You can do writs unguilded and still obtain personal status. Those status points earned can be used at a city merchant with normal currency to obtain special items such as formal dress, housing items, and mounts. It is good to be in a guild though because not only do you earn personal status but you also contribute status to the guild as well as xp. If this is something you like doing make sure you are tagged up as a patron in the guild so you can contribute. And like Bumb said, Heritage Quests are the best way to get alot of status. Most heritages 40+ give well over 42,000 status points.