This post is a clue in Performancing’s Treasure Hunt series.
So I’m going through all the mail from the past week, and it isn’t pretty. I have over a thousand emails stacked up and the answering is going a bit slow. Since a bulk of the mail is from aspiring freelance writers asking where to begin finding freelance writing jobs, I’m thinking I can tackle the lot of you in one fell swoop.
Where do I begin?
Here’s the thing. I get so much mail from people who wake up one day and say, “I want to work from home. What’s easy and pays? I know! I’ll be a writer!” That’s fine if you know how to write and can grasp a few basic principals. If you have no clue, you might consider something a little less skilled. Yes, freelance writing takes skill.
Knowing how to form a sentence helps. Brush up on your grammar and perhaps take a course or two online. Brian Clark teaches wannabes, check out his Copy Blogger blog, if you’re so inclined. Many community colleges offer continuing education courses, and they’re not that expensive, check it out if that’s more your speed.
If you already know how to write, you still have a little research coming. Do you know how to write a cover letter or format a manuscript? Do you know the difference between writing for print and writing for the web? If not, you should. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of blog posts and articles about getting started as a freelance writer. Give it a Google and you’ll find enough reading to keep you busy for a month or two. I always recommend researching the business before jumping in.
Getting Started
For a warm up, you might consider starting a blog. If you have a special niche or hobby, write about it. I also like visiting some of the websites offering writing prompts, just for practice. There are also plenty of places willing to hire beginners, many of those are listed here in the daily leads.
In this day and age, it’s good to know a little about the “new media.” Blogging, podcasting and video. I’m not saying these are all mediums you have to use, but this is where we’re going folks, and it’s in your best interests to learn more about how they’re being used and how they’ll be used in the future. One of my favorite blogs to learn about the new media is Essential Keystrokes.
Taking the Plunge
After taking a month out to research the business and practice your writing you’re probably eager to begin. Just do it. After you send the first cover letter, the rest will come easy. You might get a rejection at first, but that’s normal. Most writers receive many rejection slips before landing that first gig. I once worked with someone who wallpapered his cubicle with rejection slips and he was a best seller. Just don’t take rejection personally. Many times it comes with constructive criticism and that’s a good thing.
I wish I could tell you the secret of starting and maintaining a successful freelance writing career, but the truth is it’s different for everyone. My biggest piece of advice is to take some time to do the research. Learn what kind of jobs are out there and what they entail, learn how to gauge a fee and read up on scams. Don’t enter into a freelance writing career blind, take some time to learn the job. You’ll be happy you did.
November 12th, 2007 at 9:37 pm
Deb,
A bit off topic, but is that YOUR itty bitty kitty? SO cute. May I please have him? (It’s my birthday.)
Back on topic, I get a lot of mail like this, too. I may start referring them to this post and save myself some typing. I will also have to check out Essential Keystrokes, so thanks for that.
November 12th, 2007 at 9:39 pm
Good post Deb. One very important thing I’d add is deciding if you are someone who can work independently. The best thing about freelancing is no boss staring over your shoulder. But that’s also the worst thing. It’s awfully easy to say “I’ll write later” and go watch Oprah, play computer games, do the laundry, etc., rather than working.
November 12th, 2007 at 10:56 pm
Happy Birthday, Amy
November 13th, 2007 at 12:07 am
@Amy,
That’s Logan, he’s about 10 months old and is very mellow guy. Though I wish you a very happy birthday, you can’t have Logan because not only would my family be very unhappy without him, but his twin sister Gnocchi would be too.
@ Sue - You’re right. And working alone at home isn’t as easy as it sounds. I think I’d do great if I lived somewhere without Internet access, Food and TV.
November 13th, 2007 at 12:27 am
Thanks neighbor Phil.
Deb, you have two of them? I’m so jealous. Rest assured, I won’t really try to hijack them. Sadly, I’m allergic. I just rescued a new baby bunny on Friday, so I guess he’ll have to do until modern medicine comes up with a drug to keep hives out of my lungs.
Sue, I haven’t done laundry in close to a month, so I guess I’m more dedicated to writing than I thought.
Seriously though, you’re SO right. Sometimes I miss having 20 lawyers looking over my shoulder.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:34 am
Aww, that is one cute kitty. You can post kitty pix everyday and I wouldn’t complain. “Freelance Writing Gigs and Kitty Pix”…?
Speaking as a beginning freelance writing, one other thing I would recommend (although I know that other people will disagree) is writing for some place like Suite101 or Helium or Associated Content, especially if you don’t have many/any previous published clips. It’s really, really hard to get paying jobs without clips, and while one certainly can write for local alt-weeklies, the company newsletter, local charities and churches, etc., the advantage of places like Suite101 is that you can write about anything you want and build up your own niche, and since each of those sites have some (not always a lot, but some) editorial oversight, it is slightly more “officially” published than a personal blog. Does that makes sense? I just got my first paying gig, and I got it using my Suite101 articles as my “published clips.”
November 13th, 2007 at 4:14 am
Just a quick note, “principals” in your second paragraph should be “principles.”
November 13th, 2007 at 6:45 am
I read this website every day and I have actually gotten several jobs and job offers from it. You do a great job, Deb and Jodee, but I have to tell you the kitty is darling! I have two of my own and they like my office, too! Thanks!
November 13th, 2007 at 8:31 am
Couple things:
It kinda bothers me that people wake up and decide they want to do the things that I’ve spent that last couple years training and getting educated to do.
Now, I don’t mind if you want to LEARN my trade- I’m ok with that. In fact, I encourage that. It’s one of my fave things to do- teach others. But that’s the thing. You DO have to learn it, just like any other trade.
Ok, #2 I have three kitties and a dog and I adore them ALL ;0
November 13th, 2007 at 8:32 am
Ps- I used to have your exact same computer. My two year old pulled a key off. I let the &*^%$^&* at CompUsa put the key on and days later the hard drive blew up!
November 15th, 2007 at 11:35 pm
Oh wow…I didn’t think “the clue” would bring me here. Should’ve expected it at least once though, stupid me.
November 17th, 2007 at 6:55 am
I think it’s key to approach freelance writing as if you were already a professional. Create a business site that shows your rates, services and samples of work, charge professional rates, and stick to writing about topics in which you already are a professional.
I’m just starting out as well, but already I’ve had clients and potential clients comment on my customer service, timeliness and quality of writing. With writing for the web you get a kind of second chance at creating a persona for yourself, since your clients only see what you show them. As far as they know, you know what you’re doing, and as long as your knowledge and writing skills can back up your presentation, the work will come to you.