If you've got a knack for writing and have no pressing desire to have a byline, ghostwriting may be the perfect work-from-home job for you. There's a pressing demand for ghostwriting services, because websites are in constant need of new, fresh content. Business sites, in particular, aren't looking to post articles that include the writers' names. As a result, they turn to ghostwriters to fill their sites with fresh, relevant, well-written content. One of the best places to ply your trade as a ghostwriter is Textbroker; learn a few of the basic ins and outs of the popular website below.
What is Textbroker?
As its name implies, Textbroker acts as a broker. It protects the interests of the clients who request content and the writers who produce it. Basically, a client adds funds to his account and creates an order or orders. Within those orders, he specifies what he needs. The order is placed on a job board, where it can be picked up by one of the site's thousands of writers or authors. Upon completion, the author submits the order to the client. As long as he signs off on it, the author is paid. Textbroker pockets a commission and a small flat fee for each order, so everybody wins.
Getting Started
Textbroker is open to writers within the United States. In order to get started, you will be asked to write a sample based on one of a handful of different topics. The site's editors will use the sample to assign you with a level. The available levels are 2, 3, 4 and 5. The vast majority of people start out at level three or level four. The higher your level is, the higher your per-word rate will be. Once you've been given the green light, you will be allowed to select orders from the board; you may only select one at a time.
Understanding Levels
The Textbroker site has a detailed explanation of each level; a sample of the work that can be expected at each level is also provided. At level two, for instance, there may be spelling and grammatical errors. Level three orders should not contain any spelling errors, although minor grammatical issues may slip through. At level four, the work should essentially be free of spelling and grammatical errors. For work that meets all of those expectations and also has an engaging and professional style, a client should select level five.
Moving Up
If you submit your sample and are only rated at a level two or three, take heart: You should be able to move up in the world. While clients are allowed to provide ratings, their ratings don't affect your level. Instead, each order that you submit is reviewed by a Textbroker editor. He or she will give each order a rating of 2, 3 or 4. Your current level is based on the average of your last five ratings. Turn in a string of work that's rated at level four, then, and you will earn a promotion.
Claiming Assignments
Although many people balk at the fact that they can only claim one OpenOrder at a time, there are many good reasons for this rule. Most importantly, it is done so that authors don't "hoard" assignments. If a handful of authors claim the majority of the work, others will be left out. Furthermore, clients would have to wait longer to have their orders filled. Your current level will determine the types of orders that you can claim. At level five, you will have access to the entire OpenOrder board.
Getting DirectOrders
Prices are set in stone for orders on the OpenOrder board. Clients can also send you DirectOrders, which go directly and strictly to you. In that case, you can set your own price. This is where you can start earning some regular and reliable money through the site. As Textbroker has increased in popularity, the number of orders on its OpenOrder board has steadily increased. However, you may not always find assignments that appeal to you. With DirectOrders, you can develop a steady stream of work that you actually enjoy doing, which is sure to result in higher earnings.
Receiving Payments
Textbroker pays twice a month. They use PayPal, so you will need to have an account on the site. If you intend on making decent amounts of money through Textbroker, you will have to supply PayPal with extra information to verify your identity. That way you won't have to deal with limits on how much money you can withdraw. In order to get paid, you must have earned at least $10; you also have to specifically request a pay-off, which can be done through the site's simple interface. Getting the hang of Textbroker is really easy.
Additional Information
As Textbroker has grown and prospered, it has added a few extra features into the mix. For instance, a blog debuted back at the end of the summer in 2009. Near the beginning of 2011, Textbroker introduced its official forums. Authors can communicate with one another through these forums, which are moderated, so they are great places to post questions and concerns. Around the same time, Textbroker added a proofreading service that clients can request for lower level orders. If you pass the proofreading test, you may pick up proofreading assignments. On top of that, you must pass the proofreading test in order to be considered for a level five ranking.
Opinions about how much one can earn on Textbroker vary considerably. Some people think it's good for a little extra spending money, while others claim to earn considerable incomes through the site. Everyone's talents and goals are different, though; highly motivated folks can earn fairly consistent incomes through the site. You won't know how far you can take it unless you try, though, which is why it's smart to sign up. You may find that it's just not for you; on the other hand, you may find that Textbroker is right up your alley.