IL Postcard

Earn $4,000 for Writing a Simple Letter

Date: 07/24/2008 Author: Steenie Harvey

Friday, July 25, 2008

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An atlas of exotic adventures in every direction. Cheap beer, cheap living. If it wasn't for the hot climate, I'd love to spend more time in Southeast Asia. (But you know me...I'm like the Ice Queen. I can only fully function in frigid temperatures.)

Of course, some people do like it hot.

The last time I heard from my friend Jason Gaspero, he was about to leave for Thailand. Same as me, he has to earn a living. I've been wondering how he was getting on...Jason persuades people to act on their dreams. In other words, he's a copywriter. He writes sales letters—the kind we all get in our mailboxes every day. And he says he couldn't imagine a better job.

I asked Jason what it's like to be a freelance copywriter, and this is what he had to say:

"Well...for me, it's perfect because international travel is an obsession. When you're a freelance copywriter, all you need is a laptop and an Internet connection and the world is your oyster.

"Over the past three years, I've been able to live and work in destinations like Paris, London, Dublin, Manhattan, Miami Beach, Panama City, and many other places I've always wanted to experience.

"Right now, I live on the island of Koh Phangan in Thailand. It's wonderful. Warm and sunny...postcard-perfect beaches...great food...an exotic culture...and friendly people from all over the world.

"On top of all that, living costs are super cheap.

"Put it this way: Just the other day, I hopped on the motorbike I'm renting ($4 per day) and rode to Koh Phangan's largest town, Thong Sala, to grab lunch from the outdoor market.

"I was low on fuel, so I filled up at the gas station up the street from where I live. It cost me $3 to fill the tank...and that should last almost a week.

"Once I got to the outdoor market, I ordered green curry chicken with a generous serving of white rice, a bowl of noodle soup, and a pitcher of ice water. It only set me back $1.20 for everything.

"My bungalow is cheap, too—about $12 a night. It's at a beach resort and I've got just about every amenity within seconds of my front door: a swimming pool, fitness center, restaurant, bar, express laundry service, Internet café, travel agency, jet ski rentals, and a gorgeous sunset view of the Gulf of Thailand, the island of Koh Samui, and the Ang Thong National Marine Park.

"I can pick up three separate WiFi signals from my room, which means I can be at my 'office' whenever I need to work.

"Another great aspect about being a freelance copywriter is that you're in control of your financial destiny. Instead of relying on a set wage, you can make as much as you want.

"Want to earn more? Write more. Just make sure you consistently produce good copy that brings in results. Do that, and you can make a lot of money."

(According to a recent survey, 22% of freelance copywriters make more than $100,000 a year. Some make much more.)

"It took me quite a while to discover the world of freelance copywriting, but I'm sure glad I did."

Once you know the format, writing sales letters is easy. Although I'm not a copywriter like Jason—to be frank, I'm only an amateur—I've done some of this kind of writing myself. Yet for the last sales letter I wrote, I got paid a fee of $4,000.

Not bad for an amateur—$4,000 simply for writing a letter. Think how far that would stretch in a country with low living costs...

If you're in the market for a dream job that gives you unparalleled freedom and financial peace of mind, check out how you can get started here.

Steenie Harvey
For International Living

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