In these days of financial uncertainty, writers are joining the ranks of the unemployed. Many are turning to online freelance writing as a way to put some money in their pockets. Let’s explore what this means, what some of the pitfalls are, and what a writer can expect to earn.

Freelance writing can take several forms. Freelance means you are an independent contractor, not a salaried employee or staff member. You are usually paid per published piece, although it is possible to find jobs that pay you monthly for a certain number of pieces.

A freelance writer may get a byline, but usually is hired to ghostwrite. This is why you have to plan your strategy as a writer.

1. As a ghostwriter, you don’t get credit for your writing, so it is important to maintain and expand your writing portfolio separately.

2. You have to write to the best of your ability and yet maintain distance from your work. It’s like raising a child while preparing for the inevitable empty nest.

3. The work by its nature can be monotonous drudgery.

4. Did you know that there are overseas sweatshops pouring out junk web content for dirt cheap prices? Whereas an experienced, talented writer earns $1/word, these people earn about $1/100 words. We know what this type of competition has done to other areas of our economy, but not many are aware that they get what they pay for with PLR articles or any article they get for $5-$10.

If article marketing isn’t working for you as a writer, expand your writing services by thinking outside the box. Here are some ideas for getting paid what you are worth. If you can line out a few jobs using some of these, you’ll ensure yourself a solid monthly income.

1. Offer a blogging service for a monthly fee. This can be for an individual, organization or corporation.

2. A social networking service is a great way to contract for a monthly fee. My personal favorite is Squidoo lenses, but maybe your interest and experience lies with Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, or LinkedIn.

3. Another great service is bookmarking. This would include StumbleUpon, del.icio.us, Technorati, and so on.

4. Offer customer service/email answering services. This would be sort of a virtual assistant position, but only in the realm of writing.

5. Editorial services are also needed, especially in the realm of helping those who speak and write English as a second language.

What you can earn with these services depends on how much you are writing. Twittering and bookmarking, for example, don’t involve very many words. Asking for $200/month for 3 Twitters or 3 bookmarks per week would be reasonable.

Blogs and Squidoo lenses updated 3 times per week could earn you $300/month.