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Embarking upon a career in writing is the most rewarding thing that I have ever done with my life. That first step of registering as self employed and the first time that I responded “I am a writer” when someone asked about my profession were indeed glorious occasions. I always wanted to be a writer yet it was only recently that I discovered how writing could manifest itself in my life.

One always thinks of a novelist hunched over a typewriter or perhaps a romanticised poet leaning up against a tree, contemplating clouds. Maybe a journalist in a war torn country or someone creating an Oscar winning screenplay. Of course all of this can be true yet let us take a look at some immediate steps that one can take.

Currently the bulk of my writing is on sites such as Triond and Helium. These are fantastic writing sites that allow you to earn from day one and also, in the case of Helium, allow you to offer work in market places for a greater payment. Two other great sites are Associated Content and Bukisa. These four offer fantastic exposure for your writing and also allow you to start generating income. Admittedly the income is low at the beginning but the more you submit the more exposure you will receive and the greater your earning potential will become.

Another great website for writers is Ezine articles. Here there is no payment but you will get a lot of exposure and you can direct readers to your other sites. You can also be asked to write on a specific topic thus increasing your credibility and giving you yet more valuable experience.

Blogging can also generate income for the writer simply by adding advertising programs to your blog such as Google Adsense. However there are companies out there that will ask you to write about a certain topic for payment. Personally I am using Blogsvertise and receive assignments that can be accepted if I choose and when the assignment is complete I simply notify Blogsvertise with the articles website address and wait for payment if approved.

Other methods for building your writing career could include specialist writing in the medical, travel or scientific fields and by joining websites that offer freelance writing projects. Here you can see what is being requested and offer your services. Obviously rejection is part of the process and with this in mind you can avoid disillusionment and use rejection to hone your skills.

The other point to bare in mind is that your freelance writing career is a business and should be treated as such. It is important to be clear on what it is that you you wish to accomplish and have realistic time frames so that you do not sabotage yourself by setting up failure. You need to work as if you are running any other business such as a shop or a factory and therefore set up daily goals and tasks that need to be accomplished. You certainly must be productive and always have something to do if you have no specific assignments. This is where online writing sites can be valuable for not only can you increase your income with further submissions, you also keep the writing machine going.

Preventing writers block can be achieved by having several projects going. For example if you have an assignment to write about a new laptop graphics card for a magazine and yet feel no inspiration then why not write about a personal topic for an online site. You will at least still be writing and will no doubt return to the topic at hand refreshed and with a clearer idea. This is certainly more profitable than straining at the keyboard trying to get the juices flowing.

Self promotion is another vital part. From creating a business card to designing your own website you need to get your name out there so that you show up on the assignment radar. You can join forums and create a profile signature as well as an email signature that increases traffic to your personal website or your writers profile on other writing sites. It is free advertising every time you send out an email.

There are many opportunities available for a freelance writer as long as you do not have too fixed an idea of what your writing career must look like; at least until you become established. Promote yourself, acknowledge that you have a very valuable and marketable skill and have the belief that you deserve not only to be paid but to be paid well. Do not allow poverty consciousness to cloud your dreams for a skill is a skill and you are writing because writing is your art and you are a highly skilled practitioner.

Always remember as well that you are doing something that you love and feel passionate about. What more motivation could you need?