Dear Jodee, Most of the time when I submit my work to a client, it is accepted the first time. There are times, though, when I have a run where several pieces are sent back. During these times, I start to wonder about the quality of the work that I do and I feel a bit insecure about continuing to do work for clients. What would you suggest? R.J. Dear R.J., I think that to be involved in creative work always involves a certain amount of insecurity. You can’t just show up and expect to get paid; instead, you have [Read more…]
Show, Don’t Tell for Freelance Success
March 28, 2011. 4 Comments
When you are communicating with a potential client about a freelance writing job, you want to present yourself in the best possible way. Unlike applying for a traditional job, you may not be asked to meet with the client for a face-to-face interview; your cover letter, resume and samples may be your only shot at persuading the client to hire you. This is not a situation where you can hold something back and save it for the face-to-face meeting – there may not be one. Instead, make sure that whatever you submit gives the client the information he or she [Read more…]
How Do I Get Started as a Freelance Writer
March 23, 2011. 4 Comments
Dear Jodee, I love writing. It’s always been one of my passions. I want to go to college but can’t afford it and am definitely not scholarship material. I want to get a job as a freelance writer to earn some money for at least a two year college. I’m graduating this year and I can’t stand thinking I might not be able to go to school anymore. Will you please give me some advice on what I should do? I’d really appreciate it. Jo Dear Jo, It is possible to make enough money from writing to help you pay [Read more…]
Should You Take a Survival Job as a Freelance Writer?
March 21, 2011. 5 Comments
I’ve seen a number of web sites recently that suggest freelance writing as a survival job for people who are in between employment opportunities. While I admit that I do find the idea that anyone who can string a couple of words together can get paid to write until they find something better to do with their time a little insulting, this post isn’t about that particular topic. I want to talk about people already working as freelance writers who may be faced with having to work for less than they are used to making. Many of us are familiar [Read more…]
When to Follow Up with a Prospective Client
Staying in Touch without Appearing Desperate
March 16, 2011. 2 Comments
Dear Jodee, What is an appropriate time to wait before following up with a potential client? I’ve made a pitch and had a good initial discussion with the client but haven’t heard anything further. I don’t want to appear too pushy, but I also don’t want to let this opportunity get away from me. Martin Dear Martin, I can appreciate that if you have had a positive response from a prospective client you want to get the project firmed up right away. Even if a client is receptive to your pitch, it doesn’t necessarily mean that he or she will [Read more…]
Would You Complete a Personality Test for a Freelance Writing Job?
March 14, 2011. 15 Comments
When a person is working for a brick and mortar job, it’s not uncommon for the employer to request that the candidate undergo some type of testing. People who are interested in working in law enforcement or as firefighters are required to complete physical and personality tests as part of the screening process. Applicants for administrative positions could expect to be asked to do a typing test at some point in their job search. Freelancers are in a different category, since they are not applying for a job. I’ve been asked to do a personality test as part of a [Read more…]
Nervous About Meeting Prospective Client
Feel Confident About Getting Out from Behind Your Computer Screen
March 9, 2011. 1 Comment
Dear Jodee, I’ve been contacted by a prospective client who wants to arrange a time to meet. I’ve been working remotely for some time and the idea of sitting down for an interview is really intimidating. Can you give me some tips? Nervous Nellie Dear Nellie, First of all, congrats on being invited to meet with a prospective client. I can understand that this is exciting but a little uncomfortable as well, but you need to keep in mind that this is not quite the same thing as a job interview. You are sitting down with someone to have a [Read more…]
How to Cope with a Client’s Inappropriate Questions
Focus on Answering What they Really Want to Know
March 7, 2011. 7 Comments
Have you ever been asked an inappropriate or even illegal question in a job interview? It’s happened to me on occasion, and unfortunately both times the interview was for a job at a law firm. (You would think legal types would know better, but apparently they don’t.) One person interviewing me asked if I was married, and then caught himself and said that he probably couldn’t ask me that question. The other time was much more blatant and I was really shocked that it was a woman asking me if I planned to have children in the next year or [Read more…]
How do I Prepare a Writer’s Resume?
Selling Yourself to Potential Clients
March 2, 2011. 6 Comments
Dear Jodee, I’ve seen ads for freelance writers where the prospective client asks for a resume. How do I prepare a writer’s resume for freelance clients? Confused Applicant Dear Confused, A writer’s resume isn’t some mysterious document; it’s just a resume for a writer. The idea of being a self-employed business owner and having to prepare a resume strikes me as being a bit unusual. If you were hiring someone to look after your lawn, fix your broken toilet or replace your roof, you wouldn’t ask to see a resume, so why would a freelance writer have to provide one? [Read more…]
Four Things the Academy Awards Can Teach Us About Freelance Writing
February 28, 2011. Leave a Comment
Were you glued to the television last night checking out the Oscars? Were you more interested in what people were wearing than who actually took home one of the golden statues, or was it all about seeing people rewarded for their work? I watched a little bit of the show last night, but didn’t stay tuned for the whole thing. It just doesn’t capture my interest the way it used to a number of years ago. The bit of the show I did watch got me thinking about what freelancers can learn from the Academy Awards. 1. You can get [Read more…]
Job Security in Freelance Writing
Can You Earn a Stable Income with Words?
February 23, 2011. 10 Comments
Dear Readers, I have been following an interesting discussion on another forum where someone asked whether there was job security in freelance writing. First of all, the words job security and freelance writing really shouldn’t be put together in the same sentence. When you are providing services on a freelance basis, you are not working a job. You are a business owner who has clients. Can you earn a stable income through your freelance writing business efforts? Yes, you can, and if you are looking for a secure income, you are probably better off making it happen for yourself than [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Success: Are We There Yet?
Choose the Definition that Fits Your Values
February 21, 2011. 13 Comments
Success can be kind of a slippery word. Like beauty, it’s in the eye of the beholder. We all want to be successful in our freelance writing career, and there is no shortage of resources telling us how to do it. Some of the information is readily available online, including the posts that the team here at Freelance Writing Jobs brings you on a regular basis. If you are wondering, “how do I….” you can find multiple answers to your question by checking out freelance writing blogs and websites. You also have the option of going to your local library [Read more…]
How Can I Market my Freelance Writing Services Online?
February 16, 2011. 4 Comments
Dear Jodee, For people who have business clients, how do you go about getting them? What are people’s advertising methods? I’m currently advertising on Craigslist and find it’s not as effective as I’d like it to be. Are there other ways of advertising online that are more effective? Thanks in advance. Sam Dear Sam, There are a number of ways of advertising your writing services online. Your web site or blog is a marketing tool that is always available to potential clients. Make sure that your copy includes the kinds of long tail keywords that clients in your niche would [Read more…]
Make Searching for Freelance Writing Gigs a Habit
Make Time in Your Schedule to Reach Out to Potential Clients
February 14, 2011. 5 Comments
Part of being a freelancer is looking for work. Even when we have a full plate, we are aware that our status can change very quickly. Clients run out of work, we decide that it’s time to move on, or we simply experience a dry spell. Since a phone call or e-mail can change our work schedules (and have an impact on our cash flow) very quickly, getting into the habit of always being on the lookout for new opportunities is important. The “job” of a writer is not just about thinking stuff up; it also involves the functions of [Read more…]
Getting Through a Slump in Your Freelance Writing
February 9, 2011. 13 Comments
Dear Readers, I wanted to share a comment with you that was posted here the other day: I have been in a bit of a dry patch since Christmas! I worry more about how I’m going to get the payment off my client than how I’m going to get the job. There are so many people out there that are ignorant, cheap and lousy. They don’t pay enough, they want the best possible work for $5 and then when it comes to payment they sneak off. I fully appreciate being concerned about whether or when payment is going to be [Read more…]
Applying for a Freelance Writing Gig Without Looking Desperate
How Much Do Prospective Clients Need to Know?
February 7, 2011. 6 Comments
If you are going through a dry spell or are experiencing some cash flow issues, you will want to pick up some work that (hopefully) will pay relatively quickly so that you can get your finances back on track. It may be tempting to share your current situation on message boards or other places where you are trying to pick up something that can tide you over for the time being. While I do understand and appreciate needing to get something going right away, I’m not sure that sharing a lot of detail about your personal situation is a good [Read more…]
How Can I Find Clients Looking for a Back Links Writer?
February 2, 2011. 3 Comments
Dear Jodee, I’m looking for companies or individuals that would like to offer pay per posts on my site. As well, I am looking to write for anyone looking for a back links article writer. Where do I advertise that I can do this? Thank you. Monique Dear Monique, I would suggest that you start with your own web site. Make it simple for visitors to learn that you are interested in writing articles by including a “Hire Me” tab. The page the visitor is taken to should include a list of the topics you have experience with or are [Read more…]
How Do You See Your Freelance Writing Job Search?
Chore or Adventure: You Decide
January 31, 2011. 4 Comments
Looking for work is a necessary evil for freelance writers. For people who work for employers, part of the reason finding a job is something to celebrate (along with a regular pay check and hopefully a good benefit package) is that they don’t have to keep looking for work. For freelancers, it’s a different story. We have the freedom to work for ourselves (which definitely has its advantages), but we must perform a juggling act in our professional lives. Not only do we need to be able to keep up with our current assignments and produce high quality work, but [Read more…]
How to Use Your Freelance Work Personality to Your Advantage
Know Yourself Before Applying for a Gig
January 24, 2011. 7 Comments
Don’t let the title of this post fool you. I’m not suggesting that you become some type of chameleon and develop an entirely different persona at work. (If you have already done so and it’s working for you, carry on, though. Why mess with success?) I got the idea for the post from watching a medical show on television. I enjoy watching real life ones that show medical professionals as problem solvers. Since I’m always curious about what other people do for a living and why they were drawn to a particular type of work, I pay particular attention to [Read more…]
How To Deal with the Salutation in an E-mail to a Prospective Client
Why You should Err on the Side of Being Too Formal when Making Contact
January 19, 2011. 15 Comments
Dear Jodee, When I’m responding to freelance writing job ads, I don’t always have a contact name for the client. How do I handle the salutation? Will Write for Money Dear Money Writer, E-mail is a little different from sending a letter by regular mail. People tend to be a little less formal when communicating in this manner. While that may be acceptable when you are sending a note to a friend or a family member, you will want to be more formal when you are communicating with a potential client. If you have the name of a specific contact [Read more…]
The “Busy” Question and Freelancers
What a Client Really Wants to Know when They Ask About Your Schedule
January 17, 2011. 5 Comments
When you are talking to a client (either a new one or someone you have worked with before) about a gig, the question of a deadline and your schedule is going to come up. Some clients keep it really simple and will explain that they need a particular job done by such-and-such a date and ask if you are available. In that case, you can either say yes or explain that you can complete the project by “x” date instead and ask if they have any flexibility with the due date. Unless the job is something that you have absolutely [Read more…]
Show Me the Money
Following Up After the Job is Done
January 12, 2011. 4 Comments
Dear Jodee, I’ve finished work for a client, submitted my invoice, and….nothing. I don’t want to appear too pushy, but I want to make sure that I get paid for my freelance work. How can I follow up without being aggressive? Hurting for Coin Dear Hurting, I appreciate where you are coming from here. On one hand, you don’t want to alienate the client by jumping on him or her five minutes after you submit the work, but you also want to be paid for what you have done in a timely manner. The first thing you need to do [Read more…]
Why the All-You-Can-Eat Buffet Approach to Your Job Search Doesn’t Work
Being Focused and Selective Brings Success
January 10, 2011. 12 Comments
When you are looking for freelance writing jobs, it can be very tempting to apply for any and every opportunity you see – whether you are a good fit or not – especially when you are getting started as a freelancer. This type of approach could work and there are some people who do find gigs in this way. I suppose the idea is that if you put enough applications out there, sooner or later someone will respond. The issue with this type of job hunt is that the prospective clients who do respond may not be the ones that [Read more…]
How Do I Get Started as a Freelance Writer?
Focus on the "What" and the "How's" Will be Easier to Figure Out
January 5, 2011. 6 Comments
One of our readers left this comment on our 31 Free Online Writing Courses post and I thought it was a great question. What would you suggest would be the first step in starting towards freelance writing? I keep thinking I should get some sort of degree or something, but looking at your list, I may not have to do that. Where should I begin? Let me start by saying that if you are asking the question, “How do I get started?,” you are getting a bit ahead of yourself. A better question is to ask yourself what kind of [Read more…]
