write about. Payment will be between $25-$100 per blog and will be based on the

number of words (250-500) and commensurate experience. Make sure to hit the like button on our

Facebook page! We need all the help we can get.