Comments on: On Cover Letters, Quotes, Attachments and Whether or Not the Gig is Worth the Effort http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/03/on-cover-letters-quotes-attachments-and-whether-or-not-the-gig-is-worth-the-effort/ Mutual Respect Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:51:11 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: rae http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/03/on-cover-letters-quotes-attachments-and-whether-or-not-the-gig-is-worth-the-effort/comment-page-1/#comment-20328 rae Wed, 26 Mar 2008 18:46:14 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/on-cover-letters-quotes-attachments-and-whether-or-not-the-gig-is-worth-the-effort/#comment-20328 I have a question. I am in the process of applying for a blogging position. I wrote an article specifically for the application as a sample for what I could do for their site. The employer responded that they wanted two more articles more specific to the site. The thing is, the articles require interviews and research. Should I go through all this trouble if I haven't even gotten the job yet? It sounds like they are trying to get a free article I have a question. I am in the process of applying for a blogging position. I wrote an article specifically for the application as a sample for what I could do for their site. The employer responded that they wanted two more articles more specific to the site. The thing is, the articles require interviews and research. Should I go through all this trouble if I haven’t even gotten the job yet? It sounds like they are trying to get a free article

]]> By: blitz http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/03/on-cover-letters-quotes-attachments-and-whether-or-not-the-gig-is-worth-the-effort/comment-page-1/#comment-19593 blitz Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:04:57 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/on-cover-letters-quotes-attachments-and-whether-or-not-the-gig-is-worth-the-effort/#comment-19593 Hi Deb (or anyone else with solid freelance experience), I have been working in the PR/Communications field for the past three years and I have loads of writing experience. I even blog for fun on the side. I have been trying to start out and get even a simple gig but haven't had any luck even though i've applied to a ton of postings. I know getting that first break takes time but just wanted to know if I'm missing anything or if there are some good strategies when it comes to getting that first job. I usually post my cover letter and CV in the body of the email to make it easier for the employer. Is this the wrong way to go about it? any tips/advice would be appreciated! Thanks Hi Deb (or anyone else with solid freelance experience),

I have been working in the PR/Communications field for the past three years and I have loads of writing experience. I even blog for fun on the side.

I have been trying to start out and get even a simple gig but haven’t had any luck even though i’ve applied to a ton of postings. I know getting that first break takes time but just wanted to know if I’m missing anything or if there are some good strategies when it comes to getting that first job.

I usually post my cover letter and CV in the body of the email to make it easier for the employer. Is this the wrong way to go about it?

any tips/advice would be appreciated!

Thanks

]]> By: (army)wife http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/03/on-cover-letters-quotes-attachments-and-whether-or-not-the-gig-is-worth-the-effort/comment-page-1/#comment-19587 (army)wife Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:44:00 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/on-cover-letters-quotes-attachments-and-whether-or-not-the-gig-is-worth-the-effort/#comment-19587 In HR, when we're hiring, one of the first things we look at is the applicant's asking rate. Rate is a bargaining tool, from both ends (the applicants and the employers). You could be the best applicant in the world, but if you're looking for (keep in mind, motor company not freelancing) $80,000/yr and we can't offer more than $60,000, whats the point in even talking? However, if you're looking for $65,000, we can talk and negotiate. And if you're the applicant and looking for $80,000/yr, but I'm only offering $60,000, do you really want to be talking to me? If you're the best applicant and the client wants you they'll negotiate with you if they see there's a possiblilty of good compromise. If you want this job, you're also looking for a good compromise. Neither party is completely in control, you something and they want something. If the client asks for a rate, I would give it to them. Otherwise, you could be wasting their time and yours. In HR, when we’re hiring, one of the first things we look at is the applicant’s asking rate. Rate is a bargaining tool, from both ends (the applicants and the employers). You could be the best applicant in the world, but if you’re looking for (keep in mind, motor company not freelancing) $80,000/yr and we can’t offer more than $60,000, whats the point in even talking? However, if you’re looking for $65,000, we can talk and negotiate. And if you’re the applicant and looking for $80,000/yr, but I’m only offering $60,000, do you really want to be talking to me? If you’re the best applicant and the client wants you they’ll negotiate with you if they see there’s a possiblilty of good compromise. If you want this job, you’re also looking for a good compromise. Neither party is completely in control, you something and they want something. If the client asks for a rate, I would give it to them. Otherwise, you could be wasting their time and yours.

]]> By: Jodee http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/03/on-cover-letters-quotes-attachments-and-whether-or-not-the-gig-is-worth-the-effort/comment-page-1/#comment-19537 Jodee Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:21:19 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/on-cover-letters-quotes-attachments-and-whether-or-not-the-gig-is-worth-the-effort/#comment-19537 @ Amy: I've been sleeping in a bit, yes. :) @ Amy: I’ve been sleeping in a bit, yes. :)

]]> By: Amy - Write From Home http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/03/on-cover-letters-quotes-attachments-and-whether-or-not-the-gig-is-worth-the-effort/comment-page-1/#comment-19536 Amy - Write From Home Sun, 16 Mar 2008 15:49:31 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/on-cover-letters-quotes-attachments-and-whether-or-not-the-gig-is-worth-the-effort/#comment-19536 @ Jodee - Hi! Thanks, and I am glad to see you're still around. Do you still get up before dawn now that you don't look for leads? :-) @ Monika - I have both Word and PDF versions on my system. I prefer to send a PDF, but for the folks who won't do attachments it is easier for me to dump it into the message from the word doc. I don't have a formal website for displaying my work. @ Jodee – Hi! Thanks, and I am glad to see you’re still around. Do you still get up before dawn now that you don’t look for leads? :-)

@ Monika – I have both Word and PDF versions on my system. I prefer to send a PDF, but for the folks who won’t do attachments it is easier for me to dump it into the message from the word doc. I don’t have a formal website for displaying my work.

]]> By: James Chartrand - Men with Pens http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/03/on-cover-letters-quotes-attachments-and-whether-or-not-the-gig-is-worth-the-effort/comment-page-1/#comment-19522 James Chartrand - Men with Pens Sun, 16 Mar 2008 11:20:35 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/on-cover-letters-quotes-attachments-and-whether-or-not-the-gig-is-worth-the-effort/#comment-19522 @ Monika - We use PDF and lock them down against copying and printing. @ Monika – We use PDF and lock them down against copying and printing.

]]> By: Jodee http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/03/on-cover-letters-quotes-attachments-and-whether-or-not-the-gig-is-worth-the-effort/comment-page-1/#comment-19521 Jodee Sun, 16 Mar 2008 11:01:32 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/on-cover-letters-quotes-attachments-and-whether-or-not-the-gig-is-worth-the-effort/#comment-19521 @Monika: I would suggest putting them in Word. @ Amy: It's nice to see you back again; I've enjoyed reading your posts. @Monika: I would suggest putting them in Word.

@ Amy: It’s nice to see you back again; I’ve enjoyed reading your posts.

]]> By: Monika Mundell http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/03/on-cover-letters-quotes-attachments-and-whether-or-not-the-gig-is-worth-the-effort/comment-page-1/#comment-19516 Monika Mundell Sun, 16 Mar 2008 09:30:05 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/on-cover-letters-quotes-attachments-and-whether-or-not-the-gig-is-worth-the-effort/#comment-19516 @ Amy: what you said about samples does make sense I guess. Like you, I would never show actual past client work for obvious reasons. Having a few articles sitting there talking in different voices might help, I can see that now. Question is, is it better to have them in PDF format on the site, or a simple Word Doc? What do you guys use? @ Amy: what you said about samples does make sense I guess. Like you, I would never show actual past client work for obvious reasons.

Having a few articles sitting there talking in different voices might help, I can see that now. Question is, is it better to have them in PDF format on the site, or a simple Word Doc?

What do you guys use?

]]> By: Amy - Write From Home http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/03/on-cover-letters-quotes-attachments-and-whether-or-not-the-gig-is-worth-the-effort/comment-page-1/#comment-19495 Amy - Write From Home Sat, 15 Mar 2008 20:18:52 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/on-cover-letters-quotes-attachments-and-whether-or-not-the-gig-is-worth-the-effort/#comment-19495 @Scribette - I see what you mean now, and I don't disagree with what you're saying. I really shouldn't blogsurf before I've had my coffee. :-) @Scribette – I see what you mean now, and I don’t disagree with what you’re saying. I really shouldn’t blogsurf before I’ve had my coffee. :-)

]]> By: Scribette http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/03/on-cover-letters-quotes-attachments-and-whether-or-not-the-gig-is-worth-the-effort/comment-page-1/#comment-19494 Scribette Sat, 15 Mar 2008 20:10:51 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/on-cover-letters-quotes-attachments-and-whether-or-not-the-gig-is-worth-the-effort/#comment-19494 Amy - yes I do of course agree with that! When I said writers do not set the rate, I was referring to writers who (rightly) quote rates at the market rate - based on their experience of course. Some employers may not be willing to pay these rates - therefore, the writers in this case, do not set the rate. But of course - the underbidders will set the rate. Not sure if that made sense! LOL Time for a break ... Amy – yes I do of course agree with that!

When I said writers do not set the rate, I was referring to writers who (rightly) quote rates at the market rate – based on their experience of course.

Some employers may not be willing to pay these rates – therefore, the writers in this case, do not set the rate.

But of course – the underbidders will set the rate.

Not sure if that made sense! LOL Time for a break …

]]>