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Fellow New Freelance Writers in the Philippines — Some Tips
Recently, I wrote about a $5-per-article writing project that I got through Craigslist. The article didn’t only attract good and bad comments, it also attracted a lot of applications for freelancing writing jobs. I wondered why applications were sent, when I didn’t mention anything about a job opportunity from me.
The applications I received prompted me to write this post, as I realized that some new freelancers still looking for writing gigs need some guidance. I’m still fairly new in the business — there are a lot more experienced and high-paid Pinoy freelancers out there — but I think I can give some useful tips.
1. Follow the instructions of the clients on how to apply.
Clients are already testing your ability to write starting with the way you follow their application instructions.
Some clients want you to apply through a specified email; others want you to fill up a form on a certain website. For most Craigslist clients, you apply using the email created by Craigslist for the specific ad.
Some clients want only your letter and your writing samples, so don’t send your long resume. I’m certain they don’t have time to read resumes. Include your resume only if asked. There are others who like to see your blog or website.
If they ask you to send one or two writing samples, send one or two, not three or more. Mention also if these samples were already published by other clients, or are still to be published. If the client is asking for more than three samples, especially long articles, do a little sleuthing. Is the client serious, or just collecting samples? I’ve seen one ad on Craigslist in which the job poster was asking for six sample posts for every category, and there were 12 categories!
I’ve also received applications which are links only, and there are no accompanying letters. I clicked the links for curiosity, and they’re on Scribd or other online storage sites. Are these how they’re applying? And do clients like these?
2. Apply only to the writing job that you know you can do well.
If one job ad says you need to be on the Internet for 8 hours every day for 5 days a week, and you’re looking only for a part-time job, the prudent thing is to ignore this ad. If the ad is looking for someone who knows a lot about sports or stocks, and you’re not confident about your knowledge of these topics, the better decision is to again ignore this ad and look for another.
You can always research on these topics, but it will take you time. Worse, if you don’t enjoy writing about these topics, it will show in your articles.
3. Weigh the price if it’s worth your effort.
This is always a sensitive topic, as it concerns livelihood. If we advice other freelancers not to accept $1 to $2 jobs, those who are accepting these rates would argue they need the money. If we explain to them they’re pushing down writing rates, they would say give us the higher-paying jobs.
So, I’ll just say, if we can, let’s not accept the $1 and $2 dollar 400-word jobs. I’m sure the clients will increase their rates if there are no writers accepting these rates. They would try writers in other English-speaking countries, but as I’ve observed, most clients prefer Filipino writers.
Read the comments on my other article on freelance writing jobs, and you’ll read how one American writer condemned me for accepting $5 dollar articles. She explained that her freelancing rate has plunged by half because Third World writers are accepting low rates. In one article I wrote for another website, I said that the American clients paying low freelance writing rates are also to be blamed for their exploitation.
4. Lastly, let’s lift up the image of the Filipino freelance writer.
If we agreed to write 5 articles a day and submit them before 8 pm everyday, then we should submit 5 articles before 8 pm everyday, not just 3 articles, and not after 8 pm. If we no longer like to write for the client, let’s inform formally the client in advance.
Most of the complaints I’ve read about some Pinoy writers point to lack of commitment — that they don’t submit on time.
We can sustain writing for a certain client if we like the price and if we like the topic, so it’s important that before we apply for a writing job and commit to it, we should be satisfied with the price and we be confident we can write about the subject easily.
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Freelance Writers — $5 Per 400- to 500-Word Article
And I got this job through Craigslist just this May. The only minus-point is that the workload is not that much.
But the good thing is, in this new project I earn in just two to three days what I’ve been earning in 6 days in the project I’ve been doing for the past 18 months. Also, the new project does not have a lot of specifications and keywords, and it has prospects of increased workload.
Fellow Pinoy freelance writers have been asking others to accept only writing jobs for not less than $5 per article of 500 words, in order to improve Pinoy writing rates in general. But it has not been easy finding these clients that really send the payments.
A lot of freelance writing jobs on Craigslist are bargain-priced. Imagine getting paid for one dollar (that’s only 46 pesos!) for a 400-word original, researched article? And others even require the articles to be ready for spinning or with some other attached tasks!
Lastly, I’m thankful that I found a client that didn’t scam me. Recently, a fellow freelance writer wrote a lot of articles for a certain website, which suddenly disappeared, and which didn’t pay him. He got the client through Craigslist.
By the way, this is part of the screenshot of my advance Paypal payment for the first 15 articles.
