Freelance Writing Advice for Teens & Young Adults

Generation Y, generally referred to as a group market group born between 1977-1994, grew up with computers. Naturally, as they start to mature and enter the workforce, they look for ways to make money online - either to supplement earnings from low-paying, entry-level jobs, or as a full-time gig.

One way to make money online that has a low entry bar is to be a freelance writer. And, many are drawn to it.

But, common industry knowledge is that you have to have experience to be a freelance writer. Most youngsters think that no one will hire them without it, so they bypass what could be lucrative, fun careers for them.

Freelance writing is a career I think Generation Y are tailor-made for. Why? They are comfortable with technology and tend to be "in the know" on two well-paying online markets - entertainment and technology.

Following is a question I answer to a youngster on YahooAnswers. She asked:

Question: I'm still a freshman student and I think I'm still too young to be an author or a writer or whatsoever but it's my dream. I'm wondering, how can I develop my writing skills and earn money from it? -P

My Answer: P, I've been a freelance writer since 1993 -- a freelance "commercial" writer.

What does this mean? I don't write fiction, poetry, novels, etc. I write for businesses. I tell you this to say that you can make money as a writer -- but expand your concept of what that means.

There are very few JK Rowlings or Stephen Kings, but there are plenty of "no-name writers" like me who make their living writing for businesses -- eg, web copy, SEO articles, ebooks, etc.

Following is how you can get on the road to making a living as a writer -- and you can even start today with one site I'm going to tell you about.

Advice on Making a Living as a Writer -- With No Experience

Write what you know: As you say you're a freshman (don't know if that's college or high school), write what you know.

Music, movies, clothing, MP3 players, video games, cell phone technology, etc. Your demographic (age group) knows more about these things that practically any other group.