What’s in Your Clip File?
I was going to put a little something in the letters section because the topic of clips comes up often. Since it’s something a lot of people want to know about I thought I’d open it for it’s own discussion instead.
What are "clips?"
Everyone wants to see clips or samples of your writing. Usually clips refer to published samples, but that’s not always the case. A clip can be a link to a blog post or online article or even an unpublished writing sample. Unless it’s mentioned otherwise, a potential client is more interested in how well you write or follow instructions over where you were published before. That’s not to say an impressive resume isn’t a factor, just that clips don’t always have to be published works.
What do you send in when asked for clips or samples?
First read all the instructions. Many employers don’t want attachments. Still, it’s hard to scan a published clip and attach it to a cover letter when requested not to do so. Your best bet is to link to online clips. This is perfectly acceptable and many employers appreciate the convenience of reading an online sample. If you don’t have a published clip, cut and paste a writing sample in the body of your email under your cover letter.
How do I choose which clip or sample to send?
Send the writing sample closest to what the client is looking for. If it’s a wedding website, send a relevant sample. Don’t send a piece on ostrich eggs to a client looking for wedding samples, as this probably won’t get you the gig. If the client is only looking for published samples and you don’t have a wedding-related sample do the best you can- though you should be aware that a writer who sent in a wedding clip will probably get the gig. If the request doesn’t specify published clips, you can always write something specifically for that employer.
When an employer request clips and samples he most likely wants to see your writing style, your command of the language and if you’re a good fit for the publication or website. Clips don’t have to be published, so don’t let not being published keep you from applying for your dream gig.
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Friday, February 29th, 2008 at 9:20 pm under
Good topic.
Most of my recent work is published online, so I keep a running blog with links to every article that is published. I include that link in my cover letter or in my signature when contacting new clients.
I also output many published articles as PDFs so I can send them if a potential client asks for attachments.
February 29th, 2008 at 9:39 pmMy own website lists a bunch of samples. Do you think it is okay to link them to that, or should the links be direct?
February 29th, 2008 at 10:42 pmI have a Word document that contains four short writing samples. The topics vary: SEO sample, travel sample, personal finance sample, and product review sample. Unless the job ad states otherwise, I alway send an attachment with my cover letter and resume. So far, I’ve had good results. If applying for a blogging position, I’ll include a website link.
February 29th, 2008 at 11:12 pmI have a wordpress site that lists my resume and gives samples based on categories such as environmental issues, celebrity gossip, parenting….I typically link to that.
March 1st, 2008 at 12:33 amThanks. This post made me feel a lot better. I’m just starting out and although I have numerous pubs in print, none on the web yet.
I’m glad to know I might still have a chance even if my clips haven’t been published. I always link to my blog and I’m working on getting my own web-site set up.
March 1st, 2008 at 1:15 amThese are all helpful hints. Thanks everybody/
March 1st, 2008 at 1:20 amLori,
For the ones in print, make PDFs and offer to send those if necessary. That’s what I do, even if I post links to online work because the links may not be the most appropriate examples. I wouldn’t send PDFs unsolicited, though, because some e-mail/anti-spam systems will automatically reject attachments.
March 1st, 2008 at 2:40 am@ Trisha - I would link directly to your articles. You know how employers are - pressed for time. Just wow them right away. That sets you ahead of the pack. Then, if they are interested, they can peruse your site.
March 1st, 2008 at 2:46 amI am thinking of creating a free blogger blog just for my freelance blogging exploits.
Something simple with an ABOUT ME page, a HIRE ME page, and a CLIPS page. Something that shows i’m serious about writing and blogging…..for pay.
Does this sound like a good idea?
Missy.
March 1st, 2008 at 8:31 amI have clips to online articles, a scanned copy of an article I wrote for an employment newspaper, and then page numbers and titles of a book I contributed to.
I do need to update my page though because I just sold a second magazine article and actually found the book I was listed as a contributor in and could scan that page too.
March 1st, 2008 at 5:56 pmIn my clip file I have the front cover of a book to which I contributed a chapter. I also have the chapter as a clip. My other clip is for a column that I write for an online magazine. I often include the magazine’s web address and indicate the page that my column is on in the current issue. The online magazine for which I write is considering having blogs for its regular contributors. I’m looking forward to this new venture.
I’m thinking about creating a web site/blogging site that will contain clips, current writing, an archive of writing that I have done,(unpublished) and information about me so that I can direct potential employers to the site.
March 1st, 2008 at 6:12 pmMy main website had links to articles I’ve written and names of hard copy articles. I also send potential clients to my blogs, depending on what type of writing they’re looking for. Patient education people get sent to the Marijke:nurse turned writer and helpmyhurt.com blogs, while professionals may be sent to my Nurses Notes blog.
I also write for continuing medical education for physicians, so they aren’t interested in the patient stuff; I have to show them programs I’ve worked on, usually powerpoint or pdf files.
One problem - and it can be a big one - is when you are trying to break into a niche that you don’t have any written experience in. For example, my quilting article in this month’s The Quilter - I had to really make my pitch so well-written that the editor could see I could write in any style, not just health stuff. Now, it may be a bit easier to go outside of health stuff because I have this article to use as a clip. I hope so.
March 1st, 2008 at 8:03 pmLately, I’ve just been focused on building my client list by applying for jobs here or on bid sites. For these types of jobs, I just give a link to my associated content profile page. I have a variety of different articles published there. If the assignment is for a blogging job or to make squidoo lenses, I’ll give them my blog url or the url to my squidoo profile.
March 1st, 2008 at 8:56 pmIt also helps, in my opinion, to send an excerpt with your linked sample(s). That provides the hiring authority with more detail in your initial email. Especially when they request several published clips and/or writing samples.
March 1st, 2008 at 9:11 pmI have a web site that includes my resume and a varied sample of my writing: trade articles, consumer articles, and essays. Editors love reading the essays and often come back to me with a comment about them. When I send a cover letter, I have a line that says, “You’ll find samples and my resume at .” I’ve gotten jobs specifically because editors liked seeing the variety of my work.
March 1st, 2008 at 9:38 pmThere are lots of lots of good ideas here. I especially like Steve Amoia’s idea of including an excerpt of each piece along with its link in the initial email.
At the places where I submit a bid, lately I have been doing a sample piece for the type of project on which I am bidding. I haven’t found it too time-consuming and it gives the buyer a good look at my writing style and my grasp of his/her project.
March 2nd, 2008 at 2:02 amPhil - Thanks for the tip. Much appreciated.
March 2nd, 2008 at 2:54 am[…] What’s in Your Clip File? […]
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:50 am