Writing Articles for Money with an Online Degree
If writing were to be a person’s bread-and-butter, first, there has to be a strong desire for it. Ideally, writing for passion is priceless. However, when it becomes a job, it has to be done to earn money. Passionate writers earning their keep are lucky people as they get to do something they love to do and make money out of it. Therefore, it is not bad when good, passionate writers raise their rates because writing articles for money is also a way to measure success.
With the ongoing competition on the Internet, many talented writers are not getting paid well. They are in a dilemma because many writers are willing to offer their services at rock bottom prices. As a result, not many clients are willing to pay the good writers more than these cheap writers accept.
The truth is, there are also many clients or website owners who are suffering from having incompetent writers. These clients know quality when they see one. Therefore, it is just a matter of finding the right match. That means finding clients willing to pay more and writers who can deliver quality articles on time.
It is never easy to write articles for good money. You can only try and try until you find the right client who is willing to pay more. Nevertheless, if you want to increase your potential earnings, here are some things to keep in mind:
1. Even if you are a gifted writer and have been writing for years already, enrolling in a writing course online would do you well. The course will teach you the technicalities of writing and adapt your writing style to your readers. It will also teach you how to write in various niches, which is crucial because it will make you a more versatile writer. Versatility matters a lot since it will allow you to be the writer that clients want you to be.
2. It always starts with consistently writing good-quality articles. Such means correct grammar and proper use of punctuation marks. You want your articles to be original and pass plagiarism checkers. Also want to research it well so that it has enough validated information. You must never pass on wrong information to your readers, which is why you need to validate your facts first before submitting the article. Over and above these, creatively write your articles so that the readers will never be bored with them.
3. Streamline your topics. Readers research for specifics and details when they try to find articles to satisfy their curiosity. It is important to provide readers with what they need and want. Hence, good writers always make sure they know their audience or research their demographics. Avoid broad subjects; your readers do not need that kind of article.
4. Know the right keywords to use. The use of keywords is critical because this makes search engines index your articles so your target audience will find them. Before even writing the essay, it is essential to know the demand for the keywords you are using; research about it. There are tools to make the procedure easier. Find out more about the tools to help you discover the right keywords to use. Usually, minor users can use these tools for free. However, paid versions are available for big companies that have significant needs for keywords. There are trial versions you can try initially. If you see that it can be used for the long term, you can switch to a paid version.
5. Give ghostwriting a try. Some book authors who have piled up deadlines sometimes look for ghostwriters to help with their writing. There are also business owners seeking content for their websites looking for writers who can write for them. You will write the articles, but credit for the articles will go to the clients since their names will be posted alongside the articles.
There is money in writing. Such is why many people who have the skill and talent for stringing words are finding it a promising career. Writing articles for money can be a lucrative career in due time if one tries to be patient, learn the trade rules, and meet clients willing to pay more for consistently good writing articles.
Now, we did mention the importance of enrolling in online writing courses. The downside to that is you will only get a certificate after completing the course. That could pose a problem for you since most clients are keen on hiring writers with a degree in journalism or a related system. What should you do, then?
If such is the case, you may want to buy a degree from a legitimate provider of online degrees. Believe it or not, many people have discovered the benefits of buying degrees from trusted and reliable providers. It will not be considered illegal if you buy a degree since you already have a writing certificate. You only need the degree to supplement it.
Besides, the online providers where you can buy a degree are affiliated with renowned universities worldwide. These universities are regionally accredited, which means they provide the highest education standards. Because the degrees that these providers offer are from these universities, it is easier for you to buy a degree from a regionally accredited college. Here is a link with information on these online degrees and how you can buy a degree from a real university.
Now, let us appearance at how you can earn as a ghostwriter and how much clients are willing to pay ghostwriters.
How Much Ghostwriting Fees to Charge and Pay
When hiring a ghostwriter, one question that arises is how much fee to pay. No industry standard sets ghostwriting fees. On the other hand, a ghostwriter may be asking how much to charge. The answer to both these questions depends on many variables, such as word count, experience, amount of research made, materials provided by the client, and the number of days to complete a project. From these factors, we can estimate the fees.
The broad range of factors can be frustrating for you or the client. However, for clients to understand the ghostwriting fees being charge, it is essential to detail the amount of work that goes into a writing project – the research, interviews, drafts, writing articles, editing, finalization, etc. When you give clients a clear picture, they can see if they are getting real value for their money.
For clients in need of a ghostwriter, here are some factors to consider in understanding the cost structure and scope of work involved in commissioning a writing project.
Experience – The more experienced a ghostwriter is, the higher fees they can ask than an amateur.
Language – A native English-speaking ghostwriter understandably charges more.
The number of hours – A ghostwriter may charge by the hour or lump up the fee by the project. Other professionals use the same basis to charge clients for their work. The number of hours depends on the type of manuscript to write. For example, a letter or a simple blog can be finishes in an hour or two, while an e-book or bio will take months to complete.
Consultation – The ghostwriter will usually spend several hours consulting with you before writing. It can be a series of casual talks or lengthy interviews, phone conversations, and communication exchanges or materials via email.
Hiring other professionals – Part of the fee covers payment to other professionals or vendors involved during the writing process. Such includes the services of proofreaders, cover artists, designers, etc.
The Advantage of Quoting Cost per Project
However, there is also wisdom in charging ghostwriting fees per project. Many writers tend to name their prices based on the number of hours to complete a task. Others charge by the number of pages. Such can be a way to determine how much your effort costs.
Writers do not work in the same style, capacity, and method. Some are slow and meticulous, while others are fast but disorganized. Both can be good and produce the same results, but the cost will differ as the slower writer is paid higher since more hours are consumed. The ultimate parameter is on the finished work and not on the writing speed by charging per project.
- Clients who charge an hourly rate may find ways to cut short through the process. They may not feel comfortable sitting through an interview knowing the clock is ticking to mean they will be paying more. If clients equate you to a cash register, there is no way to build a relaxing atmosphere because too much attention is focuses on the rate instead of the content.
- When charging per page, clients may tend to save money by cutting down the number of pages. As a writer, you are left to allocate content throughout the entire space instead of writing good-quality material.
When charging ghostwriting fees, make sure to ask for a down payment. The initial writing stage may be fills with research works and interviews, and the client may not see something tangible. Nevertheless, you will be involves in so much work already. Hence, depending on your speed, you can divide your fee into several payments. More importantly, protect yourself with a contract signed between you and the client.
