Recent Posts from The Freelance Writing Jobs Network HQ

Good Writing is Good Writing Regardless of Price

// Yeah, there’s a lot of bad writing flooding the Internet and it’s one of my pet peeves. However, bad writing has nothing to do with the cost of each piece of writing.  It doesn’t matter if it’s free or cost $5,000 to produce, good writing is good writing. Low pay doesn’t breed bad writing. There’s bad writing on the web because: Anyone can be a writer on the web. Many web-based content companies have loose hiring standards. Many web-based companies don’t offer editorial or mentoring for new writers. Many web-based companies don’t have fact... [Read More...]

The Importance of Networking – With the “Competition”

// I spend at least an hour each day visiting an assortment of freelance writing blogs. I find it important to network and show support for the bloggers and blog readers in the freelance writing community – and even other communities. Though I know there are some people who feel other bloggers are competing against each other, I don’t find this to be the case at all. I harbor no animosity or bad will towards other freelance writing bloggers, and I hope they all do well. To me, the Internet is like one big networking event except without the catering. (Hopefully we can work on that... [Read More...]

6 Tips for Receiving Feedback from Your Freelance Writing Clients

// Client feedback is essential for freelance writing success. Even though we may not want to receive constructive criticism, not to do so could mean the end of our business. Look at it this way, even negative feedback offers the opportunity for improvement. Soliciting feedback from clients is just good customer service. Some freelancers aren’t sure how to take criticism, or what to say to a client who offers unsolicited advice. What follows are some tips for receiving feedback from your freelance writing clients. 1. Say “thank you” When your clients offer feedback, say “thank... [Read More...]

10 Tips for Telling if an Article Contains Reliable Information

// Bad content floods the web. It’s so bad that schools are giving out guidelines for sites to avoid when collecting information for reports. Many writers also use the web to research information, but how can we know if it’s someone else’s unreliable content rewritten ten times, or if it’s a realistic investigation or expose? Perhaps these tips can help: 1. The article contains verifiable and checkable facts Speculation isn’t fact, it’s speculation. Magazines and reputable websites have fact checkers on hand to check sources and content. Every important bit... [Read More...]

Pitch to the “Hidden” Places that Hire Freelance Writers

// Have you ever done a search for “freelance writer” only to land on a gig that isn’t for a freelance writer at all? For example you may land on a job for an editor who has to “supervise freelance writers” or a managing editor who has to “hire freelance writers”.  Don’t click away from these gigs yet. They’re actually offering valuable information — they’re telling you these businesses hire freelance writers. Even though they don’t have  job ad requesting freelance writers, it doesn’t mean they’re not open... [Read More...]

Hey Content Sites: Enough With All The Job Ads Already

// I take a lot of heat for defending certain content sites who hire writers for entry level opportunities. However, I have a pet peeve with many, and I’m sure you’ll share my sentiments. I can’t stand when web content sites flood the job boards. Every city, every state, every town, and in some cases, every country. Most writers look beyond their towns for finding freelance writing work. They look in the major cities and they check job search engines such as Indeed. There’s no need to flood the feeds. This only makes you look spammy. We see your ads, we simply don’t... [Read More...]

Tax Tips for UK Freelancers

// by James Hendicott Working for yourself is great, isn’t it? You get an open schedule, a nice mixed bag of employers and plenty of creative freedom. Wait, nobody told you about the paperwork? Well, if you’re a casual freelancer with a small income, you might not have to worry too much (see how to pay, and how to calculate payments). If this is the start of something big, though, you’d better get on with registration… here’s a quick lowdown on freelance tax issues to get you started: How to register with HMRC: So you’ve just received that first fulfilling payment as a freelancer?... [Read More...]

Why Negativity is So Positive

// Here’s something to consider: Many writers try to inspire or evoke emotion and fail miserably. If you write something and receive a negative reaction, you didn’t fail. You inspired others to act. Consider yourself a success. How sad would it be if you wrote something and no one responded? Or if every one just said, “oh I agree” and left it at that. If people are angry with you, if you touched a nerve, you’re doing your job as a writer – even if you don’t feel that way at first. Not everyone has the talent to inspire others to react. Take it as a... [Read More...]

10 Ways to Get Your Freelance Writing Foot in the Door

// We’re talking about freelance writing experience today. Many writers mention how hard it is to get their proverbial feet in the door without having to take entry level web opportunities. It’s true, these jobs are the simplest to get, but there are other ways to get started as a freelance writer. They may not take the easy way out, but they’re tried and true. Continue some of these ways for getting started as a freelance writer. Ten Ways to Get Your Freelance Writing Foot in the Door Work pro bono – Though I don’t recommend writing for free, I have been known... [Read More...]

Freelance Writing Experience: Does it Matter Where Your Clips Come From?

// 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... [Read More...]

Freelance Writers Have Health Insurance Options – But You May Not Like Your Choices

// By Matthew Lubin While our elected officials squabble over the future of our health insurance, millions are living without any coverage. We can only speculate how new legislation will affect our coverage (if we’re fortunate enough to have any). If all goes well, the government will bring down the cost of health insurance through employers and make policies for freelancers more affordable (please, don’t laugh too hard at the thought of the government really helping out the working class). There are some things we can do to keep ourselves healthy: eat better and exercise instead of snacking... [Read More...]

15 Places for Freelance Writers to Find Magazine Markets

// Many freelance writers aspire to break into print, particularly magazines. Magazine markets and guidelines offer tips for pitching and querying, payment details and editorial contact information. The problem with magazine markets is how often they change. Editors move on, guidelines are updated, payments go up and down. The Writer’s Market, which updates annually and lists editor information and guidelines for querying, is an important resource for anyone wishing to break into print. Not all websites with magazine market lists update as often. However, that doesn’t mean they’re... [Read More...]

About Suite 101: An Interview with Editor in Chief Colin Smith

// Deb’s note: This interview is part one in a series featuring content sites. As there have been much speculation and a few rather lopsided “investigations” regarding content sites, I thought it would be fair to talk to the people behind the content sites and let them tell the FWJ community a little about what they do, the benefits to their writers and why their sites are unique. Please note, these interviews aren’t endorsements, freelancers are always encouraged to make the decisions that work out best for them. In 1999, when I first began looking for freelance writing... [Read More...]

What Every Freelance Writer Needs To Know About Taxes

// by Thursday Bram If you’re making the switch to freelancing, it’s easy to miss some of the details that go along with completing your taxes. There are some major differences in the paperwork if you’re working for a company or if you’re self-employed. While there are plenty of ways to save money on your taxes or even make them easier to complete, there are some nuts and bolts that every freelance writer should know. The Question of Quarterly Estimated Tax Payments As a freelancer, you don’t have a boss — which means that you don’t have anyone handling... [Read More...]

A Freelance Writer’s Guide to Twitter

// Twitter is an essential resource for freelance writers. At first considered a fun little social networking site, Twitter now reaches far beyond your average social networking forum. In fact, next to the blog, many feel Twitter to be the most important social networking/social media tool for freelance writers. Knowing how to use Twitter to your benefit can mean more awareness of your brand, more traffic to your blog or website, and more interaction with other freelancer writers and potential clients. Let’s explore some of the ways freelance writers can take advantage of Twitter’s... [Read More...]