by Candidate #10
Feast or famine. It’s the way the virtual world works. But getting out of famine so that you can feast a little sometimes feels like Mission Impossible.
It doesn’t have to be that way. Yes, finding work is… well, work. It takes time, effort and personal investment. You have to want the work, and you have to be willing to put in the miles.
To help you get started on your quest for the job, here are some of the best tried-and-true practices to finding work that you can start using today:
Never be Afraid
Fear is a killer, especially for writers. You’re going to need confidence and determination. You’ll get turned down more often than not – and that’s okay. Stick with it. Keep at it. Show your spirit, don’t be afraid to tell people you shine, and put your best foot forward. Leave your fear at home.
Look Good and Be Prepared
If you start your marketing campaign with nothing but a cutesy email and a PDF resume, chances are that you’re going to be jobless for a long time. Make yourself look good. Get a polished web presence that you can show off and have sleek business cards ready for any card dropping opportunity.
Apply Everywhere, All the Time
When you’re just starting out, use every resource and tool available, like job sites, auction sites and forums. Put up profile pages where you can. The more people see your name and profile, the better. Exposure enhances that you’re someone looking for work – not someone hiding in a corner.
Try Different Methods
There are plenty of ways to get in touch with potential employers, so try all of them. Cold-call local businesses or drop off your card. Surf the web, collect emails and carry out a marketing campaign. Hang out at good blogs where buyers might be. Network like mad. Tell everyone you’re available for work.
Hang Out in the Right Places
Be smart in your job search. Think about businesses that would want to hire you. Where do the owners hang out? Promote yourself where buyers will notice you. Don’t sit over at the freelance writing sites. Those people are your peers, not your potential employers.
Climb the Ladder
Some writers start big, setting high rates with high expectations. That strategy doesn’t always work. It’s a better idea to start small (and humble), then work your way up the ladder of fame. The writers who tried to jump to the top? They often fall. Don’t worry – you’re climbing up to replace them.
Mind your Manners
Be polite. Even more important? Be diplomatic. It doesn’t matter how good a writer you are – buyers will choose people they like, every time. And they like positive, upbeat people. A terse email, a too-bold approach, a questionable attitude, and you’re out of work fast. Be friendly and approachable instead.
Are you surprised this list of best practices you can use to find work didn’t offer a list of job forums or auction site URLs? You shouldn’t be.
In any industry, any field and any business, the person who gets the job is the one with good skills who presented himself or herself well. You don’t have to be the best; you just have to be the best presented.
Hi Deb. Thanks for this post. It was just what I needed! I’m just starting out on my own with writing (after doing it for 6 years on the side) and I’m currently in that ‘famine’ stage. I started out with a feast but am slow now.
I sat pondering ‘what should I do’ with my morning cup of coffee only moments ago. Thanks to your post I feel like I have a direction and a plan! Thanks again! Have a great day!
Hi #10,
I appreciated reading your post this morning. You’re right about “fear”, if we let that get to us we definitely won’t put ourselves out there to look for work, network, etc. Thanks.
I apply to just about everything, even if I don’t meet every qualification posted. First, I learn quickly so I figure that’s to my and their benefit. But more importantly, heating oil prices in Vermont are now at $5.20, propane is at $5.50 and this is summer. They are saying that by winter, we’ll be topping $6 a gallon. I already know that unless I have a load of work to bring in extra money, we’re going to face bankruptcy in heating fuel costs alone. State politicians are doing what they can to help, but my husband’s 401k plan automatically disqualifies us for any heating assistance, so even if more aid is distributed, our incomes qualify us for assistance, but the 401k account overrides that.
Ann – write about it! Few things sell better than hot topics, and you can’t get much hotter than the fuel crisis.
#10. I’m still amazed at just how much “work” goes into just finding freelance work. When I talk to non-freelancers about what I do for a living one of their top questions is: Where do you find work? When I say “everywhere” they just don’t believe me. But it’s true.
I think there are a lot of people who decide, “Oh, auction sites are beneath me,” or “Forums aren’t going to work” and they stick to one format of job seeking, like sending out resumes.
It’s a mistake. You may not like auction sites, but if it gets your foot in the door and earns you a good repeat client, why not? The tools you use to find work aren’t a reflection of your value or quality – they’re just resources that help you break into freelancing.
#7 – Yes, it *is* a lot of work, isn’t it!
You actually just reminded me that I met someone over the weekend who mentioned she sometimes needs a freelancer for her work. I popped off and email as soon as I finished this post! Good reminders!