Comments on: Freelance Writing Jobs for Thursday, July 10, 2008

By: Erica

Erica — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 06:31:46 +0000

@Sue: Why did you stop working for them? (Hopefully you got a better gig!)

By: Alicia N

Alicia N — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:33:42 +0000

Thanks Dionne–now, to clarify, when I write a press release, am I simply writing it, or am I being hired to distribute it as well??? Does it depend on what the client wants, and if they want distribution, do I charge more?

By: Jodee

Jodee — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 09:52:57 +0000

@ Dionne: That is great news! Congrats!

By: Dionne Obeso

Dionne Obeso — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 03:45:06 +0000

Alicia:

I personally charge between $50-$70 an hour. Estimate how long the job will take you, and charge that much. If it feels too low, you can go by guidelines… like I usually start around $45 for a press release, and charge more if I think it will take a long time.

By: Dionne Obeso

Dionne Obeso — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 03:43:39 +0000

It looks like I’ve gotten hired off the board recently! Yay! (And thank you!)

By: Alicia N

Alicia N — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:44:39 +0000

hey–does any one know what I should charge for a) a monthly newsletter and b) a press release?

By: violetteb

violetteb — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 04:51:03 +0000

Here’s a conundrum…Spanish Proofreader. I shouldn’t look at these job boards so late…lol.

By: Katie

Katie — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 22:37:35 +0000

*Oops. I meant Canadian Builders Quarterly, not Canadian Business Quarterly. Sorry!

By: Katie

Katie — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 22:34:27 +0000

I also freelance for Bowen, Guerrero & Howe (the B2B construction magazine people). They publish about half a dozen titles, including American Builders Quarterly, Hispanic Executive Quarterly, Energy International Quarterly, Green Business Quarterly, and Canadian Business Quarterly. Lead time for articles is two weeks, and the editors I’ve worked with have been great–personable and understanding when an interviewee suddenly seems to disappear from the world. Steady work, too. I’d recommend applying.

By: Jodee

Jodee — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 22:05:49 +0000

@ Nicole: The resume I use has my freelancing stuff on it as well as the work I did in my previous life. I don’t list everyone I have done work for on it. Instead, I describe describe myself as a self-employed freelancer who performed “x” types of services during that time.

My “freelancing” resume doesn’t include my address or phone number on it. I only put my name and e-mail address at the top.

It’s a good idea to include a resume and samples unless you are specifically asked *not* to do so. Make it easy for the employer to find out who you are and what you can do. If they have many, many responses to weed through (like the ones who advertise here), they may not take the time to follow up with people who don’t provide this information from the outset, and you may not get the job.

Hope that helps.

By: Rupa

Rupa — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 21:17:24 +0000

Thank you all for sharing tips, experiences etc. As a newbie – to freelance writing & to this site – I find every bit of information here useful in some way. I hope it’s ok to post a general, beginner level question here.

How much and what should I say in my application when the project details are vague & there’s no mention of a website or company. Should I attach a brief version of my resume? Or just describe in a few sentences about my writing background and interests although I am not sure if that’s what they are looking for?

By: Ann G.

Ann G. — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:42:04 +0000

I heard back from one of these already. Apparently, the guy and his friend have been communicating and sharing emails of freelancers who quote prices. I quoted his friend a lower price (more familiar with the material) and now he’s asking me to match the price. That really kind of bothers me that they are keeping lists of what price has been quoted by what person.

By: Renee

Renee — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:37:05 +0000

Great list today! I already applied for two things. I’m trying to ramp up business for when I increase my hours in the fall in this is really helping.

By: Angelique

Angelique — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:31:21 +0000

I agree wholeheartedly about trade publications. Typically, I’ve found that the jobs pay well, the working relationship is very respectful and the assignments are unique (though definitely within the niche.)

By: Ugur

Ugur — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:27:18 +0000

Sue, thanks for sharing your Construction Magazine experience. One of my copy writing idols, Bob Bly, recommends writing for such “trade publications” rather than regular mass-market consumer magazines. I agree with him that the chances for a freelancer to establish a steady and well-paying connection is much higher with such relatively unknown industry periodicals.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:30:13 +0000

Thanks Jodee for the jobs today! Great list. I’m going to apply for two jobs today however, I’ve never been asked to right a resume, and I have to supply one for one of the postings. What is the best way to make a resume with only one job under your belt so show for? Also, if a job posted is not requiring a resume or sample then should you provide one as a “just in case”? Thanks! Nic

By: Kristen Tribe

Kristen Tribe — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:10:14 +0000

I’ve been checking this job board for about three months, and I just wanted to thank you for all the great leads. I got my first job about two months ago, and I’m in the process of applying for two others. Thanks for all your hard work!

By: Fiona

Fiona — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:57:22 +0000

Sue – did you have a lot of prior experience in the construction industry?

By: Sue

Sue — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:53:58 +0000

I’ve worked for the Construction Magazine publishers for about a year. Most of the assignments I did were one-source (all information provided for you and the source knows about the interview), 750-word articles that paid around $240. They pay within 30 days after the article is submitted, too. And if they like you, the work is pretty steady.

By: Jodee

Jodee — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:16:06 +0000

@ Fiona: You are most welcome. Seeing all the ads made me curious about this kind of writing too and I’m really glad that took a chance and asked Ugur if he would be willing to talk to me about what he does. The fact that he will be blogging for us too is wonderful news for all of us, I think!

By: Fiona

Fiona — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:59:21 +0000

Thanks Jodee. Seeing all the ads for technical writers, it looks like you guys have brought in Ugur at the perfect time!