What ingredient is the most important to your freelance writing job search? Where do self-confidence and self-esteem fit into the mix, and are they the same thing? I don’t see self-confidence and self-esteem as being the same thing at all. Self-confidence has to do with the image that other people see, and self-esteem is something that comes from within. If you know that you will show up to do the work that you have been assigned and follow instructions properly, you are demonstrating self-confidence. Prospective clients will be drawn to people who demonstrate this trait. You will be successful in [Read more…]
Self-Confidence, Self-Esteem and Your Freelance Writing Job Search
Are They the Same Thing?
January 3, 2011. 6 Comments
Telling a Client Why You’re Quitting
Is this a Situation Where the Less Said, the Better?
December 29, 2010. 2 Comments
Dear Jodee, I’ve been working with a client for some time now, and I’ve become increasingly frustrated with the experience. I’m ready to move on, but I’m struggling with whether to just say that as of “x” date I won’t be available for future assignments or to provide more detail about my reasons. Should I just be straight with the client or are some things better left unsaid? Uncertain About Whether Speak Up or Not Dear Uncertain, I can understand why you would be reluctant to speak up about issues dealing with a client when you have already decided to [Read more…]
How to Cope with Naysayers in Your Freelance Writing Job Search
Hint: Put them on Ignore
December 27, 2010. 5 Comments
Anytime someone makes a choice to do make a change in their life, it attracts the attention of naysayers. You don’t need to look very far to find someone who is only too willing to tell you that you aren’t going to be able to succeed at whatever goal you have set for yourself. I think part of the naysayer mentality is that when someone wants to make a change, it shakes up the quo. There definitely is pressure to conform when people are in any type of a group setting. A person who announces that they want to do [Read more…]
Saying No After Receiving Deposit
How to Deal When You've Miscalculated Your Skills, Availability
December 22, 2010. 4 Comments
This question was left in comments recently on the subject of saying No to a client gracefully and I thought it was a great one to address in a column. Dear Jodee, I wonder what if there’s money involved already – Let’s say you got a 50% down payment for the project that you can’t simply do because you’ve miscalculated your time, skills and effort for the job. Is it okay to return the payment and say no? I think it will be very unfair for the client who expected you to work on the project already — as you [Read more…]
Are You Resolved About Your Freelance Writing Job Search?
Moving From Wishing to Setting Goals
December 20, 2010. 3 Comments
This is the time of year that we take time out to enjoy gathering with family and friends. We also pause to reflect on the year that is coming to an end, and remember the good and not-so-good things that happened along the way. Part of ending one year and starting a new one has to do with making resolutions. I used to do this faithfully, but now I make a point of not making New Year’s resolutions. The ones I used to make were either too vague (I will be a better person in the New Year) or just [Read more…]
How Can I Say No to a Client Gracefully?
This Time it is You
December 15, 2010. 2 Comments
Dear Jodee, I’ve applied for gigs where there isn’t a lot of detail given in the ad. When the client gets in touch with more information, I realize that I’m really not interested in going any further; the pay is either less than what I am prepared to accept or the subject or the scope of the project isn’t what I’m looking for. How do I say No with some class when the client is clearly interested in getting started and this is not the right gig for me? Tongue-tied Dear Tongue-tied, Your issue is not about not being able [Read more…]
On Freelance Writer Rejection: Sometimes It’s You
Sometimes It's the Client
December 13, 2010. 9 Comments
If you are a freelance writer, rejection is part of the job. I don’t think anyone actually likes being rejected, and some days it’s easier to take than others. I don’t know if this technique works for anyone else, but when I get rejected I let myself feel the emotions that go with being told that you’re not quite what the client was looking for, or even worse that your work is what the client is looking for (Ouch). Then I try to figure out whether it was was something that was in my control or not. Being a bit [Read more…]
The Client Who Can’t Commit
Are You Dealing with a Work Tease?
December 8, 2010. 12 Comments
Dear Jodee, I was hired by a client to do some writing work. We discussed the details of the project and had agreed on its scope, as well as payment. Then the client disappeared. It’s been a few weeks now and although I’ve followed up by e-mail, I haven’t heard anything back. What happened here – is this person being a work tease? Frustrated Dear Frustrated, It sounds like this is a gig that just isn’t going to happen. Something must have changed for this client and rather than explain that to you, he or she just disappeared. Are they [Read more…]
What Have You Done Lately?
Adding Achievements to Your Freelance Writer's Resume
December 6, 2010. 4 Comments
If your goal is to stand out from other freelance writers who are applying for the same gig, you need to spend some time thinking about yourself and the skills and abilities that you bring to the table. You will have included this information on your resume, so that a prospective client can find out something about you and the kind of work you have done in the past. To provide the reader with more information about you, include achievements in your resume. What achievements, you may be asking yourself. Think back through the jobs you have had and try [Read more…]
Do You Need a Thick Skin to be a Writer?
Why It May Hinder Your Success
December 1, 2010. 21 Comments
Rather than answer a question this week, I decided to just talk. Lately, I’ve been seeing a lot of discussions online about having a thick skin and how writers need to have one to be successful. I have to respectfully disagree, if only for the reason that I don’t have one and I consider myself to be successful. When I was a child, more than one teacher assured me that I would develop a thicker skin as I grew up, but I suppose I didn’t inherit the thick skin gene because it didn’t happen for me. If having a thick [Read more…]
Do You Care About Your Clients’ Business?
It's Not a Four-letter Word
November 29, 2010. 7 Comments
How much do you care about your clients’ business? And what does caring have to do with getting hired for a freelance writing gig? Plenty. I believe that success is based partly on having a certain amount of raw talent but it’s mostly about showing up, doing the work and developing good relationships with the people you work with. Part of having a good relationship with your clients is caring about them and their business. You may be hired to provide a writing service, but what you are really doing is helping your client solve a problem. They may be [Read more…]
Job Hunting During the Holidays
Are You Listening to Hearsay or Focusing on Evidence?
November 22, 2010. 7 Comments
With the Holiday Season fast approaching, it can be tempting to abandon your freelance writing job search in favor of getting together with friends, shopping, baking and other enjoyable activities. I’m all for shopping, baking, hanging out with friends and family and enjoying all the wonderful things this time of year has to offer, but you should also devote some time to connecting with prospective clients. Be careful when you to go holiday-related events, though: chances are you are going to run into someone who will be less than encouraging about your career and your chances of getting your next [Read more…]
Dealing with One of “Those” Days
How to Get Back on Track When Things are Going Wrong
November 17, 2010. 3 Comments
Dear Jodee, How can I get back on track when my day starts off in a frustrating way (rejection e-mail, snarky communication from a client, etc.)? I work from home and I find it challenging to get focused on what I need to do when I’m faced with something disappointing or frustrating when I first sit down at my desk. What can I do to refocus my attention on the work I have in front of me? Miffed in the Morning Dear Miffed, It’s hard to stay focused when your day starts off in a frustrating manner. People who work [Read more…]
What’s More Scary: Fear of Failure or Success?
Which One Bothers You More?
November 16, 2010. 9 Comments
Fear of failure is something that I think most writers live with. In order to work, we have to either be answering ads, pitching our services to prospective clients, sending our queries or writing and marketing our own products. Sometimes we get the gig, and other times we don’t. Most of the time, we realize that we won’t get hired for every opportunity that we go after. Sometimes we can roll with the punches and shake off getting turned down for a gig, while at other times it can be upsetting to find out what the client didn’t feel that [Read more…]
How to Deal When a Client Drags Their Feet
Do You Wait it Out or Move On?
November 10, 2010. 5 Comments
Dear Jodee, What do you do when a client wants to hire you but then drags their feet getting you the necessary material, putting you behind on schedule on their project AND others? Dawn Dear Dawn, When a client wants to hire you but doesn’t finalize the arrangement by giving you a deposit and/or providing you with the materials you need to get started, you don’t really have the gig yet. You’re still just talking. At the risk of sounding sexist, it’s like the man who tells a woman at the end of a date, “I had a nice time. [Read more…]
Do You Send Holiday Greetings to Clients?
Why You Should Include Them on Your List
November 8, 2010. 11 Comments
It’s not too early to start thinking about Christmas. I saw Christmas decorations out in the stores right next to the Halloween items a couple of weeks ago. (Some things are just wrong.) Now, I prefer to get one holiday out of the way before I start thinking about the next one, but apparently retailers don’t think that way. From the number of Christmas flyers that have magically appeared in the mailbox recently and the amount of times I’ve been hearing, “Mom, can I have…..” recently, the holiday season seems to be gearing up now. At the risk of adding [Read more…]
How to Move on from Entry-Level Writing Gigs
You Can Make More Money Freelancing
November 3, 2010. 5 Comments
Dear Jodee, I’m on various freelance websites such as elance.com odesk.com and ifreelance.com. I’m getting some work but the work I’m getting takes me forever to complete and it’s not very well paid. I know there are ways to make more money freelance writing, can you point me in the write direction? Acacia Dear Acacia, You have many options available if you want to make more money as a freelance writer. There is some great information posted here on Freelance Writing Jobs, including the job leads we post on weekdays, that can help you move toward better-paying gigs. Along with [Read more…]
Do You Ask for the Gig?
Getting the Client to Make a Decision
November 1, 2010. 4 Comments
You’ve been talking to a prospective client about his or her writing needs. So far, everything sounds good. You know you can do the work and give the client what they want, but they haven’t made you an offer. Now what? In this situation, you do have some options. You can back off and focus on the work you have in front of you right now and give the client some space and hope that when the time comes to hire someone that you will get nod. You have another option, though, and that is to assert yourself and get [Read more…]
How Do I Find Magazines Taking Submissions?
Writer's Guidelines and Making a Pitch
October 27, 2010. 1 Comment
Dear Jodee, I would really appreciate any advice on how to take the first step to writing an article and submitting to a magazine. How do I go about finding information on what magazines are taking submissions? Patty Dear Patty, Many, if not most, magazines have a web site, which can provide you with a wealth of information about the publication. If the writers’ guidelines are not posted there, you can contact the magazine and ask for them. If you type “magazine writer’s guidelines” into Google, over 370,000 hits will come up. I would add “pay OR paid” to your [Read more…]
How Do I Know Whether I’m Good Enough to be a Writer?
Predicting Freelance Success
October 20, 2010. 8 Comments
Dear Jodee, I’ve been writing for myself for a number of years and I would like to turn my passion into paid work. I am hesitant, though, because I’m not sure that I’m good enough. How do I know whether this is the right choice for me and whether I can make it work? Need a Confidence Boost Dear Confidence Boost, If you feel a passion for writing, then you are on the right track by considering doing this type of work. The things that you are drawn to give you clues about what would be a good fit for [Read more…]
What to Do Before You Answer that Freelance Writing Job Ad
5 Steps to Take Before You Press "Send"
October 18, 2010. 6 Comments
When you see an ad for a freelance writing job that seems like it would be a great fit for you, do you behave like you are an agent in your own version of Mission Impossible? It’s great that you have found an opportunity that you are interested in, but you shouldn’t treat the ad like something that is going to self-destruct in five seconds (or whatever it was). I know your first instinct is to jump on this and apply within the first two minutes after you read the ad (if not sooner), but there are some things you [Read more…]
Applying for a Job When a Friend is Interested
Should I Pass on the Opportunity?
October 13, 2010. 5 Comments
Dear Jodee, I found a freelance writing job that I think would be a great fit for me. The problem is that one of my friends has already applied for it. Should I apply for the gig too, or just let it go? Not a Poacher Dear Not a Poacher, If you are interested in the same freelance writing gig that a friend has applied for and you feel you would be a good fit, then by all means apply. The client will be the person who decides who to hire and it’s possible that neither of you will get [Read more…]
How to Target Your Freelance Writing Job Search for Newbies
October 11, 2010. 2 Comments
Your first freelance writing job is the hardest one to get, in my opinion. Once you have one (or a few) gigs under your belt, you can use your past writing experience to propel yourself forward to the next opportunity. How do you approach the task of landing that first gig, then? Start with what you know, and I don’t necessarily mean the fact that you have been writing for yourself for years. Working on your own projects is not the same thing as taking on client work. Both of them involve writing, but your own work is more of [Read more…]
