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!

Heather

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.

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.

And @ Terreece – Great title! I immediately was curious.

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).

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

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!!

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 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!

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.

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

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.

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.