How to Find High Paying Writing Jobs

by Suzanne Lieurance

Here’s a question I get asked all the time from beginning freelance writers:

How do I find the high paying writing jobs and not get bogged down with small paying assignments that just eat up my time?

My Answer

If you want to find high paying writing jobs instead of small paying assignments, the main thing is to look at the types of jobs you’re actually applying for or going after.

Most beginning freelancers keep finding or “attracting” only the low paying assignments that eat up all their time because those are the only jobs they apply for.

So, if you’re a freelancer who wants to attract the high paying jobs, you need to stop applying for all the low paying jobs and start applying for the high paying jobs.

There are many ways to find high paying jobs, but don’t expect to find some secret job board just for high paying assignments.

Instead, keep searching the job boards where you’re finding those low paying jobs.

There are some high paying writing jobs there, too.

But you may have to search a bit harder to find them (one note here: I wouldn’t suggest you search those job boards that require you to bid for jobs—most of those jobs simply go to the lowest bidder).

You also have to be willing to think beyond what you’ve usually felt you were qualified to apply for.

Don’t be afraid to stretch and grow and stick your neck out to apply for things that seem just a bit beyond your usual assignments.

Specialize

If you’re currently applying for all sorts of writing jobs, for all sorts of businesses, take the time to determine the niche that will be your target market.

Once you have determined your niche, next determine the writing services you can offer businesses or other professionals within this niche.

Specializing like this, for a specific niche, is perhaps the most important action to take to increase your income as a writer.

And, when you think about it, it just makes sense because people expect to pay a specialist more than a generalist.

Plus, when you specialize in serving a specific niche, you’ll be able to focus on learning more about the topics that interest that specific niche instead of spending time writing about anything and everything for anyone and everyone.

In fact, if you want to become a six-figure freelancer, choosing a niche is the first step.

Present a Proposal

Another – perhaps even BETTER – way to find a great freelance writing job is to create one!

To do this, simply write a short proposal outlining a few services you can offer to a specific target market who NEEDS these services (another reason you want to specialize).

For example, maybe there are small businesses in your neck of the woods that could benefit from regular media releases yet they don’t have anyone inhouse who knows how to write this sort of thing or knows how to see that the releases are widely distributed.

All you need to do is create a proposal that first describes what media releases are and how they can help a small business get known by drawing traffic to the company’s website and even gaining the attention of the media.

If you enjoy blogging, and you’re good at it, do some of your local businesses have great websites but no blogs?

Then develop a blogging “package” to offer these businesses.

Whatever services you’re offering, make your initial propose short.

You just want to attract the attention of the company you are targeting and get them interested in hiring you.

If they’re interested, you can provide a more complete proposal – one that includes pricing information and other details – later.

If you want a great writing gig, don’t simply wait for clients to come to you.

First, figure out what services you can offer.

Next, make a list of businesses and/or individuals who probably need these services (whether they realize it or not).

Finally, contact each of these businesses and/or individuals with an introductory proposal of services.

If you gain even a few new clients this way, it can substantially increase your income.

Network with Other Writers

Another way to find the high paying assignments is to network with writers who are already landing higher paying jobs.

Join some listservs for writers and visit a few forums and even Facebook groups for freelance writers.

Simply lurk for a while and find out what these writers are doing.

You’ll probably begin to realize how they find great assignments and you’ll start trying some of their tactics yourself.

Evaluate Your Skills

Also, honestly evaluate your writing skills.

Do you really feel your work is top-notch so you can compete for those higher paying assignments?

If not, sign up for a writing course or workshop to improve your skills.

If your queries or proposals aren’t landing the higher paying assignments, find someone who knows how to write a winning query or proposal and have that person evaluate a few of your queries or proposals and give you tips for improving them.

You’ll probably have to pay someone to do this for you—or take a class or workshop that includes an evaluation of your work.

But it will be worth the money.

Make up your mind to take your writing career to the next level, then do whatever it takes to make that happen.

Go to in-person networking events and get to know other small business professionals (be sure to take your business cards).

Eventually you should get some referrals this way.

After you get to know some of these professionals and you can figure out what their needs are, approach some of them with a proposal for your services.

Once you make a true commitment to landing better paying assignments, you’ll be sick and tired of those jobs that pay peanuts.

And you won’t search for or accept that type of work anymore.

You’ll start “attracting” the high paying jobs that you know and feel you truly deserve.

Try it!

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