There is perhaps no other topic in the freelance writing world that generates more controversy than the concept of writers writing for free. Bring it up and lines in invisible sand are drawn, commenting spikes and in the case of Harlan Ellison, a few F-bombs are dropped. It’s understandable. Shady publishers and editors prey on vunerable writers who want to see their names in print. Writers are constantly burned by “write for free now and earn later” promises in which “later” never comes. However, in the angry buzz of the debate something gets lost. Choice and education. There will always [Read more…]
When a Freelance Writing Job Doesn’t Pay
How to make the decision to work for free
March 8, 2011. 10 Comments
How to Cope with a Client’s Inappropriate Questions
Focus on Answering What they Really Want to Know
March 7, 2011. 7 Comments
Have you ever been asked an inappropriate or even illegal question in a job interview? It’s happened to me on occasion, and unfortunately both times the interview was for a job at a law firm. (You would think legal types would know better, but apparently they don’t.) One person interviewing me asked if I was married, and then caught himself and said that he probably couldn’t ask me that question. The other time was much more blatant and I was really shocked that it was a woman asking me if I planned to have children in the next year or [Read more…]
The Best of FWJ February
Top 10 Posts of the month
February 28, 2011. 4 Comments
February brought most of us in the States snow storm after snow storm, Valentine’s Day and some really informative posts from the FWJ crew. Here are a few of the most popular: Applying for a Freelance Writing Gig Without Looking Desperate by Jodee Redmond In this post Jodee cautions against oversharing when looking for writing gigs. Is Your Blog Dressed For Success? by Gayla Baer-Taylor First impressions are important. Gayla shows you how to make sure your blog turns heads. I’m a Ghostwriter (Get Over It) - by Jeffery Reyes In this terrific guest post, Jeffery hits on the many misconceptions [Read more…]
Four Things the Academy Awards Can Teach Us About Freelance Writing
February 28, 2011. Leave a Comment
Were you glued to the television last night checking out the Oscars? Were you more interested in what people were wearing than who actually took home one of the golden statues, or was it all about seeing people rewarded for their work? I watched a little bit of the show last night, but didn’t stay tuned for the whole thing. It just doesn’t capture my interest the way it used to a number of years ago. The bit of the show I did watch got me thinking about what freelancers can learn from the Academy Awards. 1. You can get [Read more…]
Job Security in Freelance Writing
Can You Earn a Stable Income with Words?
February 23, 2011. 10 Comments
Dear Readers, I have been following an interesting discussion on another forum where someone asked whether there was job security in freelance writing. First of all, the words job security and freelance writing really shouldn’t be put together in the same sentence. When you are providing services on a freelance basis, you are not working a job. You are a business owner who has clients. Can you earn a stable income through your freelance writing business efforts? Yes, you can, and if you are looking for a secure income, you are probably better off making it happen for yourself than [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Success: Are We There Yet?
Choose the Definition that Fits Your Values
February 21, 2011. 13 Comments
Success can be kind of a slippery word. Like beauty, it’s in the eye of the beholder. We all want to be successful in our freelance writing career, and there is no shortage of resources telling us how to do it. Some of the information is readily available online, including the posts that the team here at Freelance Writing Jobs brings you on a regular basis. If you are wondering, “how do I….” you can find multiple answers to your question by checking out freelance writing blogs and websites. You also have the option of going to your local library [Read more…]
Make Searching for Freelance Writing Gigs a Habit
Make Time in Your Schedule to Reach Out to Potential Clients
February 14, 2011. 5 Comments
Part of being a freelancer is looking for work. Even when we have a full plate, we are aware that our status can change very quickly. Clients run out of work, we decide that it’s time to move on, or we simply experience a dry spell. Since a phone call or e-mail can change our work schedules (and have an impact on our cash flow) very quickly, getting into the habit of always being on the lookout for new opportunities is important. The “job” of a writer is not just about thinking stuff up; it also involves the functions of [Read more…]
Getting Through a Slump in Your Freelance Writing
February 9, 2011. 13 Comments
Dear Readers, I wanted to share a comment with you that was posted here the other day: I have been in a bit of a dry patch since Christmas! I worry more about how I’m going to get the payment off my client than how I’m going to get the job. There are so many people out there that are ignorant, cheap and lousy. They don’t pay enough, they want the best possible work for $5 and then when it comes to payment they sneak off. I fully appreciate being concerned about whether or when payment is going to be [Read more…]
Applying for a Freelance Writing Gig Without Looking Desperate
How Much Do Prospective Clients Need to Know?
February 7, 2011. 6 Comments
If you are going through a dry spell or are experiencing some cash flow issues, you will want to pick up some work that (hopefully) will pay relatively quickly so that you can get your finances back on track. It may be tempting to share your current situation on message boards or other places where you are trying to pick up something that can tide you over for the time being. While I do understand and appreciate needing to get something going right away, I’m not sure that sharing a lot of detail about your personal situation is a good [Read more…]
How Do You See Your Freelance Writing Job Search?
Chore or Adventure: You Decide
January 31, 2011. 4 Comments
Looking for work is a necessary evil for freelance writers. For people who work for employers, part of the reason finding a job is something to celebrate (along with a regular pay check and hopefully a good benefit package) is that they don’t have to keep looking for work. For freelancers, it’s a different story. We have the freedom to work for ourselves (which definitely has its advantages), but we must perform a juggling act in our professional lives. Not only do we need to be able to keep up with our current assignments and produce high quality work, but [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for January 4, 2011
January 4, 2011. 8 Comments
Good morning, everyone! I hope you’re all slowly getting your groove back. It can be quite a feat after the festivities! Anyhow, here are your freelance writing gigs for today to get you going. New Articles Self-Confidence, Self-Esteem and Your Freelance Writing Job Search A Quick Look at the Serial Comma Freelance Writing Jobs Content Writing Content Writers for Educational Publishing Firm (Virtual) Nursing Article Writer Real Estate Web Content Writer (North Metro Atlanta) City Review Content (Toronto) Article Writer (Spring, TX/Telecommute) Content Re-writer (Remote) Technology & Gadgets Writer (Austin/Work from Home) Food, Movie, and Sex Writers (Washington, DC) Writer [Read more…]
Self-Confidence, Self-Esteem and Your Freelance Writing Job Search
Are They the Same Thing?
January 3, 2011. 6 Comments
What ingredient is the most important to your freelance writing job search? Where do self-confidence and self-esteem fit into the mix, and are they the same thing? I don’t see self-confidence and self-esteem as being the same thing at all. Self-confidence has to do with the image that other people see, and self-esteem is something that comes from within. If you know that you will show up to do the work that you have been assigned and follow instructions properly, you are demonstrating self-confidence. Prospective clients will be drawn to people who demonstrate this trait. You will be successful in [Read more…]
How to Cope with Naysayers in Your Freelance Writing Job Search
Hint: Put them on Ignore
December 27, 2010. 5 Comments
Anytime someone makes a choice to do make a change in their life, it attracts the attention of naysayers. You don’t need to look very far to find someone who is only too willing to tell you that you aren’t going to be able to succeed at whatever goal you have set for yourself. I think part of the naysayer mentality is that when someone wants to make a change, it shakes up the quo. There definitely is pressure to conform when people are in any type of a group setting. A person who announces that they want to do [Read more…]
Saying No After Receiving Deposit
How to Deal When You've Miscalculated Your Skills, Availability
December 22, 2010. 4 Comments
This question was left in comments recently on the subject of saying No to a client gracefully and I thought it was a great one to address in a column. Dear Jodee, I wonder what if there’s money involved already – Let’s say you got a 50% down payment for the project that you can’t simply do because you’ve miscalculated your time, skills and effort for the job. Is it okay to return the payment and say no? I think it will be very unfair for the client who expected you to work on the project already — as you [Read more…]
Are You Resolved About Your Freelance Writing Job Search?
Moving From Wishing to Setting Goals
December 20, 2010. 3 Comments
This is the time of year that we take time out to enjoy gathering with family and friends. We also pause to reflect on the year that is coming to an end, and remember the good and not-so-good things that happened along the way. Part of ending one year and starting a new one has to do with making resolutions. I used to do this faithfully, but now I make a point of not making New Year’s resolutions. The ones I used to make were either too vague (I will be a better person in the New Year) or just [Read more…]
On Freelance Writer Rejection: Sometimes It’s You
Sometimes It's the Client
December 13, 2010. 9 Comments
If you are a freelance writer, rejection is part of the job. I don’t think anyone actually likes being rejected, and some days it’s easier to take than others. I don’t know if this technique works for anyone else, but when I get rejected I let myself feel the emotions that go with being told that you’re not quite what the client was looking for, or even worse that your work is what the client is looking for (Ouch). Then I try to figure out whether it was was something that was in my control or not. Being a bit [Read more…]
What Have You Done Lately?
Adding Achievements to Your Freelance Writer's Resume
December 6, 2010. 4 Comments
If your goal is to stand out from other freelance writers who are applying for the same gig, you need to spend some time thinking about yourself and the skills and abilities that you bring to the table. You will have included this information on your resume, so that a prospective client can find out something about you and the kind of work you have done in the past. To provide the reader with more information about you, include achievements in your resume. What achievements, you may be asking yourself. Think back through the jobs you have had and try [Read more…]
Do You Care About Your Clients’ Business?
It's Not a Four-letter Word
November 29, 2010. 7 Comments
How much do you care about your clients’ business? And what does caring have to do with getting hired for a freelance writing gig? Plenty. I believe that success is based partly on having a certain amount of raw talent but it’s mostly about showing up, doing the work and developing good relationships with the people you work with. Part of having a good relationship with your clients is caring about them and their business. You may be hired to provide a writing service, but what you are really doing is helping your client solve a problem. They may be [Read more…]
Dealing with One of “Those” Days
How to Get Back on Track When Things are Going Wrong
November 17, 2010. 3 Comments
Dear Jodee, How can I get back on track when my day starts off in a frustrating way (rejection e-mail, snarky communication from a client, etc.)? I work from home and I find it challenging to get focused on what I need to do when I’m faced with something disappointing or frustrating when I first sit down at my desk. What can I do to refocus my attention on the work I have in front of me? Miffed in the Morning Dear Miffed, It’s hard to stay focused when your day starts off in a frustrating manner. People who work [Read more…]
What’s More Scary: Fear of Failure or Success?
Which One Bothers You More?
November 16, 2010. 9 Comments
Fear of failure is something that I think most writers live with. In order to work, we have to either be answering ads, pitching our services to prospective clients, sending our queries or writing and marketing our own products. Sometimes we get the gig, and other times we don’t. Most of the time, we realize that we won’t get hired for every opportunity that we go after. Sometimes we can roll with the punches and shake off getting turned down for a gig, while at other times it can be upsetting to find out what the client didn’t feel that [Read more…]
How to Deal When a Client Drags Their Feet
Do You Wait it Out or Move On?
November 10, 2010. 5 Comments
Dear Jodee, What do you do when a client wants to hire you but then drags their feet getting you the necessary material, putting you behind on schedule on their project AND others? Dawn Dear Dawn, When a client wants to hire you but doesn’t finalize the arrangement by giving you a deposit and/or providing you with the materials you need to get started, you don’t really have the gig yet. You’re still just talking. At the risk of sounding sexist, it’s like the man who tells a woman at the end of a date, “I had a nice time. [Read more…]
Do You Ask for the Gig?
Getting the Client to Make a Decision
November 1, 2010. 4 Comments
You’ve been talking to a prospective client about his or her writing needs. So far, everything sounds good. You know you can do the work and give the client what they want, but they haven’t made you an offer. Now what? In this situation, you do have some options. You can back off and focus on the work you have in front of you right now and give the client some space and hope that when the time comes to hire someone that you will get nod. You have another option, though, and that is to assert yourself and get [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for October 19, 2010
October 19, 2010. 3 Comments
Good morning, FWJ friends! We have a typhoon in our neck of the woods, but things are still looking pretty good. How are things in your part of the world? Well, here are your job leads for today. Enjoy! New Around the Freelance Writing Jobs Network What to Do Before You Answer that Freelance Writing Job Ad Book Writing and Publishing FAQ – What Should the Title of My Book Be? Freelance Writing Jobs Content Writing Jobs Celebrity Fashion Writers (New York) Article Writer for The Content Authority Freelance Article Writer (Vancouver) Simple Content/Article Writing (Work at Home) Experienced Freelance [Read more…]
