Freelance Writing – Only In America? Ask Anne, the Pro Writer

(www.thegoldenpencil.com)

Hi Anne,

Maybe you can help me. I live in Kolkata City, India. I am a web content writer with 1 years 6 months experience. In my 1 and half years of experience as a full time content writer, I have written on a vast range of topics ranging from travel and tourism, food and lifestyle, fashion and e-magazine (traveltorch.com) to health and fitness, sports, education and beauty tips. I have also gathered experience in writing on topics related to finance (loans, taxation, insurance, banking) and technical keywords (internet, laptops, cell phones, automobiles). Officially, I have also done blogging for indiaedu.com and headlinesindia.com.

Thanks,
PP

Hi PP,

I don’t know how it works in India. But here in the U.S., in England, New Zealand, and Australia at least, freelancing simply means working on your own. In this country you might also be called a contractor or independent contractor. You usually have your own office, although that can be a corner in your bedroom or down at the local coffee shop. Your paid by the job. If, for example, you did an article for Travel Torch, but were not an employee, did not have to go regularly into their offices, and they paid you for the article, you’d be freelancing. Make sense?

I don’t know for sure, but I suspect your blogging gigs were and are freelance. That is, you’re getting paid, but you get to write pretty much on your own schedule, maybe meeting a deadline, and from anywhere you can and want to.

Here, we get freelance writing jobs by applying – not unlike the way you’d get a regular job. I don’t use a resume, but a list of credits. I respond to ads such as the ones I post here on Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I also have business cards, and sometimes get calls from my websites.

I’ve written an article called How To Apply For Freelance Writing Jobs that may help.

Post any more questions you have here in comments, and thanks for writing.

Do you have a question about freelance writing? Ask Anne, The Writing Pro – that’s me ;) Ask in the comments or send an email and put Q&A in the subject line so I can sort it out from spam and I’ll do my best. Meanwhile, you’ll find some Q&A’s here:

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