How to Find Freelance Writing Jobs

I found this today while I was browsing YouTube. It was created by the folks behind Daily Writing Jobs, and I find it very useful, especially for beginners. The “Write for Us” tip worked for me several years ago. Hope it works for you too!

Don’t Confuse Holiday Down Time with the Current Economy

You’ve probably noticed slim pickings these past few weeks. Everyone looking for work are reporting dismal findings. In fact, I receive many letters each day asking if this is a result of the current economy. My answer is “maybe not.

Don’t get me wrong, times are going to be a little bit tough coming up, but that’s not the main reason you’re not finding any work this month. November and December are traditionally slow months because folks don’t want to hire during the holidays. They don’t want to spend money on writers during that time. Indeed we’re experiencing tough economic times, but there will always be folks looking for writers, especially online. Even though advertising is down for many websites, folks still need to stock their sites and blogs with content and that’s where we come in.

Things will pick up after January.  I’m not saying there’s going to be a big hiring boom, but you’ll see more jobs. December is always a dismal month for freelancers, please don’t get discouraged.

Why I Write

by Deb Ng

One of my first freelance writing gigs was a weekly online humor column. I worked full time however, so I did much of my writing during the morning and evening commutes – an hour each way. It came to pass that no matter what I was doing – working, watching TV, washing the dishes, walking in the subway – I was writing. I was forming sentences and ideas and kept playing with those ideas until I could find a keyboard or pen and paper. It’s like I couldn’t shut off the words in my head.

It’s always been that way for me.  Even when I was younger I kept journals and notebooks to store my ideas. I look through many of them now and laugh, but it seems I always had to write something. When teachers would assign papers or essays other kids would groan but not me. I’d eagerly plan my topic and outline and couldn’t wait to go home and begin.

I write because it’s what I was destined to do. Even if I had to work in a cube farm, I’d still be writing. I don’t have a choice. I think if I didn’t write my head would explode. I know I must look so silly to some jotting down ideas or talking into my keyring at the most interesting moments. I can’t help it though, the wheels are constantly turning. Writing isn’t a job or a hobby. It’s a passion. It’s an addiction. It’s something I couldn’t give up if I tried.

Why do you write?

The Impotence of Proofreading

Thanks to my brother in law Mark for turning me on to this video. Though it’s talking about proofreading term papers, I think it’s appropriate to freelance writers.

Enjoy!

via videosift.com

Freelance Writing Jobs Community Brainstorming Session

So I spent this weekend answering some of my mail (have more to go – thanks for your patience) and a common question is from bloggers and web content writers who write about the same topic day in and day out and sometimes have trouble coming up with ideas. As someone who has been in this boat before I understand how hard it is to stay fresh.

Let us help you.

Throw a topic into the comments and we will assist you with ideas for posts and articles. Go on, don’t be shy. That’s what a community is for!

Are We Losing Our Individuality?

In the past few weeks many freelance writing and blogging blogs included posts on the following (Yours Truly is no exception):

• Gift Ideas
• Setting Goals
• Top X Places to Find Freelance Writing Jobs
• Using an Editorial Calendar
• …and a number of topics that are being done to death.

So let me ask you…is it easier for us to borrow someone else’s ideas than come up with our own? What do you think?

Can Community Ever Be a Bad Thing?

I received an interesting email a little while ago. With the author’s permission I’m repriting, but not mentioning names.

Dear Deb,

I wanted to participate in your discussion about if FWJ should have a forum but I didn’t want to post my answer in the comments. I’m not a fan of forums because I don’t want to be friends with my competition. I don’t believe in “communities” centered around one’s chosen profession because I don’t want to not apply for a job because I’m feeling the love for another writer. Community holds writers back from getting what they deserve because they’re so worried about upsetting friends. Communities like this also create more competition because we’re all applying for the same jobs. So no. No forum for me.

Just call me Cranky (name withheld by request)

Wow, Cranky. What an interesting point of view. Suffice it to say I respectfully disagree. I feel community creates a helpful atmosphere. We help each other to succeed and that’s a very good thing. I never look at my fellow writers or bloggers as competition because we have so much to offer each other, and if we both apply for the same job? Let the best person win!

I found your note to be a contradiction, however. First you say you don’t like to participate in online communities because being friendly makes it hard for you to apply to the same job as someone else, but then you also say it creates too much competition for the same job. So, it can’t be holding too many people back. Read more

Separating Work from Home When You Work from Home

I’ve long maintained folks who work at home work more hours than our commuting counterparts. For many of us, if the computer is on, we’re at work. We just can’t shut down. Last weekend I learned an important lesson because I didn’t shut off Skype and ended up working most of the holiday weekend. Where do you draw the line when you work at home? The way I see it, the problem is twofold:

Set Business Hours

When I worked a regular 9 to 5 job it was easy for me to get in my home frame of mind. I left my job every day at the designated time, went home and did home stuff.  I don’t have that kind of luxury when I work at home. You can’t put on your coat and go home when your office is in the same place you eat, sleep and bathe.

It’s easier said than done, but establishing business hours can help you draw the line. Speaking from experience, it’s tough to say, “OK, it’s 6:00. I’m done working for the day” and leave your work at home job. Once you get into a routine however, it’s  easy to switch hats.

Getting Into the Right Frame of Mind

This has been the topic of much discussion but I honestly believe clothes help to set the tone. I change into comfortable working clothes when it’s time to get down to business, and wear something else for relaxation time with my family. Yes, I have been known to wear my flannel penguin pajama pants while working from time to time, but the clothes really do help to put me in the proper mindset.

I also find that if I have established business hour, say when my family is at work and school, I have a better ability to focus. I can’t always pay attention to my job when my son is practicing piano or my husband is running power tools. Having quiet time to work each day helps to put me in the right frame of mind. Once the family starts getting down to business, it’s time for me to close shop. Read more

Community Creativity Project: Caption This

Is Writing for the Web Holding You Back from Writing for Print?

by Deborah Ng

When I first began writing for the web, it was just as practice. A way to earn money and get my rhythm going while querying magazines. This was about nine years ago, and my fellow web writers all had the same goal. To earn some money, practice writing and gain experience until we break into print. As of this writing, many of the web writers I started out with have had limited print success and they don’t care. Same here.

Once I started writing for the web on a regular basis, I started cutting back on my querying. I had a bite now and then but it didn’t matter. My web clients published quicker and there was none of this “pay on publication” business where the check came six months to a year later. Read more

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