I’m not a mirage. Honestly. I’m a real, living, breathing person. And I’m a real writer, too. When people think of writers, they often think of famous novelists, best-selling authors or respected journalists. Web content writers don’t get a look in. And yet we are real writers, too. Just like other writers, we write because we can’t imagine doing anything else. Just like other writers, we have hundreds of thousands of people who read our work. Just like other writers, we get paid to write.
As web content writers, we have other skills too. We can’t take years to germinate the perfect masterpiece. We have to produce it in hours, or sometimes even minutes. We know where to find information on almost anything, and find it quickly. We are good at speed reading research sources, extracting their essence, and making something better and more readable with our own personal flair. Our minds are buzzing with words and phrases that make any subject come to life. We know how to add the personal touch, addressing our readers directly and making them feel that they are the sole focus of our writing attention.
So the next time someone asks you what you do, or suggests that you can’t possibly have a real job working from home, or disparages your job because they haven’t heard of the places that you write for, tell them this: I am a talented writer with the same skill and creativity as other writers, and a wide range of subject knowledge. Or just say: I AM a real writer, and this IS a real job.
Article by Sharon Hurley Hall
Sharon Hurley Hall has been mentoring writers here at Get Paid To Write Online since 2005 to help them improve and build sustainable and successful writing careers. Check me out on sharonhh.com. Feel free to connect with me online on Google+.
Sharon has written 659 awesome articles for us at Get Paid to Write Online
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Good post! I actually don’t have a problem with people thinking I don’t have a real job… I used to… but then when my friends and family would call to see if I could go out, and I couldn’t because I needed to write thirty articles they started to realize that I actually had stuff to do.
I really appreciate this entry, because I exactly know the skills we need to have to be web writers and how hard this job can be…and just this makes it more appreciated!!Thanks for the inspiration you’re giving with your entries.Greetings from Italy.
Oooh yeah. It’s a matter of pride to me to stand up and say, “I’m a web content writer.”
*blink blink blank stare…* “What’s a web content writer?”
*sigh*
But yes. You have it right. It’s a real damned job, and my income was enough to make my bank manager pause and glance up. That felt good; real good.
Twitter: shurleyhall
April 16, 2008 at 18:11
@ Katherine and James: Yes, I think people take you more seriously when you are actually busy and making money.
@ James: Yes, I bet it did!
@ Desi: Glad you’re enjoying it. Greetings TO Italy. I’ve only visited briefly, across the border from Nice.
Empowering post. I needed it tonight. Great blog, I keep coming back!
Sharon, great point and one of my pet peeves. To balance out my writing I teach ESL 2 days a week and my colleagues wish me well as I head home “for my days off” ; a few people notice when I tell them I make a better hourly rate writing for the web than teaching, but I think most just don’t understand at all, or don’t even believe me! I’m waiting for a James moment when the bank manager pauses, that would definitely feel good!
Twitter: shurleyhall
April 17, 2008 at 12:14
Glad you liked it, Damien. I’m happy to have you as a reader.
@ Amanda: I’ve had a few of those ‘days off’ references myself, when I worked part time. As I pointed out, between writing and having a toddler (at the time), there were no days off in my house. Yes, a ‘James moment’ would be great!
Unfortunatley folks don’t think its a real job unless you are forced to leave the conforts of your own home for hours on end. I am glad you are a writter and I will be checking out your blog so I can become a better writter.
Thanks:)
As a technical writer, I’ve always just used that as my label. But I also write fiction, I write poetry, I blog incessantly. And a few weeks ago it struck me that I really should just label myself as ‘writer’ and have done with it. It’s all I really do, after all. Who cares what type of writing it is, when all’s said and done? We’re all writers here.
Twitter: shurleyhall
April 17, 2008 at 21:41
@ Debo: glad you like it. I’m sticking with the comforts of home
@ Catherine: You sound like a writer to me, so go for it
I’ve been writing for years, but only publishing online since MS forced me to stop working outside the home. Now I hear comments constantly like “don’t you miss working?”
Actually, I don’t.
I miss the income I made working outside the home, but I don’t miss working because I DO work. I write. I write on homeopathy. I write on politics. I spend at least 8 hours a day reading, researching, and writing every day. I may not be a vastly successful writer yet, but I am most definitely a writer.
Audra Sonata’s last blog post..Bringing Needed Change ObamaBiden Haiku
Twitter: shurleyhall
October 14, 2008 at 08:51
You certainly are, Audra, and a busy one at that.
Well, i would really to be a web content writer. But, i don’t really know how to start. I love all this comment they have posted here so far. And i will like to be reading more, maybe, i can start from there. Greetings to Catherin Sharp and sharon and to every web content writers
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