Freelance Writing Jobs for Tuesday, September 2, 2008
September 2, 2008 by Jodee
Filed under Freelance Writing, Writing Tips
Good morning FWJ Friends! I hope everyone had a great weekend. Since we’re off to a late start today due to server issues earlier this morning, I’ll skip the review and just give you today’s leads.
Leads…
- Freelance Web Editor @ Payscale.com – 20 hours/week – Off Site
- Spanish Editor @ McGraw-Hill – Project Basis – New York
- Freelance Editor @ New Media Company – New York
- Single Article on “What to do in San Diego”
- Car Enthusiast Writer/Photographer – Telecommute
- Science Item Writer Needed ($10-$15 per item) - Telecommute
- Real Estate Ghost Blogger – Telecommute
- Contract Professional Writer – Round Rock/Austin ($15-$18 per hour during training; review @ 3-6 months; target pay $3-$35 per hour @ 1-2 year mark)
- Imagination – Intensive Writing Program – Chicago ($10 per hour; 40 hours/week for seven weeks)
- Editor – Community Magazine – Chicago – Telecommute
- Temporary Gambling & Education Blogging Gig
- Finnish Research/Writing Work – Telecommute
- Editors Required: Physical Sciences and Engineering – Telecommute
- Sci-Fi Web Series Needs Non-union Writers – Los Angeles
- Sports Writer Wanted – Telecommute
- Mortgage Articles for Web Site ($25 per article)
- Freelance Copy Writers – Telecommute
- Minnesota Youth Hockey Freelancer Needed
- Elementary School Seeks Writer for Monthly Newsletter – New York ($200-$250 per edition)
- Writer Wanted for Blog Covering Major News Stories – Telecommute
- Amazing Sponsorship/Marketing Proposal Writer Wanted – Telecommute ($350-$750)
- Online Technology Review Publication Seeks Review and News Writers - Telecommute
- Freelance Writers for Monthly Publication – East Valley/Phoenix
- SEO Consultant Needed – Telecommute ($25 per hour)
- Home Design Writer Wanted – East Valley/Phoenix
- Halloween Costume Web Site Writer ($0.05 per word)
- Educational Writer for Computer Programming Course with Python – Telecommute
- Educational Writer for International Business Course – Telecommute
- Web Site Writing for Home Fitness and Athletic Equipment Products
Good Luck!
I couldn’t find any contact info for the Mortgage Articles posting…
@ Amanda: That is strange. There is an 888 number on the web site; you could call the company or send a note through CL.
I’ve sent them a note through CL. Hopefully they will update their ad soon.
The last one – “fitness” shows page not found. (Thanks, Jodee!)
@ Cindy: Sorry about that. It should be working now.
I sent a note, too. Thanks Jodee!
The last link is still giving a 404/page not found code.
Thanks Jodee for all your great work!!!!!!
Great list jodee! Sorry about the problems with the server. I applied for several positions today. Unfortunately I didn’t get the position as the editor for the gadgets website but there is still potential to be a writer for them.
@ Joy: You are most welcome and it’s working now.
@ Spencer: Sorry you didn’t get the editor job but I have my fingers crossed about the writing opp for you.
Hallowe’en costume writer! I hope I get that gig! I LOVE Hallowe’en even more than Christmas. LOL
Thanks for the leads Jodee.
Hi everybody,
Just thought I’d throw out a situation I’m in right now for some feedback. I responded to an ad posted here some time ago looking for SEO content writers and got a response about a week later from a Matthew Jordin. He instructed me to write a test article that would be used to determine if I could write creatively under their SEO constraints. I didn’t think much of it because I’ve done test articles before and ended up getting temporary gigs after that process. Well, it’s been a month and no response. I’ve sent a couple of e-mails asking for a status check and nothing. I’m now very worried that my test article was lifted. If so, live and learn I guess…
Chrissy….I did the same thing for him in August, no reply at all. I was extremely suspicious and now I know it is a scam to get free articles. May I ask what he had you write about? I think I wrote about link building. I think everyone may want to flag that name in their memory and avoid his requests!
Yikes! Good evidence as to why it’s not in your best interest to write original “sample” articles. This reeks of scam to me.
Yes! I had to write about link building. Indeed, I think everyone should flag this name and avoid Matthew Jordin’s requests, unless Mr. Jordin is willing to vindicate himself and give Marlene and I (and anyone else affected) a response. Thanks so much for the replies, everyone!
I have had the experience before of writing original sample articles and then never hearing back from the prospective employer again. This is the reason I do not write original samples anymore. A sample of a previous writing should be enough to allow the employer to get a feel for your writing. If they don’t like that, there are lots of jobs out there. I simply move on.
Hi, All:
I never, ever write sample stories. Think about it: You’ve more than likely already sent your own sample clips. There is no reason for anyone to need a sample to then gauge your writing quality or style. Even if the folks asking for samples aren’t scammers, I still hate to write anything for free, and to me, providing samples counts as free.
Dan
Chrissy, why don’t you do a search to see if he posted your “sample” article? Try doing a search of a phrase of about 8-10 words from your article. And if it shows up and it’s on a site where you can comment, start bombing him with comments that you’re onto his act, make scary sounding legal threats, etc. If nothing else, at least you might have a little fun with him.
The “fitness” ad has two lines, and the second one mentions how great this is for “college students” looking for extra cash/work. I’ve learned my lesson there before, and when it makes a point of asking for college students, I flag it immediately. They will take your great query, ignore it, and then direct you to an envelope-filling money-making scam of sorts, or something like that… It’s amazing they keep varying up the ads and asking for different types of writers, they are just taking the valuable time of writers at FWJ and elsewhere. It’s not worth it.
Thanks for the great list Jodee! There were a couple today that I applied for. Wish me luck!
Beth
I applied for the Halloween one today. I’m bummed, though…a job that I though was cool only paid me for a third of my work this month.
I know that freelancing is hard, but I’m often applying for things and not hearing back. I have a website with samples, a bio, and resume. I’m just not having good luck. Any tips?
Just an FYI, the Sports Writer position doesn’t seem to be paying anything. I heard back from his this afternoon and he said he couldn’t offer compensation. It says in the posting that compensation will be discussed later. I just can’t work for no compensation when I depend on my writing for income.
Mmeetoilenoir…I feel your pain with not hearing back about jobs. Over the last couple years I’ve applied for thousands of positions and have heard back from a small percentage of them. Even those I’ve heard back from sometimes weren’t what I was really looking for due to compensation, time, etc. However, I have found some great jobs as well that I’m very thankful for. I’ve learned that you just have to keep writing and keep working. I have a website also, but am learning that if I want something, I have to go get it. I’ll pray that things pick up for you friend.
Spencer:
I got the same reply. It’s funny how the ad says that compensation will be discussed later. I suppose that should have been a red flag. Oh well. All I did was shoot him a quick email about my experience so there wasn’t much time lost. It’s still a little annoying not to know beforehand.
Yeah that can be annoying too. I just shot him a quick email too. Good luck Steve.
I feel your pain about not getting responses. I learned quickly that 1. Cempetition is fierce and 2. Pay is crap. My neighbor got laid off after 10 years of service as a graphic artist at Rodale Press because the company is sending all its work to NY, even though the founder placed the company here in PA for a reason. Now they hire occassional freelancers, for very little I’m sure.
Thanks for the list. Sorry about your server. Keep up the good work.
It might sound silly to some, but if you don’t feel you’re having good luck, pick up a copy of “The Secret,” watch the dvd, and then go from there. Then maybe grab a copy of “The Science of Getting Rich,” (it has a white cover with dark red writing and includes an essay on getting what you want in the back… there are different versions, I would recommend that one) and keep it around (cheap little philosophical book that has been published for 100+ years that could get you in position to be very financially successful). And then, if you need further inspiration, grab “The Answer” (which delves more into the science of the law of attraction). Then keep reading, keep thinking, keep feeling positive – but don’t get lost in daydreaming (although five minutes of brainstorming can often make a big difference), you have to keep ACTING on what you want as far as work is concerned… and then keep on trucking.
And perhaps improve your clips by grabbing topics from a place like Helium.com, if you think that will help.
That’s my advice
.
The first thing I want to say is thank you Jodee for taking the time to make MY job search so much easier. Although I might not get all of the jobs I apply to – and that might actually be a good thing
– every now and then a wonderful gem comes through.
As for the sample articles, there are always people who will try to take advantage. It really doesn’t matter what business you are in. There will be times that you can smell the scam a mile away and other times when you “get the job” but never get paid. Experience is one of the view things that will help you determine the good from the bad and the ugly!
Being self-employed is not always the easiest track, but it is one of the few that will allow you to pick and choose jobs and to set your own hours. There are great paying jobs out there and the more you do (and the better your quality) then the more people will be willing to pay. Tough it out, dig in deep and just keep looking.
I did not see any information about the Science Journalism Internship. Has the job been filled and taken off the board?
@ Amy: The ad has been removed and I’ve taken it off the list of leads, as well.
I finally heard back about the Halloween Writer. First, the pay he listed was 3 cents to 8 cents depending on what you write about (celebrity gossip pays the highest) and if you include graphics or not.
Also, he requires a sample Halloween article that may or may not be purchased.
I heard back, too, Ann. Gah, I hate putting together these sample articles, because it’s lots of work for potentially no gain.