I’ll Show You Mine If…
September 18, 2008 by Terreece
Filed under Freelance Writing
source: Stefan Klabunde via stock.xchng.hu
Here at FWJ we tend to be a happy, sharing, encouraging bunch. We look out for each other, congratulate each other and share info.
What about contacts? Some of my best and most lucrative gigs have come from a shared contact – an editor’s email, a forward of insider information and even better, a “you can use my name” when submitting a query.
These “hook ups” are essential to the writing community and sharing works best when it’s a two way street. I have a writing mentor that has boosted my career (and confidence) tremendously by shooting me a helpful email every now and then. And while she’s ahead on the sharing tally, I’ve been quick to send any new info I have her way as well. Others in the industry make me wonder.
I wonder if some writers sit and wait on a hook up instead of looking for their own road into a publication or gig. I’ve been in the uncomfortable situation of being really excited about a new gig and before I can write three words, a professional friend is asking for the editor’s info. Yikes!
There are times when you don’t want to be a writing snob, but you don’t want to damage your rep with an editor by introducing a friend who’s less than reliable on deadlines. Then there’s the whole one-way issue. I’ve had someone flat out say “Hook me up with a gig.” This same person regularly checks in on “what I’m working on.”
Um. Sorry. My magic gig tree is bare right now.
It’s not like I don’t want to share – I’ve got no problem with that, but there are times when I feel the need to establish a relationship with the editor before I start bringing my homies into the mix. And then there are other times when I just get sick of folks with severe cases of the “gimmies.” Gimme a name, a source, an email, an idea, a play-by-play on the writing game… I could go on and on.
But let me kick this back to the FWJ community – Do you share info? Are there writing vampires sucking the contacts out of you? How do you say no to a hook-up request?
I guess I’m a bit selfish. I’m still trying to get good paying clients built up. When I get someone that is really good, I will rarely ever share them. I have previously shared a few jobs but the people I shared them with made me regret it not long after. Between flaking on jobs, late deadlines and horrible work it makes me really nervous to put my neck on the line to refer someone anymore.
Terreece, you make a good point. Although I’m new to the freelance writing community, I am not new to self-employment, and the concept of the “gimme” attitude is every bit abundant in the self-employed arena as well. This is the reason I have sought after communities, like FWJ, because the resources are fantastic and these are people who ARE willing to share when they can. I hope as I gain contacts in freelance writing and build a reputation for myself I can return the favor to other up-and-coming writers and to those who have come before me in FWJ.
With that said, I want to take this opportunity to say, “Thanks.” I thank each and every one of you who participate in FWJ and make it possible for newbies like me to find a niche in freelance writing. It’s refreshing to see that not everyone is a cutthroat and that there are people out there who honestly care for others.
I’ve had someone ask me to “get them into writing.” When I told them where I look for jobs, their eyes kinda glazed over and they lost interest.
Terreece, have you tried telling that “gimme” person that you will keep them in mind if anything comes up they might be interested in? That way, you haven’t been rude, but you haven’t committed yourself either.
I have gotten some great jobs because of other writers’ generosity in hooking me up and I hope to return the favor when I can or pay it forward to someone else.
By some miracle, I found the most wonderful writer-friend in Maryland who shares absolutely amazing contact information and ideas with me.
Once she even sent me a book on freelance writing that really got me going. Her advice: don’t write on spec, always be looking at the next step, and a six figure salary is possible (albeit rough).
I think to get the really great info. the newbie (me) has to show interest (no glazed eyes as Jodee was saying). If a newbie wants to be spoon fed: wrong profession!
Now that I’m getting somewhere with my magazine writing, I was thrilled when my friend asked for a contact I had. If I could send her a million roses for all of her great support and advice, I would!
Wendy
In my case, freelance success didn’t just come of what I know. A huge chunk of it happened because of the generosity of other writers. So yes, I share, and the benefiiciary is not always the person who helped me. It’s my way of paying it forward.
When I first entertained the thought of leaving my less-than-acceptable-paying and drama-filled magazine job two years ago, I figured it wouldn’t be that hard to build resources and contacts, since I had met so many publicists and other editors in the field already. Little did I know, Miami’s circle of freelance journalists is quite cutthroat. I have yet to build a solid journalist base to share with, because the one in existence seems much like a club, whose membership is full. My editor-in-chief at the time used to brag about all these freelance assignments her and her network of writer friends would share, but when it came time for me to jump into the loop, the circle was closed off. I see the same bylines locally, that crew seems to dominate top assignments, and while I am proud of my work in making a name for myself, by myself in Miami (a few jobs have come through reference, which is always flattering), it might not be so lonely if I had a circle of my own to belong to. Still, I try to “make it work,” but my point is, maybe if more people were willing to share and have networks like FWJ, we would all be a little more confident…and busy.
There are a few other freelance writers that I send leads to. Some are friends who have helped me in the past, so I return the favor. In other cases, I find out about a job someone else would be just perfect for, that I cannot fill. In those cases, I pass the lead to that person. If they are the stand-up sort, they reciprocate.
And if someone asks how to become a freelance writer, I give them a copy of a continuing education class on that which I gave about eight years back. Gives the how-tos.
I’ve never found anyone that I thought might be interested in my contacts! My world is so small and specialized (grant writing) that I doubt any of you would want to know about it. So if I’m wrong, send me a note.
I would like to hear about financial blogs that are willing to pay for a guy who accurately predicted the financial mess, if anyone knows of any. (you can see it all on my blog). Thanks!
Jodee, that’s a good answer. You know I’m the type that unless I swear, I never have a good comeback line. A week later I’ll have a zinger ha! I will use that one. I like how it nice and ambivalent.
Tracy – Magazine writers, web writers, even book writers are more friendly than the freelance journalist crew. That’s a cut ya neck out crew. It comes from the trying to get the scoop. And if you’re trying to cut in on a daily – you better know how to gut check :0)
I’ve always held to the philosophy that I am willing to help those who are willing to help themselves. I’m a fledgling freelance writer, but already I’ve encountered people who give and those who only want to take.
In general, I’ve been amazed at the freelance writing community as a whole, and I’ve received so much from Freelance Writing Jobs. I recently landed a project that if all goes well could mean the difference between continuing to write or not. I found the lead for that job here! I’m so thankful!!
I would share, if I had any good leads! I am still up and coming though, cranking out 500 word articles for $5 each, which no one wants to hear about. When/If I get access to better positions, I would share because I would hope some people would do the same for me!
I know just what you mean! In a general sense, I’m happy to help other freelancers, especially if it’s a market where there’s lots of work to go around (like a daily website). I’m more hesitant when it’s a new gig as you mentioned or if it’s a highly competitive market. But if I sense that other person is willing to reciprocate, then I’ll usually help them out.
Share the wealth, I say. Recommend only someone you yourself would hire but otherwise widely share contacts.
I didn’t know that dailies took freelancers. I don’t think our Sacramento Bee does.
At first it made me nervous that local newspapers were cutting staff — the Bee hacked out over half of their staff just last month — but then I realized that I write in a niche that the newspaper journalists may not write in: parenting, relationships, and humor.
Also, it’s possible that the day to day journalists don’t know as much about marketing their work b/c they’ve never had to.
I’m rambling. . . but it seems like every field has a component of “it’s really hard to make it”. I just try to ignore that force field and do my own thing.
(Did that make sense? Maybe I shouldn’t write on a beer!!)
Wendy
I recently met a friend through another business contact who gave me the contact info for three different writing-world people – two editors, and one a writer/musician/entrepreneur starting her own company. I’ve applied to a major job with one of the contacts, and the triple-threat offered me a possible internship and gave me some great networking ideas. All in all, this friend was very helpful. But it was because we talked for a few hours, related, and then had some of the same interests. She was so helpful, and I’m very glad she was willing to offer me some jewels from the proverbial treasure chest/gold mine of connections.
As for myself… I don’t know that I would do the same. The reason she did it was because we had shared conversations, she had been asked to help me further my writing by another friend of mine who knew her well, and because her career has been about ten years+ longer than mine. I’m newer to the press world than she is, and I navigate well, but I suppose she helped because she, if you will, would have liked someone to do the same for her when she was at MY stage. There was a sense of “let me make it easier for you,” (maybe also a sense of “I’m older and wiser, you need my advice,” but I digress) I suppose because she’s been there, she was young and trying to build her resumé further. We had also written for the arts and entertainment page of the same publication, so we had that shared experience that indicated certain skill levels and interests.
I am at a different place in my career, and I do covet my contacts. Unless they will be genuinely relevant to you, and I’m already receiving solid work or whatever else I need from that contact, then you probably aren’t getting me to open up my oyster.
I think it basically takes a person SECURE in their own CONNECTION TO A CONNECTION, if you will, to offer that connection to another. (That’s why if you’ve just made the contact, and others are curiously prying for it, you’re less likely to give it up, and more likely to be a bit annoyed, hostile, or exasperated – lol).
*Correction – recently met an acquaintance; friend is a heavy term I reserve, excuse me, must clarify that.
And @ Terreece – Great title! I immediately was curious.
I definitely share. I’m still getting started in this business so I’m happy to swap contacts. Bring it on!
I share info about my clients, but I’m selective with whom I share it. You have to be someone I know and trust before I provide the contact info for an editor I’m working with.
On the other hand, if I see a great opportunity for someone I know, I pass it along. And I’ll often get a note from friends saying “saw this job op or magazine, thought of you right away.”
I’m not afraid some other writer is going to steal my gig. I believe if an editor likes me, he/she will keep me around.
I don’t have any real life writer friends, so I don’t share. The people who say they’d like to do what I do have no idea what I do, so I don’t waste my breath giving them any real advice.
Kecia:
As long as you write for 1 penny a word, you will be stuck there forever. You do not have time to look for better work.
My suggestion:
Get a copy of Writer’s Guide. Identify magazines for which you can write that pay no less than $0.10 a word (actually $0.25 is better). Spend the time you are now using to generate $0.01 a word articles writing query letters to editors. At $0.10 per word, if only 1 in ten is successful you are making as much money as writing for $0.01 per word. (It is 1 in 25 if you are targeting magazines paying $0.25/word.)
Also, if there are magazines you read regularly, query their editors, also. You know that market. Pursue them only if they pay well.
The best part of this strategy is that it actually gives you a clip file that MEANS something. Getting published in Listen magazine or Country Business, or Texas Living any one of the small numerous local, regional, or specialty magazines actually impresses editors. It makes them more likely to hire you. Churning out dross for $0.01 a word does not.
I definitely second what Mark suggested. When I first started a few months ago, I was writing the 500 word articles for $3 or $4. However, I’m trying to earn a living! So I dumped that approach rather quickly.
I still haven’t quite made it to sending query letters to editors, but I do spend much more time searching for quality jobs. When I find a job I think I’m a good match for, I spend time writing to the client explaining why I’m a good match. It’s working.
I’ve also just started a blog, since I don’t have a Web site and don’t plan on creating one any time soon.
Sending query letters to editors is next on my list. After that, it’s on to book writing!
It’s funny. I just read this post this morning and then found out that someone who I thought was a friend found a local freelance job and instead of letting me know about it, decided to take it herself even though she isn’t a freelance writer. Well, I guess she is now.