Your Turn: What do you know now that you wish you knew before starting out?
Your Turn: What is the one thing you wish you knew before starting out
Lately I’m seeing a lot of “I’m just starting out…” or “I’m new…” in the comments. I’m thrilled so many new writers are coming here for tips and advice, and even more thrilled my wonderful community is more than willing to help out. Today, I’d like us all to offer advice to the newbies. What is the one thing you wish you knew before starting out?
I really don’t have regrets when it comes to my writing, though I do cringe when I see some of my early stuff. I wish I spent more time researching writer’s rates, however. Though I dealt with some freelancers in publishing, that was over ten years ago. It really was a rude awakening to find out not only what some clients are willing to pay but also how many writers are willing to accept these rates. I think if I spent more time researching rates, I wouldn’t have thought no pay or slave wages were necessary for a fledgling writer to get her foot in the door.
So that’s me. What do you know now that you wish you knew before you began?
Have a nice weekend folks. I’ve been feeling the urge to troll for leads, so you may get a weekend bonus.
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Deb
Posted
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Friday, August 31st, 2007 at 2:02 pm under
I’m not starting out but I’m still new in all this. I’m looking forward to hearing all your answers
But if I may give my own too, I would say that I’d also have loved to have known about rates. When I decided to start freelancing, I really had no idea how to charge/how to quote clients.
Oh and that you should never give out your full resume to people online! And that there will always be people who will cheat you so don’t willingly send samples
August 31st, 2007 at 2:32 pmLike most new writers, I also made the mistake of accepting super-low paying jobs. Most of my job leads came from Freelancewriting.com, and the majority of those job posters only paid $0.01 or $0.02 per word. Does this sound familiar: $2.50 per 500 word article. I remember the moment I decided to give up low paying jobs. This particular client was super picky, wanted a masterpiece, and assigned SEO keywords and topics that required a lot of research. I spent ten hours on that project and got paid a lousy $50.00 ($48.25 after Paypal fees.) After that I said no more, and since then I’ve landed many nice paying gigs.
August 31st, 2007 at 2:39 pmMariella, what would be considered a “partial,” or appropriate for online resume?
August 31st, 2007 at 2:39 pmSo I have a question. All the articles I have are from local newspapers at this point so I don’t have links to my samples. What do you guys do when asked for a sample? Do you say anything or just leave the job behind? And do you guys send formal written proposals or just put the price proposal in the email? For my translation jobs I have a formal budget proposal but not for writing.
August 31st, 2007 at 3:01 pmAnd kind of along the lines of Kat’s question - I have newspaper articles as samples too, but they are in my maiden name. I always wonder if potential clients would think I was lying if I tried to use them as samples.
August 31st, 2007 at 3:06 pmIf the newspaper samples are saved in a word document, you can simply attach the file and mention that the sample was previously published in a newspaper. I always send a relevant writing sample when applying for jobs - even if the job poster doesn’t ask for samples. I think this approach works. It could be a coincidence, but I started to receive more job opportunities once I began including the writing sample.
August 31st, 2007 at 3:16 pmI use a pen name, and I’ve never had a problem with providing samples. No one has ever asked for proof of my real identity. I just send the sample(s) and note in my email that I’m “writing as [pen name].”
I ditto what Deb said about pay rates. I also wish I spent less time on research and more time on writing/submitting. Yes, it’s helpful to research potential markets, but I spent too much time on that kind of research. Now I know how to balance research, writing/editing, submitting and various admin tasks.
Oh, and I wish I would have started my website sooner. I don’t know why I delayed so long. My current site isn’t perfect but it does the job just fine.
August 31st, 2007 at 3:19 pmThe number one thing I wish I would have known is that I could actually do it full time and survive! I spend too long “dabbling” because other people didn’t believe in me and I didn’t believe in myself!
And also, any legitimate company will pay you the full price for any test or sample they ask you to write. I did way too may tests for free.
August 31st, 2007 at 3:20 pmMy very first gig (Write For Cash) paid $15 per article, so by the time I saw gigs that paid a couple of bucks per piece, I already knew I didn’t have to write for that. I lucked out, in that respect.
I wish I would have known not to do free samples, too. I learned that fairly quickly, but there were still a few months where I wish I’d known it. I remember editing a sample chapter for some guy’s book. I only did part of it, because there were so many errors; I wrote back to him that I thought it needed a lot of work, and to use the first few pages as an example of the “overhaul” I could do. I never heard back, but a month later when replying to another ad for an editor, I received an email from the same guy and a completely different chapter. I am now certain that he was sending everyone a different chapter and getting free work done. At least I didn’t edit the entire chapter!
As for websites and online portfolios — I have scanned my newspaper and magazine clips as PDF files, loaded them onto my website, and linked to them from my portfolio just like any other clip. (With the pub’s permission first, in cases where they bought all rights.)
August 31st, 2007 at 3:32 pmTo Kst,
Scan the articles to PDFs. Offer them because no link is available. Don’t send without checking, due to problems with spam and spyware, some sites won’t accept attachments.
You may also want to consider a Web site, though I’m still not convinced it’s always necessary (I do scan and save my articles that aren’t available online).
August 31st, 2007 at 4:48 pmAll of this is great foresight, but I simply wish I had known how many different types of markets there were. I think I sold myself short the first couple of years focusing on one niche because it was working, rather than investigating myriad opportunities. Now that I have a handle on how many different ways there are to sell my writing, it has become much more lucrative (and versatile).
August 31st, 2007 at 6:27 pmI like what John Travolta said about regret in Reader’s Digest: regret only enough to learn from something and then move on.
As far as regrets in writing goes, I’d say there are two things I’d tell myself 7 years ago when I began writing professionally:
1. Focus and don’t rabbit trail when talking to people for articles or columns. Be friendly and polite, but a professional in that you’re to the point.
2. You will meet all kinds of people in this business, whether it’s a precocious 11 yearold country music singer to an extremely liberal artist to an owner of an NFL football team to a 102 year-old woman who does her communicating through her granddaughter. I’ve met some people (none of the above) whom I can say I wouldn’t care for personally, but there is ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD between a professional, journalistic relationship and a personal relationship.
August 31st, 2007 at 9:04 pmGreat points Richard. I met many people in the restaurant business and feel the same way that you do about professional vrs. personal.
Since I am still new these comments are very helpful!
I would be sure to really look over the contract and decide whether or not from that. Another thing I have learned from you kind writers is to do my best to get some money up front. Meanwhile, I work for what others consider slave wages and am looking into other avenues for gigs.
August 31st, 2007 at 9:43 pmIf you are working on a multi-month project (such as a big website launch or redesign) bill monthly and insist on being paid within 30 days of billing. If they don’t pay, stop writing. I had a couple flashy start-ups that simply didn’t pay until I got nasty. Under no circumstances finish the project if they aren’t paying.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:50 pmwow! Thank for all the great tips!
September 1st, 2007 at 4:02 amThe dicussion over giving personal details was really very helpful and I wish I’d known more about this topic before. No, it’s not for privacy or security reasons - I’m not worried about that. Ít’s more about the fact that many American clients probably trash application/proposal/resume the minute they see the sentence … “based in ****.” If I don’t give my full contact details, then they won’t know I’m not US-based, right?
September 1st, 2007 at 4:57 amI could have landed more gigs…
Thanks, Deb and thanks for the lively discussion, everyone.
argee> I agree with you. Sadly, I have had potential clients before who said they were very much impressed with my writing but then when I am asked of my location, they are never heard from again. There was this client who advertised for $50 per article, but the moment he knew I wasn’t from the US, he said he’d only be paying me $10 (I gave him a piece of my mind for that)
Kelly> I’ve removed all my private contact details including my phone number, address, references’ contact details, and details of whom to call in case of emergencies.
September 1st, 2007 at 5:22 amI have to jump in here and say I definitely agree with Deb about the rates.
The problem is that its the writers who accept these low paying jobs that create the problem.
Twenty years ago, the mainstream print publications were all paying at least $1.00 per word. Once the internet came along and they had access to thousands more writers, the law of supply and demand came into effect.
Once print realized these new writers had no idea what to ask for payment, and saw that the internet sites were getting writers for a penny a word, or for free, print also dropped it rates.
When new writers start out, they think that if they offer to write cheaply for someone, it will build up good will and they will have an “in” with them. Not so!
The publishing business is, and always has been, a dog eat dog business. If you prostitute yourself and give your work away, they will use you up until you have nothing left to give.
If, on the other hand, you hold out for what you feel you are worth and you really do have a needed talent, believe me, they will give you what you ask.
Don’t sell yourself short….you are worth lots more than the high school janitor gets for mopping the floors…aren’t you?
www.tampabaystart.com/BuckingTheSystem
September 1st, 2007 at 7:57 amToo true about rates… I certainly accepted pennies per word when I started freelancing over a year ago. I thought, and I’m sure many starting out do too, that I had to “pay my dues.” It’s just not so! Don’t settle for pennies… there’s plenty of decent paying gigs out there.
I also wish I hadn’t worked on a site for many months, with only the promise of earning affiliate link income. It consumed so much of my time that could have been spent on paying jobs and I didn’t make very much off of those affiliate ads. I would advise you take only paying jobs — not those “maybes” that could “possibly” earn you money in the future.
September 1st, 2007 at 9:19 amI never did this myself but I’d say to new writers don’t ever write for free. There are a ton of jobs out there it’s unnecessary. Also, tell everyone you ever meet that you are a writer. Tell friends, businesses, random people at groups you go to. I’ve gotten a ton of jobs just because most people at some point in their life need something written and if you’re the only writer they know; guess who they call.
Before I knew to tell everyone about my work I missed some opportunities — I’ve had people say, “oh, if we knew you wrote we’d have hired you for this project” so now I tell everyone.
September 1st, 2007 at 9:30 amOn writing samples:
September 1st, 2007 at 12:08 pmI’m always concerned that my writing samples will be used by unscrupulous potential “clients”. A friend of mine had her writing sample published online without her permission (or payment). The publisher’s excuse: they found it in their files and thought the piece was already paid for.
I learned something from her experience. A word document writing sample is especially susceptible to misuse. I convert all my writing samples to pdf with security settings (no copying, no editing, but printing allowed). Before conversion to pdf, I place in the background (in word) large print, transparent but clearly visible, these words: “writing sample of XYZ”. I know that if somebody really wants to use the sample piece, they can simply scan it and do OCR. Or type from scratch. But at least these measures of protecting my writing samples can discourage them because of the extra amount of work they have to do.
Argee>> I just did the same thing for 20 articles I did for a client. The pay was supposed to be great but the client was no-show around the time of the deadline. I’m pretty sure he’s no deadbeat, he just did a disappearing act. At least I haven’t gotten to send my articles to him, I can still sell them elsewhere.
I also keep dated .doc files in my computer, and upload them in my server. So I’d have proof if my content gets stolen.
September 1st, 2007 at 12:22 pmI have been trolling for work and I have to say what some people are offering at this point is peanuts. Once again, I may get stiffed by another client. The biggest thing I have learned is there it lot’s of work out there, but getting paid does not or may not go with that. That is my biggest lesson. I have taken advice from some of you and made sure to ask for payment when halfway through or a retainer like others have asked for. It’s easy when it’s two articles…get one done…ask for payment for that one.
Plus how writing an e-book isn’t as hard as I once thought either. Of course, I say that now though, lol.
Hope everyone is having a good weekend and thank you Deb for watching out for us.
September 2nd, 2007 at 4:36 amSpeaking of ebooks…I’m in the middle of one and I haven’t slept a wink in 48 hours….
September 2nd, 2007 at 5:25 amThanks so much for the information! I’m a new writer, and any advice is helpful. I often wondered what is too low. I know better than to spend hours on something for free; however, I have also had to balance writing to get clips and experience.
September 2nd, 2007 at 1:11 pmRegrets, I’ve had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.
I planned each charted course;
Each careful step along the byway,
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.
(Sorry, I just *had* to)
I can’t think about what I did wrong, since I was constantly learning and correcting as I went. I had good advice up front, and I was told to get into grant writing even though I couldn’t imagine myself following instructions. It was great advice.
I’m sure I made mistakes, but I kept learning as I went and talking to people. That’s all that matters to me. Nothing too big went wrong in my case, so I’m still at it.
I do hope that no one thinks they need to do a lot of free work to impress someone else, though. The only measure of respect is in $$$. If they won’t give that to you, they don’t respect you, and never will either. I want to echo that sentiment from Deb as much as I can.
September 2nd, 2007 at 4:49 pmTo rjlight:
I hope we’re helpful to you, and I hope those of us who have made a living off of it are relaying information in a useful way.
I’m only coming up with stuff as I am asked about it. It’s not in any good and useful order. Perhaps we should put a manual together and make some sense of the collected wisdom of the dozens of vets here? Just a thought. I feel very disjointed and useless - but I do respond to direct questions.
Let us know, I don’t want any writers to get dumped on by jerkwads on a power trip. We have a craft, and I will gladly stand up for anyone in my guild.
September 2nd, 2007 at 5:09 pmI’m going to disagree slightly (but only slightly) with Erik’s advice.
Back in the stone ages, when I was in college, one wrote for the college paper in order to gain experience and have clips. There was pay, but it was negligible — no more than piza money, and for hard workers, some money for cheap beer.
A few internships back then paid money, too. But in the Chicago area, where I lived, I found only two. I landed one of them.
Now, however, internships don’t pay, though you may get college credit (which can be viewed as compensation of a sort, I guess).
So you probably might need to take a few — but only a few — very low or no pay gigs to get your name out there.
But online sites or print pubs that will run “anything” won’t earn you much respect or future work.
If you didn’t specialize in writing in school, consider writing what you know about. If you know about taxes, for exanple, a weekly might agree to run a column. Compensation will be nil to non-existent. But use this to start building your clips and looking for better-paying work.
The print pub might provide a little more pay and a little better entre (can’t figure out how to get the accent mark on that in the blog) into better paying work than a Web site that spews content like there’s no tomorrow.
September 2nd, 2007 at 5:43 pmI’ve been quite lucky with being paid on time; although I am weary when an advertisement requests several writing samples, especially if it’s over 3 samples… now come on!
I avoid low paid work and just can’t take anyone seriously who offers to pay $2 for a 500 word piece and then expects it to be top notch professionalism.
I am also very weary of long ads that list extensive duties and expect the writer to stand on their head. Yes, I will work hard but I like to be appreciated too.
September 3rd, 2007 at 9:54 amshell>> Amen. I’m tired of being treated poorly when I treat clients only with utmost respect and professionalism. Luckily, I do get good ones who are very pleasant conversationalists.
September 3rd, 2007 at 11:37 amYes, I’ve worked with some great editors in the past too. It really makes a difference having a good working relationship with them. Although, I can imagine it isn’t always the case for some, especially if the editor is really busy or has a large pool of writers to work with.
The ones I’ve worked with have generally been friendly and helpful. As long as the work is done on time… I daren’t be late.
September 3rd, 2007 at 12:26 pmPhil:
You’re right, there is a time to prove yourself when you are younger. And I do give my work away free when it’s obvious that a good cause can’t afford me.
I was issuing a call for revolt again, rather than a useful aphorism on life. If someone has the ability to pay you and won’t, they are dissing you. If someone can’t pay you but it is work you want to do, for what ever reason, by all means do it if you have the time.
But we still need to fight the power …
September 3rd, 2007 at 1:39 pmIt’s Labor Day, you have to allow me to get all riled up about the power of a large group of people.
Instead of taking appallingly low-priced jobs when you’re starting out, think about volunteering for an organization you believe in and writing for them. You get clips (newsletters, press releases, reports . . .), they get some help, good karma all around. I’d prefer to literally give my work away than work for the insultingly low pay I see offered around.
September 3rd, 2007 at 3:21 pmJanet:
That is very good advice. It’s not the way I got into it, but it makes sense to me that if you can find a job waiting tables or so on that pays 2x-3x what you can get writing, you can work fewer hours and get in with work that you love as a volunteer.
What I find appealing about this is that following this advice allows someone to stay close to their own passion, which will probably reflect in their work. That can only be a good thing. Plus, it’s probably the best way to get into grant writing and PR writing, which are the most lucrative gigs.
When following your passion has a chance to lead to the most bucks, I think it’s a great win. You don’t get those chances all the time in life.
September 4th, 2007 at 8:59 amHi Deb,
(Btw, I’m a BIG fan of your blog!) I was recently offered a young professionals - directed writing job, for an online magazine in my city, covering “the scene.” I was wondering what I should charge; I recently read of charging 750 for a pack of ten articles, assuming they were all articles as desired by the employer. I’m not sure if that will sound reasonable - I’m dealing with an online magazine developer more than an editor right now, and I was thinking perhaps 500 for ten. I’m starting out as a magazine article writer, trying to build a very rich and full freelance career; my skill level is extremely high, but I’m still not sure what to charge here. If you don’t mind I’d like an answer to my e-mail box as well as on this board if you’d like.
Thanks!
-Roxie
September 8th, 2007 at 11:49 am