Offline versus Online Writing - Which is More Profitable?
For most of my freelance and professional career I’ve done offline writing. Technical manuals, online help systems, training classes, marketing copy, newsletters … these things have been my bread and butter.
Lately, however, I’ve been creating a lot of online materials. Looking around the web, I think that I’m not alone. Yet, in my experience, most online projects pay less than most offline projects. In fact, an online project can pay up to 50% less than an offline project that requires the same or similar effort.
If my experience is typical, why are some many writers moving online?
Of course I can’t speak for every writer, but I think some of the following may answer that question:
- The thrill of learning something new (such as HTML or blogging)
- The seduction of instant online publication at the click of a button
- The feeling that online writing is the future and offline writing is the past
- Every writer’s doing it, so every writer needs an online presence
I’m not disagreeing with any of the above statements, but I wonder if they represent the whole picture.
What is your experience? Am I right? Does offline writing generally pay more? Which type of writing do you do, and why? If you write online, what are your reasons?
Edited to add: Here is a link to my post with offline writing job suggestions.
Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved.
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About the Author: I am a successful freelance writer with 20 years of copy writing experience. I am available for consulting, business writing, copy writing, editing, technical writing, and web content writing. In addition, I have written an ebook, 
Courtney - Web Writing Info | Oct 30, 2007 | Reply
As a freelancer, it makes more sense to me to work for online clients. I know the pay may be more for off line publications, but the querying process just isn’t practical for me. Writing online is nearly instant money and has allowed me to work from home much quicker than if I was going the traditional route.
I also like working online because it’s what I most familiar with. I’m not a newspaper reader, anymore, and have a few magazine subscriptions. But I’m immersed in online culture, so writing online was a natural extension of that. I even met my husband online!
James Chartrand - JCM Enterprises | Oct 30, 2007 | Reply
In my opinion (and I always have one!), offline writing pays more – a lot more, often double or triple the online market rates.
However, offline writing usually means published work in magazines or print books, to the common man. Open markets for any good writer? Not unless your name is Stephen King, I think. Offline writing provides a mere dribble of work for most writers compared to online jobs.
So to me, it comes down to the eternal question: Do I want my name in lights, the glory of fame and my book on everyone’s nighttable? Or, do I want to eat more than Kraft Dinner each night?
The thrill of publication – in my case – doesn’t factor into the decision. Most jobs I do are ghostwriting gigs, so I get no glory. Learning new skills like coding? Okay, that’s fun, but money’s a bigger motivator. Future and past? Hey, to be very honest, the future I’m most concerned about is that of my kids, not that of technology. Every writer’s doing it? Weeeelll… that’s groupthink. If Jamie jumps off a bridge, are you gonna jump, too? Depends how much you think of Jamie, doesn’t it?
I write online because it was the first medium to accept me as a writer – in fact, it embraced me. I went from some guy who wrote well to a full-time copywriter and entrepreneur who runs a business. I’d still love to have a print novel or my name in a famous mag, but I cater to the hand that feeds me.
[/rambling]
Laura | Oct 30, 2007 | Reply
Hi Courtney and James!
Hmmm! There seems to be a common misperception that you you have to query to get offline writing work. I can see what Thursday’s post needs to be about.
Lesly | Oct 30, 2007 | Reply
OK, I’ll admit it — when I started freelancing, I was still working a full-time job and I found the short “information nugget” style writing that dominated online gigs easier to work on during my lunch breaks. Later, I found that I was getting more responses from prospective clients when I pointed to URLs than a print writing history. . . which lead to more online gigs.
Hope Wilbanks | Oct 31, 2007 | Reply
I’m an online freelancer, too. I have done a lot of (mostly, in fact) ghostwriting online over the last few years. For me, this seems to work best right now because I freeze up at the idea of having my name “in lights.” Not that I don’t want to, because oh-how-I-do! Like Courtney, I’ve only known one way to freelance offline and that is to query magazines and such. And I just can’t.
I know that online work doesn’t pay nearly as much as it should. People move so quickly and are always looking for somebody cheaper. What they don’t realize is that cheaper doesn’t always mean “good” or better. Thus, if you don’t move fast, you’re quickly tossed aside.
All that being said, I would love to learn how to build an offline freelance career. And I’ll be watching here for more tips and info on that.
Ken Xu | Oct 31, 2007 | Reply
If I could cover it, I would choose to do both. Since we need to diversify our income, writing both offline and online could at least securing each other in case to support myself if one of them collapse.
And offline writing also useful for promoting the online service that I have. It’s a triple benefits!
Laura | Oct 31, 2007 | Reply
Hi Lesly, Hope, and Ken!
Welcome! It seems that I’ve hit a topic of interest here.
Stay tuned for Thursday’s post. I’ll list five offline gigs that you don’t have to query to get.
James Chartrand - JCM Enterprises | Nov 1, 2007 | Reply
Woot! You go, Laura!
There is more to offline writing than magazines, very true. Offline writing includes working for local businesses. Cold call. Pick up the phone and ask them if you can help with their writing needs - and trust me, every business has them. See a mistake in a flyer or brochure? Let the business know, and offer your editing services.
But the perception is… offline writing equals books, mags, and glory.
Jeanne Dininni | Nov 7, 2007 | Reply
Laura,
I’ve been concentrating mostly on online writing, mainly because it’s quicker and easier; though I’ve also sold some of my work over the internet for offline (print) publication, which is also easier than having to deal with mailing out manuscripts.
Jeanne
Jenyy duke | Jan 14, 2010 | Reply
Both of them are important but write online easier then write offline