Freelance Writing Jobs » Announcements

Good Writing is Good Writing Regardless of Price

Deb — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:25:40 +0000

Yeah, there’s a lot of bad writing flooding the Internet and it’s one of my pet peeves. However, bad writing has nothing to do with the cost of each piece of writing. It doesn’t matter if it’s free or cost $5,000 to produce, good writing is good writing.

Low pay doesn’t breed bad writing. There’s bad writing on the web because:

Anyone can be a writer on the web.
Many web-based content companies have loose hiring standards.
Many web-based companies don’t offer editorial or mentoring for new writers.
Many web-based companies don’t have fact checkers on staff.
Anyone can be a writer on the web.

Yes, many entry level gigs don’t check a writer’s samples or background before hiring and this is part of the problem. Also, many entry level web gigs don’t have an editor checking every piece of writing to make sure it’s grammatically and factually correct. It’s easy to see why we associate bad writing with low pay. However, there are good writers who write for free or write for millions, the skill of a writer has nothing to do with pay. You either have it or you don’t.

To say certain compaines are flooding the Internet with “crap” because they’re a “mill” or because they offer entry level pay is a display of ignorance. There are good writers with impressive backgrounds at all web based content sites. Moreover, certain content sites have strict hiring policies and even stricter article acceptance policies. They may churn out remarkable amounts of content every day, but that doesn’t mean the content is “crap.” Good writing is good writing regardless of price and if you think pay commands good writing, I recommend you read the “Twilight” series.

Do I wish all web content sites would be more choosy about their writers and the writing they accept? Absolutely! I won’t go as far as to lump all these sites together because they’re not. There are a few content sites that reject articles that aren’t up to par, and a couple of these websites don’t even accept more than 50% of the writers who apply.

Good writing has nothing to do with price. Yes, I wish entry level writers were paid more money, however, I won’t go as far as to say they produce “crap.”

Deb’s disclaimer because people like to take my words out of context and twist them to their own benefit: I am not saying everyone should work for low pay, or only work for low pay, or take a content job and never do anything else, or write content full time. I feel all writers should make the best choices for them, do their best, and know that there are always better opportunities. This post isn’t endorsing low pay, it’s making an observation that the size of the paycheck doesn’t necessarily lower or raise the quality of the writing.

Why Negativity is So Positive

Deb — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:49:01 +0000

Here’s something to consider:

Many writers try to inspire or evoke emotion and fail miserably. If you write something and receive a negative reaction, you didn’t fail. You inspired others to act. Consider yourself a success.

How sad would it be if you wrote something and no one responded? Or if every one just said, “oh I agree” and left it at that. If people are angry with you, if you touched a nerve, you’re doing your job as a writer – even if you don’t feel that way at first. Not everyone has the talent to inspire others to react. Take it as a job well done.

What have you done lately to inspire passion?

A Freelance Writer’s Guide to Twitter

Deb — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:07:40 +0000

Twitter is an essential resource for freelance writers. At first considered a fun little social networking site, Twitter now reaches far beyond your average social networking forum. In fact, next to the blog, many feel Twitter to be the most important social networking/social media tool for freelance writers.

Knowing how to use Twitter to your benefit can mean more awareness of your brand, more traffic to your blog or website, and more interaction with other freelancer writers and potential clients.

Let’s explore some of the ways freelance writers can take advantage of Twitter’s potential.

There are hundreds of freelance writers on Twitter

If you ever wanted to join a writer’s group but didn’t have the time, money or inclination, Twitter is like one giant network for freelance writers. On a given day we:

Share links to informative blog posts and articles: Every blogger shares links to blog posts and most understand the rule about not being spammy. It’s how we’re turned on to new writing blogs and how other freelancers and writers learn about FWJ. Before you start sending out links, build up relationships with your followers. Once you’re enjoying each other’s company, send out periodic links to your blog posts. If your followers find the topic interesting they’ll be inclined to stop in for a visit.
Share job leads: Lots of folks share links to job lists and job leads. Keep in mind, many of these leads are for freelance bidding sites.There are also plenty of leads for decent non-bidding site opportunities. I keep my Seesmic (see “Twitter Tools” below) open to several search terms at once, many of them having to do with freelance writing jobs. Your favorite job search sites no doubt also have Twitter accounts and following them will enable you to see their job Tweets. You can also do a Twitter Search and Twitter Job Search to find freelance writing jobs.
Talk with potential clients: It’s funny how many potential clients are following you on Twitter and you may not even know about it. In fact, some of the people who I know on Twitter have contacted me to discuss freelance writing opportunities after our online chats. They may originally follow you because they find you interesting and may end up hiring you after getting to know you.
Build relationships: I have many good friend thanks to Twitter. Using social networks to meet and share with others led to some mutually beneficial relationships. Some of those relationships led to jobs, some led to joint projects, and some led to some wonderful, long-term friendships. Many of these relationships continue to grow offline as well.
Discuss issues pertaining to freelance writers: Do you have questions regarding freelance writing? Is there something sticking in your craw? Are you looking for information on a particular content site or client? Use Twitter for a lively discussion, an intelligent debate or to ask questions of your fellow freelance writers.

Twitter Search

Use Twitter Search to find other freelance writers, freelance writing work, check out upcoming events, meet folks in your genre, talk to interview subjects, gain a new perspective, learn the top stories and anything else you can think of.

Twitter Groups

TwittGroups and Twibes are two ways to find groups of Twitterers who share your same interests. These don’t have to be related to your niche, either. There are Twitter groups for your favorite television shows, movies, current events, recipes and everything else under the sun. If you’re writing about a particular topic, using a Twitter group can help to find people to talk to and interview.

Twitter Job Search

Twitter Job Search aggregates all the job listings on Twitter enabling you to search for specifics. Even if you’re not looking for a freelance writing or social media job, Twitter search has all the bases covered. Mr. Ng has even used it to look for available accounting opportunities. It’s not precise though, so if you plug in “freelance writing jobs” you might receive results with that phrase in the title but not actually linking to any gigs.

Twitter Lists

Twitter lists are a new feature enabling Twitterers to pull together lists of their favorite Tweeters in various topics. For example, yesterday I put together a list of folks who are always worth a ReTweet. I found out yesterday I’m listed on about 85 lists mostly having to do with freelance writing, blogging and social media. What I like about Twitter Lists is the ability to check out new Twitterers who are isolated in these groups, which I may not have been able to do otherwise. If I like what I see I might follow them and read their stuff. They might also follow me in return and read my stuff. Some folks feel it might be a little exclusionary, and while I can see that happening, I also feel social networks on a whole are exclusionary.

Twitter Tools

There are a variety of Twitter Tools of use to freelance writers, far too many for me to list here. My favorite tool is my Seesmic application which enables me to have one window open showing Tweets from the people I follow, @replies directed at me, my direct messages, and a few search terms that interest me. Seesmic is similar to TweetDeck but I find it to be a better option, I especially like how I can view and respond to my FaceBook news feed.

Some other cool Twitter tools for freelance writers (and others!):

Twittonary - The Twitter dictionary.
Is Twitter Down? - OK, maybe this isn’t for freelance writers really but if you’re an addict like me and you get the Fail Whale, Is Twitter Down will let you know if it’s you or if it’s Twitter.
Twilert - Type in your search word and tomorrow you’ll have a note in your in box listing all the Tweets on that topic from the day before.
TweetMeme – Allow others to retweet your blog posts.
TweetBurner: Allows you to track links posted to Twitter.
TwitterLocal – Allows you to find Twitters in your area. This is especially helpful if you want to learn more about local businesses who might want to hire your services.

Twitter Feed

Use Twitter Feed to automaticall post your blog posts to Twitter. Set it and forget it.

Twitter Hashtags

Want to learn what other freelance writers are talking about? Try using the #freelance or #writer hashtags to follow the conversation. Use the Twitter search function in your Seesmic, TweetDeck or your Twitter web page or use the Twitter search page to follow your favorite hashtags.

As you can see, Twitter is very useful to freelance writers. From searching to networking to landing actual clients it’s a must have tool for your arsenal. How are you using Twitter.

Why I Don’t Use Text Speak

Deb — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:49:37 +0000

At my last full time job, everyone used Skype to communicate as we all worked at home. My mornings usually began with a chat with my boss that went something like this:

Him: hi how ru?

Me: Fine, and you?

Him: bsy

Me: What’s on tap for today?

Him: cn u cll ur client 2 find out what hppned?

Me: Of course, I’ll get on it first thing.

Him: tnx TTYL

Me: Bye. Have a nice day.

If you ever Skype with me or if we text chat on the phone, and even on Twitter (most of the time) I won’t use text speak. It hurts my eyes to read words that aren’t really words and while I believe brevity is a talent, there’s a difference between short and sweet and deliberately shortening words to send a message.

Actually, I don’t text much, but that’s a whole different story.

Every time I go out people are walking around texting. They’re doing it in line, they’re doing it while shopping, driving, dining out, and they’re doing it while attending classes and sessions at conferences. I don’t know about you, but I find it very rude to be in conversation with someone while that same person whips out a phone and starts typing. Even though he’s not opening his mouth to speak, his attention is now focused on another person, interrupting us. I once watched a teen hold up her finger to someone at the DMV in order to get him to stop talking so she could read and respond to a text message. I looked over to see if her mother had anything to say about this display but she was also texting. Maybe they were texting each other.

However, this is about text messaging shorthand and not rude people.

Lately every time I receive an email from someone under 30 or Skype or use a similar instant messaging service, the messages are riddled with “LOLs” and “b4s” and “how r us”. It makes me crazy. Can we not type complete words when communicating online?

The local Starbucks had a sign on their chalk board recently reading” 2 Day’s 2ings.” I asked a girl behind the counter what a “2ing” is and she looked at me as if I was from a different planet. “It’s a pairing,” she said. “Cute right?” No it’s not cute. A “2ing” doesn’t even come close to being a “pairing” it looks like “twoing” which makes absolutely no sense. How much harder can it be to write out the whole word? Shortened words are anything but cute.

Full disclosure: I’ve been known to use a “2″ instead of a “to” or “two” on Twitter to make a sentence work, but that’s very rare. I feel the constant use of SMS (text chat speak) makes us lazy. Creative people can find the words to fit in a short space without eliminating too many letters. And Skype and emails? There’s no reason to BRB and LOL because there’s no character count there. Why do we do this? What happened to typing out real words. Better yet, why can’t we use our voices and talk like human beings and not robots?

Call me old-fashioned, but I miss the good old days. The days before text chatting, cell phones and instant messaging. The days when only the “rich” families had more than one phone and we had to get through the day without a constant barrage of messages. If the phone rang while we were with friends, we politely told the party on the other end we were busy and would call back. We went out to dinner and communicated with our family and friends and gave them our full attention. Phone calls during dinner time or after 9:00 were only in the case of a true emergency, and by true emergency I don’t mean to discuss BFFs and FWIWs. Whatever happened to waiting until the next day to find out the gossip? There’s nothing to anticipate anymore because we receive all of our information immediately as it happens.

I don’t want to know “2day’s specials” or have to wait while someone will “brb”. Talk to me, people. Talk to me using real words and not abbreviations. I don’t want to LOL, I want to laugh. I want to have discussions where I don’t have to whip out the SMS dictionary to find out what the other person is talking about. Is that too much to ask? Am I the only person turned off by this?

What are your thoughts? Has text chatting made us lazy and rude?

Discuss…

News and Announcements: November 1, 2009

Deb — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:58:00 +0000

Taking care of the housekeeping!

Comments Contest

Thanks to the entire FWJ community for participating in our comments contest. For many members of the community, it was business as usual and I appreciate your continuing to provide thoughts and insight to our discussions here. We also met a few new friends. Welcome! I’m tallying up the comments to choose the winner. This is going to be trickier than I thought because even though we had community members participating in the discussions throughout the month someone came along on Friday night and commented on about a hundred posts. While there was nothing in the rules that said someone couldn’t come in at the last minute and add tons of comments just to win, I want to also be sure to reward those who have been participating from the very beginning.

Giving Back

You may have noticed ads for charities in the sidebar, these are all up at no charge. If you represent a charity and would like us to place your ad in the queue, please contact me at wegetletters@gmail.com. Also, FWJ is hoping to feed a few families this Thanksgiving. Every time someone ReTweets a post from FWJ, a nickel is donated to the Community Food Bank of NJ. If anyone would like to match or contribute to the donations, please contact me at the same address.

Coming soon

We’ve been working on some cool projects for the FWJ community. In addition to our series on grant writing, John Hewitt is coming by over the next few weeks with a series on technical writing and how to begin, what it entails, and more. Thursday Bram is doing a series for us regarding freelancers and taxes and James Hendicott is weighing in with a one off post regarding freelancing taxes in the U.K. We’re also negotiating a few other series including breaking into print and copywriting.

Also in the works:

A newsletter
FWJ premium: a site featuring multiple goodies for writers
A rate calculating tool
More about the various freelance writing specialty areas. (If you specialize and would like to pitch a series, contact me at wegetletters@gmail.com)

FWJ Community

I soft launched a forum a few weeks ago but didn’t really do anything to promote it. We had one at the beginning of the year but lost it in the Great Server Crash of 2009. Lara put up a new one for us but we didn’t do much to advertise so there are only a couple of members at this point. If you’d like to join other members of the FWJ community and build up the forum, please do so. We also have an FWJ social network on Ning and an FWJ Facebook page, if you’d like to stop by and mingle. Also network with me @debng and receive FWJ updates @FreelanceWJ.

HireVine

HireVine is a brand new project I’m working on with Christina Jones and David Peralty. It’s a social networking job search site for those looking for social media jobs. We hope to rock the beta launch next week but already have some jobs up. If you’re looking for social media work and would like to add your resume, sign up to vote on gigs, or take part in the discussions, do stop by and check us out. When it’s running to full capacity, HireVine will be a place for job seekers to network with employers and each other. Vote on resumes and jobs, ask questions of employers, recommend gigs to others, and more. We’re also taking video resumes and video job ads. The blog will discuss social media gigs, and also job hunting tips. Though HireVine isn’t necessarily a haven for freelancers we do have some freelance and telecommute jobs listed.

The Freelance Writing Club: It’s Not So Exclusive Any More

Deb — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:00:17 +0000

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about freelance writing and how it’s evolved over the last decade. The freelance writing club used to be a lot more exclusive, they didn’t just let anyone in. Back in the day, it wasn’t as easy to make a living as a writer. Nowadays, it’s a little different. A Journalism or Mass Communications degree isn’t required, and freelancers don’t have to spend days chasing checks and scrounging the trades for the rare freelance writing opportunity.

In 2009, freelance writing jobs are very easy to find. Freelancers of all levels have plenty of work, especially on the web. This doesn’t make some people very happy.

I liken it to a favorite local band. Fans religiously flocked to intimate clubs to listen and enjoy their music. All of a sudden the band hits the big time. Their music is everywhere. So much to a point where it’s getting a little out of hand and the original fans can’t stand listening to them anymore. The intimacy is over. Writing is like that now.

I don’t know if I agree with exclusivity. Like music, writing is best shared with lots of people. My preference is for a “the more the merrier” approach. While I don’t think that everyone can simply become a writer, I do believe there’s room for everyone. The ArTEESTes (HT: James Chartrand) of the world may not like it, but times are changing and we need to change along with it.

It’s difficult for someone who has spent years struggling to find print work to see someone less trained and less seasoned earning $60,000 a year writing for places they don’t approve of. It’s not easy for someone who spends half of his time contacting accounting departments only to learn the “check is in the mail” to see so many writers paid on a weekly basis. The club isn’t so exclusive anymore, and some writers aren’t sure of what to make of it.

Yesterday, I participated in my most important speaking engagement to date. I visited with a classroom of second graders to talk to them about writing. It occurred to me that we’re all for encouraging young people to get out and write, but not so much with adults. Why is that?

What are your thoughts? Do you feel writing is sullied and crowded?

I’m all for getting a bigger clubhouse, how about you?

Retweet for Charity: Thanksgiving is Coming: Let’s Feed America

Deb — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:29:21 +0000

I’ve been trying to think of ways to give back. I feel very blessed to have this community and to be able to support myself doing something I love. On Thanksgiving, I will be celebrating with my family in a warm house amid laughter and good food. Many families won’t be so lucky. I’m not rich and don’t have huge amounts of money to spare, but I’m fortunate. Beginning now, and until Thanksgiving, I will pay .05 to the Community Food Bank of NJ every time an article in the FWJ network receives a retweet. I know, that doesn’t sound like a lot but I believe every little bit helps.

Now, you don’t have to do a thing but click the Retweet button when someone in this network puts up a new blog post. However, I would be grateful if you would consider making a donation of your own -either to the Community Food Bank of NJ or your own favorite charity. People are going hungry, folks, and we can help.

Who wants to match me – or pledge a donation?

A Tale of Two Opportunities: One Missed, One with Amazing Potential

Deb — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 23:00:07 +0000

One of the reasons I enjoy going to conferences such as BlogWorld is the opportunity to give and receive feedback. I chatted with several members of the FWJ community at this year’s conference, and they gave me good food for thought. Feedback is good. Feedback is important. Even the stuff we don’t want to hear is an opportunity to improve. I may not always like what people say about FWJ but that doesn’t mean I don’t take it into consideration.

While at BlogWorld, I decided to offer some feedback to others as well. Most people were happy to listen to what I had to say, others, not so much. I’d like to share a couple of stories from the BlogWorld and New Media Expo. One, a missed opportunity, the other, very promising.

I’m Not CNN

My friend Keith Burtis and I were walking around the exhibition floor and Keith noticed a fellow Buffalo resident manning a booth. As he went over to say hello, I noticed the name on the booth. It was from one of FWJ’s former advertisers. I decided to use this opportunity to let him know why I removed the ads from my blog. I told him they were working well for me. In fact, they were good for a couple of hundred dollars a month. But they were ugly. The were big and ugly and orange. I wrote to customer service and explained that I have a high traffic blog. I asked if we could work together and create a clear widget or one matching my color scheme. The answer was a big, fat “no.” So I took the ads down. When I explained this to the rep at BlogWorld he said to me, “Well, if you were from CNN we’d probably listen, but you’re just a blogger.” To quote my friend Keith Burtis, “Dude, wrong answer.” CNN.com may have lots of page views, but collectively the blogosphere can reach more people. To dismiss bloggers and not work with us is a huge, missed opportunity.

The Start of Something Beautiful?

I was reluctant to enter the Hub Pages booth because I won’t post their ads here at FWJ. I thought maybe they’d toss me out if I approached. The guys manning the booth were pleasant and funny and had me at “hello.” As I chatted with Ryan “Hup” Hupfer, I told him why I don’t post ads for HubPages at my site, because they pay writers below my $10 minimum.

They didn’t kick me to the curb.

Instead we chatted. We both realized what we had was an opportunity to do something brilliant for both our communities. We don’t know what it is yet, but I do know this, we’re going to talk again. Hup wasn’t upset when I talked to him about rates, he understood where I was coming from. He listened to my feedback. Earlier today I talked about being part of the solution. By meeting with the people who run content sites and offering my feedback, I’m also doing my part to change the situation. I’m not saying Hub Pages is all of a sudden going to turn around and change their policies after a five minute confab, but they listened and discussed. This puts them on my radar as being maybe not so evil after all. I’m still not going to post their job ads, but maybe with more feedback from me and others, I’ll be able to do that one day.

Squeaky Wheels

Before I began blogging I was the girl who sat in the corner and let people walk all over her. Once I began blogging I realized I’d have to get others to take notice if I wanted to make a difference. I came out of my shell. I broke out of my element and began reaching out to people. If anyone ever wonders why I attend conferences, this is why. It’s because of the opportunities, for me and for others.

Feedback is good. Feedback is important. Feedback is an opportunity, don’t screw it up.

What is Success…and How Much Does it Cost?

Deb — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:53:17 +0000

I got my name in lights with notcelebrity.co.uk

I’m inspired to write this post after reading Chris Brogan’s post about being an overnight success.

Success is something we all strive for, isn’t it? As writers we want that best selling novel or to find our bylines bedazzling a major magazine or website. Most of us don’t set out to “just get by” we set out to succeed.

What is success, and how much does it cost?

I’m yawning as I write this. I woke at 5:00 so I could get a little work in before getting my son off to school and heading to the airport. I’ve been hanging out in airports a lot lately and sleeping on planes. I’ve been catching a few jet-lagged hours of hotel sleep each night before attending a conference or meeting with a client. Is this success?

I’m not a millionaire. I’m not a best selling author. I’m not even an “A List” blogger, but I consider myself a success beyond my wildest dreams.

I work out of my home office sharing my passion with others.
A major brand inquired about buying this blog network.
I’m able to keep the bills paid and put extra in a bank – during a time when my husband is laid off from his job.
At this moment, I don’t have to return to a full time position.
I’m working with clients I enjoy – not because I have to, because I want to.
I receive notes every day from people who tell me I’ve helped them.
Next week I’m talking with my son’s second grade class about writing.
I attend conferences and meet the most wonderful people in the world.
I talk to the people who share my passion.

There’s a downside to success too:

Hate mail and catty comments.
Jealousy
A few hours of jet-lagged sleep in hotels
Missing out on hugs, kisses and story times.
The responsibility of having to continuously give good advice on a daily basis.
Missing out on television, movies and girls night out.

What’s your definition of success? Is it/will it be worth it?

Free Content: It’s All in the Wording

Deb — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:23:08 +0000

Every time we talk about writing for free, there’s outrage. Writers from all over the web chime in to discuss whether or not one should pay dues by writing for free and most agree that unless it’s for a meganame magazine or charity, the other party is taking advantage by trading content for exposure.

Enter blogging.

After blogging took off, many bloggers – me included – began guest blogging for the bigger name probloggers. I also put out calls for guest bloggers here. I had a contest called FWJ Idol where each week bloggers competed for a job here at FWJ. I chose the FWJ Idol route so the members of this community could choose the next blogger. I also had a guest blogger month to celebrate our 3rd anniversary. Well known and not so well known bloggers contributed writing for this event. My goal for this was to give lesser known members of the community a chance to be heard. Both times I was called out privately and publicly for requesting free content.

I thought about it a lot. It bugged me. I stopped asking for guest blog posts and now everyone who contributes is paid.

If you follow me on Twitter you know I have daily discussions about the people who ask for free content for websites and newspapers. No one is happy about the requests for free work. How dare they ask for free content! How dare they not pay writers! How dare they! This isn’t publicity, this is taking advantage!

So I blogged about it a few days ago: Guest Blog Posts: Free Content or Good P.R. In my post I wondered if guest blogging was the new write for exposure scam. After posting, something interesting happened; hardly anyone agreed with me. Very few people saw guest blog posts as “free content.”

So now I’m confused.

What makes it OK to work for free in one place, but not another? Why can’t I write for this guy’s popular website for low pay, but I can write for a professional blogger’s popular blog for free? Why is a content mill paying $15 an article – with byline – a bad idea, but a free guest post is golden?

Discuss…