Would you like to make some extra cash part-time from the comfort of your own home? Ever dreamed of quitting your full-time factory job, and making enough money at home that you never need to work for someone else again?

If this sounds like you, you might be in for a surprise. Thousands of people do it every day, and the only things you need to start are a computer, an Internet connection and self-discipline. It may come as a surprise to you, but thousands of people all over the world are looking for freelance writers to fill their web sites with quality content. And they're willing to pay well, for the right person.

So what makes you the right person for the job? How do you get started?

Find Your Niche

Everyone knows something. All you have to do is find a niche you enjoy writing about. For instance, perhaps you've been successfully married for 20 years, and have raised 4 children. This may sound unexciting at first glance, but I bet you know a lot about the ins and outs of child rearing, while keeping a family together. This kind of information is exactly the kind of content a lot of web sites are looking for.

You can use hobbies, interests or anything else you know a thing or two about, to build yourself a steady income from home. It's really that easy, if you know how to find the right buyer.

Finding The Right Buyer

Once you've found your niche, the next step is finding someone willing to buy your knowledge. This may seem like a daunting task at first, but it really isn't. There are many web sites out there that hook providers up with buyers. Some are free to use, and some require a fee.

My personal favorite is Elance. Within a month of joining this web site, I had eight buyers. I'd also been invited to bid on several more projects. Because you do have to pay in order to use this site, as well as pay a commission fee on completed projects, buyers know that you're not going to work for scraps.

The trick is to build a solid rating. This means whenever you get your first project, make sure the client is completely satisfied. Beat the deadline they set for you, give them a good price and make sure you provide quality content. Make sure you are professional at all times. If you can do this, then you can be a successful freelance writer.

Besides Elance, there are several more forums where jobs can be obtained. Get A Coder, Guru, Writer Lance and Get A Freelancer are all popular sites. Check them out, get a feel for what each can offer you before making your move.

Building A Reputation

When you're first starting out, you may need to take a few lower paying jobs in order to build a reputable portfolio. Just like any other job, you need to work your way up from the bottom. This means charging lower fees for your work, in return for a chance to write.

Once you've managed to rack up a few jobs, built yourself a good rating and gotten a bit more comfortable at your new part-time or full-time job, you can raise your fees. Once buyers know that other people have been satisfied with your work, they'll take more notice of you. This means more money for you, and less work finding the jobs.

This doesn't mean you can relax. You may get the jobs easier, but you still need to be professional in all aspects of your new business. Add to your rating and things will only get better. In time you will have a steady client base to work from, meaning repeat orders and more money in your pocket.

Conclusion

These three things are the basis for setting up your own successful freelance business. There are many other aspects, but that's the basics. With a little determination and practice at your new craft, you to could be a successful freelance writer.