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How Do You See Your Freelance Writing Job Search?

Chore or Adventure: You Decide

By on January 31, 2011. 4 Comments
Working

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…]

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Why the All-You-Can-Eat Buffet Approach to Your Job Search Doesn’t Work

Being Focused and Selective Brings Success

By on January 10, 2011. 12 Comments
Banquet

When you are looking for freelance writing jobs, it can be very tempting to apply for any and every opportunity you see – whether you are a good fit or not – especially when you are getting started as a freelancer. This type of approach could work and there are some people who do find gigs in this way. I suppose the idea is that if you put enough applications out there, sooner or later someone will respond. The issue with this type of job hunt is that the prospective clients who do respond may not be the ones that [Read more…]

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Are You Resolved About Your Freelance Writing Job Search?

Moving From Wishing to Setting Goals

By on December 20, 2010. 3 Comments
1321205_power_of_christmas

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…]

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How to Target Your Freelance Writing Job Search for Newbies

Landing the First Job is the Hardest

By on October 11, 2010. 4 Comments
BullsEye

Your first freelance writing job is the hardest one to get, in my opinion. Once you have one (or a few) gigs under your belt, you can use your past writing experience to propel yourself forward to the next opportunity. How do you approach the task of landing that first gig, then? Start with what you know, and I don’t necessarily mean the fact that you have been writing for yourself for years. Working on your own projects is not the same thing as taking on client work. Both of them involve writing, but your own work is more of [Read more…]

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Is the Word “Freelance” Hurting Your Job Search?

By on August 30, 2010. 10 Comments

Have you ever thought about what a potential client thinks when you describe yourself as a “freelance” writer? The dictionary software on my Mac defines freelance as follows: “working for different companies at different times rather than being permanently employed by one company” A person who can’t hold onto a job for a time is generally looked down upon, since we value people who can commit to an employer for a time. Companies recognize long-term workers and may even provide them with gifts or bonuses in return for their years of service. If you tell someone you are a freelance [Read more…]

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Should You Be Cocky or Confident in Your Freelance Job Search?

By on August 16, 2010. 6 Comments

I read somewhere recently that freelancers need to be cocky when looking for work. I’ve been thinking about that statement, and I don’t think that is the case. When I think if a person who is cocky, it brings to mind someone who is conceited and arrogant, to be sure. This is a person who apparently has no issues with low self-esteem. Instead, they have a greatly exaggerated sense of their own importance. Did you notice that everything in that description has to do with the person him or herself? This is someone who is definitely embracing the WIIFM (“What’s [Read more…]

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Why You Should Continue Your Job Search in the Summer

By on June 3, 2010. 1 Comment

Summertime, and the living is easy…..It can be hard to get (and stay) motivated to look for work when it’s sunny and warm outside. The summer is a time when many people do take time off, but you would be mistaken if you concluded that there is no point in continuing to look for your next great freelance writing gig during the summer months. While people do take time off and some businesses may slow down during this time, it doesn’t mean that there are no clients who are hiring now. You should continue to make pitches, send out queries [Read more…]

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You Have a Full Plate: Do You Still Look for Work?

By on August 26, 2009. 8 Comments

The short answer to this question is “Yes.” Marketing your writing business should be an ongoing activity. Many freelancers have peaks and valleys in their work load. It goes with the territory. If you want to keep the work coming in, you should be constantly doing activities that will grow your business. Even if you are at the point where your time is completely booked and you couldn’t possibly squeeze one more thing in, do it anyway. Find a few minutes to check out job boards, the job leads we post here at FWJ, to make a couple of cold [Read more…]

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