Comments on: The Freelancers I Called First http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/the-freelancers-i-called-first/ Freelance Writing Jobs for All Writers Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:52:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: 27 New Link Love Articles This Week | Writer's Resource Center http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/the-freelancers-i-called-first/comment-page-1/#comment-23952 27 New Link Love Articles This Week | Writer's Resource Center Sun, 04 May 2008 17:14:16 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/the-freelancers-i-called-first/#comment-23952 [...] The Freelancers I Called First [...] [...] The Freelancers I Called First [...]

]]> By: Christie http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/the-freelancers-i-called-first/comment-page-1/#comment-23840 Christie Fri, 02 May 2008 18:15:08 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/the-freelancers-i-called-first/#comment-23840 Hi Liz: Thanks for the great post - another good reminder that this is a profession, not an ego-trip. Hi Liz:
Thanks for the great post – another good reminder that this is a profession, not an ego-trip.

]]> By: The Renegade Writer Blog » Blog Archive » Good freelancing advice from a former editor http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/the-freelancers-i-called-first/comment-page-1/#comment-23838 The Renegade Writer Blog » Blog Archive » Good freelancing advice from a former editor Fri, 02 May 2008 16:34:45 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/the-freelancers-i-called-first/#comment-23838 [...] (and former editor) Liz Strauss guest-blogged this week on the Freelance Writing Jobs blog about the three qualities that made freelancers stand out when she was sitting on the other side of the desk. Strauss admits that these traits were uncommon. [...] [...] (and former editor) Liz Strauss guest-blogged this week on the Freelance Writing Jobs blog about the three qualities that made freelancers stand out when she was sitting on the other side of the desk. Strauss admits that these traits were uncommon. [...]

]]> By: Hazel http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/the-freelancers-i-called-first/comment-page-1/#comment-23822 Hazel Fri, 02 May 2008 13:37:58 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/the-freelancers-i-called-first/#comment-23822 Perhaps my niche isn't narrow enough -- I write business analysis and frequently refer to myself as a "business geek" -- I think my clients like that about me, though! Thanks for the post, Liz. @ John, Perhaps you could have said what you had to say without the personal swipe at Deb. Perhaps my niche isn’t narrow enough — I write business analysis and frequently refer to myself as a “business geek” — I think my clients like that about me, though!
Thanks for the post, Liz.
@ John,
Perhaps you could have said what you had to say without the personal swipe at Deb.

]]> By: Mel http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/the-freelancers-i-called-first/comment-page-1/#comment-23812 Mel Fri, 02 May 2008 12:52:44 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/the-freelancers-i-called-first/#comment-23812 Wow John or Darryl or Jerry or Jim or Mike or St..or whatever your name is this week... If Deb's stuff is so annoying to you why are you always here? Why do you visit all of Deb's blogs and leave rude comments? Don't visit. We would mind, we promise. Deb gives of her time. What do you do other than criticize her all the time? Wow John or Darryl or Jerry or Jim or Mike or St..or whatever your name is this week…

If Deb’s stuff is so annoying to you why are you always here? Why do you visit all of Deb’s blogs and leave rude comments? Don’t visit. We would mind, we promise.

Deb gives of her time. What do you do other than criticize her all the time?

]]> By: becky http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/the-freelancers-i-called-first/comment-page-1/#comment-23792 becky Fri, 02 May 2008 06:47:45 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/the-freelancers-i-called-first/#comment-23792 Oh, I forgot - still trying to think of a topic for a guest post that hasn't already been done to death - and much better - by others. Oh, I forgot – still trying to think of a topic for a guest post that hasn’t already been done to death – and much better – by others.

]]> By: becky http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/the-freelancers-i-called-first/comment-page-1/#comment-23791 becky Fri, 02 May 2008 06:46:47 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/the-freelancers-i-called-first/#comment-23791 I think the most interesting part for me was the caring about the audience piece. I do try to target my writing to the audience, but I liked the way you put this, Liz. Thanks. I think the most interesting part for me was the caring about the audience piece. I do try to target my writing to the audience, but I liked the way you put this, Liz. Thanks.

]]> By: Paula http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/the-freelancers-i-called-first/comment-page-1/#comment-23778 Paula Thu, 01 May 2008 23:49:42 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/the-freelancers-i-called-first/#comment-23778 I think one of the hardest things to do as a freelance writer, just as it is as a professional weaver working with a designer, is to get your ego out of the way of your work. What you are trying to do is create something that will serve/please someone else. Your artistry and craft comes in meeting their needs, not necessarily your vision. So we have to be willing to take direction, correction, and feedback...great three points, Liz. I think one of the hardest things to do as a freelance writer, just as it is as a professional weaver working with a designer, is to get your ego out of the way of your work. What you are trying to do is create something that will serve/please someone else. Your artistry and craft comes in meeting their needs, not necessarily your vision.

So we have to be willing to take direction, correction, and feedback…great three points, Liz.

]]> By: John http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/the-freelancers-i-called-first/comment-page-1/#comment-23776 John Thu, 01 May 2008 23:35:49 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/the-freelancers-i-called-first/#comment-23776 At least it's not anther video of Deb's Godawful whiney nasally voice! Im still having nightmares of "psst, wanna see where I work." At least it’s not anther video of Deb’s Godawful whiney nasally voice! Im still having nightmares of “psst, wanna see where I work.”

]]> By: Jenny B http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/the-freelancers-i-called-first/comment-page-1/#comment-23774 Jenny B Thu, 01 May 2008 23:17:23 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/the-freelancers-i-called-first/#comment-23774 Liz,thank you for sharing these three traits. You have offered great suggestions for us to act upon as freelancers who would like to be on an editor's short list. Liz,thank you for sharing these three traits. You have offered great suggestions for us to act upon as freelancers who would like to be on an editor’s short list.

]]> By: Adam http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/the-freelancers-i-called-first/comment-page-1/#comment-23773 Adam Thu, 01 May 2008 22:12:15 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/the-freelancers-i-called-first/#comment-23773 Liz, That's great advice, but I'm curious how quickly you came to the conclusion that a particular freelancer knew your target audience and cared about it? It makes me a bit nervous to think that if I send a query that an editor thinks is slightly off target for their particular audience, he or she will forever think I'm an idiot and toss all my future queries in the trash. Were you a one-chance editor? Or is there hope after a bad query? - not to put words in your mouth. Your post just made me wonder what editors think of freelancers when they get a bad or misdirected query. Liz,

That’s great advice, but I’m curious how quickly you came to the conclusion that a particular freelancer knew your target audience and cared about it?

It makes me a bit nervous to think that if I send a query that an editor thinks is slightly off target for their particular audience, he or she will forever think I’m an idiot and toss all my future queries in the trash.

Were you a one-chance editor? Or is there hope after a bad query? – not to put words in your mouth. Your post just made me wonder what editors think of freelancers when they get a bad or misdirected query.

]]> By: Matt http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/the-freelancers-i-called-first/comment-page-1/#comment-23764 Matt Thu, 01 May 2008 18:28:43 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/the-freelancers-i-called-first/#comment-23764 :) Thanks deb! :) Thanks deb!

]]> By: Robin Marie http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/the-freelancers-i-called-first/comment-page-1/#comment-23763 Robin Marie Thu, 01 May 2008 18:26:49 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/the-freelancers-i-called-first/#comment-23763 Liz, Thanks for the astute advice. I guess an important part is to be passionate, or at least interested in, the things you're writing about, right? Because if you're not, why would you care about the market, or about the people reading it??? Thanks! Liz,

Thanks for the astute advice. I guess an important part is to be passionate, or at least interested in, the things you’re writing about, right? Because if you’re not, why would you care about the market, or about the people reading it???

Thanks!

]]> By: Deb http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/the-freelancers-i-called-first/comment-page-1/#comment-23762 Deb Thu, 01 May 2008 18:24:44 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/the-freelancers-i-called-first/#comment-23762 @Matt - If I remember correctly, you will be discussing this tomorrow. @Matt – If I remember correctly, you will be discussing this tomorrow.

]]> By: Matt http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/the-freelancers-i-called-first/comment-page-1/#comment-23761 Matt Thu, 01 May 2008 18:21:09 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/the-freelancers-i-called-first/#comment-23761 <i> They Cared About My Market</i> This falls right into something I will (hopefully) be discussing later this month, Niche Topics. Enjoying what you write will make you a better writer. They Cared About My Market

This falls right into something I will (hopefully) be discussing later this month, Niche Topics. Enjoying what you write will make you a better writer.

]]> By: Laurel - Freelance Marketing Jobs http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/the-freelancers-i-called-first/comment-page-1/#comment-23760 Laurel - Freelance Marketing Jobs Thu, 01 May 2008 18:11:00 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/the-freelancers-i-called-first/#comment-23760 So true, Liz. Being a freelancer provides no less distance in terms of learning the market and delivering appropriate content than if a full-time staffer. The best freelancers I've worked with are good writers that "get it" with minimal direction and supervision. They're the ones that continue to get the work. So true, Liz. Being a freelancer provides no less distance in terms of learning the market and delivering appropriate content than if a full-time staffer.

The best freelancers I’ve worked with are good writers that “get it” with minimal direction and supervision. They’re the ones that continue to get the work.

]]> By: Deb http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/the-freelancers-i-called-first/comment-page-1/#comment-23758 Deb Thu, 01 May 2008 17:51:03 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/the-freelancers-i-called-first/#comment-23758 You're right on as usual, Liz. When I was an editorial assistant those freelancers who stood out the most were the ones who took the time to learn who we were, what we did and showed passion for our publications. You’re right on as usual, Liz. When I was an editorial assistant those freelancers who stood out the most were the ones who took the time to learn who we were, what we did and showed passion for our publications.

]]> By: Fiona http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/the-freelancers-i-called-first/comment-page-1/#comment-23754 Fiona Thu, 01 May 2008 17:21:47 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/the-freelancers-i-called-first/#comment-23754 Liz, I love your first point about caring about the market. Pleasing the editor is one thing but the true way to do that is to aim to please the goal market. Liz, I love your first point about caring about the market. Pleasing the editor is one thing but the true way to do that is to aim to please the goal market.

]]> By: Erika K http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/the-freelancers-i-called-first/comment-page-1/#comment-23749 Erika K Thu, 01 May 2008 16:50:31 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/the-freelancers-i-called-first/#comment-23749 Wow - those kinds of things still apply when you actually have your gigs. When you have a great client, you want to keep getting work from them. In a way, you could imagine that you are still "courting" them with your above-average approach. I'll be keeping these things in mind for sure. Much like other guest bloggers who've shared an "insider" perspective, thank you so much on behalf of us "outsiders" ;) Wow – those kinds of things still apply when you actually have your gigs. When you have a great client, you want to keep getting work from them. In a way, you could imagine that you are still “courting” them with your above-average approach.

I’ll be keeping these things in mind for sure. Much like other guest bloggers who’ve shared an “insider” perspective, thank you so much on behalf of us “outsiders” ;)

]]> By: bleeding espresso http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/the-freelancers-i-called-first/comment-page-1/#comment-23743 bleeding espresso Thu, 01 May 2008 16:21:47 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/the-freelancers-i-called-first/#comment-23743 Excellent advice--love getting this kind of inside perspective. Thanks Liz! Excellent advice–love getting this kind of inside perspective. Thanks Liz!

]]> By: Marijke http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/the-freelancers-i-called-first/comment-page-1/#comment-23735 Marijke Thu, 01 May 2008 15:21:18 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/the-freelancers-i-called-first/#comment-23735 You make some great points. I was an editor for a big medical website and I worked with freelancers. Some were exceptional - others were, well, not exceptional. ;-) You make some great points. I was an editor for a big medical website and I worked with freelancers. Some were exceptional – others were, well, not exceptional. ;-)

]]> By: Liz Strauss http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/the-freelancers-i-called-first/comment-page-1/#comment-23731 Liz Strauss Thu, 01 May 2008 15:09:30 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/the-freelancers-i-called-first/#comment-23731 Wow! Thank you for the nice reception. Yeah, Abby! Freelance is a nice way to sneak into a new industry. Vaspers, you do that better than almost anyone I know. Hi Marie! I so value folks who don't make me do all of the thinking. You're great to understand that. :) Wow! Thank you for the nice reception.

Yeah, Abby! Freelance is a nice way to sneak into a new industry.

Vaspers, you do that better than almost anyone I know.

Hi Marie!
I so value folks who don’t make me do all of the thinking. You’re great to understand that. :)

]]> By: Marie http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/the-freelancers-i-called-first/comment-page-1/#comment-23720 Marie Thu, 01 May 2008 14:28:57 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/the-freelancers-i-called-first/#comment-23720 I think it's easy to get caught up in the "I have to please my editor" mindset, but you're totally right; as important as it is to please you're editor, you also need to constantly think about the audience you're serving. Great post! I think it’s easy to get caught up in the “I have to please my editor” mindset, but you’re totally right; as important as it is to please you’re editor, you also need to constantly think about the audience you’re serving. Great post!

]]> By: vaspers aka steven e. sreight http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/the-freelancers-i-called-first/comment-page-1/#comment-23719 vaspers aka steven e. sreight Thu, 01 May 2008 14:28:19 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/the-freelancers-i-called-first/#comment-23719 Very astute article. I love the insights provided here. Once again, Liz Strauss demonstrates how it's done. A freelancer must research the company, product, customers, prior to meeting with the one who may hire them. Very astute article. I love the insights provided here. Once again, Liz Strauss demonstrates how it’s done.

A freelancer must research the company, product, customers, prior to meeting with the one who may hire them.

]]> By: Abby http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/the-freelancers-i-called-first/comment-page-1/#comment-23708 Abby Thu, 01 May 2008 14:02:54 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/the-freelancers-i-called-first/#comment-23708 Really great post, Liz. I too, got my first freelance writing jobs via the back door. Now, my writing clients also have me doing other project work, which makes for nice supplemental income. I always have their business and marketing plans in mind when I write. Really great post, Liz. I too, got my first freelance writing jobs via the back door. Now, my writing clients also have me doing other project work, which makes for nice supplemental income. I always have their business and marketing plans in mind when I write.

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