Working as a freelancer when you don't live in the USA

[Nickie]

Now that I'm officially registered as a freelancer under Belgian law (with a company that is listed and the VAT number that goes with it), I'm exploring all possible venues to make some money.
To my surprise, I've seen that some sites demand that you are a US citizen. I don't know why, as I can perfectly take on work from other countries, as long as I declare it to my taxman.
Does anyone over here know sites that accept freelancers and don't make a problem out of this?

Nickie

[Skyraven]

Usually magazines don't care where the writers live so you might want to pitch to magazines. I'm not sure about websites since it really depends on the site. Hope this helps.

[Sheila33]

just make sure that all your references are in order and your past freelance work can be easily verified.

[Cleopatra Jones]

Hi Nickie --

Are you not a U.S. citizen? I couldn't tell from your question whether the issue was you not being a US citizen, or you not living in the US. Usually, as long as you're a US citizen you can write for these sites even if you live abroad. I live in France and work for Demand Studios (as well as write for US magazines) with no problem. For DS all I had to do was provide a US address (I gave my mom's) as well as my SS number.

And by the way, if you're interested check out my blog for expat freelancers. I'm trying to find other expat freelancers and discuss the issues that are particular to our situation.

Good luck!

[Nickie]

Hi Cleopatra,

No, I'm not a US citizen. I just find it strange that for instance Demand Studios needs you to be a US citizen. They tell me it's for tax reasons. But I really don't see why I can't do write for them. Here at our tax office, they tell me that I only have to make a declaration that I'm going to pay the taxes in Belgium....

Nickie

[Cleopatra Jones]

Ah, I see. I'm sorry Nickie, I don't know the answer to that.

[zenwriter]

I live in Canada and am not a US citizen. I am also a freelancer full-time. While some companies are like Demand Studios and ask that all writers be US citizens, most companies are happy to work with any professional, reliable writers. Many blogging jobs, for example, and many freelance jobs posted at sites such as www.writersweekly.com and www.freelancewritinggigs.com are happy to consider writers from all over the world. It really depends on the employer. Good luck!

[pete333]

I meant unpaid blogs.

[wordiva]

I meant unpaid blogs.


To practise writing ofcourse! I know of some people, when they query an agent, they also include links to their blog so the agent can check out their writing style, and get to know a bit about the writer to see if they would be compatable.



Thanks for the links folks, I am going to have to check them out too.

[Cleopatra Jones]

You can also establish yourself as an expert (or at least knowledgable) in a certain area through a blog.

[Nickie]

Hi there, ZenWriter, just wanna say that you were right. I've just been offered a job as translator for a Canadian company. I'll be reading through letters sent to them in languages such as French and German, and will reply to those letters that need an answer. It's quite a handsome pay, too.


Nickie