Demand Media Studios

Demand Media Studios is perhaps the most well known places for freelance writers to find work. Some of the better known sites run by Demand are eHow and Livestrong. In my case, they were the first ones to hire me on full time as a writer a few years back and have helped me learn the fundamentals of working with copy editors and writing for an online publication.

So let's begin with discussing how Demand Media Studios works. First of all, they employ a multitude of writers to cover specialized topics such as home and garden and technology.

To get hired on, you will usually need to have either a degree, certificate or extensive experience in a particular field. In the past, writers could work for eHow as generalists and complete assignments on a variety of topics, but that is no longer the case. Consequently, working for Demand is usually reserved only for specialists with plenty of previous experience publishing content online in a certain field.

For writers who are hired on, most assignments will pay anywhere from $15 to $25, which is pretty good compared to many other companies. Once you complete an assignment, it will be reviewed by a random copy editor. If everything looks good or only requires minimal edits, it will be approved. Otherwise, the copy editor will send it back for a rewrite.

One of the most consistent complaints I and other writers have had with Demand Media Studios is either a lack of consistency with editor feedback or unnecessary rewrites. Nonetheless, writing for Demand is a pretty good deal because the money is good, there are usually plenty of assignments to choose from and they pay twice a week via PayPal.

Even though I no longer write for this company, I think that it's worth your time to at least check it out. While I don't recommend this to newbies, it can be potentially lucrative for writers with in depth experience and expertise in certain subjects.

Click here to visit Demand's about us page

Click here to visit the writer's application page

WiseGeek

I have been writing for WiseGeek for almost a year and it has turned out to be a nice source of income. The thing I like most about WiseGeek is that there is almost always 500 plus assignments that can be taken at any time. While I predominately write about business and career topics, there are numerous topics to choose from that run the gambit from home improvement to medical information. Each article is required to be 400 or more words and pays anywhere from $10 to $14.

The payment system works by a copy editor reviewing your work after you have completed a batch of at least five articles. Once each article has been approved, you receive your payment. In contrast to other freelance sites that make you wait for up to a month, this type of payment is a major plus.

As of January 2012, WiseGeek has stopped creating new articles and has chosen to upgrade their existing database by adding pictures and videos to each article. As far as I know, they are only sticking with existing writers for the time being, but may bring on new writers for the transition. WiseGeek's application process is somewhat lengthy as they require you to complete several articles before hiring you on. However, you do still earn the normal pay rate for these initial articles.

I know that their new positions entail working either as a video curator, photo curator or performing general edits and optimizing existing articles. From what I've heard, the amount of money earned per assignment will be similar to the previous earnings each writer was making.

Personally, I have enjoyed working for WiseGeek and have gotten much better at fine tuning my writing and have seen an overall improvement in my writing abilities. A good thing about WiseGeek is that each writer is given a personal copy editor to work with exclusively. Unlike other sites I've written for with random copy editors, you get consistent feedback from only one person which helps prevent frustration and enhance your writing.

Click here to go to the WiseGeek application page