Finding clients can be the trickiest part of being a freelance writer. In this nDash review, you’ll find out how serious the company is in providing solutions to this very common problem.
In a report published by Statista, it says that as of 2019, there were 57 million people who are working as freelancers in the United States. The number represents 35% of the country’s total workforce.
Meanwhile, in an article published by CNBC online, based on a study conducted by Upwork, it has been found that “more than one-third of the American workforce freelance amid the Covid-19 pandemic, contributing $1.2 trillion to the U.S. economy“. This was an increase of 22% as compared to 2019.
According to the said article, the rise of the freelance industry in the country was “fueled in part by an influx of younger, highly-skilled professionals seeking flexible alternatives to traditional employment“.
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Now, the freelance community offers a number of different jobs in various fields and industries. However, one of the most popular online jobs of all is freelance writing.
While it is very well-known, still, a lot of freelance writers (old and especially new ones) find it difficult to find clients. In fact, as we have mentioned earlier, it is the trickiest part of the job.
While there are a lot of online job boards, the competition in the online freelance writing industry is just really high that it makes it difficult to find an employer or a client right away.
But here’s the thing, there are websites or online platforms like nDash that offers work from home writers a solution to this emerging problem.
So, to help you know more about this online platform, in this nDash review, we are going to particularly tackle the following very important information:
- What is nDash?
- How does nDash work?
- How to sign up for nDash?
- How to find work on nDash?
- How much can you earn by using nDash?
- How does payment works?
- What are the fees involved?
- Where is nDash available?
- What are the benefits of using nDash?
- What are the downsides of using nDash?
WHAT IS NDASH?
Launched in 2014, nDash was “designed by content marketers, for content marketers.” The company tags itself as “the world’s most elite freelance writing community“.
It basically is a platform that connects both professional writers and companies that are in need of well-written content. The platform acts as a middleman between the two parties.
For companies to be able to access nDash’s pool of writers, they need to register. The same goes for writers. If they want access to nDash’s registered clients, they also need to sign up.
With nDash, you will find a diverse, open, and elite group of writers with expertise in almost every industry, flexible pricing based on what’s in the market and the budget, as well as the uniqueness of service providers (top nDash writers won’t be found on the usual content mill).
Since its inception, nDash has already worked with thousands of brands from different parts of the world. Furthermore, it has already built a community of over 10,000 freelance writers also from across the globe.
Unlike the usual job boards we see online wherein clients can just post what articles or content they specifically need, with nDash, writers can pitch brands or companies with ideas, as well as find brands that need exactly the kind of content they’re capable of to produce.
Similarly, brands or companies can hunt down writers with specific experience based on their needs and preferences.
While nDash is open to all types of writers — whether you’re a pro or a beginner — we thought it’s a safer ground for writers who have already gained some experience and published some work that they can share with prospective clients.
But then again, regardless if you are a newbie, if you are confident with your skills and abilities as a writer, you definitely can compete with everyone else and get the job.
HOW DOES NDASH WORK?
Now that you already know what nDash is, in this section of our nDash review, we’re going to talk about how the platform actually works.
If you are a writer, the first thing you need to do is to establish an online profile. Basically, your online profile must include a little information about you, and a few samples of the work you have done previously.
To know more about completing your writer profile, watch the video below for reference:
Once you are done with establishing your profile, you will then need to work on having your account verified by the nDash team.
Usually, the verification takes a few days. More so, it may involve a little back and forth while you tweak details that the team suggests. This process actually helps you have a better profile to attract more brands or companies to work with you.
The whole verification process is actually worth it because being a “verified writer” makes you on a higher level as compared to those who are not. It adds more credibility to your name, if we may say that.
Being verified acts as a “rubber stamp” for clients to confirm your credentials as a writer, and at the same time, it gives you access to significant parts of the platform, which include the ability to pitch to brands.
Yes, unverified accounts do not have access to that.
Contrary to a typical job board, you might find it surprising that the “open assignments” section does not usually have a lot to offer — and that is because that is not how nDash works.
As a writer, you can browse through the companies on nDash and pitch ideas to them directly. With nDash, you are given the opportunity to choose the company you want to work for, and you are given the freedom to pitch your ideas. From there, it’s up to the companies or clients to decide if your pitch is the perfect pitch.
So how do you put together a pitch?
Well, nDash made sure that the process is easy and simple. All you need to do is fill out a form. Make sure to fill in details on “Pitch Title” and “Abstract” as they’re mandatory.
You can pitch to as many companies as you want. There’s no limitation to that — although we recommend focusing only on a few where you find yourself a good fit.
HOW TO SIGN UP FOR NDASH?
To fully utilize what nDash has to offer, of course, you have to sign up.
Earlier, we already mentioned a brief explanation of how the sign-up process goes. But for more clarity, you got to check this section out.
So, to begin with, the first step is to sign up by filling out a very simple form on nDash’s homepage.
Before you sign up, make sure that you have an account with Stripe, because it is the only method of payment that the platform offers. You cannot complete the whole signing up process if you do not have a Stripe account.
Moving on, once you are done signing up, you will then have to fill out your writer profile.
When writing your writer’s profile, make sure to put as much detail as possible. That will be crucial during the verification process, which we are going to tackle later on.
Please note that your profile is what the nDash team uses to vet writers before they validate them. The purpose behind it is to ensure that you are a real person with legit credentials and not someone who’s just trying to play around.
Although you do not necessarily have to meet each and every requirement set by nDash, you will have a significant chance of getting verified if you have the following qualifications:
- A detailed and well-written writer’s profile
- Writing samples that showcase your proficiency in your preferred niche
- Your real name
- Education and work experience that is related to your chosen niche
- Link to your LinkedIn profile
- Recommendations from previous clients
Given all these requirements, you probably understand now why we said earlier that nDash is more ideal for writers with previous experience already.
If you are a newbie, meeting the above-mentioned requirements might be tricky, and may lead to not getting verified, which as mentioned earlier is key to being able to pitch to your preferred clients.
Anyway, once you are done filling in your writer’s profile, click the “request verification” button, and wait for the nDash team to approve your request.
If in case you did not get approval, you can update your profile after gaining a little more experienced, and then reapply after 90 days since you first attempted.
HOW TO FIND WORK ON NDASH?
In this section of our nDash review, we are going to talk about finding work on nDash.
The moment you get verified by the nDash team, you immediately get access to all brand profiles and online writing job opportunities.
According to nDash, about 60% of the paid assignments started as a writer pitch. This only means that for you to be able to find a job, you have to diligently pitch.
While the platform does have a “browse assignments” button wherein companies or brands request idea pitches or particular assignments, there’s not a lot of them in there.
There are other ways to find a gig though. nDash also allows you to create a content idea pitch. That pitch is made visible to any brand on nDash. If a brand likes your pitch, they can purchase it.
Take note that you can only sell the idea to one brand.
Another way to land a job through nDash is to individually pitch an idea to brands. Every brand has their own profile where you can get a glimpse of the content they’re interested in. Based on what you see, create a pitch on that.
In addition, you can also opt to write and upload articles or blog posts for sale. This is ideal for writers who have already written content but have not found a place for it yet. Don’t worry about marketing, because once it’s up there, you can nDash team will be the one to market it to possible clients.
Last, but definitely not least, you can land a gig on nDash when a brand specifically gets in touch with you.
As mentioned, brands can also lookout for a specific writer who they think fits best their requirements.
HOW MUCH CAN YOU EARN BY USING NDASH?
Of course, this review on nDash will not be complete without talking about the rates or how much money you earn from using nDash.
Well, here’s the good news — you get to set your own rates! Yes, you have full control when it comes to the cost of your services.
Another good thing is, most brands are very much willing to pay for any quality content. So, regardless of your rate is a bit high, that’s okay because brands will pay for that as long as they get what they need from you.
Apart from the fact that you can set your rates on your profile, nDash also allows you to set rates based on a specific project.
To give you an idea, though, according to nDash, the average assignment ranges between $150 and $450.
It’s also worth taking note that you can counter-offer if the rate the brand offered you is lower than what you are willing to take. So, it’s basically a win-win situation, right?
By the way, when setting your rate, make sure to take into consideration the amount of time you need for the assigned project. Consider the time you need to researching and the actual writing.
HOW DOES PAYMENT WORKS?
As we have mentioned earlier, you cannot push through signing up with nDash if you do not have a Stripe account.
Stripe is the only payment channel that is available for nDash users. All payments are sent through Stripe.
With nDash, as soon as the client approves the assignment, the writer automatically receives the payment within two to five working days.
Unlike other online job boards, you get the full amount you have agreed upon with your client.
nDash charges services fees on the client or the brand, and not on the writer.
WHAT ARE THE FEES INVOLVED?
You are probably wondering by now if signing up with nDash costs you a certain amount.
Well, here’s another good news — nDash is entirely free for writers’ use. nDash does not charge writers any fees.
So, how does nDash earn?
Well, they charge the client instead. nDash charges the client a fee on top of the cost of every piece of work.
Furthermore, there are no subscription fees charged among writers, which is such a good deal, right?
WHERE IS NDASH AVAILABLE?
Unfortunately, nDash is not available in all countries worldwide.
As of this writing, this online job platform is only available for freelance writers across 21 countries, which include:
- Australia
- Canada
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Ireland
- Japan
- Norway
- Singapore
- Spain
- Sweden
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Austria
- Belgium
- Germany
- Hong Kong
- Italy
- Luxemburg
- Netherlands
- Portugal
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING NDASH?
Similar to other online job boards, nDash has its share of pros and cons. Although it looks very appealing, it sure has its ups and downs as well.
As a potential user, it is important that you look into the benefits and downsides of the platform so you can gauge if it’s worth signing up for or not.
Overall, here are some of the benefits we found on nDash:
- Free for Writers. Unlike other popular online job boards out there, nDash is entirely free to sign up and use among writers. It does earn money by charging a service fee to brands instead.
- Set Your Rate. nDash does not mind how much you rate your work. You have all the say when it comes to charging your client for your work.
- Great Support Staff. Contrary to other online job listing sites, you are assured of an amazing support from nDash staff.
- Can Be A Source Of Ongoing Work. We’ve encountered reviews from nDash users wherein they say that the platform is actually a good place to establish a good working relatinship with brands. Having a good relationship means having a possible regular work with them.
WHAT ARE THE DOWNSIDES OF USING NDASH?
While nDash has its share of pros, it also does have its share of cons. Some of the downsides of using nDash that we found are:
- Payments Are Through Stripe Only. Unfortunately, nDash only make payments through Stripe, which means you have to make one if you do not have a Stripe account.
- Not Ideal For Newbies. Although newbies can try signing up, most likely, they’ll have a hard time getting verified, which is very important to get access to brand/company profiles and to be able to pitch ideas to them.
- Not Many Brands Actively Seek Content. Based on the information we gathered, for you to land a gig on nDash, you have to do most of the legwork. You have to diligently pitch to brands. Otherwise, you won’t get into a job at all.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON NDASH REVIEW
Overall, we have to say that nDash provides a unique way for freelance writers to find jobs online.
We particularly like the fact that signing up on the site is free, and that nDash allows you to pitch ideas directly to brands you prefer.
Of course, just like other online job boards, nDash is not perfect. But, we would like to think that the pros overpower the cons.
So, do we recommend nDash?
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