Freelancing is a thrilling yet terrifying line of work. Getting started as a freelancer is the most difficult and challenging step. Especially if you’re coming from the stability and predictability of full-time work, freelancing can seem vague, threatening and terrifying. When you’re just beginning, you’ll be on a constant hunt for freelance writing jobs. Let’s consider some popular ways to can find freelance writing jobs for beginners and get your career off the ground. [Read more…]
Fix These Application Letter Mistakes to Hear Back From More Prospects
If you’ve been responding to ad postings like the ones on the FWJ writing job boards for any length of time, you’re bound to have noticed something by now.
Applying for freelance writing work is hard work.
Well, nobody said it would be easy being your own boss. Not to mention the fact that there are many, many other people out there competing for the very same gigs you’re applying to. So the fact is, if you’re going to use freelance job boards as an integral part of your freelance prospecting, you’re going to need to come up with a plan for standing out. [Read more…]
Musicians – Make Ends Meet as a Music Industry Writer
Editor’s Note: This post was written by Christie Templeton, a freelance writer in Los Angeles California who also dabbles in music production and singing. Christie enjoys writing for the music industry when she is not busy writing copy and technical writing for her clients in the software development industry.
Many musicians must work an unrelated job to make ends meet until their music begins to become profitable enough to survive from. Jobs like bartending, waiting tables or retail work inside guitar stores are typical work resources used by a lot of musicians to supplement their income. While these can jobs be flexible to a degree, they usually require a lot of hard work that isn’t really related to the overall dream of being a musician and, in the long run, aren’t contributing towards building credibility in the community as a talented and knowledgeable performer. [Read more…]
How to Get your Second Freelance Writing Job: The No-bid Way to Repeat Gigs
Once you have successfully landed your first freelance writing job, you should be thinking about completing it to your client’s specifications, to be sure. Now is the perfect time to start developing the habit of thinking ahead (if you haven’t already) and looking at how to get your second freelance writing job. [Read more…]
5 Questions Freelance Writers Should Ask Prospective Clients
There’s a time when you are in discussions with a prospective client about a project but haven’t been hired for the gig (yet).Before you can say, “Yes” or “No,” you’ll need to get clear about a few things first. Here are some suggestions about questions freelance writers should ask prospective clients before deciding whether to take on a particular gig. [Read more…]
22 Websites That Pay Freelance Writers in 2015
There are several ways to find freelance writing gigs. Answering ads posted on job boards is one method, and you probably want to try more than one approach in your search for gigs. Another way to find work (and one that may lead to a steady gig in some cases) is to approach websites that freelance writers for contributions for guest posts.
30 Job Boards for Freelance Writers
One of the questions that I get asked most often about being a freelance writer is where do I find clients. One of the strategies that works is to visit job boards for freelance writers and applying for available gigs.
How to Write a Cover Letter for Freelance Writing Jobs
No matter how busy you are as a freelance writer, you should never get so comfortable that you forget to market yourself to potential new clients. Projects can finish earlier than the client anticipated for a number of reasons, a once-promising gig may become delayed, or you may decide that you no longer wish to continue accepting assignments from a particular client. If you are going to be sending out freelance writing resumes, you will need to know how to write an effective cover letter for freelance writing jobs.
[Read more…]
How to Use Google Alerts to Help you Find Freelance Writing Gigs
If there is one thing freelance writers have in common, it’s that we are constantly marketing ourselves. It’s not a good idea to get too comfortable in a gig, even if it has been steady and lasted for a long time, and even if the client has hinted that it will continue that way for some time. Things can change in the world of work for employees as well as freelancers very quickly, and while you always give your projects your best effort, you need to understand that you only have work as long as the client needs your services. It’s absolutely nothing personal; it’s just business. One way you can stay search for gigs is to set up Google Alerts for different keywords and have leads come to your In box.
5 Companies That Hire Freelance Writers
While you love the flexibility that comes with a freelance writing career, you don’t necessarily love having to always look for a job, either. If only there were a way to secure a semi-permanent freelance writing position, you’d have the perfect work-life balance. There are companies that do hire remote writers on a more consistent basis than others, which allows you to do what you do best: write.
Here are just five companies that hire freelance writers.
One of the largest companies to offer freelance writing jobs, About.com is one of the biggest sites on the Internet. A plethora of people (aptly called “Guides”) write the content for About.com, to the tune of 2.8 million articles on over 70,000 subjects—and growing. This company is constantly expanding its topics lists, which provides steady work for scribes everywhere.
Current Flexible Jobs at About.com:
Guide—Wedding Style; Guide—New York Giants; Guide—Baby’s First Year
LoveToKnow understands that the Internet is loaded with information, but much of it can be useless or incorrect. The goal of this online media giant is to provide accurate, targeted, high quality information to Internet users in an easy-to-understand format. LoveToKnow consistently hires freelance writers and editors as it continues to grow.
Current Flexible Jobs at LoveToKnow Corp.:
Blogger Recruiter-Telecommuting; Writer-Editor; Hair Writer
One of the top publishers in the health and wellness arena, Rodale publishes well-known lifestyle magazines and books—all with a health-oriented slant. For example, Rodale publishes Women’s Health, Prevention, and Men’s Health, in addition to popular books like Eat This, Not That and The Flat Belly Diet.
Current Flexible Jobs at Rodale:
Food/Health Freelance Writer; Editorial Aide; Online Editor
Founded in 2008, Shmoop’s mission is a noble one. With a goal “to make you a better lover (of literature, poetry, US history, writing, and more),” Shmoop helps students and regular folks alike better understand literature and culture in a fun way. The organization also focuses on college readiness and believes that education can be fun. Shmoop offers freelance jobs, part-time jobs, and telecommuting jobs.
Current Flexible Jobs at Shmoop:
Project-Based Curriculum Writer Art History; Curriculum Writer: Computer Programming; Content Writer: Culinary Arts
A New York City-based organization and website, Thrillist boasts the best in entertainment, clubs, food, and other must-visit venues in major cities throughout the United States. Each week, The Thrill List gives its readers recommendations for hotspots that many people may not know about…yet. The company continuously hires freelance writers to provide content for its ever-growing website.
Current Flexible Jobs at Thrillist:
Freelance Writer, Portland; Freelance Expert Bachelor Party Journalist; Writer, NYC
Sure, it’s important to get new clients even if you have enough regular work. But just because you want a job as a freelance writer doesn’t mean that you will always have to hunt for work. Creating a connection with a company that consistently hires freelance writers is one of the best ways to ensure steady work—and to write your way to better work-life balance.
This post was written by Jenifer Blais who works at Flexjobs.com as Partnerships Coordinator.
