Pitch to the “Hidden” Places that Hire Freelance Writers

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Have you ever done a search for “freelance writer” only to land on a gig that isn’t for a freelance writer at all? For example you may land on a job for an editor who has to “supervise freelance writers” or a managing editor who has to “hire freelance writers”.  Don’t click away from these gigs yet. They’re actually offering valuable information — they’re telling you these businesses hire freelance writers. Even though they don’t have  job ad requesting freelance writers, it doesn’t mean they’re not open to the idea of reading your pitch and, at the very least, keeping your details on file for future reference.

Here’s what to do:

  • Contact the business – Don’t necessarily ask if they hire freelance writers. Instead, ask for the name of the person who hires freelance writers or the name of the person who is the hiring agent or in charge of human resources. Unless you’d prefer to do a cold call, in which case you’d have to get past the receptionist and that’s not likely. I never cold call without sending a bit of information ahead anyway.
  • Research the business: Many ads list the company’s name and location. Learn as much about the business as you can to find out if you’re a good fit. For example if they’re a pharmaceutical company and you have no experience writing health, medical or pharmaceutical related material, you’ll want to pass. If it’s a business that manufactures sustainable materials and you’re a green living expert, you may have found a job for which you’re well-suited. Besides, it’s always a good idea to know everything you can about a business you want to work for in order to better make your pitch.
  • Send your pitch: Rather than a cookie cutter “please hire me or keep me on file” type of pitch, create a letter that touches on your experience and why you would like to work for this business. Let them know how you will benefit their business and their brand and offer bang for the buck. This is where your research comes in handy.
  • Include your resume: If your past experience will benefit you in landing a gig, by all means include it with your pitch. List past happy clients and let this potential client know you’re happy to provide references upon request.
  • Include testimonials: Having a list of glowing testimonials will only help your cause. Make sure each testimonial is from a check- able reference.
  • Include contact details: Don’t forget a business card or sheet listing your contact details.
  • Follow up: One to two weeks after sending your package, give a call to follow up. Ask for the person who you sent the package to. If this person doesn’t know who you are explain how you sent a package containing your details as a freelance writer. If you’re told the other party can’t come to the phone, do leave a message but also ask when for a good time to call back. Don’t be a nudge. If you don’t hear back in a few days call again. If you still can’t get through to someone ask the receptionist to leave a note saying you appreciate having your details kept on file in the event they’ll need to hire a freelancer. If you make a pest of yourself, they won’t want to work with you.

Even though they may not be advertising, plenty of businesses hire freelance writers. Finding ads for other writing and editorial professionals may help lead you to these “hidden” markets.

What have you got to lose?

10 Ways to Get Your Freelance Writing Foot in the Door

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We’re talking about freelance writing experience today. Many writers mention how hard it is to get their proverbial feet in the door without having to take entry level web opportunities. It’s true, these jobs are the simplest to get, but there are other ways to get started as a freelance writer. They may not take the easy way out, but they’re tried and true. Continue some of these ways for getting started as a freelance writer.

Ten Ways to Get Your Freelance Writing Foot in the Door

  1. Work pro bono – Though I don’t recommend writing for free, I have been known to do so for a good cause (and sometimes a few relatives). For example, few years ago a friend approached me about writing a brochure for a Habitat for Humanity event. Though they offered to pay, I didn’t accept. It was for a good cause and I felt the clip to be a resume booster. It was and still is. Charity work pays in more ways than money. Since then, I’ve more than a few pieces for charity and even some for local businesses that needed a boost.
  2. Contact local newspapers and magazines – Many small newspapers, magazines and “Pennysavers” don’t pay much, but offer good opportunities for getting started as a freelance writer. Local newspapers often look for articles of interest to the community. Pitch public interest pieces or offer to cover town meetings and events.
  3. Contact local businesses: Who writes the paragraphs for real estate in the real estate magazines? Call Realtors to find out. Who handles brochures or web copy for businesses in your area? Contact them to find out. Businesses always need writing but they don’t always have the time to look for a good, affordable writer. Make a list of the place that might have a need for writers, and give them a jingle.
  4. Talk to friends, family and neighbors: Let everyone know you’re open for business. In their travels they might find someone who needs a writer and recommend you.
  5. Advertise: If you don’t mind putting out a little money you can advertise in the newspaper, local business publications, the church newsletter, and on community bulletin boards. You might also create a writer’s website and use keywords to direct local businesses to your site.
  6. Network: Join clubs, especially those geared towards the community or small businesses. I had a few very good gigs come from being the president of a local women’s organization that I originally joined for recreation. Attend conferences and seminars and even non-business-y events like local dances or lectures.
  7. Join a professional organization: Why not join your local Chamber of Commerce or a small business owners group? How about a freelance writing organization, The Society of Professional Journalists or the National Organization of Women Business Owners? The people who are members of these different organizations like to hire within.
  8. Write for the web: Web writing opportunities are plentiful and profitable. They range in all levels of pay and will help to build up clips and experience.
  9. Start a blog: Start a blog in a topic you know well. Not only can this help establish as an expert, but it will also catch the attention of potential clients. For example, say you’re a former wedding planner and you decide to start a wedding planning blog. Someone looking for a wedding writer might come across your blog and contact you. You will also have several posts to use in querying for wedding writing opportunities.
  10. Create your own clips: If you need some clips to land work and don’t have any, write a few in your areas of expertise. Run them through a second pair of eyes to be sure they read well – and then use those clips when you apply for available opportunities.

How did you get your foot in the door?

Also see: 30 Types of Freelance Writing Jobs and How to Get Them

Confidence vs. Arrogance

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Confidence stockxchngeConfident people are very attractive. They have an air of self assurance about them. Arrogant people, on the other hand, can be a turn off. They’re not sure, they’re cocky. They use their arrogance to hide insecurity. Confidence can land you a gig, arrogance can cause you to lose out.

Here are a few more differences between people who are confident vs. people who are arrogant:

Confidence is knowing you’re up to the task. Confident people don’t have to wonder if they’re qualified to pitch for a job. They’re always sure about the job they can do and convey this to the potential client in an equally assured manner. They know why they’re a perfect fit for a gig and tell the client in a calm, clear manner. Their resumes show a long list of happy clients.

Arrogance is saying you’re up to the task. Arrogant people are abundant in bravado but lacking in substance. In a job interview an arrogant person won’t talk about why he’s best suited for the task. Instead, they talk about why the other people are wrong for the task. Arrogant people don’t know how to talk about themselves without insulting others.

Confident people share details. They answer questions without a lot of “me,” “me,” “me.”

Arrogant people: Brag.

Confident writers hope potential clients recognize their ability.

Arrogant writers criticize anyone who doesn’t appreciate their greatness.

Confident people aren’t worried about competition and don’t mind sharing the tools and stories leading to their success.

Arrogant people use their skills to talk down to others.

Confident bloggers teach.

Arrogant bloggers condescend.

Confident people keep an eye on their fellow writers and bloggers but don’t consider themselves competition.

Arrogant people bad mouth others to prop themselves up.

Confidence: You walk.

Arrogance: You strut.

Confidence: People take notice.

Arrogance: People roll their eyes.

Confident writers offer respectful disagreement when their thoughts don’t jibe with that of another writer.

Arrogant writers point fingers and call names but never make a point.

Confident writers have the faith and the ability to meet their their clients’ needs.

Arrogant writers: It’s their way or the highway.

What are some of the difference you see between confidence and arrogance?

Discuss…

Top 10 Freelance Writing Job Ad Red Flags

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red flag

When you troll the job boards every day you learn a little about the tactics many shady or very low paying employers use to find freelance writers. As someone who has been reading freelance writing job ads every day for over a decade, I can tell you some things haven’t change. The good news is that after all this time it’s easy to spot poor opportunities.

Perhaps you’ve come across these red flags:

Top 10 Freelance Writing Job Ad Red Flags

1. Perfect for Work at Home Moms, Retirees or College Students

Jobs are perfect for writers, not situations. The only reason a potential client will tell you something is “perfect” for someone else is usually to justify low rates. They’re saying because you’re retired, in school or work from home, you shouldn’t expect the same rates as higher paying companies.

2. Lots of Exclamation Points!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sometimes the people who write ads are enthusiastic and have a flair for the dramatic. I’ve never  seen a “Work at Home!!!!!!!!” job that wasn’t scammy. If you come across one of these opportunities, ask why they’re working so hard to catch your eye.  Sure, it can be a terrific opportunity, but it can also be a clunker. Proceed with caution.

3. Earn “Up To….”

I have news for you. It’s very rare you’ll make thousands of dollars a day working at home. You might earn thousands each month, and I know some bloggers who earn thousands each week, but to earn $15,000 a day isn’t happening. Not even for John Chow and Darren Rowse. Trust me, if it sounds to good to be true, it is.

4. Hundreds of Ads – Every Day

Some very legitimate and worthwhile companies advertise on all the different job boards each week. When they start hitting every city in every state, on every job board, every single day, one starts to wonder. It’s understandable that popular content sites are going to advertise often to find writers. When they start spamming it leads one to wonder. Is the turnover rate so high? Is the pay rate too low? Why are they so desperate for writers?

5. Different Names and Email Addresses for the Same Company

Sometimes a business is flagged so often on Craigslist everyone knows to stay away. We remember the business name and all the players. The business owners change tactics by using different email addresses and the parent company name instead of  the name used in the original ad. Ask yourself, why are their ads always flagged, and why are they taking such pains to look like they’re another company altogether?

6. Asking for Money

You should never have to pay to work for someone. Ever. Period. Done.

P.S. There are job listing sites on the job boards they may request money. It’s one thing to pay to find a job on a membership-only job site and a whole other story to pay to work for a client. The client should be paying you to work for him and not the other way around.

7. Vague Ads

Ever wonder why certain employers don’t put any information in job ads? Because once you “inquire within” you learn you wasted your time. Again, not every vague ad means the client has something to hide. However, most employers will at least let you know a few details about what the job entails in order to attract the right type of writer.

8. Free Samples

We discuss free samples often. Again, this isn’t necessarily a sign that a client isn’t a good one. Some clients want to make sure you’re a good fit and don’t know it’s not quite ethical to ask someone to write a sample on spec (and not pay for it). Other clients want something for nothing and take your sample and use it without compensation. Before you submit a sample, find out what will happen if the sample is not accepted and paid for. Will he use it anyway? Or do you get to retain the rights and submit it elsewhere?

9. Quantity Over Quality

Ads saying they’d rather you were prolific than talented are sure to be low payers. Anyone who doesn’t care about the writing, doesn’t care about the writer. He’s only interested in stocking his site with content to earn money.

10. May Lead to Paying Opportunity

Does this look familiar? “The job doesn’t pay now, but it may pay in the future.” My response to that is, “contact me when it pays.” Our landlords don’t allow us to maybe pay the rent. Our grocery stores don’t allow us to maybe pay for the grocieries. Writers shouldn’t maybe write for anyone.

Deb’s disclaimer: I’m not saying  jobs with these red flags are always poor opportunities.  Indeed there are some good jobs asking for free samples or using exclamation points. However, the spammy stuff tends to over sell in their ads or do their best to appeal to the people who are inclined to accept lower paying opportunities. Use what is posted here to proceed with caution. There’s nothing wrong further investigation. If a job appeals to you, by all means, apply. Always read the fine print and make sure the end justifies the means.

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