Freelance Writing Jobs for Friday, November 14, 2008
November 14, 2008 by Jodee
Filed under Writing Gigs
by Jodee Redmond
Good morning FWJ Friends! Here are your job leads for this Friday morning. Hopefully, your dream job is on today’s list.
I sometimes think there may be niche market in writing ads for people who want to post ads on CraigsList. Many of them are vague or just poorly written. Here’s an excerpt from one that will illustrate my point: “Pay starts as low as $X per page.” Now, the rate didn’t meet our threshold here at FWJ, but would you really answer an ad that tells how low they are prepared to go when paying writers?
Leads…
Telecommute
- About.com Seeks Health Professionals/Writers
- About.com Seeking Sports Journalists
- Need Cell Phone Reviews Written
- Ghost Writer/Editor for Small Business Web Site
- Seeking Technical Grant Writer with Proven Track Record
- Marketing Writer with Automotive Experience
- Reader Needed ($100)
- Web-Savvy and Topical Writer Needed
- Experienced Freelance Writers for Contractor Pool
- Vitamins and Supplements Article Needed ($50)
- Need a Proofreader
- Sales Training and Product Knowledge Training Copywriter Needed
- Biography Writer Needed
- Green Building Marketing Materials and Research Writing Assignments
Blogging Jobs
Site Specific
- Environmental Copywriter – Temp – Franklin Lakes, NJ
- Medical Editor – Freelance – New York
- Writer (Business/Legal) – Dulles, VA
- Freelance City Writers Wanted – Seattle
- Help Research/Write Citizen Emergency Preparedness Book
- Freelance Writers for Hip Hop Mag – Brooklyn, NY
- Web Copy Revised – Upper East Side, NY
- Sitcom Writer Needed - Los Angeles
- Freelance Writers for Reality Pilot – Los Angeles
- Local Newspaper Seeks Writers – Los Angeles
- In Need of Female Lead Driven Scripts – Los Angeles
- Copy Writer/Ghost Writer – Los Feliz
- Writers Needed for Classic Car Project - Las Vegas/Southern California
- Persuasive Writers Needed for Advertising Campaigns
- Financial Marketing Writer – Contract – Boston
- Freelance Copywriters with Digital and Social Media Experience - Boston
- Editing for a Local Company – North Shore/Boston
- Technical Writer for Ecommerce Website Gig – 2 Month Assignment – Austin
@Jodee – I have to agree with you. I saw one a few days ago, but I can’t find it to post it somewhat verbatim. The person said they needed someone to edit their book so that they could send it to an agent, but the post was horrible in terms of grammar, spelling and sentence structure. I kept thinking that the person who ended up editing that book would have to rewrite it based on the ad.
FYI, the “Reader Needed” ad is site specific. He says that he only wants applicants in the Puget Sound area.
Hi Jodee -
I’m a first time commenter, although I’ve been lurking around the site for a couple months. I’m trying to break into freelance writing and the information provided on this site has just been stellar. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to garner much response from the ads I’ve been replying to.
I agree that a lot of Craigslist ads seem so vague I almost don’t want to apply for them. At least with specific ads I’m able to provide them with a pitch. With the more vague ones I’m forced into the same boring dialogue where I need to ask for more information… and most times I haven’t heard back.
Does anyone else have ways of dealing with this? Are there any other newbies in the same boat as me? I feel out of my element, but don’t want to give up…
Thanks!
Here’s a winner I came across on Craigslist in my city:
“…we are paying the going rate of .10 cents per post. if you do all 10,000 posts, that is $1000.00 dollars.”
I applied to Demand Studios based on an opinion of their program I read earlier in the week. I was accepted as one of their writers but after looking through the list of available topics it seems as if the whole thing is a complete waste of time.
Unless of course you can write a “how to” on building a jet airplane in less that 600 words.
What a bummer.
@ Amanada lol I saw that one two. Honestly, I was so baffled I read it twice.
@ Heather: Glad to hear from you, and thank you for the kind words!
The vague ads can be difficult to respond to, since you aren’t sure what the client wants. I would suggest sending them your resume and either a couple of samples or the link to your web site. Ask them to contact you if they want more information. Applying for jobs is partly a numbers game, so please don’t give up.
Hey Jodee:
I can’t seem to find the link that used to say “Buy Jodee a cup of coffee”.
I owe you one for all your help with this blog.
Mitch: I work for DS. Er, it’s a mixed bag. If you suggest a title, you’ll only get $5 for it. If you pick one from the list, you’ll get $15. There has been a lot of editorial weirdness going on, too. I don’t know if you’re okayed for the “About” topics, but those are pretty good, as long as you pick topics that don’t need a lot of research.
Writing gigs on the Internet are hit and miss. I have been fortunate to nab pretty good jobs. Some with lasting, working relationships. It takes patience and hard work. Once you connect up and deliver to a client, they’ll use your work again and again.
Buiding credits and references is the key to getting the good ones. That takes time, but once you are there, well worth the effort. I love writing!
I just heard from one of my Craigslist employees who hasn’t had a lot of work as of late. The email that just came in has me steaming a little. He said that he wishes his three writers responded more quickly to his emails. He sent the email at almost 8:00 p.m. my time. I do have a life. I don’t sit around waiting for his emails to arrive 24/7. I need the work, but part of me wonders if this job is worth it.
Like Heather, I’m new to the field of freelance writing, and also, this is the first time I’m commenting. I find the blogs at FWG real good and useful, so a big thanks to the FWG team for all the good work that you’re doing.
I don’t know about vague Craigslist ads, but I have come across a few that are so poorly written ( the grammar is just horrible) I don’t want to apply for them. Again, most Craigslist ads I’ve responded to don’t respond to my mails. Two were exceptions- one man who’d advetised on Craigslist wrote back to say that his job had already been done, but he’d keep me in his contacts list for future jobs. And as for the other gig that I responded to- I was lucky enough to land that gig.
Applying for online jobs is truly hit and miss. Between the good jobs, bad jobs and pure scams, it can be hard to figure out. You just have to keep your fingers crossed and hope for good luck.
Frankly, the queries I’ve sent that I worked my butt of preparing never got a response. However, a query I sent off in about two minutes landed me my best job yet. Go figure!
I often see comments on this site from people who don’t understand why they aren’t getting the jobs they’re applying for. Having been on the other side of the table of late here are the main reasons I didn’t hire people:
1. They didn’t follow the directions in the ad. If you can’t do that, how can I trust you to follow my directions for a job.
2. They had too many work restrictions — for example, they can only work on Wednesdays or after dark, or not for the next two weeks because they’re going on vacation.
3. They tell me why I shouldn’t hire them — “I’ve never done anything like this but I’d like to try. I don’t speak English, but I can do this. I don’t know anything about (insert subject here.)
4. Drama! (I kid you not) “I really need this job because my husband has been out of work for 4 years, my son needs medicine I can’t afford and I’m about to be evicted. I feel bad for you, but that just makes me uncomfortable. Sorry. That information doesn’t belong in a pitch.
5. The email that tells me nothing. – “Hi. I saw your ad and I’d like the job. Please hire me.”
The people I do hire – followed directions, let their personality show in the email and presented evidence that they knew how to write. Even then, I still had a good 20 people that had to be narrowed to 3, so it becomes the luck of the draw after that.
Re: Not Hearing Back/Getting Hired
I’ve had over a dozen employers offer me a position months after I sent in an application.
Back in late April, I applied for a job with a beer Web site. I did hear back but it was a standard “this is what I’m looking for, can you do it” email. I submitted my idea and never heard another word.
Yesterday, more than six months later, he emailed me that my article is being used and that they need payment information. I still feel it would have been nice if he could have at least taken the time to let me know I was in the running, but it’s nice to hear I have some unexpected money heading my way.
@ JG: That is very generous of you, but you don’t need to….However, if you insist, send me an e-mail at freelancewritinggigs@gmail.com and I can give you more information.
@ Cynthia: Good points. It’s always helpful to hear from someone on the other side of the desk.