If you’re around to read this, I wish you and yours a wonderfully merry, safe, and relaxing day. That said, honestly people – get off the web! It’s a holiday. Unplug, go sledding, eat some munchies, and play with the kiddos (or dogs, fish, friends – what have you). I promise, the Internet and all these blogs aren’t going anywhere. Although, with my luck, watch; the Internet will vanish today and everyone will say, “HA!” Let’s hope not.
Cheers!
As we get closer to Christmas, it may be tempting to cut back on or abandon our efforts to get freelance writing jobs. It would be a mistake to assume that no one is hiring or that you should shelve your efforts to build your business until the New Year. There are opportunities to be found all year round, and you should plan to keep on applying to job ads and putting out feelers to potential clients at this time of year as well.
People who hire freelance writers still need to get their writing work done. Even if there are fewer ads being posted on the boards at this time of year, there are still clients who are hiring. Answering ads for freelance writing jobs is only one way to get work. You can make up a list of potential clients you want to make a pitch to, or make a point of reconnecting with people you have worked for in the past to see whether they need any writing done.
When you make a point of continuing to apply for freelance writing jobs during the Holiday Season, you will be impressing your potential client with the fact that you are taking the initiative to drum up some work. You look like a dedicated professional, which is just the kind of person they want to work with. It might be easier to get hired at this time of year, since there will less competition from other freelancers, who may not be as diligent as you in looking for work.
Enjoy the Holiday Season, for sure, but do plan to spend some time looking for work as well. The January bills will be in all of our mailboxes soon enough!
What’s your attitude? Are you the type of person that takes everything as it comes and thinks, “To each his own”? Or are you the sort to get indignant, light on fire and go around smacking people when they’ve insulted you?
If you’re in the latter group, you could be costing yourself work.
by Deb Ng
We get letters here at Freelance Writing Jobs. We also receive many comments on our job leads blog. While most comments are positive, some thoughtful comments aren’t so favorable about a few of the jobs we post here because they don’t pay a lot. Though we do offer a good mix of writing jobs, I do get that not all gigs will be to everyone’s liking.
Now, those of you who remember me from back in the day when I was just starting out will remember I was kind of vocal about the low payers too. Then I had an epiphany. It wasn’t the people who were accepting the low paying gigs who were keeping me from getting the good jobs, it was me.
If you’re spending a lot of time ragging on the low payers and not getting the high payers, there could be a very good reason behind it.
I know. Harsh, right? The fact is, great writers command great pay. That’s not to say you’re worthy of $5 writing jobs, but if you want to be paid $1 per word your work has to speak for itself. Many editors do like to reward good writers with good pay but if they end up doing most of the work for you, it’s not very cost efficient. Turn in clean work. Why would an editor want to pay you good money when she has to practically rewrite everything you turn in?
I don’t every believe a writer has to earn next to nothing to gain experience. Even the newest writer shouldn’t earn $1 a blog post or $1 an article. With that said, I understand starting out at $10 or $20. Though it’s not totally unheard of, not too many brand new writers will get thousand dollar gigs. As your experience grows, so should your pay.
If you feel you’re deserving of a pay raise, ask. Many writers don’t ask for an increase in pay because they don’t want to lose their clients. If you’ve been working for the same person for years at the same rate, that person is taking advantage and you need to get aggressive. Inform your client you’ll be raising your rates. If he balks, decide whether or not it’s time to move on. If your client values your writing and your customer service, he’ll pay the increase.
We talk often about where to find the higher paying freelance writing jobs. The truth is, you won’t always find these online. We do try to bring these desirable gigs to you here, and though some might laugh, I know Craigslist often has very high paying jobs. If you want to find the really high paying gigs, you may have to close up your laptop and do some cold calling. If you’re not going to take the time to really look for work, quit complaining the jobs aren’t out there. They are, you just have to stop looking in the “easy”places.
Deb Ng
Congratulations. You landed a new gig with a terrific client who is not only easy going, but has the promise of a lot more work in the future. Many of her projects are small, but plentiful. You promise to get right on it and set a date for the first’s projects completion.
Deadline date comes and goes, and your client doesn’t hear from you. Two days later she sends a note asking how it’s going. You assure her things are going smoothly and your project will be done by that evening. A few days later she checks on you again and you promise completion by that evening. You contact her the next afternoon to tell her the project is ready.
Life goes along this way for a while. Your client asks you for stuff and you disappear for a while, surfacing only when she asks you how it’s going. It takes you days instead of hours to respond.
Do you know what’s happening now? Your client is worried and frustrated. She has so much to get done but now she’s not so sure you’re the right person for the job. A relationship that showed promise in the beginning is now …not so much. What happened? Poor customer service. Now your client has to choose between going with you, and worrying about whether or not the job is getting done, and having to search for someone else all over again.
If I had to choose the one trait a freelancer has to have to succeed it’s the ability to communicate, specifically, a good response time. If you promise work for Wednesday, turn it in Wednesday. If you can’t turn it in on Wednesday, contact your client to discuss why. [Read more…]
by Deborah Ng
We talk about writing for web and print as if there are only two forms of freelance writing – magazines and newspaper (print) and web content (web). This isn’t the case. There are so many ways to support one’s self as a freelance writer and the aforementioned print and web opportunities are only a part of it. Today I’d like to explore some of the different types of opportunities available to freelance writers, and offer a few hints as to how to land some of these jobs. While this report is nowhere near being “in-depth” I did do a bit a research. I’m hoping this can be used as a starting point for further research. I give you:
Associated Content, LovetoKnow, Constant Content, About.com , Demand Studios, WiseGeek, and many others are looking to hire writers to stock content for their websites. Many of these content sites request their writers rely on keywords and top search terms to bring in traffic and pay either a flat fee or a fee plus page view or traffic bonuses. Some web content places pay very little so do read all the fine print before signing on.
Web copy refers to writing sales, promotional, or other copy for a website. The difference between this type of writing and the content writing mentioned above is that most web content sites are looking specifically to stock their websites with content in order to bring in revenue. Those who are looking for copy for their individual websites usually have another purpose in mind, to bring in traffic and foster interest in a product or service.
Blogging jobs abound online now. Not only are individual bloggers doing well, but many blog networks are hiring too, but those aren’t the only game in town. Individual web property owners are looking for bloggers as are businesses. As many companies realize they need a web presence, expect to see more blogging jobs in the future.
Reporting for newspapers, magazines and even television might seem glamorous but it’s very hard work, often for little pay. You’ll be expected to sniff out stories, break news and even work on pieces that may not be so attractive. You might also be expected to travel on weekends and holidays and even go to dangerous places, it all depends on your contract with the newspaper or network.
As a former newspaper columnist I can assure you the pay most columnists receive won’t keep you in fancy shoes or pay the rent on an Upper West Side apartment like Carrie Bradshaw. Most newspaper columnists don’t earn much money at all. It’s a rewarding, fun gig, however, and can lead to bigger and better things.
Features writers write articles for newspapers, magazines and other news outlets that will be “featured”, in other words, it will get a cover, cover line, or other type of prominent display. There are many types of features, for instance, a celebrity interview or background to a major news story. As you can imagine, these gigs are coveted and usually go to folks who have long established themselves or have a good relationship with an editor. Also, many outlets employ staff features writers. Still, it’s not unheard of for a new freelance writer to pitch an idea with success. Feature writing is lucrative too – many feature writers are paid upwards of $2,000 a piece.
Getting your foot in the door of a magazine can only lead to bigger and better things. If a freelancer does well with a first assignment, this can land many more regular assignments. Once a writer is featured in one magazine, this leads to writing assignments within other magazines and publications. Breaking into print journalism is many writers’ dream. This isn’t always easy because so many writers are vying are pitching queries and most magazines only have a couple of open spots for freelancers each month. If a freelancer has a relationship with the magazine and its editors he has the best shot of landing the gigs. Still, new writers can and do land assignments and are encouraged to keep trying, despite rejection.
When I was an editorial assistant at a graphic design studio we did a lot of catalog work. For big jobs we brought in freelancers to help write descriptive paragraphs to sell products in the catalogs we designed. In many cases this was boring, boring work. The upside was that we got to keep some of the items sent for us to write about. Ask me about hair in a can or the flowbee sometime.
For me, writing isn't a job, it's a passion
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?
by Terreece M. Clarke
The BEST writing “how-to” ever!.
Our first job as non-fiction content writers/journalists is to present the truth fairly and accurately. Whether it’s on the web, in glossies or newsprint we are obligated to uphold a certain standard. It is what makes people trust what we say and what makes them look to us when they need information.
Most of us do our jobs well. We seek out knowledgeable sources and we try to stay as objective as possible. But how well researched is that knowledgeable source?
You’re writing an article on clothes detergent – the best kind for a large household. You smartly bypass detergent companies because they obviously have a vested interest and instead set up a meeting with a textiles or hospitality service professor from a respected university. What they have to say will be gold right? Maybe not. Thoroughly check out your expert. Did they work for a detergent company before turning to academia? If they’ve completed research on cleaning agents, who sponsored the study? What’s their stance on environmentally safe cleaners? Depending on your experts ties to industries, you may get a less than objective viewpoint.
Does this mean you have to ax a source because they have certain leanings on a subject – no, but there are times when those leanings should be disclosed to the readers.
Before the election, when pundits weighed in on which candidate was telling the truth and what information was misrepresented, they would often relate to the audience “this person, a democratic strategist” or “commentator so-and-so, owner of conservative think tank blah, blah.”
When a study hits the newswire, always ask who sponsored the study, the information should be easy to find. When you look for sources foundations and associations always sound great, but investigate the opinions or industries the organization represents.
For example, owners of social networking web sites will say social networking is the future of all internet activity and the leader of the National Association for Seat Belt Liberation will likely say that seat belt laws are a sinister plot by the auto and insurance industry and is a violation of civil liberties.
Note from Jodee: Freelance Writer Meaghan Campbell has contributed today’s post. I know you will enjoy reading it.
by Meaghan Campbell
After two years of technical writing I was itching for more creative work. To escape creative annihilation, I started The Word Boutique, my very own freelance business. These best-practice tips I’ve learned will help any freelancer along the way.
1. Build your network, whenever you can.
No writer stands alone. I didn’t have a leg to stand on when I started freelancing, but I built my network wherever I could. I asked former classmates to critique my samples. I joined list serves and commented on every blog and freelance networking group I could. Sometimes my networking was accidental. When I emailed an old colleague to find talent to create my website, he offered to do it for free.
Lesson learned: The key to networking isn’t knowing CEO’s, presidents, or editor’s-in-chiefs. It’s about knowing people who can help you without breaking your budget. Tell everyone you know about your freelance business, even if they’re not in your field. You never know when you might need a web developer or graphic artist, or when a fellow freelancer might need your creative mind. Just remember to pay it forward – when that software developer needs someone to write his web copy, return the favour.
When you are trying to drum up some freelance writing work, reconnecting with former clients is an effective strategy. If you liked working with the client and are interested in being considered for future assignments, how do you let them know that you are available?
There are a couple of different approaches you may want to try. The first one is to send the former client an e-mail to see whether they have any work for you. If it’s been awhile since you worked together, do mention the project you worked on previously. That way, the person can place where they know you from. Then go on to indicate that you have some time available and would like to be considered for the client’s future writing needs. You can also take this opportunity to ask for referrals if you like. Tell the client that you look forward to hearing from them soon.
Another way to approach the situation is to send your former clients an e-mail telling them that you are running a special for the next two weeks (or whatever time frame you like) and offer them a discount on any work they book with you during that time. You want them to take action, so do have a distinct time limit on your offer.
A simple e-mail sent after you receive payment for your work thanking the client for their business and inviting them to contact you with future projects will also keep your name in front of them when they have more work. Everyone likes to feel appreciated, and it only takes a few minutes to send a “Thank You” e-mail. I have found that the little things really do matter when it comes to building a successful freelance writing business. So rock that customer service stuff every chance you get!
