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How to Use Discussion Forums for Writers to Find Freelance Writing Jobs

Just like in the brick and mortar world, most freelance writing jobs are not advertised. Making contacts and developing relationships with people is the way to tap into the hidden job market for freelance writers. Discussion forums are a good place to get information that will help you in your search for freelance writing gigs, as well as an effective way to find potential clients. A Google search for “discussion forum writers” (without quotes) brings back over 25 million hits. There is an active forum at the WAHM.com web site for WAHMS Who Write.  The threads feature a combination of discussions about different aspects of writing... [Read More...]

How to Show Freelance Writing Jobs on Your Resume

I like to check out the search terms that bring readers to this blog, and I’ve noticed that the question of how to show your freelance writing jobs on a resume comes up often. Showing your freelance work on a resume can be a bit challenging, especially if you are doing ghost writing and don’t want to reveal your clients’ names. Some clients would prefer not to reveal that they hire freelancers to work for them and so you need to find a way to tell a prospective client about your freelance writing experience without revealing too much information. Listing Freelance Writing Jobs on Your Resume The Employment section of my freelance... [Read More...]

Freelance Writing Isn’t Brain Surgery, But….

// Recently in my online travels, I came across a comment on a message board that got me thinking. The commenter stated that freelance writing is “an open door that invites anyone in.” This person goes on to say that well-educated and informed writers have to prove themselves. I agree that the Internet has opened up many possibilities for freelance writers. There are opportunities available online that simply weren’t offered a few years ago. And yes, many people think that they want to “get into” writing. It’s a situation of many being called, and few having what it takes to stick to it, build their skills... [Read More...]

Are You Waiting for Your Dream Job to Come?

// On the main blog on the Freelance Writing Jobs Network, Deb asked readers to describe their dream job. It has been really interesting reading the comments to see what other writers consider their ideal freelance writing gig, and it made me think about the next logical (to me anyway) question: Are you waiting for it to show up on your doorstep or are you taking steps to make the dream a reality? Waiting for your dream job to come is a bit like waiting for Prince Charming to show up on his white horse. While we may have all heard of the Prince and maybe know of someone who knows someone who actually met and married one, the rest of us are... [Read More...]

Why I Don’t Want to be a Rock Star Freelance Writer

// I’ve seen more than a few ads looking for “rock star freelance writers,” and every time I see one, it just rubs me the wrong way. Really. To me, a rock star is someone who is all about image. They have a certain level of arrogance, and somewhere along the way, they lost track of their craft in favor of hype and excess. They might produce something that is in demand, but the public rarely finds out how many takes it took to produce the songs that we eventually buy. They live fast and die young. Or they may hang on, looking very much the worse for wear, and show up on cheesy reality TV shows. We are left lamenting what might... [Read More...]

Do You List Client Names on Your Freelance Writer Resume?

// Last week, I wrote about whether freelance writers actually need a resume. Since many of us do use one, I thought it would be worthwhile to consider whether and when to name clients on it. The rule that I have is a very simple one: If the work that I do doesn’t have a byline with my name on it, I don’t name the client on my resume. Some clients are very particular about letting the world at large know that they hire freelance writers to do work for them, and they are entitled to a certain level of privacy. Unless one of them specifically told me that it’s all right to mention them by name, I would err on the side of keeping... [Read More...]

6 Things Freelance Writers Can Learn from Professional Wrestlers

// I look for inspiration in lots of places when I’m thinking about my blog posts. Lately, I’ve been thinking about the traits that make up a successful freelance writer and what it takes to get hired for freelance writing jobs. When I was pondering what kind of person exhibits the “write stuff,” (pun intended) it occurred to me that we can learn a lot from professional wrestlers. See if you agree with me after you read the list. 1. You need to stand out from the rest. Let’s face it, a professional wrestler does stand out from the crowd. This is a person who other people can’t help but take notice of when... [Read More...]

Monday Markets for January 11, 2010 Are Up

// You can find the current edition of Monday Markets here.  Read More →

Do You Need a Freelance Writer Resume?

// Looking for freelance writing jobs is an interesting thing. As I’ve said before, when you work as a freelancer, you are your own boss. When you apply for work, you aren’t applying for a job, exactly. The person who hires you to work isn’t your employer; they are a client. You might work with a client on the different projects that you do, but you are your own boss. Some potential clients want to find out about a freelancer’s background and education before they hire them and may ask to see a resume. Although I will provide a potential client with a resume on request, I am not altogether comfortable with it. If I was... [Read More...]

Your Resume on Twitter: Hired Guns Announces Twesume Contest

// Twitter is an awesome resource to keep in touch with people you know, look for freelance writing jobs and promote yourself. Have you ever thought about whether you could condense your resume into a tweet? The Hired Guns Twesume Contest allows participants to do just that. The contest runs until January 25 and the winner gets a personal coaching session with Top Gun Allison Hemming on his or her choice of topics, from “personal brand analysis and resume makeovers to interview strategies for landing your dream job!” For full contest rules, check out the announcement on the Hired Guns web site. It sounds like a lot of fun. If you... [Read More...]

3 Things Freelance Writing Jobs and Home Improvements Have in Common

// DIY is big business these days. If you go into your local home improvement big box warehouse store on a weekend, it will be jam packed with people who are interested in repairing or updating their homes. I like to go to Home Depot to get ideas for projects and in a past life I worked for a paint and wallpaper retailer for a number of years. I’ve been doing some thinking about the kinds of things that home improvements and freelance writing jobs have in common. Here’s what I was able to come up with: 1. There many different types of projects you can take on. When you are looking for freelance writing jobs, do you limit yourself... [Read More...]

Not Another End of the Year Blog Post

// I know a lot of people enjoy the end of the year lists that are so popular online, in print and on television. I’m not one of them. It’s just not something that holds my interest. I’ve learned over the years that it’s probably not a good idea for me to make New Year’s resolutions. I tend to set the goal way too high, like resolving never to eat chocolate again when I have never been able to successfully give it up for Lent, without breaking the goal down into a plan to increase my chances of success. Since now is the time of year when we take time to evaluate where we are and make plans for the future, it... [Read More...]

Attitude Counts When Looking for Freelance Work

// Is looking for freelance work a necessary evil to you or something that you take in stride as part of the life of a freelancer? No matter how busy we may be at any particular point in time, we need to keep in mind that things can change very quickly. A client who was keeping us busy with steady work may not have much for us at a particular point in time. We may decide that it’s time to move on from a client or a type of work we have outgrown. The gig may be for a specific project only. Whatever the reason, freelancers must constantly be looking for their next gig. How do you see your job search? Do you give a big sigh and tell yourself... [Read More...]

The Rate Question: “Is That the Best You Can Do?”

// Have you ever given a quote to a client and been asked whether you could give them a further reduction in the price? If you are really interested in the project or you have the potential to pick up steady work, it may be tempting to considering lowering the price. Before you decide whether to do so, take a minute to consider what the client has actually said. He or she hasn’t indicated that the price you have quoted is too high….yet. All they have asked is whether the price you have quoted is a firm one. If you feel that you have quoted a fair price for the job, tell the client that. Point out to the client what factors you... [Read More...]

No Jargon Allowed: Keep it Simple When Applying for a Writing Gig

// Have you ever visited a company’s web site and been left in the dark about what it actually does after reading through the copy? If your reaction after checking out the “About Us” page is to say “Huh?” to yourself, it’s definitely not a good sign. Some people resort to using buzz words that sound impressive but which don’t really mean anything. For example, the expression “taking [something] to the next level” sounds impressive, but unless you know what the current level is, how do you know what the next one should be? When you are applying for a freelance writing gig or sending a... [Read More...]