Where to Find Freelance Writing Jobs

Freelancing as a writer can be a terrific way to supplement your income right from the comfort of your own home. There are no start-up costs to speak of besides a computer and Internet connection, both of which you likely already have. Beyond that, the only thing you have to do is find freelance writing jobs that pay well and are worth your time. Here are some of the best places to find those gigs.

Most entry-level writers should probably focus on providing web content. This is by far the easiest market to break into, and allows you to build up your portfolio of credited work (or "clips") that you can then use to attract more prestigious clients and assignments. Web content work can range from blogging to search engine optimization to creating advertising copy. Because websites always need new content to continue attracting visitors, there are always plenty of these types of freelance writing jobs available. To find a job, check out free classified ad sites like Craigslist, or freelancing sites where you submit a bid for whatever gig you're interested in.

Newspapers and magazines are additional options for those looking for freelance writing jobs. Seeing your name on the web is one thing, but seeing it in print for the first time in a glossy magazine or even a black-and-white newspaper is a thrill that would-be writers won't soon forget. Of course, these freelance writing jobs are a lot harder to come by, as they pay more and attract a lot of competition from seasoned veterans. The best way to go about securing one of these gigs is to check out publications devoted to a subject you're interested in (e.g. Sports Illustrated or the sports section of a major newspaper if you're a good sports writer), and then submit a query letter to the editor presenting your article idea in detail.

Another, riskier approach would be to write the article in advance without promise of pay (this is referred to as a "spec" article) and then shop the finished product around to different magazine and newspaper editors. This is riskier because if nobody is interested in buying, then you've simply wasted your time -- though you might gain a bit of experience in the process. Still, the name of the game is to get paid for freelance writing jobs, not accumulate a bunch of unsold material.

You can find potential magazines and newspapers to query by simply visiting the websites of publications you're already familiar with or running a few Google searches to turn up more. The websites should contain a section called "submission guidelines" that will tell you the publication's preferences for receiving queries.

Freelancing might not be the quickest way to get rich, but once you build up your clips and find some good clients, it can provide you with a steady secondary -- or even primary -- income. There are lots of freelance writing jobs out there; you just have to be proactive in finding them!