Alternative sources of income for writers
“As long as you are passionate about writing, are prepared to work hard, learn from your mistakes and attend writing courses, you can earn a reasonable income.”
During a virtual Writers 2000 Zoom meeting on February 20, guest speaker and former judge for the Writers 2000 annual writing competition Anna Stroud spoke to writers about how they could potentially earn an income through freelancing.
Anna has a degree in journalism and media studies from Rhodes University and is studying for her Master’s degree in creative writing. She used to work as an English teacher in South Korea but has started freelancing, copywriting and editing.
“There are lots of opportunities for writers, although it is preferable to have some journalism or English qualification, or to come from a writing and editing background,” she said.
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“As long as you are passionate about writing, are prepared to work hard, learn from your mistakes and attend writing courses, you can earn a reasonable income,” she said.
According to Anna, it is a good idea to join writing groups like Writers 2000 and/or South African Freelancers Association (SAFREA) and completing online courses offered through platforms like Udemy and LinkedIn.
Tips from Anna included:
• Stay in touch with trends and keep sharpening your writing skills by joining a support group like Writers 2000.
• Keep an updated writing portfolio to showcase successful writing.
• Practise often by writing daily.
• Write about your field of experience and expertise.
• Content needs to be: creative and memorable, practical and persuasive.
• Generate an action or a response from your reader.
• When planning content, ask yourself what is the problem and what is the solution?
• Write as you would speak, keep sentences short and to the point.
• Edit where you can.
• Ask somebody to proofread your writing.
• Make sure that names are correctly spelt and pay attention to punctuation.
• Don’t write for free, remember, you’re worth it.
For more information about Writers 2000 and the annual writing competition, contact membership coordinator Antoinette Reis at mantoinette@discoverymail.co.za or 2021 chairperson Meggan Preuss at megganpreuss@gmail.com.
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