Author – Sreelata Menon
Is it worth your while? No, if you are looking for quick returns. And a resounding YES otherwise! Need a reason? I could easily give you ten
- You are doing what you like – writing
- Working hours – flexible
- Pace of work – your own
- Place of work -where you will
- What to write-your choice
- Whether to specialize-your choice
- A wide array of topics/ subjects -available.
- You are independent- are your own boss.
- Once established -you decide whatto charge.
- And last but not least -you can take it or leave it.
Yes, you’ve heard all this before but does it lay the food on the table?
Well it would, if you use the six attributes of aptitude, attitude, self belief, patience, motivation and lack of ego to your advantage!
Fundas
Before you start out you need to get your fundamentals very clear. Your reasons for wanting to go freelance, even if you are an established writer .You must understand that you are in it for the long haul .Specially so in India. There are certainly no shortcut methods here to achieve money fast. But that you will, with time is a given. And yes, if you are not a green newbie you get there faster. Mainly because of your reputation, contacts and networking skills before you turned freelance. Editors know you. You get work. And so if editors don’t know you, you need to convince them, you are what they are looking for! Net working is a must and freelance writing is all about much fortitude, perseverance and determination. And no great money-initially- as assignments are few and far between! The need for another source of income to sustain you, till you get established is a discouraging factor. That a writer-specially a freelancer –writes, because of a compulsion to put his thoughts down and share it with the world is what makes him vulnerable .He writes for the sheer joy of writing. Money is not really what drives him. If it had been about the money wouldn’t he have gladly opted to join a magazine, become a journalist or a professor? But today happily for him opportunities have opened up as never before .The internet is akin to Alibaba’s cave. It is also where the money is. Web-content, Blogging, or writing for foreign publications and Tech Companies, can fetch you more money than you’ve ever dreamed of even as a salaried writer.
It will more than lay the food on the table.
Moolah
A conservative estimate is two to three rupees per word for an established writer in India while a new writer gets paid a minimum of a rupee. The amount earned is in direct proportion to the number of words churned out. Unfortunately in their hurry to get started -see themselves in print or to just get going, new writers sell themselves short or even write for free. Most publications/outsourcers are only too happy to take advantage of that.
Can either be blamed?
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