September 30th

We Get Letters…

Dear Deb,

I’m starting to look forward to your “We Get Letters” post. I have to ask though, are all of these emails real? I can’t believe people can be so nasty…or so dumb.

Thanks for all you do,

Joyce

Hi Joyce,

Yup. They’re real. I post some of the bad ones because I think it’s important for the trolls to see how they look to others. I know some people get keyboard courage when they thin they’re anonymous. The only thing is, you’re not as anonymous as you think you are.

Thanks,

Deb

Hey Deb,

How do I advertise on your blog?

Lisa M.

Hi Lisa,

To the right above the Google ads is a Blogads link. Use that to buy an ad in the sidebar. If you want a bottom of the post ad, contact me to discuss.

Best,

Deb

Hi Deborah,

I visit your blog every day and usually you’re dead-on with your observations, but I have to tell you I absolutely disagree with your decision to close commenting on that August 24th post.

Respectfully,

Michael Mc.

Hi Michael,

I received a lot of mail from people who feel the same way. I wonder if you read all of the posts before I deleted the really nasty ones? I don’t like censorship and I enjoy reading all the comments in all of the discussions, but mean and abusive posts aren’t allowed. When you start calling each other names and spreading around the negativity you cross the line from discussion to fight. It was getting way too out of hand.

Thanks for writing,

Deb

I decided over the summer, around July, that I wanted to do some freelance writing to supplement my teaching income. I discovered your site and check it judiciously. I have made many, many, many submissions to the sites I find most appropriate. I have gotten only one nibble for some curriculum work for which I had write a short example for a topic they requested, but did not get that job.

I respond to these postings as quickly as I can and feel I am certainly qualified to fill these positions, but no one responds to me. Do you have any suggestions as to what I may do better so that I might land some of these jobs? I live in Boston, am proficient with the computer and can easily telecommute.

Thank you,

Jackie M.

Hi Jackie,

There can be any number of reasons people aren’t biting. It could be your cover letter, resume, or your samples, it can be fierce competition, or it can simply be a lack of experience. If you (and others) would like, send your cover letters here and we’ll all offer them a critique. We can do it anonymously, if requested.

I do want to say that it takes time to land those first gigs. Everyone here can tell you it’s slow starting out, but once you get those first couple of gigs under your belt, it’ll be uphill from there.

Good luck,

Deb

 

 

Deb,

Do you know of any other web sites where you can post free writer’s ads besides online writing jobs?

Thanks,

Paul

Hi Paul,

I know there are some sites that allow freelancers to post their details. I believe one of the is Freelance Writing. Maybe the regulars can suggest some others?

Good luck,

Deb

Hi Deb,

I hope you do get that full time job so you can stop applying for blogging gigs. I’m sick and tired of applying for a job only to find you landed it. Aren’t you a bit greedy? Leave something for the others. You don’t need all these gigs. Some of us have families to support. Move aside please.

W.J.

Hi W,

Here’s the thing. I have a family too, so yes, I do need all of these gigs. If I see something for which I’m qualified, I apply. If I win the gig and you don’t it only means the other person felt I was a better fit for the job. I think if I were in your position, I’d wonder why it is I’m not getting hired and fix that rather than send nasty emails to a person who is doing her best to make ends meet. Sheesh.

There’s always Tupperware.

Deb

 

Posted on Sunday, September 30th, 2007 at 8:22 am under Reader mail, FYI, Writing Gigs .

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21 Responses to “We Get Letters…”

  1. Mariella Says:

    Hi Paul, it depends on what types of writers you are looking for. If you’re only after SEO writers, you can look at:
    Digital-Point forum
    Webmaster-talk.com

    If you’re looking for experienced experts in their niches, it’s best to stick to writers’ forums such as:
    Writers Weekly
    Absolute Write forum
    All Freelance Writing Forums

    You will have to google for their links because I don’t want to spam Deb’s blog with them. Thay’re quite easy to find :)
    —

    That hate mail makes me want to roll my eyes and not because I’m a regular here but because
    it just reinforces my earlier statement about some people not taking care of their own issues. Quod erat demonstrandum.

    September 30th, 2007 at 9:23 am
  2. Jennifer Says:

    “There’s always Tupperware.”

    Too funny. I actually popped in specifically to see if you posted more letters and look; you did. Thanks, I need some amusement in my world. Too bad you get them but they do make me laugh because they’re so damn lame. (not the nice ones — those are sweet, not lame). I love how you have single handedly ruined everyone’s chances at obtaining writing work by stealing ALL the jobs. That’s a pretty big task ;) Go you.

    September 30th, 2007 at 10:08 am
  3. Mariella Says:

    ^haha! of course. Deb has 1000+ hours in one day and hence gets ALL the blogging gigs without exception.

    September 30th, 2007 at 10:17 am
  4. Phil Says:

    Mariella,

    You’re making me feel my age. I took four years of Latin, but so long ago, I can’t translate what you said.

    The person complaining is an idiot to put it nicely. I don’t pursue the blogging items, but someone could say the same of my business regarding magazine writing.

    Deb wouldn’t get the work if not more qualified or a better fit (sometimes personalities mean as much as “qualifications.”

    The complainer shows just by her comments she shouldn’t get the work.

    Though I come here a lot, I’ve yet to find something this way — not a complaint, just that I check other sites and use the old fashioned telephone to seek out work as well.

    I’ve been online for some time, but have only recently landed any work via any of these sites. But it took me several months out of college to land work, too, even though I had experience with the college newspaper, radio station, radio network and interned at a major radio and television outlet.

    There’s competition everywhere. Rather than complaining, it’s better to try to make oneself a stronger candidate. Learn about an industry or profession. When I was still a sportswriter, I started taking accounting courses. That background has helped me land writing work with accounting associations and helped prepare me for financial services and business writing.

    By the way, in addition to Tupperware, there’s Mary Kay, Avon (article in today’s paper about a male making $80,000 a year selling it), Amway/Quixtar, etc.

    September 30th, 2007 at 10:49 am
  5. Amy Ulibarri Says:

    Yeah, Deb steals all of my jobs too! Or maybe I just wasn’t the right person for them? No, that can’t be it, I’m perfect for everything I apply for right? Just like I would never be sarcastic!

    September 30th, 2007 at 11:39 am
  6. Julie Says:

    Jackie M.’s letter touched a nerve.

    While it’s wonderful that she has decided to pursue writing in her free-time during summer break from school, it’s a little condescending to think that she only needs to pick up a pen (or rather, type a few paragraphs) and the money and jobs will start rolling in.

    Writing is work! Just as teachers need training and experience, writers need practice and experience, too.

    I’m sure if she sticks with it, she’ll eventually enjoy some success. But it’s unrealistic to expect paying gigs to beat a path to your door simply because you have some interest in writing. If becoming a published writer were that easy, everyone would do it.

    Keep writing, Jackie. Eventually your hard work will pay off.

    September 30th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
  7. Mariella Says:

    Phil,

    If it makes you feel any better, I don’t remember much of my Latin either and I took it only six years ago! :D

    September 30th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
  8. Theresa Says:

    Jackie-
    I started freelancing while teaching and later decided to leave the classroom for full-time freelancing. I started off with one client in September 2006 and now I have several regulars.
    Freelancing is mostly about relationships. I read somewhere (probably Entrepreneur magazine) that business is all about building and sustaining positive relationships. If you have a connection/relationship with someone in publishing, ask them if they are looking for freelancers. That’s how I landed my first client. When that client closed due to a buy-out, I was contacted immediately by one of the editors to follow him to a new company. All of that is due to the positive relationship I built and maintained with a small publishing company.
    Lastly, make sure you aren’t limiting your search for projects to job boards. Perform searches on company sites (McGraw-Hill, Pearson) and be sure to Google your job search. That usually turns up smaller companies looking for freelancers. Depending on your core subject, you can also write assessment items (ACT, SAT, state tests, etc).
    There are so many opportunities available to teachers if we could find the time to search. Happy hunting and good luck! :-)

    September 30th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
  9. Nicole Says:

    Jackie,

    I also left teaching to freelance. I taught English, so I think that helped - it looked good on my cover letter and resume. Also, I may get blasted for this, but I did take some low paying jobs in the beginning. (Experienced writers, I hadn’t found this site yet! I didn’t know better!) Yes, I realize now that they were not a good idea, BUT, it did get me something to put on my resume. Now, I can get jobs off of this board, but when I first started I never got a nibble. I would also say, keep applying. You never know when someone will like what they see. I applied for one job and didn’t get offered it for two months. I think they hired someone else who didn’t work out and then went through their file and found me. But, brushing up your cover letter is crucial, and having some of those lower paying jobs may be what it takes to allow you to say “experienced.” Also, learn the terminology, such as SEO, because those words always scared me away, only to find out that SEO was what I was already doing! Don’t give up!

    September 30th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
  10. Naomi Says:

    Hi teachers,

    Nice to see some other around here. I’m a former college professor who’s now freelancing too. It’s been slow (I left my full time job in May), but has been picking up… I’m writing a college-related guidebook for a major publisher. Jackie, hang in there… apply for lots of jobs and keep looking.

    And Deb, thanks for your website… aside from getting some gigs from your site, it’s an inspiration to see a fellow WAHM who’s feelancing and doing well.

    September 30th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
  11. Katharine Swan Says:

    Jackie –

    From what I’ve heard from clients who apply on Craigslist, every ad generates several hundred responses — minimum. I think you either have to stand out from the crowd on first glance (i.e. subject title on your email, first line of your cover letter, etc.) or be one of the first few dozen respondants to really get someone’s attention. I’m sure after reading 60 or 70 emails, employers’ eyes start to glaze over, so if your email has the original Craigslist title and starts with, “Hi, I saw your ad on Craigslist…” you probably aren’t making much of an impression.

    September 30th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
  12. Shell Says:

    Hi Jackie M

    You’ve had some good advice here.

    Yes, you must practice and keep researching job postings, and as mentioned earlier potential company, educational sites, etc. Sites that may need you.

    Some sites offer a career link that can often be found on a menu bar or on the bottom of the site’s home page.

    If you can get some of your work published in appropriate papers, magazines, or newsletters; I’m sure this will provide more potential.

    And, yes, some job postings have a huge response. I applied for a writing gig that had nearly 300 applicants. The business writing gig I landed several years ago had over 200 applicants and just 4 of us were invited to work under contract. I was put on a shortlist of about 15 and then it dwindled down to only a few of us.

    I have also reviewed resumes in the past, and some people who apply for positions have a vast amount of skills and experience. So you’ve got to get out there and dazzle a potential client with your knowledge, skills and abilities. Also, relevant qualifications play a major part too.

    Get your name out there and get some solid writing experience behind you.

    I also write for the greeting card market and each time I have had to send samples in of my work. On occasions I have been invited to send more work in for a specific range of cards, and some companies even request a resume too.

    It’s taken many years of hard work and dedication but I am very happy to have built up a lot of experience, which then leads on to more fulfilling work.

    September 30th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
  13. Amy Derby Says:

    Nice to see some more letters. Not as funny as the last batch, but still some classics. :-)
    I can second what Katharine says about the competition, especially craigslist. I’ve posted for writers and gotten 500 responses in a few hours. And that’s posting in one city only, because I’m not one of those people who plasters my ad in every town. I can only imagine what happens to the ads that end up here and other blogs/sites like this one that post jobs. Those people probably get thousands of responses. I can tell you, the subject line is key. You’ve got to stand out. When people get that many email responses, if they’re short on time they get selective. What’s inside the email won’t matter if they never even open it.

    On another note, re: the August 24 thread, I went back and read over it after it was closed. Hadn’t been keeping up with it before then, mostly because I was short of time. I don’t know what was said that got deleted, but I think closing down comments was a wise decision. Last night during a fit of insomnia, I spent several hours reading about it on other forums. All I can say is WOW.

    My theory on freedom of speech is that it’s fine to say what you want when you’re on the streets, but when you’re in someone’s home you abide by their rules. This is Deb’s home.

    September 30th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
  14. Kim Says:

    That last letter was pathetic, but GREAT comeback Deborah, lol.

    September 30th, 2007 at 6:03 pm
  15. Words on a page » Blog Archive » Dealing with competition Says:

    […] One of those messages got me thinking. The person wrote: I’m sick and tired of applying for a job only to find you landed it. Aren’t you a bit greedy? Leave something for the others. You don’t need all these gigs. Some of us have families to support. Move aside please. […]

    September 30th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
  16. Tina Says:

    I don’t usually read the letters but today’s made me post. I have only been reading your site a month and I have already gotten two jobs. One is due in October and the other is local “Text Editing - Denver - Local Applicants Only” and I am training for this week. As soon as I have some coffee money I will be sending along a coffee to say thank you. I appreciate your hard work.

    Tina in Denver

    September 30th, 2007 at 9:33 pm
  17. Katharine Swan Says:

    Tina –

    I am in Denver too!!!

    I hope this doesn’t sound too weird, coming from the Internet and all, but do you want to hook up for coffee sometime? Or at least exchange email addresses? I think it’s always good to know other local writers.

    September 30th, 2007 at 9:50 pm
  18. Dani Says:

    It can be frustrating to keep applying for job after job day after day and not get them. However, if you stick with it and do all you can to make yourself a stronger candidate, it will pay off. I don’t get more than I do get, but I keep applying and I do get some of them. Those pad my resume and portfolio, which makes me a stronger candidate, which results in getting more work. . .even though I am sure I will always not get more than I do get. I bet it works the same for Deb. That is just the nature of freelancing. It is fiercely competitive and everyone thinks they can write, so those offering the jobs either hire the cheapest worker they can find, or have so many applications and resumes to go through they may stop looking long before they have reviewed every single one. Hang in there, and keep learning and practicing what you have learned so far. It will pay off in the long run.

    October 1st, 2007 at 4:21 am
  19. Mariella Says:

    I have gotten responses from craigslist before because I believe I was one of the first few who responded. So I believe you have to either impress greatly or be the first one to do so too.

    October 1st, 2007 at 7:24 am
  20. Carrie Says:

    What do you want to bet that there are a few trolls out there who are currently adding, “Published on the popular Freelance Writing Jobs blog,” on their resume after seeing their letters here? ;-)
    The Tupperware line is a classic Deb - nice one!

    October 1st, 2007 at 8:39 am
  21. Amy Derby Says:

    Carrie,

    That really made me laugh. I can totally see it happening, too.

    October 1st, 2007 at 11:09 am

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