Reached First Milestone

Hallo all!

Yes, I am going to be completely uncouth and post my earnings as I reach my personal milestones. I want to remember these!

I started my first Elance project at the end of March, and now, 6 weeks later, I realize I am almost right on top of the $600 mark.

Wow. I barely started, and $100 a week average is not peanuts. Actually, though, I earned over half of that in the past ten days, so it's really over $200 a week now.

Lets see. What have I got lined up?

One (two year?) contract for $ 50 a week - one 300 word keyword oriented article per day.
One (one year?) contract for $ 100 a week - approx 7 news story edits and postings per day.
One (one year?) contract for $ 80 a week - One 500 word each blog and news post per day.

Thats $230 right there. Call it $200 after fees. And that's only about 4 hours a day.

I am chasing another long term contract that will round out my steady work roster, and have about half a dozen 2-10 article gigs I am knocking out at the rate of 6-8 articles a day in addition to my daily assignments. Even then I am far from working at full capacity.

I have virtually stopped working my other job, letting my residual income continue to coast; it only requires about an hour a night to maintain.

Methinks I have arrived.

Now, I know this post looks like a brag, but hey. It's my blog, and I'll crow if I want to!

Seriously, though, if I can do it, anyone can. I am the most self defeating person I know, I don't believe in myself or take risks, so this is a giant step for me! I never could have done it without all of my supporters, so thanks again, y'all.

Now, I have to go... I have three deadlines, and the baby needs lunch!

Slainte ~Grace

Beginnings: from Helium to Elance, and a brand-new writing career!

Wow! Here I am at last, with my very own corner of the web to call home...

And here is where I start my story.

On February 15, 2008, I somehow stumbled on a community called Helium - a group of writers from all walks of life. They welcomed me with open arms, and I rapidly came to think of them as family.Helium is an experiment of sorts; you write, you post and you rate. If your article's material and delivery is top quality, it rises like cream.

As I began to find success within the Helium walls, I began to think I might actually be able to make a living from my writing, and I decided to find out.I ventured out cautiously from the Helium nest where I was hatched, and was confronted immediately by an enormous monster known as Elance.

At first I was overwhelmed. This meeting place for buyers and providers is huge! After a few false starts, however, I tamed the beast and started my first project; re-writing some articles for an ESL based site.This was followed by the rapid capture of two more projects; more rewrites of organizational tips for a West Coast professional, and fresh keyword oriented articles for a brand new website in the health field. All three buyers asked me to do repeat projects.

Emboldened, I bid for more, and raised my rates substantially. My feedback was very positive, and I began to receive invitations to bid on projects from interested buyers. I expanded into news story managing and blog posting.

So far, I have landed what looks like two one-year contracts, one two-year contract, and several buyers who also hope to have steady work for me. Pretty soon I will be able to fully support myself by doing something I love! And it all started with one click.

So take hope, all ye who enter here; there are prospects for those willing to spread their wings and fly afield! I only hope I can point the way for other would-be freelancers. Keep an eye on this blog for updates and helpful tips as I continue to blaze my trail!

Note: I still write, rate and post at Helium...check out my page there!

Slainte (and yes, that’s an Irish toast - the equivilant of ‘cheers’ - but ever so classy!)

~Grace