If you’ve been living under a rock, then you…well, I don’t know why you’re here. But just in case you missed it, we are no longer using Elance as a source for job leads. That may mean that some weeks are leaner than others, since sources I browse for jobs don’t always list a rate. That’s why you should always consider this weekly posting a supplement to your own job search. We’ll be working to bring you even more opportunities soon though when our writer’s market directory launches later this month. Personally, I’m always a fan of fewer clients of a higher quality over bad clients of lower quality. Let’s move on to the freelance writing jobs.

The Freelance Writing Jobs

1. Cannabis Writer – are you a patient who uses medical marijuana? If so, this is a great fit for you. A magazine is looking for a writer who knows about the topic inside and out (including field testing, apparently). Send in some strong samples and a resume. This freelance writing job pays $.15 per word.
2. Graphic Design Blogger – if you know Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator inside and out, then hit this gig up. You should apply for this job tout de suite especially if you’re good at doing tutorials and how to articles. This freelance writing job pays $75 per article.
3. Residential Lighting Blogger – if you’re self-motivated (and clearly you would have to be if you’re here) and savvy about design and lighting, then you should apply for this gig but HARD. You’ll be doing four articles per month, so this should be easy enough for you to fit into your posting schedule. This freelance writing job pays $50 per article.

Freelance Writing Job Tip of the Week

Any potential client who asks you about your per hour rate needs some education. As a writer, I come up with ideas for articles in the shower, getting a cup of coffee, or hanging out with friends. Do you honestly think I’ll take the time to bill that? Of course not. I build that sort of thing into my flat per-word rate. If you have a client who doesn’t seem to quite get it, do not be afraid to educate. After all, you are a product. You need to talk about your features and your advantages. If it’s awkward at first for you, then practice on a friend. But you should not be afraid to talk to a client. That’s what they hired you for, after all.

Worst Freelance Writing Job of the Week

Dad/child publisher WonderDads is seeking a writer to compile a list of Dad/child activities in San Francisco. The 15-0000 – 20,000 word booklet should be organized by 1) the best restaurants, 2) activities, 3) stores, 4) parks/outdoor attractions, and 5) other spots for Dads with kids ages 0-7 to do something together, with 1-2 sentences on what makes each place great for a dad/child to visit. We are looking to have 5-15 things covered in each of the five categories above, for each of the 27 main areas of San Francisco. The style/tone/length should be similar to that of the Zagat survey restaurant guides. We are looking to include this piece in our San Francisco Dad/Child booklet which is set to go to press in next month (therefore, we are looking for this to be written in the next four weeks, sorry for the rush!). Compensation of $500 for the booklet as well as credit in the book (as a children’s publisher unfortunately this is a limited budget). WonderDads to own copyright in the material. Please email cover letter and resume to writers@wonderdads.com. Please make sure you would have the time to commit to the four week turnaround. Thanks!

How would you like to earn $0.025 per word on an exhaustively researched booklet (booklet? 20,000 words? really?) that is due in a month. Don’t worry. You will get $500 whole dollars for this. And then you ought to be grateful! Because at least you are earning money, right? Personally, I think you’re better off writing articles for your own content or blog and courting clients to get a rate at least four times that. But hey, it’s your time. And you can write a whole book!

If you’d like to look through longer aggregated lists of freelance writing jobs to help you save time in your job search, All Freelance Writing recommends Anne Wayman’s freelance writing jobs at AboutFreelanceWriting.com.