Researching the publishing market (books, magazines, trade publications) and finding out what type of writing is in demand is one of the most important factors in successful freelance writing. You need to know who wants the kind of writing you do. You also need to study the craft of writing. Take courses, read trade publications, and how to books and then write and write some more until you have got the best you can produce. Knowing how to approach an editor is crucial usually with a query letter as knows manuscript form and submission procedures. There is no guarantee you work will be accepted, but those writers who persist and work at improving their writing skills may eventually get published.

 

Start-up costs and financing sources

 

*   $3,000-$5,000.

*   Personal savings, small business loan, friends, family, credit lines on credit cards.

 

Pricing guidelines

 

The writer s’ market lists average payments for writing projects. Magazine articles: pay by the word (a few cents per word) or up to $2,000 for a mid-size article. Books advances can range from $250 to $10,000(these increase as your writing reputation grows).

 

Marketing and advertising methods and tips

 

  • Send query letters and /or book proposals to publishers on your topic.
  • Hire an agent to handle your marketing (you pay them a percentage of whatever contract you sign).
  • Attend writers’ conferences and talk to editors about what they look for.

 

Essential equipment

 

The essential equipments are the typewriter or word processor, or computer with word processing software, ink-jet or laser printer, modem, telephone, answering machine.

 

Recommended training, experience or needed skills

 

  • Take writing courses.
  • Work for a newspaper or magazine.
  • Volunteer to write a newsletter for a nonprofit organization.
  • Start out writing for local publications—write newspaper features to get practice.

 

Income Potential

$10,000-$25,000 or more a year, depending if you are writing full- or part-time.

 

Type of Business

 

In-home

 

Best Customers

 

Start with small publishers, publications, and trade publications, which are more likely to accept your work than the big-name publishers. This does not mean you shouldn’t try larger circulation magazines or large publishers at the same time.

 

Helpful Tips

 

  • Know your genre of writing, what publishers publish your type of writing, what the current trends are.
  • Present your writing in a professional-looking format (readable print, proper margins).

 

Business Ideas

 

  • Freelance editing. Pay $25-$85 per hour. Proofreading can pay up to $20 per hour. Take correspondence courses from the USDA Graduate School in editing and proofreading,
  • Self-Publishing. With the desktop publishing systems available today more and more people are bypassing the query/proposal route and self-publishing their own booklets, manuals, newsletters, and books.