Studio Blog
My One Year, $50,000 Challenge With Demand Studios
Posted by James Johnson | February 21, 2010 | Comments (76)
My name is James Johnson, and I've been a writer for Demand Studios for nearly one and a half years and an online content freelancer for the better half of a decade. Recently, I approached Demand Studios with a project: I wanted to show the online writing community, especially those individuals with any doubts, that freelance writing can earn a full-time salary...if done correctly. My goal is simple: earn $50,000 in a 12-month period using only the Studio platform as my full-time writing position. I will still be heading up my duties as the head tech writer for the Inquisitr and running my online newspaper Indyposted, however all my time writing for outside clients will halt for the next one-year period and my focus will solely be placed upon Demand Studios.
So, why would I take on this goal? It's simple--I've become irritated, as I'm sure many other full-time freelancers have, with the funny looks I get from friends, family and strangers when I tell them I'm a full-time online writer. Not to mention the questions like "Don't you have a real job?" , "Do you like only having to work a few hours a day" and so on and so forth. It amazes me on a daily basis that the regular work hours I put in (about the same number as most of my friends with "real full-time jobs," as they call them), are overlooked as nothing more than a hobby, even by people whom I know I earn more than.
As part of this project, I'll post a weekly blog on Demand Studios, updating everyone about my goals for the week, the goals I met and any shortfalls I experience. I'll blog about what motivated me to keep writing for that week, and I'll answer questions sent to me by other freelancers in the Demand Studios community and from anyone who happens to stumble upon my posts from outside of the DS writers pool. I'll show you my earnings with full candor including flat-fee articles and my earnings from revenue sharing. I'll also talk about anything else pertinent to my time with Demand Studios.
I'll also be sure to update my Twitter account @techobsessed with daily musings from my time as a writer, and I'll respond to my followers in regards to any questions, concerns or other information they want to share.
That's pretty much my goal for the next 12 months; anyone want to join me? I hope you'll all tune into my progress, and if nothing else, hopefully you'll find a little motivation when you decide to make a bigger living not only with Demand Studios, but as an online writer in general.





Jacqui
Feb 22, 8:29 AM
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James Johnson
Feb 22, 9:04 AM
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MaryK
Feb 22, 9:57 AM
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James Johnson
Feb 22, 10:08 AM
I'm trying to spread out my day by writing a post for the Inquisitr, one for Indyposted and then one article for Demand Studios, then rinse and repeat :) That way I don't go insane writing 9 how-to-guides and lists all at once at any specific part of the day :)
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KristinWood
Feb 22, 12:01 PM
I will definitely be following along with you here and on twitter.
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NicoleBee2003
Feb 22, 12:12 PM
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DSLisaRussell
Feb 22, 12:15 PM
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Lillian Downey
Feb 22, 12:18 PM
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Heide Braley
Feb 22, 12:22 PM
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AmandaKon
Feb 22, 12:25 PM
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