If you have a computer and love to write: you have a business. With millions of websites floating around on the web, content is always in demand. Many webmasters simply don't have enough time to write articles for their website or for their link building purposes; their lack of time can be money in your pocket if you decide to start an article writing business online.
Like any business, the question comes down to how much it will cost to start. Well, even on a shoestring budget you can begin your own article writing business with less than $30 in your pocket - if you're really frugal, you can start it for free. Read more to find out how.
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Method 1: Create A Website Or Blog
Your first consideration when starting your own article writing business should be through a website or blog. Websites and blogs are platforms to share your content, provide a marketing message and being taking clients within hours of setting up.
To start, you must buy a domain name. Domain names are relatively cheap and will run you around $10 a pop. Consider using an SEO rich domain name to help you rank better in search engines else go with a brand-able name which keeps you in the memory of those visiting your website or blog.
Next, buy at least one month of web hosting so you can forward your domain and setup your website. Hosting is cheap, generally $15 a month but can range from a few bucks to a few hundred but for the time being go with a basic package.
Finally, design, hire or use a free template for your website. Try to build an attractive site which people will actually want to stick around and not be put off by atrocious color selections, difficult navigation and other worthless design elements.
Once your website is up and running, begin creating content which helps sell your articles. Create a marketing message, share great information and pull in visitors and turn them into clients.
Method 2: Social Media
Who said you need a website to begin offering your article writing as a business? (Well, besides the above section). In today's world, it's very much possible to only use social media to promote your business online; the key is to listen.
Using the search features built into most social media platforms, listen to what others have to say and if they tip you off on whether they are looking for fresh content. Keep ahead of the curve by setting up alerts for whenever someone says the magic words, jump on them and politely offer your services.
Facebook offers you a fan page which can be fantastic for finding clients already on the social network. Facebook is free - you can't argue with that.
You could also go with a variety of other social media services like Twitter which could help you find clients that run websites - mosey up to them, find out what they need and pitch them your services. As a bonus: you could try giving them a few free articles up front to see if they like your style - if they go for it, take your business relation to the long-term.
Method 3: Advertise
Marketing your article writing business doesn't have to be expensive even when you're running online advertisements. Google Adwords gives you one of the easiest ways to entire the world of online marketing but don't stop there - try out Youtubeadvertisments, Facebook ads, StumbleUpon, Yahoo and various blogs and websites that offer advertising directly.
If you have a website, you can point these people back on over where you an continue to pitch your services else you should use your free profiles (optimized of course) that will help people get in contact with you so you can begin making money.
Method 4: Paid To Write Websites
Right here on Helium, there are many ways to make money through your own articles, contests and even a marketplace. There are literally hundreds of paid to write sites which can help you begin earning active and passive income through your writing.
As you build up a reputation and can show your skills in your writing, you could even have potential clients contact you through these websites or your email link within your profile - show great work and people will want to work with you!
Method 5: Forums
Webmaster forums are the hotbed for finding clients that need fresh content for their website. Most forums are free to join so you can't beat that when you're on a shoestring budget. If you're feeling a little willy-nilly you could even buy a thread on forums which you can directly market your services to those that frequent the place.
Method 6: Freelance Websites
Freelance websites don't always pay well but if you're willing to dig around you can find thousands of clients that are in need of articles for their website, blog or link building campaign. Most freelance websites will take a small cut out of your revenue but who can argue when you keep pulling in new clients?
On a shoestring budget, you can quickly start your own business using freelance websites and eventually have a large enough client base that you won't need to split your earnings as you take the jobs on a personal level.