A resume is a formal document that contains an applicant’s professional background, education, skills, and experience. It is very typical for traditional companies to require resumes to employ. However, in the freelancing world, where jobs are usually short-term and are limited by contracts, you might wonder if resumes are still relevant? [Read more…]
Are Resumes Still Relevant to Freelance Writers?
One question I often encounter is “Are resumes still relevant for freelance writers?”
The short answer is yes. [Read more…]
How to Find Recession-Proof Writing Gigs
The recession has hit most industries hard — freelance writing is no exception. A Freelancer’s Union survey from early April found that 76% of freelancers had contracts cancelled and 65% had difficulty finding new clients as a result of the virus.
I was really shocked to see that a lot of freelancers are losing work because of the pandemic, mostly because I’ve been busier than ever. Clients are giving me more work since the recession started.
Data graph from Freelancer’s Union
So why are so many freelance writers struggling right now? [Read more…]
What to Do If You Aren’t Getting Freelance Work Offers
Job searching isn’t always fun. In fact, most people really don’t enjoy the process at all. It can be stressful, especially if you need to find work quickly for financial or even emotional reasons.
The work-at-home job scene is no different. If you’re looking for a regular freelance writing job with a traditional company, you’ll have to conduct a job search the same way you’d do it for a “regular” job.
Most of these leads will ask for a resume and possibly a cover letter or other written document that shares your experience and qualifications. You might even be dealing with a lot of online application systems, which make it hard to stand out and get noticed in the sea of freelancers.
That said, the key to landing a good remote writing job is to get noticed, get in front of the right people, and make a good impression.
What to Do If You Aren't Getting Freelance Work Offers Click To TweetHow to Ask for Referrals and Get More Writing Jobs
I’ve worked with scores of freelance writers in my editing career. Guess how many have asked me to refer them to other clients? One.
Yup, just one. Oh, I’ve provided plenty of references and the occasional testimonial, but as for anyone flat-out asking me for names of those who could benefit from their writing services? Just the one. I remember it not only because it was the sole request of its kind, but because I was happy to oblige it. But more on that later.
If you’re not asking for referrals, you’re losing a big opportunity to grow your client base and make more money. [Read more…]
Here’s How You Can Go Through College Without Always Being Broke
Getting a college education is no joke. It never has been, and it will probably never be. On the one hand, learning and obtaining a degree can put you ahead of your peers as you launch a career. On the other hand, the cost of obtaining that degree is crippling.
Having to pay for tuition is definitely no laughing matter, and while many take on part-time jobs, it seems being broke is a given for a college student. Not to mention having to pay for student loans at the end of it all. [Read more…]
5 Creative Methods to Help Round Up More Professional Writing Opportunities
As a writer, you’re always looking for creative ways and opportunities to get that next assignment or to find that next client to work for. Because communications technology is changing so rapidly in modern context, the rules have changed for how to get work, who wants work to be done, what format the work needs to be in, and even where the work needs to be shared.
But, five general ways that you can up the ante on your personal writing goals would be to tighten up your online resume, create a portfolio website, read trending magazine articles, use hashtags wisely for self-promotion, and cooperate with other mediums to cross-promote whenever possible. [Read more…]
Mistakes to Avoid in Your Holiday Job Search
Searching for a job is not easy, and it is especially difficult this time of year when you have the added pressures of worrying about paying for holiday gifts in addition to your usual expenses. While there is no surefire way to have a successful holiday job search on your first go, there absolutely are some mistakes to avoid. We list some of the most overlooked mistakes here, to make your holiday job search a little easier. [Read more…]
5 New Year’s Resolutions for Freelance Writers
Whether you had a steady stream of writing gigs or a tiny trickle, you undoubtedly learned some lessons on what to do—and not to do—as a freelance writer in 2015. While we have yet to celebrate Christmas, it’s never too early to think about creating a better (new) year.
As you write your way into 2016, here are some New Year’s resolutions for you, the freelance writer, that will help you create a freelance writing career you’ll love. [Read more…]
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…]
