I don’t think of FWJ as enabling me but it definitely helps me get started, especially on the days that I don’t feel like looking. Coming here first kind of eases me in because I feel like I can search leads, read a few articles, hear from other freelancers, and catch up on what’s going on. I’d still look elsewhere but it would seem more like work if I couldn’t check leads here first.

Sounds to me like she doesn’t want us there anyway.

As I didn’t read the post and I don’t know what it says, but if Jenn is listing $50 leads, I applaud her efforts. Also, as stated many times, I don’t believe anyone needs to choose one blog over another. I think everyone in this community should take advantage of the wisdom and sharing found on other freelance writing blogs. As someone said the other day, it’s like asking people to only read one book and it’s silly.

This blog has always been about the discussion of and sharing of freelance writing jobs and I will always post a variety of freelance writing jobs. It’s not the $100 freelance writing jobs network or the $20 freelance writing job network. It’s about freelance writing jobs for writers of all levels.

FWJ is and will always be about freedom of choice. Don’t know why that upsets so many people, but it’s all good.

I also look through a few other sites, particularly JournalismJobs.com, due to my background in journalism. And I plain pick up the phone and call people. I still get most of my leads, especially those that turn into actual work, via the phone. Offers better interaction with contracting authority and a better way to expand on ideas (by reacting to what the contracting authority says) than e-mail.

More than once, I’ve made a call and started working for someone the next day. But I won’t apply for leads that look shady, or are going to pay less than minimum wage. I’m not a “crank it out” type of writer. I can do it when the situation warrants, but I’m not someone who can write several thousand words day in, day out.

That all being said, I appreciate the leads, it saves considerable time from going to each of the sites you (Deb) visits, but its good for everyone to have additional resources as well.

I also subscribe to Anne’s newsletter, and visit online-writing-jobs.com/ daily – and they, too, are great resources.

of course, I continue to seek out clients the old fashioned way (through connections and person to person outreach).

but wow – I certainly don’t feel that your leads are cheap or low-quality by any means.

keep up the good work!

Lisa

I also supplement leads from FWJ with contacts in my network, which is quite strong thanks to Twitter. I know enough people now that those in the travel industry know me and now who to go to when it is a job suited to me.

It’s all a mix. Some weeks there isn’t anything new except a shout out from FWJ, and other weeks stuff drips in from all angles.

(Putting my soap box away for the time being….)

The important thing is choices. Every one has them and everyone makes the choices working best for them.

Thanks!

I have news for the elistists; the writers who are the most vocal about low rates will continue to come here every day. I also know from various editorial projects that some of the most vocal proponents for high wages take low rated jobs all the time. Many of them claim to never stoop to the level, but stoop they do.

Let all the elitists go to the other blogs. I’m going to stay where it’s warm and where it’s real…and where the “welcome” mat hasn’t changed like a chameleon every time there’s a new bandwagon to ride.

You ask about where we write and find our jobs. I would like to tell you that I am I left a $75,000/year Copywriting job to freelance. Like you, I enjoy a mixed bag of opportunities. I’m sure many of the elitist writers won’t approve of my choices but why should I care?

Thank you, Deborah.

I’ve also focused on increasing my web presence with my own site and by creating profiles on LinkedIn, Facebook and a variety of networking and freelancing sites. This helps people find me via the search engines. My writing blog has also helped me to get more blogging work, though I also look on the Problogger job board.

I don’t know if I ever stated clearly that these jobs aren’t the only game in town, but by sharing our methods and the secrets to our success, we’re probably getting that message across anyway.

But I realized I hadn’t stated clearly anywhere that I could remember, and that goes back to my About.com days, that the gigs I list aren’t meant to be anything but a convenience and a pointer to a tiny portion of the available gigs.

That essay is now also in my category about getting jobs and gives me a handy place to point people to.

And thanks for asking folks to visit my blog…

hugs

A

Tell us what you’re doing to find work now…