Online Freelance Writing Communities: Why You Should Join and What to Avoid
I’ve been a member of various online freelance writing communities for close to ten years now. They were especially helpful when I was learning about freelancing. The freelance writing community is so helpful and I learned so much. In return I was eventually able to share what I learned with the members of this community.
Why should you participate in online freelance writing communities?
- Learn about the business of writing – Veteran freelance writers share business tips, tax tips and customer service advice.
- Learn who is hiring – If a person or place is hiring, your fellow freelance writers are more than happy to share.
- Learn who to avoid working for: Scammy people and unsavory types are often discussed on freelance writing forums and blogs.
- Learn tips for getting the gigs: Freelance writers share tips for landing jobs.
- Take a time out – Having a coffee break? There’s lots to talk about.
- Turn others on – When you participate in discussions, folks will want to learn more about you. They’ll be encouraged to visit your blogs or buy your books.
Something I don’t like about certain freelance writing communities is the snippiness that ensues. I don’t understand how places that are supposed to be so helpful and for sharing are also so hostile.
What should you avoid at freelance writing communities:
- Drama – Just steer clear. It’s not worth it.
- Talking about drama: Expressing your disappointment with drama, saying you’re going away to avoid the drama, calling out the people who inflict drama only causes more drama. Just ignore it.
- Know that disagreements aren’t attacks. It’s ok for people to not share the same point of view. As long as they’re respectful there’s no need to take it personally. Report personal attacks to the moderator. Avoid responding. However if it’s a respectful disagreement do your best to turn it into a positive conversation.
- Don’t insist your way is the best way. Share ideas and advice, but superiority complexes don’t fly.
Which are your favorite online freelance writing communities? How do you benefit, and what do you avoid?
I’m not sure if by community, one means “writing forum”; if it’s a forum, I joined and participated in two of them (one paid, one free), mainly because I am new to freelance writing and freelance writing as a business.
First, don’t pay to be a member. That is one thing I would suggest. For me, I have found that the paid one is actually a vehicle for other members to try to sell you something. If you ask a question, 2 posters will respond with, “I offer a class on that for a few hundred dollars” or “I have a book on that topic, click here”. For a while, half the posters would put up links to their own blogs and tell other forum participants to go to their blogs. I’ve lurked on boards, forums, and blogs for a while now. I do know that the goal is to sell us something – but the forums were the worst for blatant “buy this, that, etc.”
Believe it or not, the free forums can be useful and insightful. People may be snarky and insulting at times, but you can find people willing to share info and insights to their business and best business practices.
Also, insights into business – you may learn. All the other stuff (where to find gigs and customers?) Don’t spend your time looking for that – send out your own emails looking for work.
This comment in reaponse to Wolf Shadow freelance writting community. Your information was insightful. I’ve been trying to write a book for years…and put it away on the shelf due to dry spells, personal issues etc., and lack of writing motovation well I guess that’s a dry spell also! I went through a home based writing course for three years, passed the course and received a certificate but never gave any thought to freelance writing say for a magazine or news letter, corporations. I need to know how to get started; do you have any su
I used to be way more active on online freelance writing communities. These days I drop by from time to time, but for the most part I avoid them because they’re big time-suckers. What’s worse, the drama and the flame wars make some places unbearable.