by Gail Seymour

Created on: September 14, 2010

As I’m approaching the end of my first year as a freelance digital copywriter, I’m noticing a difference in the way people respond to me when I tell them what I do for a living. I still get the occasional, “Really, you get paid for that?” Now though, it’s often followed by another question: “How do you get started?” I’ve even been approached by complete strangers on Twitter with requests for tips for beginners, so here they are.

I have to say upfront, I don’t consider myself an expert. I’m still learning the craft. I do, however, manage to make my living from doing nothing other than providing content for websites, so I am living proof that it can be done, and that you don’t have to be a trained journalist or well known to make it happen. You just have to have the guts and determination to get started, and to learn from your mistakes.

Content Mills and Freelance Sites

Content mills, where writers are encouraged to provide content, in exchange for a byline and sometimes small compensation, are often looked down on by print media journalists, but they offer almost anyone the opportunity to break into digital copywriting. Some, like ezinearticles.com offer a resource box and the chance to self-promote. Others, like Helium.com don’t allow self-promotion, but instead share advertising revenues with writers.

If you’re going to start with a content mill, Helium is one of the best to work with, not just because you can earn a small fee for writing to certain titles, but because your writing is rated against that of other contributors on the site, and you can receive feedback that helps you learn to improve your craft. Helium also offers additional ways to earn, from competitions to the Marketplace, where established users compete for publisher assignments, and if the publisher likes your work, you may be picked for on-going assignments which provide a better rate of pay.

Freelance sites like elance.com also offer listings where new writers can prove themselves and connect with potential clients. Joining these sites and bidding on suitable gigs can be time consuming, and the rates of pay are not great, but if you want to refine your skills, sometimes taking on low paying work can pay off in the long run – just make sure you don’t get into the habit of relying on it to pay your bills.

Build your Portfolio

Instead, use these lower paying sites to build a portfolio of your work that

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