Article Quickie: Freelance Writing Jargon – D – G From Deadlines to Ghostwriting

Headline

The attention grabber,  the big bold letters at the top of the articles that stop readers in their tracks. Example: “Sixty Ways to Drive Your Man Wild” or “Top Ten Blogging Tips for Beginners” or “Why Your Kids Hate You.” Careful with the sensational ones, readers hate a content tease.

HTML

Hypertext markup language. Without getting all techie, it’s the tags that create <b>bold</b> lettering, italics, indentations, hyperlinks, etc. Some gigs – blogs, websites, content providers, etc. will require  writers be familiar with how to use HTML. The good news is if you don’t know the language, you can learn it free. There are tons of sites that provide the basic, more commonly used tags along with online tutorials.

Kill Fee

It’s not a stake through the heart of a writer, but it’s close. It definitely bruises the ego! A kill fee is when a magazine says they love your idea, requests you write it for a set price, you sign the contract and then once the article is written the editor has changed their mind for whatever reason. The article won’t run in the publication, but they give a smaller payment – typically 20 to 50 percent for your trouble. The kill fee practice is controversial, with some writers refusal to sign contracts with kill fees. They argue the kill fee undercuts the value of a writer’s work and that whether the article is used or not, the writer fulfilled their contractual obligations. Editors argue that kill fees protect publications from  paying full price for poor writing. Take a look at a few of FWJ’s write ups about it here and here. The wonderful writers at Renegade Writer has a great piece on kill fees as well.

Landing page

If a client asks you to write something for their landing page, they want you to write ad copy for a lead generator page. This the page that pops up whenever a potential customer clicks the magic button in an advertisement.

Lede (Lead)

A lede (lead) is one of the key parts of an article. Sure, all parts are important, but the lede is the hook. After the headline, it’s what grabs a reader and makes them sit  down for a few minutes to soak in your masterful prose. The lede introduces your piece to readers. “Lede” is the original spelling going back to the great days of newspaper journalism though a lot of writers refer to it as “lead” either way works. Read about lede history and impress your writer friends at your next get together.

These are those all important dates that you never miss. It’s when an article is due, when the editor wants it in and when excuses will be tough to take.

Dek

A quickie summary of what an article is about, it usually is placed in the table of contents or under the article headline.

Editorial Calendar

The theme and publishing calendar for a publication. Most print publications have calendars set far in advance, some as far as six months which is important to remember when sending queries. Writers also use an editorial calendar to schedule their work and organized deadlines, blog posts, etc.

Feature

The yummy, meaty articles that are ‘featured’ in the main part of the magazine. These articles are longer and are an impressive feather in the cap of any writer.

FOB (Front of Book)

Newbie writers are always told to aim for the smaller front of the book (magazine). These articles are shorter pieces designed to get a writer’s feet wet with the publication. Front of the book is sometimes used interchangeably with filler which are short pieces, but they can be located throughout the magazine.

Ghostwriter

The silent voice that gives the zing to a piece without byline credit, but earns the income. Often writers sign a confidentiality agreement with their clients and the terms vary from project to project.

Some commenters argued that revshare sites were a credible “first step” for new freelancers. A few maintained that it was possible to generate a sizeable passive revenue stream via revshare contributions. I’m still convinced that my position is correct in most cases and I may eventually get around to answering some elements of those objections in future posts.

This post, however, will address another set of comments. More than one reader remarked that it would be nice to hear about some alternatives to revshare operations. I thought that was a more than valid request. While a pure critique may have value, it’s almost always better to combine one’s attack on one option with a workable alternative.

So, if you think I might just be right about the limited utility of revenue sharing sites, here are a few things you might want to do instead. Consider these options the next time you’re about to tap out another article in hopes of capturing a percentage of someone else’s ad revenue.

Build and Improve Your Own Writing Property

If you don’t have your own website, you should. If you’re serious about establishing yourself as a credible freelancer, you should have some presence on the web. Obviously, the quality and scope of that presence will be even more important if you plan to focus on ‘Net-based markets. Your site is a means by which people can find you, learn more about you, discover your skills and contact you. It’s important.

Consider spending some of the time you’d otherwise dedicate to revshare contributions to building or improving your existing website and related elements of your online presence. Admittedly, these efforts don’t directly generate revenue. However, they do create the foundation you need to secure better gigs. In the longer term, it’s a much better investment than revshare work.

Build and Improve Your Own Other Properties

Instead of funneling your awesome articles to a non-appreciative revenue sharing site, keep ‘em for yourself. Build a site or blog dedicated to whatever non-writing topic that happens to trip your trigger or in which you have expertise. If you’d love to be a subject matter writing specialist, hone in on that subject area.

You can buy a domain for under ten bucks. You can get hosting for under five bucks per month. It’s free to install and use WordPress if you’d like. It’s a teeny tiny investment that can really pay off. Even if you’re not interested in aggressively promoting and monetizing the site, you can still point potential clients to your work, making it a showcase for your writing skills and knowledge base. If you do put forth a little effort, you can probably start earning just as much from your posts to your own site as you can with your revshare submissions.

Spend the Time Marketing Yourself or Pursuing Paying Gigs

Tom Chandler, the head honcho at The Copywriter Underground, recently commented on a post at my site. The rant in question objected to the way people automatically tend to make assumptions about one’s position on all freelance writing issues based on one’s position with respect to a single topic. I illustrated my complaint by referencing some of the comments left at my anti-revshare post. In his comment, Tom made a point about the world of lower-paying gigs that certainly applies to writing for revenue sharing outlets:

I firmly believe that investing the same time spent writing $10 articles in new biz development (cold calls, client searches, etc) offers better ROI down the road.

He’s right, too. In most cases, the return on smart self-marketing has the potential swamp the value of revshare contributions other lower paying gigs. If you’re ready to give up on collecting fractions of Adsense clicks, you might want to spend your time working to secure more substantial opportunities.

Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean that I think lower-paying options are a mistake for all people under all circumstances.  That will probably become clear as I keep moving through my list, but I just wanted to point that out.

Take a Crappy Writing Job or Two

The alternatives presented thus far don’t directly put cash in the coffers and I know that’s an issue for many people. If you’re ready to give up on the revshare game but aren’t ready to wait to bring in at least some cash, reach out and take a few gigs that don’t pay particularly well.

If you do, you’ll make some money. Not much, but it will be as much as you’d make with revenue sharing contributions in the short run (actually, it will actually be a little more). Plus, it will give you something you don’t get by writing for the revshare sites–a real human contact on the other end of the transaction.

If you’re completely new to the game, the process of working with an individual will help you get experience with client communication, invoicing and all of the other processes that will become a part of your freelance writing business. That low payer may be willing to spend more money with you when he or she sees how damn awesome you are. He or she may spread the word to others who could use a writer. He or she can certainly write a positive review or testimonial you can use in your own marketing efforts. The nickel and dime material you write will show up somewhere, and you’ll be able to point future prospective clients in its direction. And trust me–those articles will carry as much, if not more cache, with future potential clients than something tossed up at AC or Infobarrel.

A few el cheapo gigs can put a foot in the door while dropping a little change in your pocket. The gigs at the shallow end of the rate pool may not be what you want in the long run, but if you need a few quick bucks and something that passes for experience, they’re probably better than an article at Bukisa.

Those low-pay gigs aren’t hard to find. If anything, they might be too easy to find. The Internet marketing forums are crawling with potential clients and Craigslist is overflowing with “I need ten articles about _____”-style clients.

Work for a Slightly Better Mill

Instead of writing revshare articles, you could always write for a content mill that pays you a little more than the potential of future money. It will only take you about thirty seconds to find a year’s supply of articles and blog posts decrying sites like Demand Studios and other pay-per-piece content mills. I’m not interested in answering the complaints. I’m not interested in defending this option, either.

This option and snagging a few lower-paying gigs may not be great ideas for everyone. Some folks may benefit more from some of the other ideas. I’m just saying that it makes more sense than writing for most of the revenue sharing sites.

Volunteer Your Talents

If your goal is experience and an opportunity to create materials you can use to prove your competency to others, consider volunteering your writing talents to make the world a better place. Offer someone engaged in a charitable pursuit a little pro bono copy.

No, it doesn’t pay. Then again, revshare doesn’t usually pay much. You’ll be trading a little hunk of dough for a much heftier hunk of feeling good, I guess. Oh, and pointing others toward this material will undoubtedly work better than showing them your ListMyFive posts.

I was going to put “Try Your Hand at Affiliate Marketing” on the list, but decided it wasn’t a great fit. Even stripped down versions of so-called “bum” article marketing strategies require a great deal of non-writing work. It’s a credible option for those who want to learn how to make it work, but it just didn’t feel like it was part of the same world, so to speak. That applies to a few other online moneymaking plans that involve content production, as well.

Well, there you have ‘em–a few alternatives to writing for revshare sites for new writers. I think they’re all credible alternatives to using your professional skills to supply user-generated content to sites willing to pay you only a fraction of the ad revenue they generate and that have so many other shortcomings.

“Oh!” they exclaim, now seemingly impressed. It’s annoying.

Before talking with Deb today I have wondered if I should state what I do differently and market myself differently. Instead of freelance writer, I should maybe say journalist. Instead of saying I own a business that provides writing services, maybe I should say I’m a business consultant…

Here’s the thing. It really doesn’t matter because, writer or journalist, people will ask about who I write for and when I don’t say the local paper or give a well-known publication title, their little eyes will glaze over and I’m back in hobbyist land. It doesn’t matter that I write for the top freelance writing website. It doesn’t matter that I’m paid to hang out on Twitter and Facebook and when I’m off the clock I’m building a brand and they take part in building that brand everyday whether they know it or not. They don’t get it and I’m through trying to help them understand.

If I worked for NASA, someone would be disappointed I wasn’t an astronaut. You see my point? Our career choice is just that – a choice. We chose to become champions of the written word for better or worse. Sure it can get annoying when people think you sit at home eating bon bons, watching Oprah and scratching your butt with your keyboard, but we should realize most of these people are actually jealous. They just got off the longest commute of their lives from a place of hell and they have no choice but to appear there each and everyday if they want to go on eating.

Feel a little better? Still annoyed? Try these things:

• Cut out the daily interruptions by not being available. If you’re working, don’t answer the door when the neighbors show up, don’t answer the phone with your bored friend calls, don’t allow yourself to be guilted into favors.
• End conversations with action phrases. “I’m sorry I’ve got to go edit a piece. I’ll call you later.” “No can do, I’ve got a conference call in an hour.” These are gentle, but not too subtle reminders that you do work and more importantly, they are interrupting.
• Crack their face. “Oh, you’re always on Facebook!” Your response: “I know, it’s great to get paid to interact with people in such a fun way.”

Yes there are days I work in my jammies. There are days I write a piece, do some laundry, play with the kids and bake cookies. And yes, I’ve watched Oprah in my jammies while eating cookies. I do it every so often because I can.

The majority of my time, however, is spent writing, meeting, pitching, running to wash at least some underwear for the family, sliding back online while Elmo sings his closing song so I can manage a community and answer the 300 emails from folks who “see me playing on Facebook” and want to know how I can help them and better yet, how they can pay me to help them.

My respect comes from the way I conduct my business, how I handle my clients and how I ignore the haters, wannabes and neverbes. Consultant, home-based business, freelancer, whatever you call yourself, call yourself lucky and talented!

What’s your title? What are the advantages/disadvantages of it?

You’re not alone.  I know that because I get emails asking, “How in the hell can I get decent clients?” on a regular basis.  I know that because I see folks quizzing discussion board participants with variations of the same question.

I decided I’d take a stab at answering the question.  Here’s my seven-step recommendation for those who want to find their own clients in the not-always thrilling but sometimes cool world of writing web content for dough.  I suppose you should consider this more of an outline than a definitive, detailed guide.  On the other hand, this really isn’t rocket science.  If you can write and you really want to write web content, you can secure a good client base.

If you follow these seven steps, you’ll soon find yourself sleeping on a mattress stuffed with C-notes.  At the very least, you’ll have more than enough work to keep you busy.*

Step One:  Buy a domain name. That’s right, my first step requires you to spend a few dollars on a .COM domain to call your very own.  If you have some super-clever business name, feel free to use it.  If you can get your own name or some variation thereof, that’s not a bad idea, either.

If you’re not willing to spend less than ten bucks to secure a domain name, I think it’s safe to say that you’re either too risk-aversive for the whole entrepreneurial scene or that you’re so dead broke that you should probably be more concerned with finding a way to generate some immediate cash instead of focusing on building a career.

Plunk down the money.  Yeah, you can make Blogger.com blogs look pretty these days, but it just isn’t the same.  You need a credible home base.

Step Two:  Spring for hosting. Yep, another expense.  Don’t worry, you can find cheap hosts.  A few bucks a month.  Stop griping and pry open your wallet.  It’s time to put that domain to use.

Step Three:  Put something decent together. Now, get a website up and running.  It doesn’t need to be the most awesome website of all time.  It does need to be credible and readable.  It should be something that doesn’t embarrass you.

I personally recommend building on a WordPress backbone.  Don’t think of WordPress as a mere blogging platform.  It’s actually a relatively strong content management system and it makes building attractive, structurally sound websites incredibly easy.  There are 384,429,083 good-looking free themes available and about 238,488,992 of those are customizable if you’re interested in doing a little extra work.

Your site needs to have a few things.  It needs to have enough information about you to convince people that you might be worth trusting.  It needs to have readily accessible contact information.  A contact form (easily created with one of many simple WordPress plugins) is a good idea.  You can take it from there.

If you want to build a massive site complete with a regularly-update blog, go for the gusto.  If you want to create a front page, an about page and a contact page and call it a day, that’s okay, too.  The critical thing is building a credible outpost for yourself.

Step Four:  Be easy to find. I’m not talking about dominating the search engines for “freelance writer” queries.  I’m not talking about paying for pay-per-click advertising, either.  Those are potentially smart moves, but they warrant several other long discussions.

I’m talking about getting yourself in front of people and spreading your good name around the ‘Net enough that when people try to find out more about you they can get some idea of who in the heck you are.

There are a billion ways to do that.  They include:

• Guest posting on other blogs
• Commenting on other blogs
• Utilizing Twitter
• Joining the ever-growing ranks of LinkedIn users
• Writing and submitting articles to directories for distribution/syndication
• Creating and publishing press releases
• Blah, blah, blah

At this point, you need to worry a little more about giving your name and presence some breadth.  You can concentrate more on depth as you refine your approach.

Oh, and don’t forget that you should be utilizing these opportunities in a way that allows you to share as much contact information as you can.  Your URL.  Your email address.  Your phone number.  Your address.  Your photo.  Your _______.

Did I say phone number?  Damn straight.  Many newer writers seem reluctant to hand out their numbers.  I can understand that.  However, I can also tell you that seeing a phone number tells people that there’s a real human being on the other end of things and they like that.  It’s a credibility builder, as well as a contact outlet.  It makes people feel better when they know they can pick up the phone and talk to you.  If you don’t want to give out your real number, use Google Voice to snag a free one and have it forward to your cell.  Or invest $30 a month in a cheap Cricket cell phone.  Get a cheap VOIP line.  Whatever.  Just get a number, okay?

Step Five:  Perfect your pitch. This article isn’t about how to run your business in general terms.  It’s about landing regular web content clients.  Eventually, you should be in a position to have clients find you.  When you start, you’ll be finding them.  That means scouring leads like the ones here at Freelance Writing Jobs and elsewhere and following upon the ones that look like a fit.

When you contact those people, you need to have a nice little pitch ready to go.

I’ve hired writers on several occasions.  Most of the come-ons fall into two categories:  Crappy ones and really crappy ones.  Very few are good.  The good ones exude confidence.  They’re short and to the point.  They’re specific to the ad to which the writer is responding.  They prove the writer knows his or her way around the keyboard without forcing the hiring party to wade through too much material.  They include handy links back to the writer’s website (see how it’s all coming together?) that provide necessary biographical information and or sample materials.

When you build your little ad response pitches, keep one thing in mind.  Most of the folks who are hiring content writers aren’t the Executive Vice Presidents of Fortune 500 companies.  They’re not shining the buttons on their Brooks Brothers suits from behind glossy black desks in high-floor corner offices overlooking the city.  They’re more likely to be geeky people in T-shirts who value good ideas, talent and quick thinking over formality and standard-issue resume filler.

Make use of your website in these pitches.  Put the link in the email.  Put it under your name at the bottom of the email (along with your phone number).

Step Six:  Pitch, Pitch, Pitch, Pitch and Pitch. A significant percentage of those you approach will never answer you.  Some will answer you, revealing that they really want someone to do a helluva load of work for very little coin.  Some will be cool with you but will opt to go with someone else.  In other words, you won’t be thick with private clients if you’re answering one call for writers per week. Go for the gusto.  Answer every ad that looks potentially appealing.  If you end up not liking what the advertiser is cooking, you can also politely decline.

Step Seven:  Kick rump. Do a good job.  Meet specifications and exceed expectations.  If you do good work, they’ll come back for more.  And they’ll tell their friends.  They’ll vouch for you when someone else needs a reference before hiring you.  Before you know it, you’ll have business coming to you and you won’t be spending as much time digging through the ads for writers.

There you have it.  You, too, can stay busy writing web content for individual clients.

*The success of this process is wholly dependent upon your ability to actually do the job.  If you’re a miserable writer, you’re doomed.  If you can’t bring yourself to sell your skills, you’re doomed.  If you don’t have the ability or knowledge base necessary to implement these steps, you need to figure things out and/or find someone who knows what they’re doing to help you.  Otherwise, you’re doomed.  The good news is that it’s all relatively easy.  At least it’s easier than many initially intimidated people think it will be.

Newbie writers will read article upon article and blog upon blog touting the importance of finding a niche, picking a niche, taking a niche out on a date…Veterans will find themselves bombarded with articles and posts on when it’s time to leave a niche, switch, combine, create a Frankenstein and give a manic laugh…

The truth is – you have a choice.

Pro Niche:

1. Building a good reputation as a writer is important. Getting steady work is important as well. Niche writing can set a writer up as a knowledgeable, working expert in the subject matter, that writer can then leverage their experience for more work.

2. Depending on the niche, not only can you establish yourself as a leader, you can do it fairly quickly. It’s hard to believe given the abundance of writers out there, but there are some niches that are so specialized there aren’t a lot of people writing  for them.

3. A writer who can establish themselves in areas that have a denser concentration of writers earn the distinction of being a pack leader – that translates to dollars and work (and tons of Twitter followers).

4. Passionate pursuits are another reason why people head toward specific subjects. I’m a “write what you live” kindof girl and my body of work reflect my current passions – writing, business/finance and parenting. It is often the passion of a subject that drives a writer to write so staying within their passion is a perfectly natural course.

5. It’s an easy road map, but a challenging road. Say you are passionate about WordPress themes. You review the site daily, keep up on the coolest developers and plug-ins, etc. You decide to to plant a flag in the WordPress blogger game. Everyday you know what you’ll be writing about – in general. You’ll know the types of publications and web sites you want to write for, etc. The challenge? Finding those sites  and publications, breaking in, keeping subjects and angles fresh and continuing to learn more after exhaustive study.

Nah Niche:

1. A writer can build up a steady work and a reputation just by being a good writer, it doesn’t have to be within a niche.

2. Niche burnout. It sucks and without properly identifying it, it can extinguish the passion for writing. Many writers cannot fathom writing about one or two subjects for an extended period of time.

3. This last one is a secret: You can do both. It is perfectly fine to have a core subject or group of subjects while dating other types of articles and writing in general. Freelance writing is the ultimate open relationship. Success comes from great writing, a solid work ethic, and a viable set of goals. How you reach them is completely up to you.

Are you having trouble picking a niche? Thinking about changing or leaving niche writing all together? Tell us below!

So, FWJ amigos…  Opinions?  Insults?  Accolades?  How do you do it?  Discuss.

In other words, if you want to get paid for your writing, you need to make sure you can do the things in the list below.

1. Spell

If you can’t spell and you choose not to use a dictionary or effective spell-checking tool, then you won’t get far as a freelance writer.

2. Follow Grammar Rules

If you don’t know where to put commas and when to capitalize, then you need to learn how — quickly!

3. Proofread

As you write, you need to be aware of spelling and grammar, but it doesn’t end there.  You also need to proofread your work.  Keep in mind, proofreading your own work is never full-proof, but you should try to catch and fix as many errors and inconsistencies as possible.

4. Write Well

If you can’t write well, you won’t get quality writing assignments that can truly grow your career and business.  Make sure you get feedback on your writing by joining a writer’s group or taking some courses.  You can also pursue self-study online or through books about writing to ensure you can actually craft clear, compelling, and well-written content.

5. Market Yourself

You can’t be modest when you’re trying to get work as a freelance writer.  Instead, you need to turn into a marketer and really sell yourself as the person for every gig!  It takes a while to learn how to market yourself, so be prepared to spend time on this part of your business.

6. Research and Fact Check

In order to write, you’ll often need to do research, double check that facts used in your writing are accurate, cite sources, and make sure you can backup your claims.  If research bores you, then freelance writing might not be right for you.

7. Learn New Things

The worlds of publishing and media are changing so fast that writers need to be prepared to write for a wider variety of media and to learn new skills applicable to new media.  For example, writing for the web often requires a knowledge of search engine optimization writing techniques.  Today’s freelance writers are constantly learning new things.

8. Think Like a Business Owner

Freelance writers who work for themselves are small business owners.  They need to manage expenses, pay taxes, invoice clients, collect payments, and more.  These are all business-related tasks that take up time but can’t be avoided.

9. Be Thick-Skinned

Freelance writers need to be able to handle rejection and criticism.  If you’re easily offended when someone tells you they don’t like something you wrote, then freelance writing is probably not the best career choice for you.

10. Be Professional and Communicative

Freelance writers have to communicate with clients, editors, and more on a daily basis.  You need to remain professional at all times.  While the worlds of publishing and media are changing, they’re still proverbially small worlds — which means your reputation is at stake with every interaction because word travels fast within both worlds.

Image: stock.xchng

Another writer I know mentioned that she landed a sweet little gig.  The client paid her at or above market rate for a series of five articles that were right up her alley.

Good news, right?

Maybe.  Maybe not.  We may never know.

What You Don’t Know Might Hurt You (or Your Income)

Here’s why:

The client approached her on a referral.  They exchanged a few emails about the job before they finalized the arrangements.

And that’s where she may have screwed up.

She didn’t ask enough questions about how the client was planning to actually use the material.  She knew that they’re offering a new service, but she didn’t ask them about how they were doing it.  She doesn’t know if they had a blogging plan in place.  She doesn”t know if the articles were going to be used as top-level site content, backfill or for article marketing or guest posting purposes.  She’s not sure if they’re building a list and, if they are, what they’re using as an inducement (if anything).  She doesn’t know how aggressively they’re approaching SEO concerns.

You get the idea…

She knew about the project specs.  She wrote the articles.  The client liked them.  The end.

She doesn’t know how much money and work she may have left behind, though.

Multiplying Projects

If you’re asking the right questions, you’re opening doors to additional opportunities.

Those five articles may have turned into ten articles, some additional web content, a better squeeze page, a white paper or special report for list building, a regular blogging gig, assistance in constructing additional content for inbound link creation and who-knows-what-else.

Those questions are business multipliers.

Plus, they have a fantastic upside even if the client really doesn’t need a hand with anything other than the base assignment.  When you know the answers to all of those other questions, you have a better idea of how your work will fit into the bigger picture.  That allows you to produce the best possible work, which is always a good idea.

An Example

Someone approached me about helping with the editing of a business plan.  We talk.  She didn’t have anyone to write a letter or brochure to go along with the plan to the prospective investors.  She didn’t plan to create a web presence to aid in the project.

I asked questions.  Now she has a copywriter on board.  A great little interactive WordPress-driven website that will feature key information about her project along with some video and plenty of visuals is on its way.  She be able to direct people to the site as well as asking them to read through the paper materials.  She has a contained social media presence to help her out, too.

That’s good news for me.  More importantly, it’s good news for her.  Everything I’m offering will undoubtedly help her with this project.  I can’t share the details here, but I can tell you that this is a “perfect fit” situation.

That little “help me with this business plan” request has turned into a mutually beneficial working relationship.

What about You?

That’s just an example.  You might not be interested in some aspects of projects.  You may not do the training and consulting thing.  I understand completely.  However, I do think everyone can benefit when people actually take the time to discuss the bigger picture and the way its component parts are working instead of having insulated conversations about discrete elements.

So, are you multiplying your business or are you taking it as it comes?

If you’ve had a positive experience after taking an extra step to get a wider understanding of a project, feel free to share it.  I have a feeling that a number of people have turned small assignments into big money because they dug a little deeper.

But what if you are an author looking to get your book published?  That, my dear readers, is not a fun place to be in – I know several friends who are in that position (Hi!), and it is a competitive place to be.  I happened upon this fantastic book author query letter over at a site dedicated to Science Fiction and Fantasy writers. (If that is your niche, you might want to go have a look.  I’ll wait here patiently.) Perhaps I was drawn to it by the title:  the complete nobody’s guide to query letters.  HA!

It’s a long pitch, so I’d just like to highlight some of the parts I really liked about it and the ones I will take away when I write another book and need to pitch to authors.

State What You Are Asking For

I love how Lynn starts right off with what she is looking for – no mincing of words here:

I am seeking representation for my fantasy adventure novel,Luck In The Shadows, complete at 170,000 words. I am enclosing a synopsis and a sample chapter. The sequel,Stalking Darkness, is nearing completion and another free-standing book featuring the same characters is in outline form.

She also explains the attachments and where she is with the book.  I have never met Lynn before, and yet in three sentences I have a pretty good idea already of what’s going on.

Express Your Passion and Why You Are Different

Lynn then dives into why she loves this topic – passion counts for a lot these days – and then acknowledges some books already published on this topic and then explains succinctly why her book is different:

I love thieves and spies – those sneaky people who live by intuition, skill, and inside knowledge. In fantasy, however, they are often portrayed as dark, ruthless characters or relegated to second string roles, a la Falstaff, as useful or amusing foils for more conventional heroic types. Luck in the Shadows gives the rogues center stage.

Explain Why You Are Qualified – And Name Drop if You Can

You don’t have to name drop, but I think it helps if you can.  But notice how Lynn does it here, without being a total jerk about it.

I’ve been writing professionally for ten years and am currently a freelance journalist. My articles appear regularly in the Bangor Daily News, Preview! Magazine, and Maine In Print. I’ve covered everything from software to psychics; my interview credits include Stephen King, Anne Rice, and William Kotzwinkle.

Further Tips

We’ve talked before about silly query letter writing mistakes, so I will not rehash old ground.  Lynn’s advice further along is a bit dated, but there are two tips here that will be eternal for book author pitches:

• Find a Name:  As with any query letter, it’s always best to get it to the right person in the first place.  Saves you a lot of hassle and the potential of your precious query not even getting to the editor who is making the decision.
• Follow the Directions:  Does it say use a purple pen and include three photos of you juggling?  Then DO IT.  As an editor myself, I cannot tell you how annoying it is to receive pitches that don’t follow the instructions.  If you can’t even pitch with the instructions, how can you write a whole book?

For more tips, don’t miss Deb’s great series: how to write a book.

I would love to hear from authors who have gotten published, or publicists who do review query letters, for comments and tips on how book authors can be more success!

Photo by kevindooley

Words Say a Thousand…oh, Nevermind

I was trying to come up with a clever metaphor to describe how portfolios help a editor visualise your work in their publication.  But it didn’t come out right, so let me just say this:

Writers who “kind of” fit what the editor is looking for but have an appropriate portfolio will fare better than great writers who have no portfolio.

It’s psychological – your editor probably doesn’t even realise this.  But the reality is that when we personally can visualise something in our head, it makes that option much more real.  And if the editor reviewing your query can picture your column in print in their magazine/journal/blog, that is definitely a good thing.

First, Get Your Website Updated

My advice here is unequivocal: writers need their own website (yourfirstnameyourlastname.com) and on that website they need a page with their portfolio.  The web is a virtual real estate land grab, and it is my view you will be sorry if you don’t take advantage right now.

Some writers have a site that really just says who they are, what they do, and some contact details.  Others have a personal blog and do a little more upkeep to their site, and that’s ok as long as you aren’t using that blog space to talk about how awful your clients are.  Big no no.

The best portfolio pages are:

• organised: content is grouped either by theme (e.g. coffee stories, scientific articles, social media pieces) or medium (your books, blogs, print magazine, etc), or whatever groupings make sense for your work.  Make it easy to get around.
• quick to load:  don’t load up the page with massive images of all the scanned items of your work.  Nobody has the time to wait.  make sure it loads quick and then I can wait for the download if need be when I choose which piece I want to read.
• easy to find:  what if I got the link wrong, or just typed your main homepage into my browser.  Can I still find your portfolio?

Then Tweak Your Pitch

So, here are a few tips that I have found make a big difference in how my pitch is reviewed:

• NO attachments.  Never ever ever unless specified.  The thing is, often these go straight into spam.
• Point out your portfolio online, and then select a couple of pieces that specifically relate to the piece at hand.  So if you’re pitching about coffee beans, now is the time to point out you are a columnist for the Daily Coffee Journal.  If your piece is about the impending doom that is the Large Hadron Collider, point to some of your scientific studies that relate.

Do not let an editor just go and fend for themselves in your portfolio, draw their attention to the pieces that matter and let them wander around afterwards if they want.

The writers at the head of the pack have great portfolios.  How’s yours?

Photo by LWY

What You Need to Track

Well, I think this is pretty straightforward, but it might vary depending on your niche and topic.  Here’s what I’m tracking:

• Publication Name
• Contact Name
• Contact Email (I don’t have phone since I rarely use it, but you might want to track this)
• Article Topic (just in case I pitch similar topics to others)
• Status (matches the color coding – see below)
• Date/Comments (I have a running list of updates, with a date next to each)

That’s it.  I also color-code the lines; dark grey is for queries that were rejected, yellow is for work that is won but not paid/complete, and green is for work complete and has been paid for.

My spreadsheet also has a second tab where I put story ideas that need a publication to pitch to, as well as a list of publications I want to pitch to and either haven’t, or I don’t have a good idea what to pitch them yet.

For me, less is more.  I could totally overengineer this thing, but then I would be spending my time working on a spreadsheet, not writing.  Guess which one pays more?

How to Track It

So, most of us – myself included, as I have mentioned – just use a spreadsheet to track your query letters.  Google or Excel both work fine. Just make sure that it’s backed up safely, and don’t be afraid to adjust your columns for formatting as you go along.

Spreadsheets aren’t ideal.  You can forget to update them; you might get the format wrong and it starts to get unwieldy.  (Be sure you have a plan to archive stuff that is no longer useful – an extra, out of the way tab might work, or throw it into another spreadsheet all together.)

CRM systems are another option.  CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management, and I do have one actually – Highrise.  I use it for my consulting services business.  Why don’t I use it for queries?  Well – that is a good question. Mostly it is because my services stuff has very long sales cycles, so I need to track proposals and follow-ups etc, whereas my writing projects tend to be Query -> Wait -> Receive Decision.  There isn’t much negotiation or massive amounts of communication to manage.

That might be different for you.  You might also find the thought of a spreadsheet to be nightmareish – it is the marketing arm of your freelance writing business, after all.  I would suggest you take a look at the options out there – Zoho is another popular one, as well as Salesforce.

Scanners, Read Here

So, if you’re scanning this, here’s the important point: it isn’t about whether you use CRM tools or a simple spreadsheet. It’s about the quality of your tracking data – so whatever you put back in you get back out.  If your spreadsheet is a mess or never updated, it doesn’t help, does it?  Same for a CRM tool – it isn’t a magic wand that gets more writing work.  It is just a tool to help you get organized.

FWJ Readers: Are you:

A) Not Organized
B) A Spreadsheet Person
C) A CRM Person
D) Organized with Something Else

Curious to hear your thoughts.

Let me share a few things to think about.

1. It’s Not OK to Post Someone Else’s Writing or Images Without Permission

I don’t know how folks get the notion that just because something is online it’s public domain, because that’s far from true.  It may be out there but it doesn’t mean you can cut and paste it. Even worse, just because it’s out there doesn’t mean you can cut and paste and put your own name on it.  For most of us this is common sense, but since so many writers (especially content writers) are getting blasted for plagiarism, it’s an important thing to discuss.

It’s not acceptable to post someone else’s writing without permission, no matter what that writing might be. If someone wrote something you feel bears repeating, you’re welcome to quote with attribution. You’re also welcome to paraphrase while giving credit where it’s due. You are never welcome to use someone else’s words without permission unless it clearly states on that article or blog posts permission is granted. It’s considered stealing and can get you into a lot of trouble. Also? It get get your blog or website shut down.

Ditto images. Google Images is not a free for all, it’s only a search engine for images. The pictures showing up in searches aren’t yours to take.Always. Ask. Permission.

Again, the Internet isn’t the public domain. A good rule of thumb is that if you don’t have permission to use something, don’t use it.

2. Research Involves More than Google

If you’re hired to write an article requiring research, you’re probably tempted to use your favorite search engine because it’s quick and easy. Here’s the thing: A lot of the content on the web is from people who also think search engine research is quick and easy. Some of the content isn’t even accurate. When you use only search engines for your writing, you run the risk of only producing the same regurgitated, possibly incorrect content everyone else is using. Go beyond Google. Visit the library, read some magazine articles and contact experts. You’ll find your much more respected as a writer when you take the time to conduct accurate research. You’ll also find yourself with repeat assignments as your editors appreciate your going the extra mile. Besides, there’s the satisfaction of knowing you gave your readers an accurate portrayal.

3. There Are Different Types of Writing

So, yeah. All writing is different. Newspaper formats are different from many magazine formats. Magazine formats are different from many web formats. Blogging isn’t the same as article writing and both are different from writing books or grant proposals.  So it’s terrific to decide you’re going to be a writer, but to do so is to know the difference between the types of writing  and learning about the formats that best suit your style. It’s best not to accept a gig unless you’re sure you know the format.

4. Not Everyone in the Freelance Writing Community is Helpful or Encouraging

At the risk of being labeled a whiner or a martyr, I’m going to tell you about something we’re not supposed to talk about.I don’t know any other online community where there is so much bickering and negativity.

There are plenty of freelance writers in the community who truly care and wish to help others succeed. There are others who don’t really care about your success, especially if your path to success isn’t the same as theirs. If there’s one thing that I find disturbing about some members of the freelance writing community it’s the negativity. I’ve seen incredibly petty arguments and some valid debates, I’ve seen flame wars start just because people don’t agree on rates, and I’ve seen freelancers who do their best to discredit another freelancer or sabotage a career, simply because they choose different paths. My advice to you if you’re going to be a part of the freelance writing community is to know who you’re getting into a discussion with before you get into that discussion. If it’s someone who takes everything as a personal affront or views disagreement as an attack, rethink that discussion or take it somewhere else.  It’s not worth the constant negativity.

5.The Opportunities You See Online Aren’t the Only Opportunities Available for Freelance Writers

Job hunting services like the one offered here are very convenient. We scour the web and post the best opportunities we can find.  And while we enjoy bringing you this convenience, it’s also important to note that these are only but a few of the opportunities available to freelance writers today. There are other ways to find work. For example, you can try cold calling and emailing. You can also try querying magazines.  If you’re not finding the good gigs online, take it offline and see what’s out there. You’ll find that can do very well when you’re not waiting around for the work to come to you.

What are some other things beginners might not be aware of?

In order to encourage the freelancer writers in this community, I like to keep the tone light and positive. Though I don’t take the “in your face” approach to blogging, I’ll agree that there are plenty of times when freelance writes need to have the truth laid out for them in order to view all sides of the picture. With that in mind, I’d like to discuss some of the things that aren’t so pleasant and hopefully inspire struggling freelancers to re-evaluate their career choices and goals.

To be perfectly blunt, there are times freelance writers need a wake up call. If they’re struggling all day, every day, and no money is coming in, there’s something wrong. This doesn’t always mean they’re not in the right career, but oftentimes it does.

Let’s explore some of the reasons freelancers may want to reconsider their career choice, or, at the very least, come up with a new business or marketing plan. Most of us chose freelancing to have a positive experience, if that’s not happening some self and business evaluation is necessary. Struggling freelance writers would do well to explore the reasons behind their lack of success and decide what they’re going to do about it.

Here are a few situations when freelance writers need to rethink their strategy – and maybe even their career choice.

When they’ve been doing this for years and still earning $5 an hour

Simply put, freelancers need to profit from their work. Most of us think it’s nonsensical to put in a full day’s work and only receive enough in return to pay the bare minimum bills, if that. Indeed, in the “real world” we expect cost of living increases and the ability to put at least a little bit into savings. If you’re trying to make a living as a freelance writer but only barely earning pocket change, you need to rethink your earning strategy. Some writers feel the flexibility and work at home lifestyle are perks that make up for extremely low pay. Consider that eight hours of work is eight hours of work -regardless of whether you’re home or in an office. Your time is worth something. In order for our clients to value our time, WE need to value our time. The beautiful thing about freelance writing is that we don’t have an employer telling us how much we can earn, or how much of an increase we may (or may not) receive. We make our own rules, and that includes the amount we wish to receive per gig.

Wake up call: You’re not earning enough money…why is this? Is it because you’re not choosing the right kinds of clients or setting the right amount for your rates? As freelancers we should always make the choices that are best for us and our situations. However, if your freelance writing lifestyle isn’t contributing to a better situation, you need to analyze why. Sometimes it’s a simple as raising your rates, other times, it’s because you’re only focusing on entry level opportunities. Take a deep breath and make the changes that will enable your bank account to grow with your career. This can include a client overhaul, a new specialty, a new business plan and especially, a raise in rates.

When they’re receiving nothing but rejection

Nothing is more frustrating and disheartening than rejection. Usually our stock answer to freelance writers regarding rejection is to consider themselves in good company and remember it’s a way of life for this career. However, we can learn a lot from rejection. Sometimes an editor will add a useful note to a rejection letter telling us why we’re not a good fit and offering tips for submitting or applying again. Sometimes a second pair of eyes on our cover letters and writing samples tell us what we need to know too. When we receive rejection every time we apply and absolutely no one is biting, it might be more than a typo or a bad fit.  I’m not one to tell people to give up, but no gigs after five years of trying might be telling you something.

Wake up call: If no one wants to hire you, it doesn’t necessarily mean you might not be a very good writer, but that might well be the case. I know writers who have applied to hundreds of jobs over several years and only find work paying small residual change for places without a strict acceptance policy. If this is you, consider whether or not you’re cut out for writing, or if this is the result you’re looking to achieve. If you belong to a writing community, ask trusted members to critique some of your best writing. I know it’s hard to hear criticism, but it’s often necessary in order to know what we’re doing wrong (and right.)

When all their spare time is spent working

There are two main reasons writers spend all day working. The first is because they love what they do and lose track of time. The other is that they’re trying to earn enough to make ends meet and the only way to do that is work 15 hours a day.. .and even that’s not enough. So now we have a problem, we work at home in order to have freedom, but we’re chained to our desks 80 hours a week. Is it worth it?

Wake up call: If you’re working all day because you want to earn $60,000 a year, you may want to rethink your approach. It’s one thing to work four to eight hours each day to earn that much, it’s another to spend every waking hour with low paying gigs in order to pay the bills. It’s time to work smarter not harder. Instead of taking a $7 project, find a similar project paying, say $30. Now you’re earning quadruple the rate and you can reach your goal income in less time. Every six months to a year, reassess your situation and see if you need to increase your rates again.

When they’re not happy

Damn it, it’s not enough to be “boss free.” Your happiness counts for something too. If you hate your job and hate writing, why are you doing it? It’s funny how we fantasize about leaving our office jobs but we’re much more hesitant to leave a work at home lifestyle because we don’t want to give up the flexibility.  To be honest, I had more time when I worked in an office job because I left my job at 5:00 each day and didn’t go near it on the weekends.

Wake up call: Um, hello? When did your happiness become so insignificant? If you’re not enjoying yourself, explore why. Is it a particular client? Decide whether or not he’s replaceable. Is it because you don’t enjoy writing?  Decide whether or not this is the career for you or consider other types of work from home opportunities. Is it because you’re lonely? Make sure to find time for friends and family. Go to lunch with “the girls” or have a movie night with your friends.

Understanding the Reasons Behind Your Lack of Success

Maybe other freelance writers can weigh in her too, but for me examining why I’m not a success always helps me to achieve success. Every now and then when I have a dry period of potential clients aren’t so receptive to my queries, I do a little analysis to see why. I go over my writing samples, cover letters and resume. Every now and then things need updating, you know?

Something else I learned is that a second set of eyes helps us to see what we’re missing. Understanding the reasons behind our lack of success will help us to determine whether or not we’re doing the right thing or going about things the right way. The important thing to remember is you’re not a failure if you decide this life isn’t for you.

We’re freelancers because we want to enjoy life. When we’re not happy or not successful we’re not enjoying anything.

What are some of the wake up calls you received regarding freelance writing? What did they tell you and what action did you take next?

But the discussion board had me thinking:  what exactly is the minimum you need in your query letter?  Instead of just wondering, I went to the source and asked several editors that I know the following question:

Less is More:  What ‘questions’ are the bare minimum that a writer need to answer in a query letter/pitch?

Here’s what I found out:

“For SocialMediaExaminer.com we take a close look at a factors.  First, have they written about social media and specifically have they written “how to” pieces.  Then we take a close look at their writing style.  For our audience it has to be conversational.  Finally we ask them to propose topics for articles (once they have passed the first two gates).  If we like all of the above we will review an original piece for consideration.”

- Michael Stelzner, founder of Social Media Examiner, a top 100 business blog (according to Technorati).

“They’re not always relevant, but generally are:

• Why now? (Why is your piece timely?)
• Why you?  (Why are you uniquely qualified to write this piece? What background/experience do you have that makes you an expert?)
• What kind of readership do you bring with you? (Are you on Twitter, Facebook, etc? Do you know how to promote your work? Do you have a blog? Do you bring a readership with you?)
• What kind of supportive material might be available? (High res photos? Video? I may not use it, but I’d like to know about it).”

- Julie Schwietert Collazo, Managing Editor of the Matador Network, the world’s largest independent travel magazine.

“In terms of the bare minimum, I’d say writers should tell editors three main things: what’s the story/subject they pitching, why its newsworthy and why the publication their pitching needs it (eg: they haven’t covered it recently and the last article covering the subject is outdated.) Of course I’d advise avoiding phrases like “this is newsworthy because..” If the pitch is well crafted that much will be apparent and that sort of phrasing lacks creativity and voice.”

- Kymlee Morrison, Editor at Entrepreneur Magazine, an online and print small business publication

P.S.

I’m thinking back to the early days of freelance writing. I’m remembering a time when the possibility of landing freelance writing jobs was overwhelming, yet seemed very real. I’m remembering the days when I couldn’t wait to look for work, but was afraid to look for work. I’m remembering the time when fear and lack of confidence kept me from doing more than reading the freelance writing job ads.

Today, we’re going to talk to the folks who want to write in the worst way, but something is keeping them from taking that first step.

Today we’re going to discuss landing that first freelance writing job.

If you’re scanning the subheads below, you might think, “well that all looks easy enough, I can do that.” Yes, you can, but it’s not easy. I can tell you that you may not land the very first gig you apply to, and you will  make all sorts of mistakes. Just because you’re taking those first steps, doesn’t mean you’ll actually land the gig.

However, nothing will happen if you don’t try.

Step 1: Assess Your Skills

Passion Counts

I have an anecdote for you:

My friend Kurt wasn’t a writer, but he wrote well and his friends encouraged him to continue. He’s dabbled in novel writing, but never really sought out freelance writing jobs. When a friend with a car website approached me to ask if I knew anyone with a passion for cars,  Kurt was the first person to come to mind. Kurt wasn’t a writer in the traditional sense of the word, but I didn’t know anyone else with such a genuine passion and enthusiasm for cars and motorcycles who also wrote well. Now my friend Kurt is lead writer for RideLust and works as an automotive journalist. As I write this, there’s a long list of luxury cars waiting for Kurt to have a turn at driving  (for two weeks at a time) and reviewing them. Kurt is freelancing full time, talking about his passion.

You can be a generalist with your writing, this has worked for many people. In the beginning, I wrote about saving money and family finances. It wasn’t until I blogged for a few years that I began writing about writing and blogging. Think about all the things you love or the things you can do best and exploit your passion.

Passion alone won’t get the gig

So here’s the kicker – just because you’re good at something doesn’t mean you can write about it. First of all, there may not be any gigs available in said niche, but also, you may not have the writing skills.  It’s easy to get writing gigs every day. For some clients it’s more about cheap labor than hiring the best writer for the job. However, if you’re not a very good writer you’ll only get the cheap gigs. Be realistic about your talent and skill. If you’re always having your writing corrected or don’t know basic rules of grammar, consider taking some writing courses or having your work critiqued.

We all think we’re good writers, but sometimes we’re in for a major reality check. I can tell you that I thought I was one great writer when I graduated from school because my family and teachers told me so. However, when I began working in publishing I learned from the editors there that certain things needed work and I went to school. There’s no shame in brushing up.

Step 2: Think About the Types of Writing You Would Like to Do

Ok, so now you know you have mad skills and something to offer to the world. Where are you going to write? Do you want to write a newspaper column or magazine articles? Do you want blog or write web articles? Would you rather explore business writing? There are so many possibilities available to you. Think about the types of writing that most appeal to you.

But wait…you’re not done yet….

These gigs don’t just fall into your lap. Now you have to figure out what is involved with each. You can say that writing white papers looks interesting, but unless you’ve done so, you’ll need to know a little about it.  No one is going to hire you if you don’t have a clue about white papers are and how to write them.  Think about your skills and the best way to profit from them. Research all the different ways to break into these gigs and markets.

One of the biggest mistakes I made as a freelance writer is not researching markets enough. I knew about magazine markets from publishing, but I thought all markets were the same. Though I landed the first job I applied for, the rest didn’t come so easy. Not knowing a thing about approaching the markets wasn’t a smart move. I did better after I took the time to research.

Step 3: Figure Out a Rate

What do you want to earn? No, seriously, what do you want to earn? Do you want someone to set your rate, or do you want to take charge from the very beginning? Knowing how much to charge will help to shape your career from the get-go.  What do you think your writing is worth? That’s not an easy questions as it encompasses several factors. You’ll want to consider the type of writing, the amount of research involved, whether or not you will conduct interviews, expenses, fees and taxes. So if you state off the bat you want to charge $50 per hour, also work out if you will be able to support yourself on that amount after all is said and done. (For help, try this freelance rate calculator at Freelance Switch.)

Now stick with those freelance writing rates

You may be tempted to fiddle with those freelance writing rates. You might want to bargain in order to get your foot in the door. Sure, you could try that. Consider this though, when you negotiate lower rates, clients catch on quickly. They know you won’t stand firm. They know they can talk you down. If you’re firm, you will land the clients who will respect your rates, but make no mistake, they will expect value in return.

Sure, there may be times when negotiating might be in order. For example, if you’re tackling a variety of projects or if you want to offer a trusted client a discount to reward customer loyalty. For the most part, your rate is your rate. Stand firm. It may be harder to find gigs with this rate at first, but once you land a few clients you’ll be happy you held your ground. Be the one to set your rate and clients will be less likely to lowball you.

Step 4: Press Send

It’s time. You know you have skills, you know what you want to do and you know what you want to charge. What else is there left to do but start querying and submitting. Notice I didn’t say “look for work?” That’s because if you’re like me, you spent a lot of time looking for work already. You know what’s out there. You can look for work until the cows come home, but unless you actually sit down and start typing those queries nothing’s going to happen. Stop looking and start taking action.

Create some samples

Notice how everyone wants samples of your writing? This shouldn’t be a deterrent. Unless a potential client specifically asks for “published” samples, you can create a few relevant samples to send with your query or application. Samples are meant to give potential clients an idea of your writing style. If you put your best effort into some samples, some clients will hire you, regardless of whether or not you have published work.

Research query examples

So, yeah…you’re going to have to send a cover letter or query and it’s going to have to be better than everyone else’s. Your query is your first impression. An editor or client should look at it and say, “That’s it! This is the person I want writing for me.”

We’re starting a query letter series here at Freelance Writing Jobs, and also, Linda Formicelli often features “query letters that worked” at her wonderful and helpful Renegade Writer blog. Do investigate successful query letters before submitting your own.

Editors are sticklers for details so proofread several times over before hitting “send.” If necessary, enlist another pair of eyes. As you gain more experience, the query and application process will get easier.

Step 5: Follow Up

When I worked in publishing, many of the editors had stacks and stacks of queries and submissions to go through. Many of them put it off as long as possible. I know one editor who only looked at queries once a month. When freelancers called to inquire about the status of their queries, we would unearth them from the pile and take a look. Not hearing from an editor or potential client is frustrating. Many times, they only respond to the person who landed the gig. Many times your query is lost in a pile somewhere. There’s nothing wrong with waiting a couple of weeks and sending a polite follow up.

Another story

A few years ago, there was a gig I really wanted. The pay was terrific and the subject matter was right up my alley. I sent in a cover letter and some of my best writing samples.

Nothing.

Three weeks later I sent the client a polite letter, only a few lines long, to follow up on my application. I told him I’d love to discuss the gig in detail more. The client sent me back a note telling me he already chose someone for the gig. However, two weeks later he contacted me again saying his first freelancer didn’t work out and since I seemed to really want the job he offered it to me. We still work together  from time to time.

Step 6: Lather, Rinse, Repeat

Now that you sent out your first query, cover letter or completed your first application, what will you do? I hope you’re not going to rest on your laurels. You may not land your first gig. You also many not hear from a potential client right away. Continue querying. Use it for practice. Don’t stop after one try. The third time might be a charm or you it may take until your 20th try. Eventually your persistence will pay off, but only if you continue looking for work.

Are there easier ways to find freelance writing jobs?

As a freelance writing blogger I’m not supposed to tell you this. I’m not supposed to encourage this type of writing, but if we’re going to talk about the ways to find freelance writing jobs, not mentioning web content sites would be a glaring omission. In 2010 plenty of freelancers are earning a living this way. Keep in mind that “easy” doesn’t always equal “lucrative.”

There are plenty of easier ways to find work, for example you can work for content sites. However, most content sites are not high paying opportunities. You’ll have to see how they fit into your game plan. Is this the type of writing you want to do? Is this the rate you want to earn? If so, by all means start out writing for content sites. After a little while, take that experience and your new found confidence and look for higher paying gigs.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with writing for content sites, I did. Be careful though. You can find yourself getting caught up in the “easy” lifestyle. Content sites can be a terrific springboard to more lucrative gigs, but the easy way isn’t always the realistic way. Sometimes writers start with content sites to get their feet wet and that’s all they’re  doing three years later. Make a game plan if you’re going to take on content site work. Use it to start out or supplement your work. Use it full time, if that’s what you want to do, but make sure it fits in with your vision.

Freelance writing is work. It’s not a fun “bon bon and bunny slippers” gig. We work hard to find work, we take pride in what we do, and we work hard to give our clients the best writing possible. Before you embark upon a freelance writing career, be sure you can deliver. Take it seriously as you would any other job and you’ll do fine.

Do you have any questions about finding or landing freelance writing jobs?

Here’s my actual query letter (with some outdated links I had removed).  Read on, then see my comments about why this was good, and how I would do it better next time.

Subject:  Getting Started Query:  Start a Blog

Hi Sarah

Want to get free advertising for your writing? Looking for a regular way to practice and develop your ‘voice’? Hoping to showcase your portfolio online? All of these things can be accomplished by an aspiring writer by doing one thing: starting a blog.

I would like to propose a Getting Started feature showing writers the main steps required to host a blog. I’ll walk through the following actions:

1 – Consider the topic of the blog. What will you write about? All blogs need focus, so decide what sorts of content will feature. It is helpful to choose 3-5 categories that every post will fit into. Also think about what information on your services and portfolio will be featured.
2 – Decide if you will host the blog yourself or go with a free service such as WordPress or Blogger. Many writers would tell you that to be considered ‘more serious’ you must self-host, but this requires additional overhead and technical knowledge.
3 – Pick a blog name. Research into names, copyrights, etc. before making a final decision.
4 – Register your blog. The actions here depend on your choice for step two.
5 – Determine how often you will update the blog – and stick to it. Be sure initially there is plenty of content so your readers have an opportunity to stay and browse.
6 – Market your blog. Do this by commenting on other blogs which are in the same topic area. You might want to contact other bloggers and trade posts, which is called ‘guest posting’.

Each step will include simple, understandable information to get the novice blogger started. The sidebar will include several websites that would prove useful to new bloggers, such as Copyblogger (www.copyblogger.com) or Probogger (www.problogger.net)

My name is Andy Hayes, a freelance writer based in Edinburgh. You can view my portfolio online at <link>, which highlights my writing expertise in both new media (web content, blogs) as well as print media (Olive Magazine, Newsweek). My focus areas are travel, food and wine as well as being an experienced reviewer of books and products.

If you prefer to see my work in a ‘traditional’ format you can download a one-page CV here:
<link>

Should you find my suggestion to be of interest, I hope to hear from you. I am confident you will find my expertise an asset to your readership and look forward to hearing from you.

Warm Regards,

Andy

Key Points:

• The subject line is important.  You need to a) gain attention, b) give them a clue as to what it is.  I normally make mine a little spicier than that, but you get the idea.  Getting Started is the name of the column the query was for.  I always make a point to put the title of the article in the subject too.  You did think of a killer title for your article already, right?
• I addressed the editor by name.  Always try to find out who it is and write to that person.  Dear Editor is so…lame.
• Others will disagree, but I always lead with “what is in it for you.” Why should the editor keep reading?  Perhaps this is my copywriting background, but remember that your subject line gets them to open the email, and your first paragraph gets them to read the second paragraph, etc…
• I included a base frame of the article.  You need to give them enough information so they can picture what you’re pitching.  Don’t include the kitchen sink, though.
• My “I’m Andy Hayes and ….” piece is not bulk.  I tweak the names of publications and portfolio links to what I think will resonate best with the editor.  Notice I have both a one-page CV/resume as well as a more flexible web portfolio.

Other Things to Remember

• I sent this query letter in January 2009.  I got the go ahead for writing it in September.  Proof that freelance writing really is like planting seeds.
• You must tailor your query letter writing approach every single time; cookie-cutter pitches are a waste of your time as most editors can smell them from a mile away.

I hope you found that example useful.  But don’t cut and paste; put something similar into your own words.  What are your ninja tricks for tricking out a query letter?

Many freelance writers aren’t a fan of writing on “spec.” That is, to create an assigned article for a potential freelance writing client or publication without the promise of acceptance. This usually happens when a publication doesn’t want to commit to a new writer without giving  him or her an audition first.

When you encounter a freelance writing job ad looking for a specially prepared (and possibly unpaid) sample, that’s almost the same thing as writing on spec.  I call these request “special samples.” Special samples are writing requests beyond the clips that are submitted with the initial query or application.

Questions to Ask a Potential Client Who Wants Free Writing Samples

Most potential clients request clips and writing samples to get a feel for your writing. They want to be sure your voice and tone fits their own, and, also, they want to be sure you know the subject matter. In most cases, published clips will do just fine. For some clients this isn’t enough and they want writers to complete an assignment before they’ll agree to hire them. This is when we run into problems, especially if the client wants to keep all special samples without paying for them.

Before creating new samples at a potential client’s request ask him the following:

• Why do you need new samples when I already showed you several examples of my writing?
• How much will you pay for me to write this sample?
• Who owns my writing sample?
• What will you do with my sample if I’m not hired?

Many potential clients are actually very well-intentioned, they only want be sure you can handle the material. However, there are other clients who are looking for free content.  Asking questions will prevent you from helping to stock someone else’s website without seeing anything in return.

There have been occasions where I’ve written on spec:

• About.com’s Prep program is a two week audition where potential Guides create content for their Guide Site.  Several writers apply and build sites at the same time, but only one writer is chosen for the job. Those who don’t make the cut are left with nothing to show for their hard work. Fortunately for me, it paid off and I landed the gig. If I didn’t I probably would have used all of the content for my blog.
• One regular client asked me if I would try tackling a particular topic. The gig was lucrative but I never wrote about that particular subject before. Rather than lose this client to someone else, I wrote the piece on spec. I also got the gig.

Providing free samples or articles on spec is never a sure thing. While most freelance writers shy away from clients requesting free samples, there have been occasions where it’s turned out well for the writer. If you’re going to write a free sample, make sure you’re compensated, especially if the potential client will use the sample. If you’re not compensated and it’s only to be used as an “audition,” make sure your client knows he doesn’t own any rights to the content, he may not publish it without your consent, and it is yours to do with what you wish. If the client wants all rights to a sample even if you don’t get the gig, run. This is only someone looking for free goods.

Every day writers ask if they should submit free samples. My answer is always to consider the source and ask the right questions. I’m not a fan of writing on spec, but I did have success with it a couple of times, and I know other writers with similar stories. Just keep in mind you may not receive any form of payment for your work, and the potential client may very well end up keeping your samples to use as he wishes. For another side of the story, read John Hewitt’s excellent account at PoeWAr: The Dangers of Writing on Spec. While there are differences between writing on spec and turning in free samples, the outcome can be the same. Lots of work for nothing.

What are your thoughts? Have you ever submitted a free sample? Would you write on spec?

Every now and then it’s suggested I’m doing this wrong, that my approach to freelance writing isn’t traditional and that the tips shared here are incorrect. It’s even been hinted that perhaps I don’t look out for a writer’s  best interests because I don’t follow the old-school rules of journalism or insist you follow the same path as all the other freelance writers. Those insinuations don’t bother me at all. I admit I don’t necessarily do things the right way – if there is a right way. I kind of like marching to my own drummer.

There’s a reason the rumors don’t upset me. It may seem like a big stinking pile of ego to say this, but I don’t mind the criticism because I’m successful. I don’t feel as if I’m going about this the wrong way because my bank account and my list of satisfied customers are convincing me otherwise.

So there it is. I found success as a freelance writer even if I didn’t necessarily follow a well-worn, traditional path.

Should it matter?

I don’t think so. To me,  there’s something to be said about breaking the mold and finding your own way even if others might not approve. It doesn’t matter what others feel I should do if it doesn’t match my vision for achieving success. For me it means taking a less flexible approach to a freelancing schedule and using a cocktail of opportunities to maximize my earning potential. For someone else it may mean taking two hours out of each day to seek out and query $1 per word writing markets.

If it’s alright with you, I’d like to toss out a few suggestions for approaching your own freelance writing success. When I’m done, I’d love it if you can add some of your own methods into the mix as well.

Define your own freelance writing success

Figure out what you want early on. That doesn’t mean you can’t change your approach later or redefine your goals and visions. However, having an idea in your mind of what it means to be a success will give you a starting point. Success might be a monetary goal, seeing your name in a particular publication, or achieving a certain status. Define success first, and the rest will follow.

Plot goals and strategies needed to achieve said freelance writing success

You know what you want, now how will you get it? If your goal is to write the great American novel, you know you have to start with an outline, research facts and figures, develop characters, write a certain amount of pages each day, and eventually create a kickass proposal and shop it around.  Create your path to success by plotting obtainable goals and milestones.

Keep an open mind

In 2010 opportunities for freelance writers abound. One doesn’t only need to rely on magazines or newspapers. Depending on expertise and experience, the same writers who create web content can become copywriters, article writers for magazines, newsletters and newspapers, ebook and traditional authors, bloggers and more. Creating a cocktail of opportunities might prove to be more beneficial than sticking with one tried and true form of writing. You don’t have to accept any opportunities you’re not feeling, but looking around at what else is out there couldn’t hurt.

Create a schedule

I don’t know about you, but if it’s not in front of my face it doesn’t get done.  After plotting out my goals I write them down. I put them on my calendar and work them into my daily, weekly or monthly agendas. Now I have no excuse for not achieving my goals.

Take action

It’s easy to talk about defining, scheduling and plotting but it’s all meaningless if I don’t take action. All the freelance  bloggers can offer tips and advice until the earth stops moving, but we can’t force you to take the first – or any steps.  So now it’s your turn.  How will you take action?

That’s it – that’s my non-traditional approach to freelance writing success, now tell us about yours. What are your goals and what steps are you taking to achieve those goals?

My first actual published piece of writing was a band interview 1993 or 1994. I wrote the piece for the music and tattoo magazine I worked for. I wasn’t originally scheduled to do the interview but the assigned reporter called in with a last minute illness and I was the only one who could get to Bryant Park for the concert and help out. The interview was well received, but the magazine wasn’t. It ceased publication right after that issue due to lack of sales.

My one and only copy of this magazine has an extra place in my heart because the band KISS adorned the front cover and after joint promotion, they all autographed my copy of the issue. There was no way I was tearing apart my one and only copy of this now rare, autographed issue of Rock & Roll Tattoos for a clip. I put my copy in a protective bag and packed it away…and haven’t seen it since. Yes, this aspiring writer lost her one and only writing clip.

At the time, I wasn’t looking to freelance so it didn’t occur to me to make copies of my first published clip (beyond the school newspaper). I showed the magazine to friends and family for a few weeks and then tucked it away for safe keeping.  When I began freelancing in 2000, I had a dilemma. Every single gig required clips and I couldn’t find mine. What do I do?

Draw on experience

When I began looking for freelance writing work I realized I had something that might set me apart from some other candidates; experience within the publishing industry as an editorial assistant. This in itself didn’t give the potential client an idea of my writing style, but it did let him know I knew a thing or two about writing. It wasn’t a deal maker by any means but maybe it would keep my query from the “rejection” pile. I described my experience in my pitch to potential clients. Some weren’t impressed, but some wanted to learn more.

As I became a more experienced freelance writer I realized having expertise in a particular niche or industry is sometimes more attractive than having a long laundry list of published clips. If a writer is knowledgeable about the subject matter and can prove he’s a good writer, he can land the gig – even without prior experience.

Freelance writing clips don’t necessarily have to be published

Unless the potential client specifically asks for “published” clips, it might not matter. The reason clips are required are because he wants to make sure you can write and, also, to get an idea of your writing style and expertise. When you’re first starting out as a freelance writer, you might have to create your own unpublished clips.

Research the potential client

What is your potential freelance writing client looking for? If you have enough information, you can write up a sample article and tailor it to your client’s needs. Dig a bit deeper and see if you can learn why the client needs a writer. Learn about his business. Is he looking to teach or sell? Knowing as much as you can about the client, his goals and his opportunity can help you craft an unpublished clip that comes close to what he’s looking for.

Audition your writing

Consider your clip an audition. Actors looking for a part in a movie or play don’t show up and go through the motions, they give it their all. In order to compete with the more experienced writers, you’ll have to give your very best effort as well. If needed, ask another writer to look over your sample before submitting it for consideration. It sounds cliche to say, but you’ll never get a second chance to make a first impression.

If inexperience is keeping you from querying for a gig, consider this: I landed the very first freelance writing gig I applied for using an unpublished clip. Granted, I received many rejections throughout the ensuing decade, but that first acceptance did wonders for my confidence and outlook. Don’t let a lack of published bylines keep you from going for the gold, as a freelancer you have to make your own opportunities.

How did you land your first gigs without clips?

I have a gripe.

Almost every week another friend or relative comes out of the woodwork to ask me for help in getting started as a freelance writer. Most of them have never aspired to write, or even enjoy it, but they’re out of work or want to work at home. They see freelance writing as a way to avoid the rat race, and, even, to not have to do much work at all.

To be honest, these calls and emails kind of tick me off. I wouldn’t call my plumber and say, “Hey, I fixed a toilet once. Can you help me find a job as a plumber?”

Yes, freelance writing jobs are plentiful in 2010 and there are more writers than ever but that doesn’t mean everyone who ever typed up a business correspondence or wrote in a diary is cut out to be a freelance writer.This isn’t an easy “work at home” job. It’s a job that takes skill and dedication. Lazy people need not apply.

It’s not a matter of writing

Of course you have to be able to write well to be a freelance writer, but it’s so much more than that. Freelance writers must have:

• A solid work ethic: If you don’t have drive, you won’t make it as a freelance writer. This may look like a fun flexible lifestyle, but the writers who do the best schedule their time wisely. Sure, you can start work any time you like. You can take lots of vacation days and long lunches, but you also have to make sure the work gets done. Freelancers have to be responsible with their flexibility.
• The ability to work independently: No one is going to stand over you with a list of daily duties. You’re not going to sit in a cube near a bunch of supervisors to keep you in check. It’s up to you to see every project through to completion. Freelancers don’t have backup staff or co-workers in which to delegate our work. We file our own paperwork and do our own typing. Well, most of us, anyway.
• Good customer service skills: How are your people skills? Can you pick up a phone to touch base with a client? Will you know enough to follow up after a project is over? What if there’s a crisis or your client is unhappy? It’s important to know how to handle negativity and diffuse situations. Your clients’ happiness is the key to your success.
• The ability to sell: There are various ways clients screen their freelancers. Some use an application, others use a phone interview. There are still others who do everything via email. It doesn’t matter what method you use to communicate with your clients, if you don’t have the ability to sell yourself, your services and your products (your writing) you won’t get the gig.
• Good business sense: Being a freelance writer is owning a small business. What do you think it takes to run a small business? It takes the ability to bring in clients, analyze numbers, and profit from your work. There’s a lot more to this than writing.
• The ability to meet deadlines: Many brand new freelance writers begin with good intentions but find themselves overwhelmed as it gets closer to deadline day and they haven’t even started their projects. Clients don’t want a rushed project. They schedule projects with you in advance so you don’t rush the gig. It’s not fair to give them a quick piece of work when they put their faith in you to put your all into a project.
• Focus: Are you able to sit at your desk for hours? It’s not easy to work at home with so many distraction. The kids are calling or the phone is ringing, there’s always a reason to get up from your work. It’s hard to get into a rhythm when you have to jump up and down every five minutes. Everyone says they can work at home, it’s a rude awakening to find out how hard it actually is. Freelance writers have to have the ability to block out distractions and work without stopping.
• Hustle: There may be more freelance writing work now than ever, but there’s also more freelance writers. Finding suitable work is a constant hustle. It takes a while before you have repeat clients and word of mouth recommendations. Until then, it’s a feast or famine lifestyle and you have to stay on top of the job boards and give a better pitch than the other writers clamoring for the same opportunities.

Yeah, this work at home lifestyle is nice. We have the flexibility to work whenever we want and take on only the projects that interest us. Make no mistake, it’s hard work. Writing is only a small part of what we do.  If you think this is an easy lifestyle, think again. Freelance writing takes hard work, dedication and a good work ethic.

What are your thoughts? Can anyone do this? Can everyone be a freelance writer?

Last week’s post “6 Tips for Finding New Freelance Writing Markets” received a comment worth mentioning. Though I was brief in my roundup, the commenter Robert Earle Howells offered some good reminders:

These are all ways to troll, and they’re good. You can find great titles and get inspired. But remember, that doesn’t mean you’re ready to pitch them. One issue of a magazine, or even writer guidelines (which are often outdated), or a WM listing (ditto), can’t prepare you for a decent query. You need to look at the archives. You need to find the name and e-mail address of the exact editor to pitch. It’s also smart to check out the publication’s media kit for demographic info and other clues.

Robert is exactly right. Sending a blind query isn’t the best approach, there are steps to take before firing off your pitch. If you’re going query a market, be sure to take the time to do it right. For example, the last thing you want is to pitch an article idea only to learn they ran with a similar article two months ago.

Here’s a “before you query” check list to consider. Taking these steps before submitting a query can better your chances of success.

Read Back Issues

Visit the library and catch up on as many back issues as possible. There are several reasons for this: browsing the masthead will provide information regarding the editors and staff. By comparing these names to the articles inside, you can determine how many articles are written by staff writers vs. freelance writers. Moreover, familiarizing yourself with past issues will allow you see the market’s voice, get a feel for the readership and note what types of articles they generally publish. It’ll also give you an idea of what types of articles have been published in the past year or so, allowing you to submit a fresh idea.

Find Current Contact Information

Robert makes a very good point, your five year old edition of the Writer’s Market is sure to have outdated material, ditto for a past issue’s masthead. Read current editions to learn names and contact details, call the main office if necessary. Websites might also contain the current contact details. Don’t pitch a query until you’re sure you have the right person and the right department.

Research the Market’s Audience

Demographics are important. There are several ways to learn about a market’s readership. Contact the sales or marketing office for a media kit. Reading several issues cover to cover, especially the letters from readers, will give you a good idea about the age, gender and interests of the market’s reader base. Look online, read the Q&A’s, browse the forums and read demographic information provided to advertisers. Now you can tailor your pitch to meet the market’s needs.

Query or Manuscript?

Some markets prefer you pitch a completed manuscript, while others only wish to receive a query. Browse the Writer’s Market, online submission guidelines, or a current masthead to learn each particular market’s preference.

Critique Your Pitch

If you’re new to pitching markets, have a few experienced eyes critique your query before you drop it in the mailbox. Seasoned vets will help you punch up your pitch and recommend whether or not to add or omit certain details. After a little practice you’ll be able to fly solo, but it can never hurt to receive constructive criticism at first.

What are some of things you do before querying a market?

Shared with permission:

Dear Deborah,

I have a confession to make. I Googled you to learn more about you and your “early years.” I can’t find much about you save for online articles and your blog.  I’m interested in learning more about the beginning of your writing career, how you juggled a full time job while you were starting out and when you knew it was time to quit your day job.

Thank you for your blog. You and your colleagues provide a valuable resource.

Sincerely,

Loretta M.

I asked Loretta if I could respond to her email publicly because so many of you ask me about how I knew I wanted to be a freelance writer, my publishing career and when it was time to leave my full time job. It’s not a very interesting story, probably it’s typical and normal.

An early start

Like most of you, I always enjoyed writing. When I was in school, I didn’t join my fellow students in their moaning and groaning over term papers and essays. I looked forward to these assignments and did well. My favorite classes were those having to do with writing such as Journalism or English composition. I fed my addiction by keeping notebooks and diaries, even as far back as high school.

A career in publishing

I didn’t go to college upon graduation like most students my age. Instead, I took some night courses when I was a little older. My real writing experience began in 1985 at the age of 20, when I was hired as the receptionist for a boutique publishing company. They published over 100 titles including knitting magazines, tattoo magazines and even some adult oriented magazines. As I  moved up the ranks, some editors took me under their wings to encourage me to write more.

After 8 years I left my job in publishing to work for the graphic design and editorial firm that designed and handled the editorial and writing for many of the magazines published by my original employer. Though the gig was to be administrative, my duties were that of an Editorial Assistant and I loved my job. For a while.

My first byline

My first print byline appeared  in the early 90′s for a now-defunct music and tattoo magazine.  My boss sent me to attend a concert at Bryant Park put on by a top New York City hard rock station. The band wasn’t very well known but I felt special as I hung out backstage to ask questions about their tattoos. I got the gig because the original writer became ill at the very last minute. There was no one to fill in but me.

I loved seeing my name in print and wanted more.

Another of my duties was to give a final proofread to magazines before they went to press. Though I enjoyed this as well, it was also the reason I left the job. Many of the magazines were adult in nature and I didn’t enjoy proofreading them or looking at the accompanying images.  I left after several years to work for the accounting department of an upscale retail chain.

But I was bored. I didn’t want to add, I wanted to write.

The beginning of a freelance writing career

Throughout the 90′s, I attended night courses, mostly related to small business, at Baruch College in NYC. While there I also learned basic HTML and created a website so I could write whatever I wanted. I didn’t know it then, but it was my first blog. My dad was my biggest fan and one of my two daily visitors.

I began fantasizing more about writing for a living and researched the ways to begin. In 1999 I landed a humor column with Suite 101. In those days they paid a monthly fee which wasn’t much but I felt very important. The column was very popular and I enjoyed responding to the lively community in the comments. Through the Suite 101 gig, I landed a few other humor writing gigs here and there.

At that point in my career I had just gotten married and my husband and I were saving for a house. It didn’t occur to me to consider leaving my job to freelance, but I began looking for freelance writing jobs simply because I enjoyed writing.

Movin’ on up

In 2001, my husband and learned we were pregnant and bought a house in another state. Here was my chance to start over as a freelance writer. I was going to leave my job anyway to move and raise my child, now was as good a time as any.

I will say first and foremost, I probably wouldn’t have left my full time job if my husband didn’t already have a very good job. If we didn’t have two salaries, it would have been a lot more difficult for me to support myself in the beginning.

Goals are good

We set a goal. I would take a year to get my career off the ground and if it worked out well I could continue to write until our son was enrolled in school full time. Though I didn’t want it to be a temporary thing, I really didn’t expect to still be doing this now.

During the first two years I worked as hard as I could with a baby by my side. I didn’t keep all my eggs in the same basket. I worked for content sites, web clients such as iParenting Media and Legal Zoom, newsletters like the Dollar Stretcher, a couple of private clients and even landed a newspaper column using, believe or not, content site clips.

I believe the diversity was the key to my success.

I guess the rest is easy enough to figure out. I don’t find my story particularly interesting or inspiring. The truth is, I enjoyed writing and when I had to leave my job to relocate and have a baby, I saw my opportunity. It turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me.

Now tell us your story. What is your background and how did you get to where you are today?

Ten Ways to Get Your Freelance Writing Foot in the Door

1. Work pro bono – Though I don’t recommend writing for free, I have been known to do so for a good cause (and sometimes a few relatives). For example, few years ago a friend approached me about writing a brochure for a Habitat for Humanity event. Though they offered to pay, I didn’t accept. It was for a good cause and I felt the clip to be a resume booster. It was and still is. Charity work pays in more ways than money. Since then, I’ve more than a few pieces for charity and even some for local businesses that needed a boost.
2. Contact local newspapers and magazines - Many small newspapers, magazines and “Pennysavers” don’t pay much, but offer good opportunities for getting started as a freelance writer. Local newspapers often look for articles of interest to the community. Pitch public interest pieces or offer to cover town meetings and events.
3. Contact local businesses: Who writes the paragraphs for real estate in the real estate magazines? Call Realtors to find out. Who handles brochures or web copy for businesses in your area? Contact them to find out. Businesses always need writing but they don’t always have the time to look for a good, affordable writer. Make a list of the place that might have a need for writers, and give them a jingle.
4. Talk to friends, family and neighbors: Let everyone know you’re open for business. In their travels they might find someone who needs a writer and recommend you.
5. Advertise: If you don’t mind putting out a little money you can advertise in the newspaper, local business publications, the church newsletter, and on community bulletin boards. You might also create a writer’s website and use keywords to direct local businesses to your site.
6. Network: Join clubs, especially those geared towards the community or small businesses. I had a few very good gigs come from being the president of a local women’s organization that I originally joined for recreation. Attend conferences and seminars and even non-business-y events like local dances or lectures.
7. Join a professional organization: Why not join your local Chamber of Commerce or a small business owners group? How about a freelance writing organization, The Society of Professional Journalists or the National Organization of Women Business Owners? The people who are members of these different organizations like to hire within.
8. Write for the web: Web writing opportunities are plentiful and profitable. They range in all levels of pay and will help to build up clips and experience.
9. Start a blog: Start a blog in a topic you know well. Not only can this help establish as an expert, but it will also catch the attention of potential clients. For example, say you’re a former wedding planner and you decide to start a wedding planning blog. Someone looking for a wedding writer might come across your blog and contact you. You will also have several posts to use in querying for wedding writing opportunities.
10. Create your own clips: If you need some clips to land work and don’t have any, write a few in your areas of expertise. Run them through a second pair of eyes to be sure they read well – and then use those clips when you apply for available opportunities.

How did you get your foot in the door?

Also see: 30 Types of Freelance Writing Jobs and How to Get Them

Credit where it’s due: A few days Jodee Redmond wrote: “Will Taking a Low Paying Hurt Your Career.” Jodee’s post is the inspiration for this one.

Disclaimer: This post isn’t encouraging writers to accept low pay, it’s merely a discussion of whether or not your low paying past will hurt you when you apply for other gigs.This discussion isn’t about low pay or whether or not writers should accept entry level opportunities. It’s whether or not these opportunities will cause you to lose work.

When I was younger it was my dream to become a newspaper columnist. I couldn’t wait to see my little picture and byline at the top of a column. Several years ago I found my chance when a new newspaper opening in a nearby major city, advertised for journalists and editors.  Even though they weren’t hiring columnists, I didn’t think it could hurt to query. Taking a deep breath, I pitched anyway, for a column about saving money. All I had to show my style were a bunch of clips from entry level freelance writing jobs. I sent them, pitched and landed a regular gig as newspaper columnist. No one ever came back and said, “Sorry. You wrote for low pay. We don’t want you or your stinking clips.”

Good Writing Matters More Than Pay…or Even Experience

When a potential client asks for clips, they want to get an idea of your writing style.They want to know you can handle the material. Many times clips that are related to the potential client’s niche are fine, even if they come from a low paying market. Many times your client has no idea what the other places pay. I often recommend writers who have no experience write up a few articles and use these to apply for jobs, and more than a few have been able to land jobs using unpublished clips. Good writing stands out. You can be the most experienced writer in the world but if you send in bad clips you won’t get the gig.

To be fair, if you’re applying for a high paying journalism job and only have certain types of clips, an editor might be inclined to pass you over in favor of someone who has actual journalism experience or has written for well-known magazines. However, those same clips might land you a higher paying gig in a niche topic, if this is something you write about often.

Every career has entry level openings and positions and none of these positions hurt, they only lead to valuable experience. I believe this to be the case with low paying opportunities as well. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t set your goals higher, but taking entry level gigs for the experience isn’t a terrible thing.

Who is Really Looking Down On You?

There’s a lot of speculation on the web that writers who accept entry level gigs are seen as “laughingstocks” or have “no self respect.” However, I don’t see many hiring editors say this. It’s only from anonymous commenters and  freelance bloggers who don’t approve of entry level opportunities. Again, when I was first freelancing, not a single editor or client told me I couldn’t have the job because I wrote for low pay in the past. When I worked in publishing, we never looked a writer’s past pay, or even experience when considering freelancers for our magazines. We put more value into the pitch and the clips. We didn’t look down on anyone who wrote for free or earned very little money. One more time because people tend to misquote: I don’t believe every writer should only work for low payers and not aspire to do better, and that’s not what this piece is about. My point is that entry level opportunities won’t hurt your career.

Granted….

Many schools won’t accept certain content sites as sources for reports and articles. However, this has nothing to do with freelance writing jobs. In my experience, it doesn’t necessarily matter where you have worked in the past as long as you put forth a good effort. It’s sort of like an audition for a television show or movie. Sure, big names have a better chance of getting the job, but that doesn’t mean the C-list or Indy star won’t land a role in a major movie. Always put forth your best effort no matter who you write for and soon the sky will be the limit.

What is your experience? Has using clips from entry level opportunities helped or hurt your career?