Getting Started

Fellow moms, especially fellow mommy bloggers, are continually asking me about my j.o.b....and how I always seem to have work when I need it. And it's true; I do. I think web content writing is like a secret underground profession. Or maybe these fantasies are needed in my otherwise routine life. But every time you do a Google search and land on a [usually poorly written] webpage, someone wrote that. That's a lot of words, and most of them are begging to be rewritten.

Rewriting is my specialty; but I enjoy original content, too. Rewriting requires more creativity and is more of a challenge, though, as the rewritten article must be able to pass the dreaded Copyscape Plagiarism Checker. Dun. dun. dun.

If you're interested in web content freelancing, there are a few things to keep in mind: First of all, jobs can be found through various sites like ifreelance and elance. These are legitimate sites with legitimate clients. However, not every job listed is worth getting! A serious business man or woman desires that the content on his site be professional, error free and informational. But then there are the rest of them. Many page owners are simply interested in traffic. And for traffic, you only really need an SEO stuffed fluff piece (which can be outsourced for less than a penny a word!). Of course, this piece/page will never be bookmarked or revisted (you never think of that, do ya??). But, whatev. Not my page, not my problem. If you are a native English speaker/writer with above average grammar and spelling skills, never bid less than $.015-.02 a word....even on your very first job!

Take my word for it....better jobs are out there.

I Love My Laptop

Let's see. I'm a blogger. I blog. Yet, I rarely blog about my work. So, here I am....on a blog that will be solely dedicated to working from home with five kids under six, finding work, underbidding (whoops), the occasional cranky client (names changed, of course) and all other things work related.

Today, as I unplugged my computer (mid photo upload) to take it back to the kids' room where I would continue to work while they fell asleep, I thought, "How would I get anything done from a desk top?!" I know, these are the profound thoughts that I think.

The girls had a friend over this afternoon. Actually, I agreed to watch her because her mom works at a restaurant and didn't have any childcare lined up for spring break. The playdough station was kickin' in the kitchen, the classical music/coloring station was rockin' in the living room, the leggos were flying, Candyland was ready to be played....but our guest wanted to talk....to me.

"Honey, I know it's hard to understand. But when I sit down at that computer, I'm going 'to work'." Of course, sometimes I'm just dorking around on Facebook.

And then my youngest daughter got it, "This whole house is your office?!"

Ouch. That's the main thing I try to avoid as a working mom. I do most of my work in the early morning or late night (and during our afternoon movie hour). But freelancing can be difficult to balance....you never want to turn down a great job while it's there!

Speaking of which. I'd better get back to it;)