Freelance writing from home is a great way for military spouses to bring in extra income. If you have any ability at all putting words together, you can probably do just fine out there in the freelance world. There are tons of resources available to you.

If you are serious about your freelance business, there are a couple of resources you should consider checking into, especially if copywriting (writing for business) is your goal.

First, you should consider purchasing a couple of very helpful books to help guide you on your course. The Well Fed Writer by Peter Bowerman is a fabulous resource, complete with a full blueprint of how to get started in freelance copywriting. The Copywriter's Handbook by Robert Bly is the quintessential guide from the man who created the world of freelance copywriting as we know it. Both of these books are essential to get you started in the right direction. You might consider signing up for their newsletters and blogs, as well.

Once you get some groundwork in place, you will need to start the marketing end of your business. You must let people know what you do. Get some business cards printed and give them to everyone you see. Get a website with your portfolio (however small it may be) and make sure the site is listed on your business cards. Do some pro bono work to get your portfolio built up. Try doing some freebies with your favorite charities. Check in with your Airmen & Family Readiness Center for a long list of charities just chomping at the bits to have someone volunteer their service. And tell everyone that you write for a living. Bottom line - spread the word! You never know where your next opportunity will come from and military folks talk a lot. You could get a phone call months down the road from someone you worked with that needs your writing services...and this time, with pay!

Also, it may be smart to start out, especially if your overseas, to bid on work with some of the content mill sites like Elance. One writer, Trish Lambert, makes a very healthy income working through Elance. She also offers coaching on how to grow your writing business through Elance. There are a few other sites, like Guru, iFreelance, GetAFreelancer, Scriptlance and oDesk. Check out Trish's profiles on Elance to get an idea of how to develop yours. Using these sites can be a great way to build a portfolio, especially if you really don't have one at all. But, be careful...don't work for nothing! You will see lots of posts asking you to write a 500 word article for $5...that's just thievery!

Now, armed with a few steps to get started, it's time for you to get up off the couch! Get over to your computer, check out the information that's right there at your fingertips, grow your presence online and get your business started. Take the first step...the rest will come.

Published at seo-marketing.shoppingmallhk.com