Recently done a Google search on a health or science topic? Then you’ve probably come across wiseGEEK, a Wikipedia-esque website that provides easy-to-understand, practical information on numerous topics, including health conditions and common biology topics. Like Wikipedia, all of wiseGEEK’s content is user-generated–the exception here being you get paid to do it.

If you don’t have the time–or don’t want to make the effort–to create your own ads to attract new clientele, there is another option: taking advantage of the site’s features to find clients already advertising writing work.

For writers, here comes a legitimate concern: how do you differentiate scammers from trusthworthy, real-paying clients?

Granted, Craigslist isn’t a reliable place to find writing clients–there isn’t a guarantee they’ll pay your invoices on time (or at all) or offer a fair price for your web content. But this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s impossible to find writing clients on Craigslist–in fact, one of my highest paying clients found me through Craigslist.

If you’re familiar with Associated Content, you’re probably familiar with Sabah Karimi, who was featured on The Early Show in 2008 for her work with Associated Content.

But what’s more remarkable is how fast she gained success working as a freelance writer: she had only written professionally for two years prior to winning Associated Content’s Content Producer of the Year award. She also released The AC Source Book in 2008, a blueprint for maximizing earnings with Associated Content. 2009 proved to be an equally fruitful year: Demand Studios honored her with their Top Content Creator award, an award only given to a handful of writers.

If you’re planning on creating an article for Demand Studios, you will need to reference at least one source in your article, regardless of how much you personally or professionally know about the subject. This helps editors verify the information in the article for accuracy, any bias and proper accreditation.