I teach adult literacy to inmates at a local jail in my city. They often have no work experience plus a criminal record. I really try to stress the idea of leveraging skills and individual qualities that will help them stand out, versus work history.

I would like to obtain your permission to use this “No Excuses” image.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks!

I think that applies to freelancing as well. If you’re really a professional, you’ll make it a part of your routine every day, including seeking new jobs. You’ll do it when you don’t feel like it. And you’ll quit making excuses.

Thanks for the awesome post, Deb! (For the record, my biggest problems are likely 1, 4, and 8.)

The thing that makes this excuse not valid is that you never know who the other writers applying for a job are. If a company lists ten qualifications they are looking for in a writer and I only have seven of them, I may talk myself into believing I’m not qualified so there is no way I’ll get the job. The truth is though that the best applicant they get other than me may only have six of those qualifications. That would make me the most qualified applicant that they get, which could lead to me getting hired.

Great post… no excuses.

My #1 excuse is that I’m too busy and would be better off focusing on work that will bring in money rather than apply for new work. What could I possibly do with new work if I’m already busy? This works out ok up until a client or two slows down or stops having work available and suddenly I’m scrambling for new work, as I’m kind of doing this week. The moral is–even when you’re busy, it could change in an instant so you should always spend at least a little time looking for new work each day or week.

If you are intimidated to send out a query on an idea of your own that would be perfect fit for a publication, then forget writing. The worst they can say is no.

Some of the best paying gigs I received were not advertised.

@Genesis: Don’t worry too much about lack of a Web site. The majority of writers have bare-bones sites that lack graphic flash or eye-candy. What’s important is the content: get your resume up, a gallery of your writing and your fees.

The other point you make is a frequent failing of new freelancers. It is easy to rest in the comfort and security of one dependable client, but that makes you a work-and-home writer, not a freelancer. Freelancers have multiple clients and are always seeking more, knowing there will be lean times.

As for this list, I will freely admit that the item that most applies to me is probably No. 7. (And I’m also busy being a mom.) “I’m too busy today to apply for any new gig or send out queries,” I’ll find myself saying. But then I realize, “If I let that be my excuse, I’ll never get anything sent out.” So I try to be realistic. I give myself a reasonable time frame: maybe I really am too busy today but tomorrow, I will carve out two hours in the morning to apply for new work. Or to work on a freelance project that’s ongoing.

I am new to the world of freelancing, and have no experience to put on my resume. Having been a stay at home mom for 14 years, and having worn many hats, this is not the experience many are looking for. It certainly fails to impress the multitudes.

What does someone like me do in this situation?

Thank you in advance for all replies.

BUT, as you said in point #9, there are enough jobs out there that I can ignore the ones with spelling mistakes and still find places to send queries or emails.

My personal fave, though, is “I don’t know my niche, yet.” If I got off my butt and worked a few gigs, I might be able to figure it out.

My usual “excuse” — for writing and household responsibilities — is, “Oh, I’ll get to that later.” I’m sure you can all figure out how that one turns out! “Later” comes and goes and I still haven’t done it.