Gahran suggests looking carefully at a site before approaching its editor or webmaster. But on the other hand, it can be worth approaching sites that could benefit from the use of professional writers. Many sites haven't even thought about using outside writers, so suggest it. Today there are very few freelance writers working solely in the online medium, but their ranks will of course grow over time as the online writing market grows. Gahran advises writers not to get too dependent on any one online client, because the Web publishing environment is inherently unstable.
Web sites come and go.
They change their strategies. It's risky to invest a lot of energy into a single Web client, so balance yourself out with some stable print clients, too, until the Web environment offers more abundant opportunities. Gahran herself follows that advice, earning most of her living from an established print freelancing business. She's quick to point out that even though she's setting herself up to assist the online writing community, she's no expert yet. Indeed, freelancers can sign contracts that bind them to indentured servitude or slavery.