Q: Can I get rich freelancing?

A: Define "rich." Do you mean rich in experience? Rich with flavor? Rich with satisfaction? Of course.

But can you get wealthy? Well, if you define "wealthy" as making six figures, yes. But you have to know how to work hard and be a master at marketing yourself and your writing. Getting rich off freelancing is probably not going to happen for those who freelance part-time.

Robert J. McGarvey has made his freelancing career pay him over $100,000 a year and posted his 25 helpful tips at Freelance Success. Some advice of his includes:

Editor referrals are very, very important. Editors do make referrals - just as a homeowner offers referrals for painters, general contractors, etc. Editors often are friends with other editors, and they swap names of writers. When an editor does refer you, be generous in your thanks. (A gift isn't necessary.) Encourage this behavior, and you'll see more of it. I got my first assignments to write advertorials for Fortune, in part, because an editor I knew referred me to the hiring editor at Fortune.

and

Research once, sell often. This may be an era when "all rights" sales are common, but even then you are selling that article, not the knowledge and contacts you built up in writing it. How can you leverage that knowledge to make re-sales - not just once but again and again? Always be mindful of the rights you are selling and never sell more than necessary. But recognize that more publishers are demanding greater ownership of the articles they buy, and that is the way it is. Don't fight losing battles.

For some more tips, the Illinois Woman's Press Association shares some advice from other writers and editors on how to be a better businessperson with your writing.

Meanwhile, learn how to rate yourself. This article via Wired offers tips on how much to charge for writing, editing and copy-editing.

Have a freelancing or writing question? Send it in.