Recently, we got an email from a desperate writer. “I need $200 this week, or I’m going to be homeless,” he wrote. He was also recently deported back to Jamaica. He was in a desperate situation.
Being a freelance writer is a great job but it does take some time to build up a list of clients. Sometimes you need money and can’t wait for your client list to be built. That was the situation facing the Jamaican writer.
He needed help and he needed it now.
I’ve been reviewing various writing sites and I always include how often the site pays. Some are faster than others. I suggested that he immediately apply to Demand Media and Scripted, a site that will be reviewed next week.
The exchange got us here at Freedom With Writing thinking. It can be difficult to get started. Not only is it a new world but also each site and each client want something different. For a seasoned writer, switching these hats is normal but when you are just starting out it can be stressful.
Every new writer needs to decide how much money he or she needs; not wants. Once you have covered the need you can work on the want. Then you need to figure out when you need it. It’s important for your own peace of mind to have reliable payments that you can count on being there.
As you may recall, I reviewed Demand Media and went into detail on how they work. One of the points in their favor is their twice-weekly payment process. The other site that I directed that writer to also pays weekly. The two things you should always check as soon as you apply to a new site or take on a new client is how much they pay and when they pay. Many sites and many clients pay monthly or twice monthly. Some sites actually pay monthly but hold your first payment for a month. Freelance writers need to know this information to plan their finances as well as their schedule.
Make $200 This Week
Demand Media is a good starting point. Their application process is quick and so is their response time, usually within 24 hours. Once you have been accepted you write the articles and get paid on the next payday. The cut off for Tuesday payment is Sunday and for Friday it’s Wednesday. Both cut off times are midnight California time. It’s not difficult to write 10 to 15 articles a day, which can easily bring you $150 to $225 a day. One important factor to remember is that the articles have to be approved by editorial before the cut off time. I have found that the editing tends to be much quicker as the deadline approaches; the editors are also paid per article and at the same time as the writers.