Bloggers are Freelancers, Too
July 15, 2008 by Jodee
Filed under Freelance Writing
by Becky Scott
I do a lot of blogging for a living. While I also do other writing, blogging is one of my mainstays at this point. I like it. I love the research, the short articles, the interaction with readers. Really, the comments are my favorite part. I get excited when I see that someone wants to talk about what I said.
But some people would tell me I’m not a “real” writer. I beg to differ. I write for reputable companies. I cite my sources. I’m professional, meeting deadlines, some of which are daily.
No, I’m not working on a novel and probably won’t for quite a few years. Maybe not until my son is older.
Does that make me less of a writer because I’m not working on a novel? I would hope not, because that would kick a lot of us out of the writers’ club.
I know we’ve had this debate before about whether bloggers are really writers. And it will probably continue for a long time to come.
I am a freelance writer. I’m also a blogger. I am proud to claim both.
Some people say that blogging isn’t the same as freelance writing. What’s your take on that? Do you blog? Do you consider it a legitimate freelance writing gig?
Becky is a freelance writer and editor in San Diego, Ca. She writes about a variety of topics including business organization and productivity, automotive info for women, personal blogging and celebrity real estate gossip. Visit her online at www.beckyscorner.com
Doh! There were paragraphs there when I sent it. I swear.
My opinion may offend some bloggers, but you can’t please everyone. I’m a print journalist. I’ve never written a book, and after a bad experience editing one, I don’t ever expect to. Book writing is a different kind of journalism.
If, as a blogger, you cite sources and write your posts, great. Of course, opinion items are something else. But some bloggers may or may not have legitimate sources, they may or may not fact check (print pubs are guilty of this sometimes, too). It’s bloggers (or commentators like Anne Coulter) that write without basic journalism mores that I don’t consider “real” writers.
@Phil – I also write a lot of opinion pieces. But when I’m interviewing or writing up newsy items, I do fact check and cite sources. Of course, I have written for print, too, so maybe that has something to do with it.
I realize that not all bloggers are conscientious about these things, and that’s frustrating. But I don’t like it when other writers dismiss me out of hand because I blog. It’s not all I do, but it’s a fair part. For now.
If you get paid to blog, you are a freelance professional writer. End of story. Like any other medium, if you are not a good writer, it will show in your blogs — there is nothing inherently wrong with the form.
Fact checking, quoting sources, and citing research are hallmarks of good writers, regardless of they’re typing up a feature article for a magazine or they’re writing about their favourite shoes on their blog.
@Richard – Thanks. I’ve been fortunate to have other blogger friends who consider themselves to be professional writers as well. We just have a different medium than we did in the past.
The scary part is the people who will believe anything, and lack the critical thinking skills to recognize when something is well-researched and written. But then again, they’d believe anything in print, too.
To chime in my two sense as someone who has only recently been sucked in by the terrifying tentacles of the blogosphere, I think a blog can go either way. I remember the very first ‘blog’ I put together was during a very angst-ridden time during high school when I needed to pour my thoughts somewhere. Did I care about the quality of the writing? On a small level, maybe, but I didn’t really understand my craft back then. I certainly didn’t want anyone to read it! In that case, I’d say a blog would not qualify as pro-writing. Most MySpace blogs fall into this category, though there are a brilliant few that override this.
When it comes to blogs you’re paid for doing: absolutely that’s a professional gig.
However, there is a curious grey area where I do think certain blogs could be considered ‘true writing’ despite generating little more than advertising income… and that is the ground where an author uses a blog to further their craft and they treat it like a professional project. Is it published? Yes. Can it be promoted? Yes. It helps the author hone their craft, and if they treat it like a legitimate piece, sculpting and re-writing as they would any print work, than by all means, this is true writing and a contribution to that writer’s career.
A blog can definitely become a platform for a professional writer, if it’s updated consistently. And it’s definitely good practice. I try to write a few times a week on mine, just so I can work those creative muscles.
Absolutely, bloggers are freelance writers. Blogging is a niche, and one that’s growing with the burgeoning ranks of savvy internet marketers.
To reply to Phil, I think it’s important to distinguish between ‘writers’ and ‘journalists’ – there’s a huge difference. Fact checking is not a job requirement for writers, even though some projects require it.
I think there’s a huge difference between personal and professional blogs. There is no way I’d consider my Live Journal a professional writing gig. That’s where I keep up with my friends and complain about my problems. If anyone reads it, great, if not, oh well.
On the other hand, I write for a few paid blogs. Getting paid to write about cars or mental health issues or small business startups? Definitely a writing gig, regardless of the format.
I know there a few gray area blogs, but to me, if you’re writing in the online equivalent of a personal journal, it’s not professional writing. If you’re being paid and meeting deadlines, then it’s professional. My two cents anyway.
I ghostwrite several blogs and I do consider it a job. I get paid for it. I have to research what I write. It`s a freelance gig! I agree with others here that a personal blog isn`t something that you should point to as an example of your writing skills, but if someone is willing to pay you for the posts you do, then that would be freelance writing in my opinion!
@Sue – I think people are going to have to change their view of what constitutes a “real” writer. As social media and blogging expand, people will understand it’s a niche and (hopefully) discount it less. Your distinction of ‘writers’ vs. ‘journalists’ is interesting. I’ve always been taught to back up my research as a writer – it was part and parcel of good writing.
@Lisa – I’m a lot more lax on my personal blog than I am on my portfolio site or my professional gigs. But as more people know me across the board, the more I have to give a critical eye to my writing on my personal site. I think it’s bound to happen as you get more well known.
@Genesis – You never know where an opportunity can come from, though, as I know several writers who have been approached because of the quality of their writing on a personal site. If we’re paid to blog, that still makes us professional writers, in my opinion. There will always be a range of quality of writing, just like there is in print.