But don't make mistake of thinking that, because level of "quality" varies, you can be more lax in presentation and attitude when submitting to sex markets. Most of these editors appreciate rofessionalism just as much as their mainstream counterparts. Writers wanting to break into this market need to make sure that manuscripts are presented professionally and that phone calls (or emails) are returned promptly.

There are, however, some markets that operate in a more "casual" fashion. While this can occasionally work in your favor - a query for an article, for example, can be as simple as a one-sentence email - it can also be frustrating. You'll have to get used to idea that not all of your submissions, queries and requests for guidelines will be acknowledged. Perseverance, so useful when writing in any genre, is even more of a requirement when writing for sex markets.

Another requirement is an exhaustive knowledge of your market and your audience. Sex markets tend to be even more specialized than mainstream markets; each magazine often targets a very specific personality as well as predilection. What this means is that in order to sell you have to do your research; you'll need to study magazine cover to cover and yes, that means pictures, too. (Of course, some sex writers look at that as a perk of their profession rather than a hardship, but that's another story.) It's also imperative to request guidelines when possible because sex markets often are very specific as to style, point of view and word count; it's important that you know exactly what they're looking for before you submit.

Of course, most important requirement when it comes to sex writing is that you enjoy doing it. It's an excellent choice for those writers who relish a challenge as well as those who enjoy stretching their imagination. Yes, it's a job, as is writing for mainstream markets, and it requires utmost in professionalism and commitment.

But writing about sex is also a whole lot of fun. Getting paid to do it, well, that's even better.

• Develop strong consultative skills. Besides selling your freelance services, also offer consulting services. Clients pay you to explain ideas, concepts, recommendations and turnkey solutions as to best way to achieve results they desire. Consulting with clients can lead to securing freelance work, since clients realize you have skills and expertise to undertake task.

• Know future needs of clients. Clients come with present needs — and future needs. A client may hire you to write a newsletter now, but they'll also consider you for future work if you know what their future needs are and how to fulfill them. The company may be ushering in a new product line, creating a new division within company, sponsoring a charity event, or creating a website. All of these future events need a freelancer to do promotional writing and freelance work. That's you. Your job is to show clients how you'll address their future needs with solutions that'll increase their profitability and/or productivity. This is usually accomplished with a proposal through which you pitch yourself as freelancer who has solutions to undertake future tasks.

• Use proposals to secure work. Proposals are an inclusive persuasion tool to convince prospects that you can increase their profitability and/or productivity with your freelance services. Proposals specifically show client how you intend to achieve desired results, time and costs involved, and why you and your solutions are best choices to boost company's profits.

• Adaptations. Any of your freelance writing services can be adapted for websites, turning a single assignment into two assignments. Get paid to write a press release or brochure, and then get paid again to adapt copy digitally.

• Add-on services, such as desktop publishing services, marketing consulting, compiling and selling media lists, and project coordinating can help multiply your work and your income.