As a writer, one of your functions is to avoid using sexist language in what you produce. You want your writing to be free from bias that will alienate a potential reader. The person trying to read your piece may become distracted from the ideas you are trying to present if you are not careful about the type of language you choose.
[Read more…]
Archives for October 2015
13 Horror Writing Prompts
[UPDATED: May 2017]
In keeping with the Halloween spirit, let’s have a bit of scary fun.
Let’s take a look at some horror writing prompts, which will bring out your dark side.
Whether you are a horror writer, or you just want to flex your creative juices, these prompts ought to send chills down your spine – which may or may not be a good thing. [Read more…]
Cloud Storage Options for Freelancers
I don’t think it’s necessary to emphasize just how important it is for freelancers (or any business relying on storing data on computers for that matter) to back up their files on a regular basis. From pending articles to book manuscripts to invoices – all of these documents are essential to running your freelance business successfully.
Imagine your hard drive suddenly crashing. You know how that goes.
Thank goodness for technology that offers storage that makes it easy for anyone to back up data, and not only does present technology make it easy, it offers more security as well.
So I ask you this question: when did you last back up your hard drive?
If you don’t really pay attention to this task – which should be done on a regular basis – maybe this article can serve as a wake-up call. [Read more…]
FWJ Survey on the State of Freelance Writing in 2015
As freelance writers, we enjoy lots of perks but also deal with our own struggles. Here at Freelance Writing Jobs, we are grateful for our readers for continuing to visit our site and interacting with us on Facebook and Twitter. We also love it when you take the time to send feedback via our contact form. It helps us improve on what we do, and when you send encouraging words our way, it makes our day!
The site has been up for many years now, with Deb Ng starting it all. We want to continue what she started – and go beyond.
Today, we are asking for your help with a project that we believe will benefit all of us. The freelance writing community is huge, and yet we might not really be aware of the big picture. While we interact with each other, we know little about the state of freelance writing as an industry. Yes, we believe we are an industry!
So, we are conducting a survey which will help us gather data and insights from those who know the industry best: you.
What do need from you?
We have created a short questionnaire which covers main areas of freelance writing. We hope that you can spare a few minutes answering the questionnaire, which you can access via different venues. Rest assured that the information you provide will remain confidential.
What are we going to do with the survey?
Once we have gathered the data, we will collate and analyze it, and then put together a nifty graphic for everyone to see. This way, everyone can have an overall look at our industry, and perhaps make some changes if we see fit.
How can you take the survey?
Take the survey from the FWJ home page.
You’ll see a button on the left side.
Just click it, and you’ll see the survey form.
We know you’re all busy, but we hope you can spare a few minutes to help us out and tell us your story (in the easiest possible way). We’d really appreciate it!
Writing Specialization: The Key to Standing Out
As every freelancer quickly realizes, the competition for online writing jobs is fierce, and it’s only going to get stronger. As more and more millennials develop an affinity for flexible, remote jobs, these positions will become increasingly hard to find. That means you either have to choose a new career or find a way to stand out.
Which will it be?
Writing Specialization: The Key to Differentiation
While some freelancers will throw in the towel when times get tough, don’t let this be you. Instead, do your best to differentiate yourself from the competition.
The solution?
Many successful freelancers have discovered that specialization is the best way to stand out. By zoning in on a niche and developing a specific set of skills, you can position yourself as knowledgeable and proficient at servicing a particular industry. While this may limit the number of job opportunities available to you, it simultaneously boosts the amount you’re able to charge. The payoff can be tremendous.
Specialization Isn’t a New Trend
While it may be a new concept to some of you, specialization isn’t a new idea. If you think about it, virtually all businesses and professionals specialize at one point or another. For example, Green Residential, a Houston-based property management company, points out that real estate investors must focus on a niche or they’ll fail: “There are dozens of unique specializations including apartment complexes, flipping, luxury home rentals, multifamily housing, vacation properties, and many more.” You can’t invest in all of these and expect to be successful.
This is what the Harvard Business Review calls The Age of Hyperspecialization. Everyone from the neighborhood grocer to the stockbroker on Wall Street is specializing in something. Shouldn’t you?
How to Choose a Writing Niche
The question most people inevitably ask is: “How do I choose the correct specialty or niche?” Well, it depends on a number of important factors. For starters, consider the following:
- What are you knowledgeable about? This is the first question to think about. For example, if you’re a residential real estate agent or you have experience in this area, you’re obviously pretty knowledgeable about market trends, financing, sales techniques, and other processes involved in the sale and purchase of homes. Real estate would be a natural specialization for your writing career.
- What interests you? You also have to consider your personal interests. What’s the first thing you think about in the morning? What do you love to do when you have a free weekend? When a topic interests you, you’re much more likely to find your career satisfying and fulfilling. If you can find a niche that you’re knowledgeable about and interested in, this is the perfect combination.
- Where is the demand? You also have to think about the demand for your specialty. You may love underwater basket weaving, but does anyone else care about it? Is anyone willing to pay for content in this space? It’s critical that you pay attention to demand and choose a specialty with this in mind.
- How much competition is there? Finally, consider the competition. If there are already thousands of other writers in a niche, you’re going to face an uphill battle when it comes to making a name for yourself. On the other hand, if you can find a specialty that only has a handful of proven names, this can be a fantastic place to invest your time and money.
If you’re able to answer each of these questions, you’ll naturally stumble upon a niche that’s right for you. But don’t worry about committing to a specialty. Over time, you’ll find that your career will evolve. You’re not committing to a lifetime of writing the same content. You’re simply choosing an area of expertise in order to give yourself a solid footing and stable career.
5 Reasons Why It’s Important for Bloggers Read ALL the Blogs in Their Niche
Writer, Edit Yourself! 8 Tips for Self Editing
As a freelance writer, how comfortable are you with editing your own work? A certain amount of self-editing is part of preparing an assignment for submission to a client. Even if your client has editors who will review your work prior to it being published in whatever medium it will be used, you want to be sure that you are sending in something that shows your best work.
#TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter: How to Irritate a Writer
You may not have a long list in your head right now, but I am sure you can rattle off several ways to irritate a writer. Pet peeve, anyone?
Joanne Harris, author of Chocolat, Blackberry Wine, and Five Quarters of the Orange (if you haven’t read the last book, I highly recommend it), has started a trend on Twitter called #TenTweets.
The topics #TenTweets covers changes, but a few months ago, it was “Ten Things Not to Say to a Writer”.
It does what it says on the tin: things that you shouldn’t say to a writer, unless you want to get on their wrong side – and we know what that means.
Today, just for fun, let’s take a look at some ways to irritate a writer – inspired by #TenTweets.
Enjoy!
@Joannechocolat I love this to such a tearful extent, I’m now dehydrated. My personal fave: “When are you going to write a real book?”
— MaryJanice Davidson (@MaryJaniceD) July 28, 2015
OUCH!
@Joannechocolat Is “good luck with your hobby” one of them? 😉 — elizabeth fischer (@lizzyf101) July 28, 2015
Another OUCH.
“Your passion won’t pay the bills. Stop wasting your time” #TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter
— Sexy Bane (@browland1) July 28, 2015
I do make money, thank you very much!
“You’re a writer? Awesome. What’s your real job?” #TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter — Paul Hudson (@MrPaulHudson) July 28, 2015
Or, what’s your day job?
“Are you still doing that little writing thing?” #TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter
— GABE (@gabesingin) July 28, 2015
This is a really good thing to say to irritate a writer. I can’t blame any writer if they block (or worse) anyone who says this to them, can you?
10. “Your husband/parents must be very supportive.” #TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter — Joanne Harris (@Joannechocolat) July 28, 2015
#TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter We don’t pay, but it’s a great opportunity for you to get your name out there! pic.twitter.com/Ul5Pa5IxjI
— Elisa Hategan (@elisahategan) July 28, 2015
Now I know we can all relate to this one. How many ads have you seen that say this?
So how’s that novel coming on #TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter pic.twitter.com/0imFCHRhAV — Kyle Coe (@_Kylesberg_) July 28, 2015
Family Guy fans, you get this.
I prefer the movie verisions. #tenthingsnottosaytoawriter
— Kevin Hurtack (@GunSmokeGhouls) October 10, 2015
Hmmm…
What NOT to say to a writer: “I Could Write a Book if I Wanted” #TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter #writingtips #promocave pic.twitter.com/031MhnfpUq — JorgeOlson (@JorgeOlson) September 6, 2015
Why don’t you???
“You’re a writer? So which Starbucks do you work at? HAHAHAHAH” (2/10) #tenthingsnottosaytoawriter
— TJ Fixman (@TJ_Fixman) August 15, 2015
This last one cracked me up. By the way, if I work at a coffee shop, I prefer Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. Their chai tea latte is better.
Now I am sure you’ve got a running list of your own. Care to share?
Follow Joanne Harris on Twitter for more #TenTweets.
Also read: A Writer’s Pet Peeves
7 Little-Known Ways to Get Freelance Writing Jobs
Editor’s note: This post was written by Kim, a freelance writer and blogger. She helps new freelance writers on their journey with her blog, Kim The Writer. You can connect with her on Twitter.
As a freelance writer, you may already have your own strategies to find writing jobs that fit your profile.
These strategies may include pitching editors, answering job ads and attending networking events.
But what do you do when nothing seems to be working? What’s next when you don’t hear anything back from your pitches, job applications or your new contacts?
The good news is there’s always more than one way to do something and that includes looking for your next writing gig.
Here are seven other ways you might not have tried. [Read more…]
Freelance Writers and Fraud
We all know that freelance writers run the risk of falling victim to fraud. While there are a lot of legitimate freelance writing jobs with trustworthy companies and individual clients, there are also many scammers out there.
As freelance writers, it is part of our duty to practice due diligence in order to avoid being victims of fraud. However, there are times when, in spite of being careful, we still get scammed. Daniel A. Perlman, a criminal lawyer, advises that in these cases, freelance writers should seek redress in court. There are different factors which come into play in order to win such cases, so you may want to seek legal counsel to get the best results.
It is better to be ultra careful when taking on jobs. Before you reach the stage of having to file a lawsuit, why not identify red flags so that you can stay away from shady job ads?
Here are some tips to avoid freelance writing job frauds.
Watch out for clients who avoid contracts at all costs.
While there are certain situations when you may take on work without a contract (although this is really risky for you), when taking on new clients, make sure you have a written agreement. Essential elements to include in the contract:
- Pay rate
- Number of revisions
- Scope of work
If a new client comes across as defensive when it comes to a contract, then it may be best to decline the job.
Here are more tips on writing freelance writing contracts.
Avoid paid job databases.
Aside from FWJ, there are other job databases where you can find freelance writing gigs. Companies also post their own job openings on their websites. There really is no reason to pay to look at a job board. The chances are that your money will just be wasted.
Be wary of clients who ask for unpaid samples.
Not all clients who ask for unpaid samples are scammers, but you’ve heard of horror stories about writers who don’t get hired after sending samples in and then seeing their content used elsewhere.
What you can do is tell the client that you have a lot of published samples and that you can send those as proof of the quality of your work. Alternatively, you can ask to be paid for the samples, even if it’s not the normal rate. If this doesn’t work out, you can also ask around freelance writing communities about the company or person.
Stay away from “unpaid for the first x articles, then get paid after that” setups.
This is similar to clients asking for unpaid samples. Usually, the reason given by the client is to have a trial period to determine if you are a fit. While that makes sense, the trial period should be paid, and you should ask for that. If the client does not agree, then you’re better off finding another gig.
Have you ever been scammed as a freelance writer? What happened? Did you go after them in court?
Share your stories with us so that we can learn from them.
The Most Popular Book Genres
I could be wrong, but most – if not all – freelance writers dream, or at least think, about writing a novel and getting it published. Whether you’re writing content for clients, doing copywriting work, or even ghostwriting, the chances are that you have a novel somewhere inside you.
We all have to start somewhere, though, and one of the ways to do so is to know what genre you want your book to fall under. Sometimes, you won’t have to decide – your ideas and characters will come alive without you having much control with regard to genre. They’ll practically give you the finger and say “F” genre! Write our story! [Read more…]
