One of the first projects I ever clinched online was rewriting. The client would hand me a grocery list of information, and I would have to rewrite everything into a single paragraph. My topic? Aromatherapy and hydrosols. It wasn’t difficult at all; in fact, I could finish one assignment in an hour. Sometimes, though, I get too comfortable (since each article would have to follow a specific format) and I have to think of new ways to reword things in a manner that’s still fresh and unique.

Sometimes I get bored with rewriting, but it’s a good freelance job. It doesn’t take up as much time, and it’s pretty easy (i.e. no need for research). One good thing to remember, though, is that it is completely untrue that rewriting requires no thinking. If you hear a client say that, turn around and run for the nearest exit immediately.

It’s a common ploy (or maybe a genuine opinion on the part of the client) that can lead to lower pay for you. I can’t presume to tell you how much rewriting is worth, but I can tell you I get a really small amount. I already said yes back then (I didn’t know better), and I can’t find a good way to ask for a raise. Anyway, it’s now an intermittent project so I don’t sweat it, but at least you’ll know what to expect before you wade in.

As I said, it’s not as easy as it seems. It’s not quite as rigorous as writing an original article, but you’ll still need your brains for rewriting. Here are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind while rewriting:

1. Rewriting needs creativity. You might not be writing something entirely original, but it’s not an exact copy either. In fact, you’re not supposed to come up with something that won’t pass Copyscape. It takes a lot of creativity to take a bunch of ideas, re-word them and mold them into something original. It’s not as simple as rephrasing the original article. That’ll just get you a bland, lifeless piece of work. It takes time, a keen mind and a certain flair.
2. Rewriting needs to be fresh. Dusting off a musty old article through a bit of rewriting won’t work. You need something equally (if not more) enticing, and it requires a lot of thinking. The correct choice of words (if it’s a long-term project, try not to use the same adjectives/words over and over again) is crucial and could spell success or failure depending on your ability to spin something old into something new. Otherwise, you’ll end up with something borrowed and horribly blue.
3. Rewriting needs a new angle. Don’t even think about plagiarizing. Seriously. Ideas, even when reworded, remain the property of the original writer. Don’t adopt its entirety — that’s still plagiarism. From the details you have, spin a new web. The ideas of the old article can serve as an inspiration, but do provide a different take on things. Show the topic in a new light, but with deference to the source material’s data (you can’t just make things up you know). Look at things from a fresh point of view.
4. Rewriting must be fluid. There’s nothing worse than copy that barely flows. An article, even when rewritten from a bunch of sources, must still be a good read. It’s not Frankenstein’s monster, even if it is an amalgam of ideas. Keep the flow of the article smooth, the tone engaging and the overall effect informative.

If you think rewriting’s something you can do and you’d like to try your hand at it, go ahead. Just remember not to get ripped off. It’s not as brainless as some clients purport it to be. Rewriting takes time and talent. Make sure you get compensated properly. You can check out Get a Freelancer or other project sites for potential clients.

XOXO,