Comments on: Why Freelance Writers Should Apply to Full-Time Jobs

By: Bryan - After5PC

Bryan - After5PC — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 02:10:36 +0000

Hi Yumanda,

Thanks for replying to my inquiry! Your feedback is appreciated.

-Bryan

By: The Freelance Writer's Blog

The Freelance Writer's Blog — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:32:32 +0000

Bryan:

When you’re marketing for freelance work, don’t mention that you work full time, UNLESS they ask you.

Many freelancers start out part-time, so it’s perfectly acceptable to apply if you know that it’s something you can do. Now, if the ad is saying that on-site meetings and client interaction is necessary during the middle of the workday, then obviously, you wouldn’t be a good fit.

But, many freelance gigs just have project parameters and a deadline. And with email, even interaction during the day is possible (eg, on your lunch hour via your laptop).

Bottom line: It is perfectly acceptable to apply and not mention that you work a fulltime job.

Hope this clarifies things a bit.

Yuwanda

By: Bryan

Bryan — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:46:45 +0000

Just a question:
If you say you have a full-time job, won’t it be harder to find freelance gigs — since a potential client is probably looking for a freelancer who has time to work on their projects?

I was just wondering…

By: Posts On Writing May 2008 | Get Paid to Write Online

Posts On Writing May 2008 | Get Paid to Write Online — Sat, 31 May 2008 16:26:48 +0000

[...] provoking posts this month include why freelance writers should apply to full time jobs and the question of whether bidding sites are worth it or whether you should simply give up on [...]

By: Beating Job Board Psychosis « by Michael Foreman

Beating Job Board Psychosis « by Michael Foreman — Wed, 28 May 2008 23:11:22 +0000

[...] waste time sweating whether you fit the bill exactly. You never will. In a post for FreelanceWritingGigs.com, former headhunter Yuwanda Black makes this [...]

By: LJ

LJ — Sat, 24 May 2008 23:00:39 +0000

@Yuwanda Good! That’s exactly what I was talking about. Just an FYI…there are some fantastic designs out there that are free for the taking. But it sounds like you are set and I am happy for you. Once you’re on your own domain, it’s your…well, domain!

Cheers!
LJ

By: The Freelance Writer's Blog

The Freelance Writer's Blog — Sat, 24 May 2008 14:03:57 +0000

@LJ you’re right, which is why I’ve hired a professional blog design firm to handle the design and migration of my blog to my own hosted domain. Lesson fully learned!

And, I can be contacted via email at info [at] InkwellEditorial [dot] com. I’ve had this address since 1999, so if you email me here, I’ll always get it.

@Steven: Good luck with your “cover letter experiment.” There’s an article idea up in there somewhere — new technological slant on an old standby … hmmmmm …

@Magda regarding “Can I just say, I loathe writing cover letters!!!”

I second that!

Yuwanda

By: LJ

LJ — Sat, 24 May 2008 13:22:49 +0000

Yuwanda,
I already read on your site about your encounter with Wordpress.

I a techie person too. If you want to have control over your content and look professional, you would be better off NOT having a blog on the free hosting sites.

I can’t find a way to contact you via your site, unfortunately. Anyway, best to you.

By: Shell

Shell — Fri, 23 May 2008 18:00:17 +0000

Steven, good luck with your project. I hope the potential employers are offering outstanding pay for all your endeavors!

By: steven e. streight aka vaspers

steven e. streight aka vaspers — Fri, 23 May 2008 17:45:31 +0000

What is the point of a cover letter?

I think a wise use of cover letters would be not to pump up how talented and motivated you are, but to let the company know why you admire them, how you use their products, what you know about them, or explaining your expertise in their niche.

If corporate fluff, arrogant “we, us, our” copy is old fashioned and not working anymore, then let’s apply this to ourselves.

I have a freelance opportunity with a client in the motorsports industry. They asked me to make a prototype blog, as a way to prove I know something about motorsports, NASCAR, Indy, Formula 1, etc.

This means I’m reading books on the subject, by race car drivers, and visiting relevant blogs and websites.

My “cover letter” will be the prototype blog. The research will take about a week, then I have one week to create the blog, with a few posts in it, showing my ability to address various issues and use the right buzzwords.

If you’re a hardcore blogger, and making blogs is easy for you, then consider whipping up a speculative blog for a client, with a good blogroll, graphic header, etc.

This might help, especially if the client is offering a steady stream of work, and not just a project or two.

I’ll report back later on the results I obtain from this unusual approach.