I mentioned this before, but a quick way to go through the job list and now lose your place is to open a new tab for each job as you go down the list.

I have Firefox, so all I have to do is right-click on each job link. Once I have gone down the list, I then go through the tabs, and email the ones I like to myself.

From there it is easy to re-read the instructions and send off a cover letter and resume. Also, that gives me a copy of the ad for my own records, to keep with my correspondence with them. I have seen some ads edited, and I have seen some ‘scam’ ads replicated. Having my own records keeps me from re-applying for jobs that turn out to be jobs I am not interested in or turn out to be scams.

@ Colleen: There’s lots of good advice here, and I agree with Kenna about cold calling. I choose my targets carefully, whether I’m going to call or send an e-mail message. This has gotten easier and easier, particularly now that I have a Web site with clips. I’m always ready with followup information and links.

No matter how you contact potential clients, be sure you have an angle on why *you* are the right person to write for them. Be ready for rejection but offer to follow up in a few months to see if anything changes. Ann mentioned huge competition for jobs. Most of my work is business writing, so I don’t think of other writers as my competition when I cold call or send unsolicited applications. Many of my clients wrote for themselves before I started working with them, so, in a way, they were my competition.

The marketing side of freelancing is lots of fun when pitches work, but I know from years of personal experience that it’s a real drag when they don’t. Good luck!

When I started out writing freelance, I cold called chiropractors, indoor plant care companies, interior designers, video production companies and so on. Those who need educate and promote to their public to maintain a strong customer data base.

I wrote articles for their newsletters, websites and local publications. What was really cool about this was that I had ample work that I could rewrite and sell to other newsletters, websites — even custom publishing companies. I even designed simple newsletters to add to my purse.

The key though was to cold call in my area. Not by the Internet but by phone, foot and networking groups.

Better yet: Make a list of people you know who own a small business and need to promote. Look over that list and call them up, set up a meeting and make them an offer.

The Internet is great, but open your yellow pages and see how may chiropractors, pshysical therapists or massage therapists are in your area. They need to promote, and you can help them through your writing.

It works!

@ Rachel – I just left my full time job at the beginning of June. I had it pretty easy because I worked with a lady from school who has her own freelance writing business, so I had work. I’ve picked up two of my own clients from these job boards. There are two things I can tell you.

One, make a schedule and stick to it – sometimes it’s very hard to get work done when that really good book is sitting by the bed. I was up all night reading last night – skipped doing any work most of yesterday, too, just to finish this book. It’s hard and I felt terribly guilty, but I haven’t had one day off in a month, so I felt justified.

Two, make sure you give yourself at least one day off a week. Doesn’t matter when, just take a day for yourself. It’s amazing the perspective that comes with being refreshed.

And that’s my two cents worth. Hope it helps and best of luck to you!

@ Colleen – Don’t be discouraged. Something will come along when you least expect it. I would say to keep applying, and scouring the web for more jobs you can apply for. Market yourself and the rest will follow.

@Jodee: Happy Canada Day to you too!

I don’t really think you are doing anything wrong. Competition is fierce. I know this for certain after chatting with one employer who told me in one day he’d had 500 applicants responding to his Craigslist post. He stopped reading applications after the first 50. So many times it is all about getting your application/resume to the person before the others.

Jodee: I just wanted to say that employer note is funny. Sometimes, I actually think it DOES need to be said. Unfortunately, lazy people usually think that message does not apply to them.

Colleen: Don’t get discouraged. I know it feels like a lifetime, but two months is nothing! Just keep doing what you are doing. One full-time gig in two months is actually a GREAT record.

Have a great day, everyone!