Archives for July 2008

by Terreece Clarke

Always hustle.

It’s a simple rule that isn’t easy to follow. It applies to all stages and areas of a writer’s career and is key to their success.

The Gig Hustle
In the beginning, writers usually do one of two things – they either start off with fire, running after every gig they can get, or they dip a toe or two into the pool and test the waters. Regardless of the approach, new writers must always hustle to get new gigs, experience and clips. Successful writers go beyond the virtual world, keeping their eyes and ears open in their everyday lives. Local publications, businesses and organizations are all sources for work, contacts and gigs.

The same holds true for established writers. If you’ve been in the writing world long enough, you know a gig can end at any time, for any reason. Not only can steady clients fall by the wayside, new, dream opportunities can crop up without warning. Often the only way to find out about these opportunities is to keep a watchful eye.

For example, take your local parenting magazine. Parenting articles may not be your niche, however they may need a web designer or sales letters and brochures for their clients. Say your niche is in the automotive field, that same magazine may accept a pitch on an automotive care article.

The Branding Hustle
What’s your platform, brand or niche? What’s your product focus? Brand hustling coincides with the gig hustle. While looking for gigs, writers also need to look for branding opportunities. Build your web presence. Find blogs, web sites and leaders in your field. Keep abreast of the latest happenings, post comments when appropriate (and when you have something relevant or constructive to add) and follow interesting figures on social networking sites like Twitter and Digg. A writer must also build a web site, keep it updated and include the latest news and happenings in their career. [Read more…]

by Becky Scott

“Never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”

That’s a quote from Winston Churchill, often misquoted as “Never, ever, ever, ever give up.” The meaning is close enough – don’t give up. As a writer, you must be persistent. Keep going no matter what the obstacles, the naysayers, the writer’s block. Just keep going. Write through it. Pitch those queries. Find your niche.

Being tenacious, unwilling to quit, unable to admit defeat is what keeps me going as a writer. I keep querying through the rejections and eventually someone says yes. I sit down at the computer, day after day, even when I’m not sure what I will write. I write anyway and suddenly the words are there.

My best advice to you as a fellow writer is to keep going. Even when you’re frustrated, even when you’re tired, even when everyone tells you no. Keep going. Keep writing. Remind yourself that you write because you want to, because you love it, because it pays the bills. Whatever the reason, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you keep pounding away.

Through sheer determination you’ll either find jobs or improve. Just keep writing. Through tenacity and a strong will you’ll make those pitches and eventually someone will give you a chance.

Does that mean you don’t develop your craft? No. You must learn, improve, and be worthy of getting hired. But don’t give up. You won’t get your first pitch, or your second, maybe not even your tenth or twentieth. But keep going. I’m proof – and so are many others on this site – that having faith in yourself and your abilities is what you need. Through the face of rejection, we’ve kept going. And we have the jobs, the gigs, and the work that rewards our determination.

So yes, rejection and endless queries can be frustrating. But if you keep going, keep cold calling, keep querying, keep WRITING you’ll eventually get some positive responses. Never ever, ever, ever give up.

Becky is a freelance writer and editor in San Diego, Ca. She writes about a variety of topics including business organization and productivity, automotive info for women, personal blogging and celebrity real estate gossip. Visit her online at www.beckyscorner.com

by Carly Schuna

It’s a powerful feeling to know that you’re in charge of your own career.

It’s also easy to feel that such a statement simply isn’t true, and that you’re never really in control. On some days, it just seems like someone else is pulling the strings—namely your clients. If you lose your highest-paying job, why shouldn’t you feel bad? When your queries are met with rejection after rejection, why should you keep plugging along instead of giving into the thoughts that maybe freelance writing isn’t really for you after all? If someone stiffs you for a long-term gig or slams you personally as a writer, why should you just suck it up and move on?

I’ll tell you why: because you’re always in control. If you’re not happy with the way your writing is going, change things. If you want a particular gig or more work or higher-paying jobs, go get them! Who’s stopping you?

No one but yourself. [Read more…]

by Mary Hay Davis

It’s hard to toot your own horn when you’re adhering to terms of non-disclosure so as not to reveal your identity. How am I supposed to prove to you I’m qualified if I can’t give you detailed information about my background and accomplishments?

Since I’m a firm believer that obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off of your goal, I’m looking forward, and improvising with my abridged version of the childhood game “20 Questions” (tightened to 10 for the web.)

[Read more…]