The One Thing Keeping You From Finding Freelance Writing Jobs
June 2, 2008 by Deb
Filed under Freelance Writing
This is for the newer writers who come here for ideas and advice – and to also browse to see what kind of jobs are out there. I hear from so many of them that they’re hoping to apply for jobs soon…and then proceed to give me a long laundry list of excuses as to why they’re not applying for gigs now.
I have news for these writers. The only thing keeping you from finding paying freelance writing jobs is you and no one else.
I’ll let you in on a secret….Before I started freelancing I read the job boards every day for over two years before I applied for something. I had some good excuses too:
- I want to wait until we move
- I work full time and want to relax in the evenings
- I’m not qualified
- I’m not experienced
- I’ll wait until after we have kids
- I have to do laundry
Here’s the thing….
If I didn’t wait those two years and applied to more gigs, I might have had more writing jobs lined up when I quit my job. Plus I still could kick myself for not applying for jobs for which I was perfect.
Sure, it all worked out for me in the long run, but I regret not starting sooner. I could have been earning instead of writing queries and sending out resumes. When it came to starting my writing career, I was my only obstacle. Once I gained confidence and got out of my way, the offers kept coming.
Just some food for thought.
As I always say, if we wait until the time is right, we’ll never do anything.
Deb, You couldn’t have said it better. I think there are many of us who share those same excuses and that same “if only I had started sooner…” thinking.
Wow – this post comes at just the time when I need a good kick in the backside. That would be the same backside I’ve been sitting upon, NOT applying for writing gigs whilst stressing about the lack of money coming in. Thanks very much!
Oddly, I’ve been the big risk-taker in our household. Sure we can live on half my salary so I can stay home with the kids! Of course we can pick up and move so our kids can have better schools. Honey, I’ve decided to become a yoga teacher…
When it comes to applying for jobs though, I’ll admit, I’ve been very timid. I’m applying for things – I try for at least 3 or 4 a day – and getting some preliminary responses at least, but something keeps stopping me from following through. I think it’s called fear of success or something.
Thanks for putting us on notice
I think some of us (at least I can speak for myself) need it.
Andrea, hey fear of success can be very real. I’m also a life coach and have coached several clients through just that. I have to fight against it myself sometimes.
I guess I mostly wanted to let everyone know they’re not alone. Many of us have fears -
- Rejection
- Job Security
- Trying something new
Too many excuses can get in the way. I don’t have any woulda coulda shoulda’s but I do wish I started earlier.
Here here! When I read comments or posts by people in other places complaining that there aren’t any jobs out there, I wonder how hard they’ve actually looked. Most, I suspect, are letting fear get in their way. Fear can create blinders. Once you take them off, you’ll find a plethora of jobs in front of you.
Hi Courtney,
There are plenty of jobs – just seeing Jodee’s daily list is proof of that.
How about: “it’s just too hard to find work”. I often think of how hard I worked at times to find that next gig. The amount of emails and phone calls were outrageous. BUT, it does all pay off in the long run. I was just contacted last week by someone I wrote a very short piece for 4 years ago. We CAN get very discouraged at times, but then we WILL always learn and be encouraged in the end.
Thanks for the kick in the pants! I needed that. I have actually applied for one job, though. Just need to add more to my list!
I just wanted to say thank you! I have only been contemplating this line of work for the past few weeks. I sent out some queries right away and wrote down some ideas for articles and even pounded out a few, then I found your website. I applied at Demand Studios, which you posted last week and I was accepted. Yey! They approved two suggested articles so far. I know that the more experienced writers think they don’t pay well enough, but I am grateful for it anyways.
Thanks again – great site!
I love this web site. I have been looking here for about a year and just now started applying for jobs. I’m still pretty new at this so I haven’t found much yet but I feel that if I am persistent something will come. I have been reading the blogs here for some time, and there is always good advice. It’s a little comforting to know that I’m not the only one who feels overwhelmed at times. Thank you very much!!!
I think it’s a fairly important thing to remember. For example, prior to January of 2008 I had never written an article in my life, other than short stories for fun. I literally never did have time due to running a construction company in the US. When we moved to Europe in January I was able to finally focus on writing as I’ve always wanted to. Within 3 weeks I got a job writing content for a computer game, I sold the first short story I’ve ever submitted in my life on the very first try, I signed a contract for 10 articles over the summer for an interior design/construction website, and I’m in negotations to write a class guide for LOTRO. It’s all about selling yourself. If you can meet deadlines and write with some intelligence, you’ll find work. Regardless of your experience. You just have to think positive and remove the words “fail” and “no” from your dictionary.
Thanks for the motivation! Great way to start off the week.
@ Elizabeth: Congrats on getting the Demand Studios gig! Keep applying for things and this won’t the only place you are working before too long.
@ Brian: I think everyone feels overwhelmed by insecurity at times. The way to get that particular demon to shut up is to take action, and it sounds like you are doing all the right things.
One of my biggest hurdles is picking out the scams from the non-scams. I have one right now sitting on my desk that sounds slightly scammy – so I’ll ignore it, but there is that part of me that wonders if I’m just being overly cautious. It’s hard because the Web site checks out, but the guy’s phone number comes back as unlisted, so I can’t vouch for it there. One post lists the guy as being a scammer, but that was four years ago and he’s still using the same email and Web site, so that makes me question that one post calling him a scammer.
That’s where I struggle the most when it comes to jobs. I have plenty of work currently, but with the area propane companies telling people to expect rates of $6 a gallon this winter, I need all the work I can get.
Thanks for bringing up this important point. It is surprising how taking that step to simply apply for jobs can be such a scary one. I finally had to ask, what do I have to lose? – Nothing. On the other hand I had so much to gain – work, experience, pay, etc.
Hah! You are so right. I have to make myself apply for stuff, with a “what the h***” attitude because otherwise I wallow in nerves and procrastination. I am my own best enemy, as many of us are. My rule of thumb (which I don’t always follow) is apply for a bunch of stuff and something will work out. So far I’ve gotten three paying gigs, and one that stole my work. (But that was partly my fault for not raelly asking any questions. Live and learn.)
What an excellent post! I did the same thing you described for a long time – kept visiting job boards but not applying for jobs. I took the plunge just a couple of weeks ago and put up a profile at elance and got the first two jobs I bid on. One of those two clients already contacted me to do a second job. The fact that this client came right back for more gave me a much-needed dose of self-confidence! Now I can’t help but think about the time I wasted, but of course I can’t spend too much time dwelling on that.
Excellent post,thanks