Archives for May 2009

Online resume mistakes you may be making

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Applying for online writing gigs is a writing talent all on its own. If you make a mistake you’re not kicking off this whole, “I can write for a living” deal very well. Because you’ll be sending your resume / work bio by email, you need to adjust it for the web. Following are some mistakes not to make when applying for an online writing gig – be it a blog or other website.

Mistakes when applying:

You cut and paste from Word or another doc. application: This can result in some funky formatting and make your email look unprofessional.

You attach your resume or bio: NEVER send attachments unless a potential client asks you to specifically do so. Most folks won’t open attachments, and some have them blocked. However, if you have pertinent clips what should you do? Cover it at the end with a quick, “Magazine clips are also available upon request.” Exchange “magazine clips” with business clips or what have you as needed.

You’re long-winded: Long winded isn’t even great on a paper resume, but it’s the kiss of death on a web resume. Web writing is partially about being succinct. If your resume / bio shows that you can’t be you’ve already gotten off on the wrong foot.

You make spelling, grammar, or other errors that ‘writers’ shouldn’t make: Come on now, I know you know this one. Don’t do it. Note though that web writing technique is different than other sorts of writing. Short blips in bullets are fine for a web resume.

You post the great resume wall of text: HIT ENTER! I’ll say it again… hit enter. I get emails from people who have questions about writing online, and that’s cool, but I don’t make it through half on them because my eyes don’t enjoy reading 60 lines+ of text in a row. Potential employers don’t want this either. Make your text skim-friendly. Note that some bold headings and bullets will help as well.

You leave the subject blank: In the subject should be the job title you’re applying for.

You use a lame-ass email: [email protected] is NOT a good email. [email protected] is also lame. If you can use an email with your name, or the name of your writing biz (if you have one).

You include too many irrelevant facts: No one cares about your ceramic dog collection or the fact that you like creating scrapbooks in your spare time. Keep to the facts which one, keeps it skim-friendly, and two, keeps it focused.

WHEN TO BREAK THE RULE ABOVE…

  • You say where you’re from (quickly) – this has landed me jobs because where you’re from is a good conversation starter.
  • The potential client ASKS for some personal info.
  • Your personal info actually relates to the gig. When I applied for a pregnancy blog I write for I did mention that I’d worked as a doula, went to college for nursing/midwifery, and went through childbirth myself, because it made me look more credible.
  • You can say it all in a few sentences. Something quick, like, “On a personal note, in my free time I like music, Frisbee, and have an insane addiction to chocolate” can add a bit of personality to an otherwise blah resume, but you need to add this at the end, and do so for gigs that seem a little more casual.

You add in your entire educational career: Fact, none of the clients I have right now asked me about my education ever, in fact, over the span of my writing career almost no clients have asked – good thing too since I’ve got degrees in math and science, not writing. Education is less highly rated in the online writing world than experience and your clips are. Sometimes a client will ask and by all means include it. OR the info may add to your credibility (like holding an RN degree when applying for a health site) but otherwise, education info only takes up space.

You don’t include links to clips: If you don’t have online clips, start a blog. If you don’t want to start a blog, start your own website and post your clips there. Clients want to see your clips.

For more tips on applying for blogging and online writing gigs read:

Coming soon we’ll look at mistakes not to make when posting your resume or bio on your personal website.

Cool Bloggy Stuff to Read this Weekend

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Personally, I think you should be out enjoying the sunshine. If you’re staying close to your laptop, here’s some recommended reading:

Have a great Sunday!

Blogging & Online Writing Gigs for May 30, 2009

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A fair amount of gigs going on yesterday and today – hopefully you find something useful here.

Bonus job tip o’ the day: Having been blogging for a good long while, I’ve built up a list of pet blog peeves. However my biggest peeve (ok, one of my biggest) is when bloggers fail to quote sources. Annoying! If you’re guilty of this it only make you look like an amateur and when potential clients visit your links, they’ll notice too and it may mean you don’t get the gig.

Anywhere gigs:

Environmental Writers Online Magazine

Environmental Writers

Green Writers Wanted

Assistant Producer, Internet Media

Nutritionist with great writing skills to create an on-line weight-loss manual for web site. – it says Houston based, but since it’s online, I’d apply even outside of Houston.

Copywriter for Investment Company

Online Marketing Writer

“New Dad” Message Board Facilitator Wanted for Parenting Site

Photographic video blogger

Copywriter for website / print brochure – (Herndon, VA)

Copywriter/Editor/web writing

Looking for blog writers

Local specific gigs:

Web Editor – TheLoop21.com – Sherman Oaks (Los Angeles)

Copywriter for E-Commerce Start-Up (Contract Basis) – (Pacific Palisades)

Online Content Manager – Women’s Travel Portal – (Midtown East) NY

Food Copy Writer with strong knowledge of Mexican Culture & Cuisine – (Manhattan On-Site)

In House-full time Copy Writer for several website and internet market – (Irwindale, CA. 91010)

ONLINE CONTENT DIRECTOR – LOS ANGELES FM STATIONS – CLEAR CHANNEL RADIO – Burbank, CA

West Coast News & Style Editor – OK! Magazine – Beverly Hills, CA USA

Online Content Director – (TriBeCa)

WEB EDITOR / WRITER – (Seattle)

Online Publications Content Specialist – (Bethesda, MD )

Writer/Editor – The RedFlash Group – Encinitas, CA USA

Online content director – NYC

Sr. Web Editor – Kaiser Permanente – Pasadena, CA

Experienced Web Copywriter (Columbia, MD)

Freelance Copywriter Wanted – Part Time – (North Chicagoland)

Online Content Editor – Gazette Communications- Cedar Rapids, Iowa

BONUS: If you’re an eco-writer, you may be able to find some gigs here (not all online); Markets for Green Writers

Improving the job market for bloggers and online writers

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Improving the job market for bloggers and online writers is a big task. Since I started posting gigs here daily I’ve noticed a slew of terrible jobs and a much smaller selection of decent jobs that actually pay a fair wage. I don’t think the fault is all on the lame clients who offer low-pay jobs though. A lot of it is dependent on us, the folks who want said jobs.

For example…

1. Apply for work IF you’re qualified: I was chatting with Deb yesterday and she noted that she was shocked by the amount of people who applied for a blog job she posted who had no experience blogging at all. Worse many told her this straight up when they applied. If you’re not a blogger or have no idea about what a blogging gig entails make sure you learn something about it before wasting the client’s time, and all the other qualified applicant’s time. It’s lame to have to sort through crap applications to have to find the qualified apps – it’s no wonder potential clients end up writing ads with all sorts of bogus rules. Blogging and online writing gigs are very different from other sorts of writing gigs. To improve the market, we need more qualified applicants and less junk applicants. To learn about blogging and online writing gigs (BEFORE you apply) start your own blog and read:

2. Be confident: If you apply for a job, apply with confidence. I’ve talked to way too many blog clients who say they get non-cofident applicants which one, makes them uncertain that competent bloggers and online writers exisit and two, lets them know that lower wages are a-ok. You’d never go to a job interview in person and say, “Oh, well I’m not sure I know what I’m doing, and I’m not that good at my job, but hey, hire me anyhow.” At least I hope you wouldn’t. Be confident. If you’ve got the skills – show that you know it. For help read:

3. Work for good clients: There’s more to a good client than pay. If a client pulls sneaky suspicious acts or never pays on time, they’re just going to keep right on doing this if there are writers willing to write for them. Put your foot down when clients treat you like crap. This benefits all bloggers and online writers.

4. Only accept decent wages: I almost don’t want to mention this, because we mention it ALL the time here, and still it seems people aren’t listening. That said, I’ll say it anyhow; don’t work for pennies. A recent job listing (bid gig) shows that people are willing to work FT (30 hrs a week) for anywhere from $2.22 – $3.11 AN HOUR. Really? People are also taking up clients on all those crappy revenue only gigs. I’ve personally talked to clients who say that to get a gig, bloggers and online writers will offer to work for free. It’s totally insane and makes the market a very bad place.

If you went job searching for a job outside of your home (a non-writing job) would you seriously take $2.22 per hour? Even tax free that’s a crap living. It’s not even a living. Aren’t you better than that? If you think, “No, I’m not” then quit applying for writing gigs. Your time is more important than this. Other writers time is more important than this. Clients will NEVER offer fair wages for work if the workers are willing to do it for free or cheap. And keep in mind that real bloggers and online writer don’t work for nothing. Most of us have learned to score decent paying gigs and top bloggers are paid even more. To learn more about fair blogging and online writing wages read:

Now, what do you think will help to improve the job market for bloggers and online writers? Let us know in the comments.

Note: Sorry if you came by earlier and the links were not working – not sure what’s up with the site, but it should be fixed now.

Writing Tip of the Day: Maintain Your Cool

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picture-3It’s easy to get overheated as a writer. You put your talent out there to be observed, reviewed and critiqued and sometimes the criticism is unfair, biased or just plain nasty.

Blog comments, editor’s remarks, reader mail – it all has the potential to give you a serious case of the grumps, but keeping your cool in the line of fire can make you a better writer.

Instead of blasting a rude blog comment, taking a deep breath and responding in a professional manner, if a response is warranted, will go a long way in establishing your reputation as a pro who can take the heat with grace.

Firing back at an editor can earn you a reputation as “hard to deal with” whether fair or not, engaging in positive, constructive conversation (at least on your end) will earn you respect and will help you and your editor reach common ground.

Think of it as a writing exercise – you want to say “Go to Hades you life sucking troll! You wouldn’t know good writing if it showed up sitting on your morning donut.” Now think of a creative, positive and constructive way to voice both your concern and willingness to seek common ground.

How do you handle criticsm? Share your thoughts with us!

Freelance Writing Jobs for May 30, 2009

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Caffe Espresso



It’s the end of the week and the end of the month. Monday is a whole new clean slate. Use it to your advantage.

Leads…

Good luck! Hope you take some time to enjoy the weekend!

How Much Does Talent Matter?

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I had a great conversation recently with someone I was interviewing, and we got on the subject of talent when it comes to freelance writers. We were discussing how much “talent” matters in the equation of what makes someone a successful freelancer. I’ve been giving the matter some thought, and here’s my take on it:

Talent is Only a Small Part of Freelance Success

Yes, having a certain amount of raw talent is required. You need to be able to write well. Good grammar is a skill that you can improve with time. Spelling is something that a lot of people need help with, at least some of the time (me included). I use Spellcheck on my WP program, and I check my dictionary and thesaurus regularly.

There are a lot of talented people around, but talent alone is no guarantee of freelance success. You need to take whatever level of talent you have and combine it with other skills if you are going to do well in this business.

  • Develop your Listening Skills

Get in the habit of really listening to your clients. Let them tell you what they need, and fulfill that need. You will quickly get a reputation as being someone who is easy to deal with and who cares about their clients. This strategy will lead to repeat business.

  • Follow Instructions Carefully

You might have seen dozens, or hundreds of similar assignments in the past. That doesn’t mean that you can just dive into the one right in front of you without reading the instructions carefully first. If your client wants a particular font used or has asked that you double space between paragraphs, then it’s for a reason. Give them what they want.

  • Treat your Clients Well

My clients are not interruptions from whatever else I’m doing during my day. They are the reason I have a business, and I treat them accordingly. I make a point of making them feel welcome when they get in touch with me, whether it’s about their writing needs or just to say hello.

Talent is a good thing when it comes to freelance writing, to be sure, but it’s not enough. You can have all the talent in the world, but if you are difficult to work with, your clients will move on to someone who they find easier to deal with. That’s just the way it is.

How important do you think raw talent is to freelance writing success?

Fashion Blogger: $25 Per Post

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Step 1 Image Consulting – Atlanta, United States

Step 1 is seeking a US based fashion blogger with previous blogging experience. This blogger will work remotely and post through WordPress software and network media .

Job Functions Write 2-4 posts a week on the topics fashion, and health, with a total of 10 posts per month. Each post must include one or more links to products/services currently available on www.step1image.com.

[email protected]

Blogging for a Living: Don't Enter into it Blind

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Last weekend I placed an ad here for a blogger for FWJ. What surprised me was how many applications I received from people who have never blogged, have no idea of what it entails and figure it’s just a bunch of writing.  If you’re going to apply for any gig, it’s probably not a good idea to tell a potential client you have no clue of what you’re doing. If you’re going to apply to blogging gigs, you should know what you’re doing first. Blogging may seem like an easy job but there’s a lot to learn beyond the writing part.

Here are just  a few things you should know if you’re going to apply for a blogging gig.

How to use various blogging platforms

Anyone wishing to blog for a living should know how to use the various blogging platforms. WordPress is generally the platform of choice but there’s also Blogger, TypePad, Moveable Type, Drupal and several others. If a blogger doesn’t know how to maintain a blog on a potential client’s platform, she’ll either be passed over in favor of someone more experienced.

How to build traffic and Community

Bloggers are expected to build traffic and foster community. What good is it to have a blog if no one is going to read it. The clients who are hiring bloggers are doing so because they either want to bring in advertising dollars or raise awareness and build a community around a product or service. Not knowing how to do these things can mess with your clients livihood.

Comment policies

Do you understand what it takes to maintain a peaceful, congenial, yet active community? Can you create a comment policy everyone can live with. Do you know what it takes to keep the comments coming while avoiding negativity?

SEO

Many writers who have backgrounds in print markets or business or advertising copywriting try blogging but don’t know anything about using keywords or implementing Search Engine Optimization. A potential client will probably not want to take the time out to teach and would prefer to higher someone who already knows how to find and use the proper keywords.

Basic HTML

I’m not a techie but I know a little basic HTML. Not enough to build a website, but enough so that I can do some simple formatting. Blogging clients expects bloggers to know a little about coding.

So what do you think? Are you still prepared to apply for a blogging job?

Blogging & Online Writing Gigs for May 28, 2009

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There were mainly suck jobs posted around the boards yesterday hence the me not posting any gigs here yesterday. However, today I found enough to post – not as many good anywhere ones as I’d like to see, but lots of local gigs.

Bonus job tip o’ the day: Clients hiring for blog and online gigs are not just looking for writers, they’re looking for folks who can find and edit images. It’s rare that a blog client wants to do this, and it’s usually included in your job tasks. With that in mind make sure you know where to find free blog images that you won’t get sued for using and how to edit them. You can use any old image editor, but if you don’t have one, you can take a look at my favorite FREE image editor.

Anywhere gigs:

Freelance Writer/Blogger

Web Editor – DailyCandy.com

Web 2.0 Writer Needed -might be low pay depending on word count.

Freelance Writer for Website

Location specific gigs:

Online Associate Editor – Intelligent Beauty – Southern California

Nutrition writer, Contract – (Houston)

Social Media Optimization Specialist, Email Marketing Specialist, Fraud Specialist, Product Manager – 1800HOTELS – Tampa

Technology Editor – Global Media Company – Boston or Southern NH, USA

Part-time Web Reporter – (Downtown Los Angeles)

Digital journalist – Ann Arbor

Assistant Online Editor – AOL – NYC

Online Community Editor – Deseret News – (Salt Lake City)

Seeking staff writers with personal finance experience – NYC

Online Content Editor – Gazette Communications – Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Scientific Director of Social Media: Simpson Healthcare Executives – Killingworth, CT

Coordinator, Online Marketing: EMI Music North America – NYC

Associate Publisher, Internet, Supervisor – San Francisco, CA • Alameda, CA

Splashpress Media BloggingPro Performancing BloggingPro

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