Online writing is increasingly becoming a major business opportunity, with people ready to learn and discover new ideas day by day and creating more opportunities. But most of the interested people find it hard to know how and where to start or even the right organisation or professionals to take them through the fundamentals of online writing. This guide will help you as a beginner to know what online writing entails.
What is online writing?
Online writing, also referred to as digital writing, refers to the text that is created using electronic gadgets such as smartphones, computers, laptops, or other forms of digital devices. The advantage of online writing is that your audience has a chance of reaching a massive number of people.
Types of online writing.
There are many different types of online writing depending on the purpose and audience.
They include
1. Articles.
It is a form of written communication aimed at reaching a broad audience through various media forms such as newspapers and journals.
2. Email Marketing.
is a way in which businesses use emails to communicate, connect, and interact with their customers.
3. Academic writing.
Academic writing is a type of writing used in universities and targets readers who attend or work in schools, colleges, universities, and research institutions, such as students, professors, and researchers.
4. Social media writing.
Social media writing involves developing content aimed at capturing attention and driving engagement on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
5. Technical writing.
This type of writing involves professionals explaining complex technical information more clearly to a specific audience.
6. Copywriting.
This type of writing involves writing compelling text that effectively markets a product or takes a specific action.
7. Content writing.
The process of creation and publication of materials for digital and physical platforms aimed to inform, educate, and persuade readers. This can include blog posts, articles, scripts, etc.
These are just a few examples of types of online writing.
How to start online writing.
There are a few steps that guide you on how to start online writing course, and they include,
i) Training.
To be a well-decorated online writer, you need a professional expert who will take you through a complete online writing course step-by-step in a physical or online class.
ii) Specialise in a niche.
A niche is an area of specialisation in which a writer wishes to concentrate. There are different categories of online writing niches, and you should choose according to what type of writing you find more enjoyable, your educational background, your work experience, and interests you are passionate about.
iii) Choose an account.
Online writing accounts can provide consistent and reliable opportunities. There are two main types of online writing accounts: take accounts and bid accounts, which are further divided into some accounts.
iv) Join platforms.
After learning and choosing an account, you should choose a platform where you are going to write, present your work, and get paid. You should choose a platform that best suits your specialised niche so as to spot targeted opportunities and many other advantages that come with it.
Ways for beginners to practise writing?
As a beginner, here’s how you can practise writing effectively.
- Make writing your daily routine.
- Do more free writing and journaling.
- Seek feedback.
- Read widely to build your vocabulary and gain more ideas .
- Utilise the available online resources
- Set realistic goals and be patient with your progress.
Best online writing accounts.
When choosing an online writing account, there are some key factors that you should consider. Some include your niche and skills, pay rates and payment terms, level of competition, job volume and consistency, etc. These are just some of the main considerations. Some of the best online writing accounts include,
1. Fiverr.
This account is best suited for writers who prefer offering specific writing services.
2. Upwork.
This is a digital marketplace where you can offer your skills and services to businesses all over the world. Those services include online writing, marketing, and many others.
3. ProBlogger Job Board.
This is where one is paid to write blogs and content. The blogger is paid after publishing a post, which are mostly 1000+ words
4. Guru.
This digital marketplace connects writers with their potential clients for different writing needs for commissioned work.
5. nDash.
This is a freelance platform where writers showcase their skills and expertise, giving them an opportunity to connect with brands for content creation services.
6. Contena.
This is a paid membership site that offers curated job listings, resources, and tools to writers for career growth and possible job opportunities.
7. UvoCorp.
UvoCorp is a freelance academic writing agency that gives writers an opportunity to bid on and complete a given assignment for clients or students.
8. Textbroker.
This is a website that connects online writers with potential clients in need of custom-written content.
9. iWriter.
A platform that connects businesses with online writers in need of written online content for their websites or other uses.
10. Flexjob.
A freelance writing platform that offers writers a flexible work schedule and project selection, often offering higher-paying opportunities.
Best payment methods for online writers.
Choosing the right payment method is very important for writers to receive their earnings in a transparent, efficient, and secure way. Since most online writers work with domestic, local, and international clients, knowing various money transfer methods is crucial to ensure payment is made effectively. Some of the methods of payment platforms include
a) PayPal.
This is one of the most popular and widely accepted payment platforms globally and is user-friendly and offers protection for both buyer and seller. It enables online writers to send and receive money from over two hundred countries for both individuals and small and medium businesses. One of the advantages that comes with PayPal is that you can link your PayPal account to your M-Pesa or bank account and receive your money within a period of days.
b) Payoneer.
This is a payment platform (good for international writers) that gives writers an opportunity to get paid for services that they provide to their clients globally and withdraw money directly from their locally accessible banks. Payoneer supports multiple currencies.
c) Wise (formerly TransferWise).
This platform is known for its transparency in fee structures and real exchange rates, making it a quick and effective platform for money transfer. It also offers secure money transfer in multiple currencies.
d) Direct Bank Transfer (ACH/EFT).
This platform is secure for domestic payments. It involves the transfer of money between bank accounts directly. It is also important to note that international transfers can incur a significant amount of fees.
e) Skrill.
This is an online payment system with fast and instant payment options for online writers and offers a user-friendly interface. It also offers a low transaction fee. For security and safety matters, Skrill protects its account users from malicious acts like fraud through two-factor authentication and encryption procedures.
f) Stripe.
This is a powerful payment platform that accepts credit and debit card payments directly and also facilitates online and in-person payments. It also has a global acceptance due to its ability to support multiple currencies.
g) M-Pesa.
M-Pesa is a payment platform popularly known and used in Kenya to carry out mobile money transfers locally.
FAQ
How much is one paid for online writing in Kenya?
KES 200 or KES 500. For every 250 words you write.
What are the 5 basics of writing?
Prewriting, research, draughting, revising, editing, and proofreading.
How can I be a good online writer?
Be confident and know your readers; make writing a routine , not chase perfection, and embrace more reading.
Conclusion
Now that you have the steps of how to start online writing, it is important to embrace the process of learning and be patient with your progress. Most importantly, you should keep writing to gain more experience and keep learning new skills day by day. This will help you to identify your strengths and weaknesses and possible ways to deal with them. The demand for skilled online writers continues to grow globally, and this calls for online writers to invest in their skills.