How do I further my writing career?

[DeliveryGodNoah_v1legacy]

I have no idea what I'm doing. That's going to be the general idea here.

I've started writing gaming reviews and articles for a couple lesser known gaming websites, completely payless, and voluntarily. I occasionally got a free game here and there (can't say most of them were really worth it, but hey, free is free I guess) to play for review and it was generally a decent time. My writing wasn't/isn't the greatest yet, as I still make small mistakes and could use some peppering of flavor in my paragraphs, but I'm getting somewhere. I think.

The problem is, I don't know where to go from here.

I began writing for PressA2Join.com (examples in spoiler below) and this was okay, but eventually the main editor got so caught up and busy that they neglected to provide me any direction or material to write for.

Spoiler: PressA2Join Examples

http://pressa2join.com/reviews/gahkthun-golden-lightning

http://pressa2join.com/reviews/adr1ft-review

http://pressa2join.com/reviews/alekhines-gun-review

http://pressa2join.com/reviews/trulon-the-shadow-engine-review

So I decided to leave that website and began writing for a new one called Cultured Vultures. So far it's only been articles, as I've only recently written enough articles to get past the threshold to be given review materials. This site also doesn't really pay, except for 50 cents for every 500 page views. Needless to say, that's not ever enough to even buy a burger, assuming I ever reach that threshold.

Spoiler: Cultured Vultures Examples

http://culturedvultures.com/mafia-3s-missing-early-review-copies/

http://culturedvultures.com/5-biggest-games-october-2016-mafia-3-skyrim/

http://culturedvultures.com/cyberpunk-2077-everything-we-know-so-far/

http://culturedvultures.com/witcher-3-free-dlc/

So my main problem is, this experience is nice and all, but where will I go from here? I don't know what to do in this line of business. What do I even call this business?

Do I just...give a C.V. or Resume to a larger websites hoping they take a look at it? I'm completely new to all of this.

Also, if you're generous enough to do so, give me some compliments or feedback on my articles. Is there anything you like about them? Is there something in particular I could improve? (I know there is, but it's easier to hear it from someone else)

 

[senordesol]

Before anyone can answer what you *should* do, you should tell us what you *want* to do.

Do you strictly want to review games? Do you want to do something more creative? Do you want to have a 'career' at all?

Some outlets will let you submit articles unsolicited (that's how I got started with GamesRadar) and most of the time they'll pay you (expect ~ $70 - $200 depending on size of outlet per feature). Of course, you'd better come correct! If you submit weak content, there's no way they'll talk to you.

Alternatively, why rely on the system at all? If you're not being paid anyway; why not generate your own outlet that you can monetize yourself?

You don't need to answer these question here, but you should be able to answer them for yourself.

 

[Robert B. Marks]

Oh, damn...I REALLY feel for you on this.

Unfortunately, it's an uphill struggle, and it's not going to get easier. I'm in the midst of a new client hunt for my corporate writing, and the number of people who don't understand what things cost is really quite spectacular. I had to point out to one person who had placed an ad that $300 for ten original 1,000 word articles with SEO would pay less than minimum wage to anybody taking the time to do it properly.

So, a lot of your early career WILL be building your portfolio. You will probably spend a decent amount of time at the beginning writing for a low wage. Just keep in mind that once you get up to a certain level of experience (say, about 5-10 years), you can command rates such as $75 per hour (which is my corporate writing rate), and once you can command those rates, you can use it to weed out the amateur night operations.

Just watch out for content mills, and try to get a wide range of work. You might also want to check out PCGamesN - they've been hiring people somewhat aggressively over the summer, and they pay well if you can get the work.

 

[alandavidson]

As with any career with an "artistic" bend, it's a grind.

I'm an actor, not a writer, but I'll share the best two pieces of advice I've ever received, and I think they are very applicable here.

1. "Do everything that comes your way. Do things you don't think you're right for. Do things that you're great for. Don't worry about the money, worry about the art."

Takeaway from this: Write everything. Write every day. Keep doing it and make a name for yourself.

2. "Live your life. Be young. Drive too fast, drink too much, sleep to little. Fuck the wrong woman. Find friends, lose friends. Don't settle down, just go and be young for god's sake."

Takeaway from this: Experience life. The more you can experience life, the better you'll be at your creative bent. (NOTE: Please be responsible. Don't drink and drive, and use protection if you have sex.)