Freelance Writing Jobs, December 9, 2015

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Happy hump day! How’s the week been so far? Awesome? Insane? Made you lose your ability to Can? I feel you.

Hold on to your pants, because here comes a fresh, hot batch of freelance jobs, just for you. As always, best of luck, and enjoy! Feel free to come back for seconds.

Paid Freelance Writing Jobs

Blogging Jobs

  1. Content Writer at Agile Consulting (must be open to a flexible work schedule)
  2. Women’s Holistic Living Writer
  3. Corporate Law Blogger (contract-based; telecommuting okay)
  4. Freelance Writer (applicants must have strong confidence in writing skills; telecommuting okay)

Copywriting Jobs

  1. COPYWRITER (based in Troy, NY; telecommuting okay)
  2. FREELANCE COPYWRITER / EDITOR (based in Culver City, LA; telecommuting okay)

Proofreading/Editing Jobs

  1. Looking for qualified editors (work from home, editing scientific papers)
  2. Weekend Editor
  3. Paid 12-Week Job Program in Copy Editing and Content Management, Bleacher Report (graduate and upper-division undergraduate journalism students and recent grads preferred)
  4. Freelance Genre Editors (expertise in historical, regency, erotica, contemporary, scifi, and fantasy genres needed)
  5. Seeking editor for FierceWireless

Telecommuting and flexible jobs at Flexjobs

Journalism Jobs

  1. Inbound Marketing Agency Seeks Freelance Journalists/Copywriters
  2. SOFTWARE REPORTER (extensive industry contacts and strong presentation skills are a plus)
  3. Paid 12-Week Writing Program in Sports Media, Bleacher Report (undergraduate and graduate-level journalism students preferred)

 

General/Misc. Freelance Writing Jobs

  1. Writer Wanted for Home Childproofing Book
  2. Entertainment News Writing Position for Pop Culture Website (published experience a plus)
  3. Create Subtitles of TV/Movies/Marketing Videos from Home (native speakers and writers in Mandarin simplified, Japanese, Arabic, Portuguese encouraged)
  4. FREELANCE HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE WRITERS (pet-focused writers at an advantage)
  5. Healthcare company hiring Medical Billers (telecommuters okay)
  6. Web series needs writer (LA residents encouraged; filming starts January)
  7. Book Reviewer — Freelance/Project Basis (Anywhere)
  8. Ghostwriter (fields: marketing, tech, business, social media)
  9. Call for Submissions (for MIT’s Magazine Undark, scheduled for launch February 2016)
  10. Freelance Writer for Articles on Various Topics (ghostwriting)
  11. Book Reviewer (junior and senior college students welcome to apply)

5 Freelance Conferences to Visit in 2012

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Being a successful freelancer requires that you acquire and maintain the latest information, tools, tips and skills in order to stay successful among the many people setting out on their own in the professional world. While there are tools available to all freelancers via the invaluable resource that is the internet, the physical disconnect between you and your colleagues and customers often leaves something to be desired.

On that note, as a freelancing professional looking to add to their current skill set, there is no better way to combine valuable educational opportunities with the ability to rub shoulders with the best and brightest in your niche than the many fantastic freelance conferences taking place around the world each year.

In the interest of spurring you forward towards exciting experiences and new opportunities, here are five freelance conferences to visit in 2012: [Read more…]

Monitoring Your Online Reputation as a Freelance Writer

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Freelance writing is now one of the sources of income for many moms dads and others alike. As a freelance worker, they are free to serve as many clients as they can. They build reputation by submitting works on time and providing high-quality work. The reputation built will then result into new job offers or job referrals from satisfied clients and writers will have increased income.

As a writer, you can collect positive reviews from your satisfied clients. However, many potential clients today, go beyond profile reviews. They have now started to dig for more information about you. Below are the tools you can use to monitor your online reputation as a writer. [Read more…]

7 Effective Time Management Tips

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Managing your time effectively is very individual and so it’s impossible to tell a person which days and times they will be able to work most effectively.

However, there are patterns that you can look at and see if you’re the same as most other people when it comes to working. If you’re trying to work out a timetable in order to help yourself work as efficiently as possible, there are several things you should take into consideration and think about first of all. [Read more…]

Requirements for Working with Clients in Other Countries

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international flagsFreelancing is a skill that takes some honing. While someone who has a knack for networking will find it easier than others, there are still challenges that you just have to work through. Much of it, in fact, is a matter of learning the hard way, and we all have our horror stories.

Of course, the risks and difficulties become more pronounced when working with people from countries other than our own. All communication is done via email or instant messenger, though some might occasionally ask for Skype. There is no real legal recourse when things go wrong. All in all, you have to rely on clients’ integrity, and they face the same problem with having to count on yours.

But despite that, the risk usually pays off. Working with a client from another country – or even continent – can be a rewarding and positive experience that you won’t want to miss. To make things a little less choppy, try following these guidelines for working with international prospects. [Read more…]

Freelance Writing Jobs Blog – The Best of January

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Every month, the bloggers at FWJ work hard to provide quality and helpful content. Hardworking freelance writers click through looking for great leads and info, but let’s face it, some posts may slip by in the daily hustle and bustle. Here’s some great posts you may have missed:

Writing From Home: Warnings & Tips on How to Survive When You Have No Office by Robin Parrish

Robin captures the writing from home experience perfectly. My favorite:

Get Out of the House. As important as it is to guard your at-home work time, sometimes you just have to get away from all the around-the-house distractions in order to get anything done. So grab the laptop and head out to someplace where there’s free wifi, like Barnes & Noble or Starbucks.

How to Use Your Freelance Work Personality to Your Advantage: Know Yourself Before Applying for a Gig by Jodee Redmond

Jodee gives great advice on shifting your job search to looking for work that fits you:

When you are looking for freelance writing jobs, first consider your work personality. If you are someone who enjoys the relative security of working with a client over the long term, then look for someone who can offer a steady gig (or the potential for a series of projects). If you are someone who gets bogged down working on large projects, move on and apply for something that is a better fit for your freelance work personality.

How to Get Your Contracts Signed: How to Deal with a Physical Act in an Electronic World by Jonathan Bailey

Jonathan saved me time and photoshopping time by giving these great alternatives to the whole snail-mail-signature thing:

A Better Answer

There are several companies that offer digital contract signing. They include the following:

  1. RightSignature: Offers a free trial with up to five documents, paid accounts start at $14 per month for unlimited documents and 1 template.
  2. FillAnyPDF: Can be used for free without an account but a free account opens up more editing options and allows storage of 5 filled forms. Paid accounts start at $19 per month and allow the storage of up to 1,000 filled forms
  • DocQ: Offers a free account for up to 5 signatures per month and a paid personal account starts at $7 per month and offers 25 signatures.

    • If I Lay Here… Using Lie and Lay Correctly by Noemi Twigg

    I have several web pages bookmarked that explains the freaking lie and lay conspiracy in several different ways. *Don’t judge me* I’ve added Noemi’s to the top spot:

    Let’s get the meanings of the words straight, once and for all.
    Lay is a transitive verb and needs a direct object – a receiver of the action. It means to put something down.

    Example: This bag of groceries is heavy.  I will lay it down on the bench while I wait for the bus.

    Lie is an intransitive verb and does not need a direct object.  It means to recline. 2

    Example: My back hurts. I think I’ll lie down for a bit.

    Can Anyone Make Money Blogging? by Gayla Baer-Taylor

    A great response to a timeless question:

    First and foremost, the critical ingredient to blogging success is having staying power. The ability to not allow defeat due to setbacks. A successful blogger must be willing to put their self out there and put in the hours upon hours of hard work that’s the proven foundation for successful blogs.

    Article Clip 911: Protect your career and back-up your work by Terreece M. Clarke

    Not to toot my horn, this is great info for writers:

    Not saving your clips, backing up your blog posts, etc. is like throwing money away. Why work so hard, research so thoroughly only to toss your work to the wind? Three steps will save you time and tears:

    What were your favorite blog posts?

    Article Quickie: A Writer’s Confession

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    My name is Terreece and I’m addicted to ellipses.

    There. I said it. I am free from my shame.

    Those three periods…they say so much and I find myself using them way to often. Every writer has a crutch. Some liken it to their ‘writing style,’ but there is a difference between a crutch and a style.

    “I can quit anytime.”

    One way to tell if your go-to writing technique is a style or a crutch is if a writer can be flexible and not use the item. Whether it’s a particular format or transition, if a writer has trouble adapting to what an article needs rather than what they are comfortable writing – it’s a crutch.

    “I don’t think about it.”

    Some writers brag they can bang out an article without thinking. That’s not a good thing. Writing without thinking is writing devoid of feeling and deliberation. Who wants to read that? Writers can bring thought back into their pieces through identifying their crutches. Read through old clips. Recognizing patterns is the best way to break a habit.

    “I’m not hurting anyone.”

    My ellipses aren’t hurting anyone…most people think they add to my conversational style of writing. However, if I’m honest with myself, not addressing them or any other crutch will prevent my growth as a writer. The crutch is more damaging to the writer than it is to anyone else. Why? Burn out.

    Writers run out of stuff to write or I should say they run out of motivation to write anything. When writing loses its spark and becomes predictable, odds are the writer will find themselves on the way to the stinky town of Burnout.

    Lastly, crutches are supposed to help someone along the way until the way can be made without the crutch. It may be painful, may cause a few hours of eyestrain staring at that blinking cursor while coming up with something else, but in the end the stretch is worth it. The growing pains are worth it!

    So dish – what’s your writing crutch? How did you break your habit?

    Article Quickie: Freelance Writing Jargon

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    Masthead

    Located within the first few pages of a publication, the masthead lists the important information you need – editor names, assistant editors, departments, contributing writers, etc. It is also helpful to find out the email configuration of the company – a not so secret tip on getting your queries to the right person without the SASE.

    On Speculation

    When a writer has a fantastic idea and an editor isn’t so sure, they will ask the writer to write the piece on spec or speculation. This means a writer will write the article in its entirety on the hopes that once the editor sees the piece they will buy it. There is usually no contract and writers should carefully consider their options.

    Pitch

    When a writer creates a pitch they are trying to sell their idea for an article or project to an editor or client. This is also known as a query.

    Portfolio

    A specific website or booklet that shows a writer’s body of work. Most portfolios are online so they are easily accessible to editors and clients.

    Query Letter

    See “Pitch”

    SASE (Self-Addressed Stamped Envelopes)

    Way before email when writers use to send queries to editors by mail they would spend thousands of dollars addressing envelopes to themselves and stamping them in the hopes that an editor would send their thumbs up or down or at the very least return that query letter or manuscript using the stamped envelope. That usually never happened. Most editors would write back using company stationary and postage, wasting time, money and trees! Now, most editors shoot a reply via email, however there are still some publications that will only accept queries or manuscripts via snail mail.

    Side Bar

    Side bars are shorter bits of information that accompany a longer article. They can range in size and they usually are there to highlight or further explain important information.

    Tear Sheet

    In modeling, a tear sheet is a copy of the model’s work once published. In writing, a tear sheet works the same way without the pouty stare and 10 hours of hair and makeup. After the publication is printed, editors will often send a tear sheet to the writer as a courtesy for the writer’s clip file.

    Writers Guidelines

    These are designed to give writers helpful tips and information about submission guidelines and what the publication accepts. While full of great advice and information, they aren’t always gospel. For example, many publication’s guidelines still tout mail in query submissions instead of electronic means.

    Don’t forget to check out the rest of the freelance glossary!

    Article Quickie: Freelance Writing Jargon – A – C: From AP Style to Crib Sheet

    Article Quickie: Freelance Writing Jargon – D – G From Deadlines to Ghostwriting

    Article Quickie: Freelance Writing Jargon – H – L: Headlines to Lede (Lead)

    Article Clip 911

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    This is it! This is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for – a publication you’ve had your eye on is interested in your work. Perhaps you’ve had a chance meeting with an editor or saw a job post. Now all you need is to send in that one great clip. You know, the one that shows your skill, expertise and spot on interviewing? So you type the title and your name into Google to pull up the piece…It’s gone.

    Silly you, you never got around to saving that clip or even printing it out. You figured it would always be there, when you needed it.

    Not saving your clips, backing up your blog posts, etc. is like throwing money away. Why work so hard, research so thoroughly only to toss your work to the wind? Four steps will save you time and tears:

    1. Save your web articles, blog posts, etc. as a pdf to ensure they’ll be there when you need it.

    2. Keep hard copies of both web articles and print articles in archive grade storage boxes. Your plastic tub from Walmart isn’t going to cut it. Eventually, the paper will begin to yellow and fade, mainly because plastic continues to give off chemicals speeding the breakdown of the paper.

    3. Back it up online. There are a variety of services that allows you to save your work beyond your laptop. Computers crash, fires damage files, but online sources are viable, easy-to-use options. There are both free services and paid services available. Do a little research to find the one that works the best for you. Here are few you can investigate:

    MozyHome 2.0

    Norton Online Backup 2.0

    Carbonite 4.0

    Dropbox

    A few simple steps will go a long way to protect your work and streamline your job search. Pulling up a clip for a query or client shouldn’t be a needle/haystack search. You’ve worked hard to build your career, take time to preserve it!

    2011 Writing Prep: Thick Skin

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    As a writer, it is perfectly normal to get shellacked on a weekly or monthly basis. Whether it’s rejection letters,  feedback from clients or mean-spirited comments on a blog or website there are plenty of days where the heart and ego will get bruised. Here’s the thing, it is the unfortunate by-product of success.

    Many define a writer’s success by their annual revenue. Others measure success by a writer’s influence – both online and offline. I look at those things, but I also look at a less rosy and overlooked area of success – feedback. We’ve all felt the sting of a rejection letter and after so many, one may begin to wonder if they’ll ever make it. Sometimes the worse sting is a rejection letter after so many successful pitches. These occurrences are actually good for you, they toughen up that squishy writer heart which is important because:

    This is a business.

    You are creating a product to be sold for consumption. Yes, the product is a thoughtfully produced, creatively birthed and may contain the remnants of a few tears, but it is, still a product. You need to produce the product, deliver the product and bill for the product (and likely follow up on the billing). It is important to provide proper, enthusiastic customer service and be able to accept feedback because…

    Feedback matters.

    Feedback is usually the writer’s only way of knowing whether they are meeting the needs of their clients/readers. It is what we use to determine if we need to move in a new direction, stay the course or abandon ship and run for the hills (never that!). It is what keeps us profitable. Feedback, positive or negative, is important because you then know…

    Your stuff is out there.

    If your work wasn’t out there – queries to editors, blog posts, articles, book proposals – you wouldn’t get the rejection letters, negative comments or positive, helpful critiques. Do you know how many writers struggle just to make it that far? To write the query, to get someone to read the blog post to finish that hellish process known as book proposals? It’s where many a writing career dies. You made it past the blank page with the blinking, winking, taunting cursor. THAT is a victory. Someone received your words, read them and took the time to either give helpful advice or bang out some less than kind criticism, but that doesn’t dilute the fact that they read. Your. Work.

    Thicker Skin = Critical Eye.

    In order to become better writers we must evolve. We must challenge what we know about writing, how we write and what we write so we can continue to improve. Feedback prompts us to self-reflect. Most editors aren’t out to get you, their job is to know what works for their publication/site. They are helping you learn what their audience wants and when you deliver it, you elevate yourself to ‘go-to’ status. Developing a thick skin about comments, critiques and attacks allows for you to cast a critical eye on your work that will only make you better.

    Not every piece of feedback is helpful, correct or necessary, but it is necessary for writers to develop a thick skin in order be able to determine the helpful nuggets of information from the junk.

    How do you handle criticism and feedback?

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