Nov 11 2008
Crafting the Art: Freelance Writing.
I have been searching for ways to become a freelance writer. Making
money by just using my skill with words and my computer is just to
intruiging of a idea to pass up. Recently I have been doing a ton of
research on the subject and now I have hit the wall. Everyone who
is doing hiring for any type of writing jobs has a preference to hire people
who have experience. How am I supposed to get experience if i’m never
given the oppurtunity to prove myself. Well I have come to the realization
I am probably not the only one with this problem. So I have decided I
will write a series of blogs to both help myself and to help other aspiring
freelancers as well. I will discuss what I have found is important though
my inexperience on the subject is why I write, this is a attempt to get
some succesful writers involved and to interact and discuss what to do
and what not to do. If you are a freelancer that has landed job after job
maybe I can interest you in a interview, it would be good for the writing
world and novice writers like myself. Until then I will continue on with my
findings.
First things first. In order to land a job you have to convince the the
buyer you are the best and most qualified for the job, regardless if you
really are or not. Some of you may wonder what a sales pitch is, the
book definition is, “promotion by means of an argument and demonstration.”
This is what gets you noticed, you need a strong sales pitch to prove
your are suitable for the job, you are basicly selling yourself for the
the project of interest.
Another important selling aspect, proof. Most of the jobs I have attempted
to land ask you for a copy of your work that has some relation to the project.
Those with no experience, you fall into the same boat I have landed in.
You have yet to get a job so you don’t have anything to show them.
My only idea has been to create a example related to the topic. This
has yet to work for me, possibly because I have had to rush my examples
to make the time limit for a bid.
Well guys this is all I have time for right now, time to get to work. I will
be finishing this blog later today and I am only publishing it to attempt
to find someone with experience on this matter that can actually throw
all of us novice freelancers some helpful ideas. All support on this matter
is muchly appreciated and I thank everyone who tries to help in advance.
4 Responses to “Crafting the Art: Freelance Writing.”
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You should check out Associated Content. I wrote about it in my blog a couple of weeks ago - here’s the link:
http://beprepared.today.com/2008/10/30/another-way-to-make-money-freelance-writing/
I make good money from AC (and I’m recruiting right now!) - the above blog has a link for signing up - it’s been worth it for me, both in exposure, experience and earnings.
Best wishes!
T.
Despite the many claims that work is every where freelancing truly is a cut throat business. I have landed some jobs and been rejected for many.
When you have no experience you sell your knowledge. Write about a subject which you can offer superior knowledge that an editor can not receive elsewhere. For me this was the paranormal and parenting. For you it will most likely be something else. These early jobs may not pay much but will put your name in print, money in your pocket, and become your clips for future jobs.
However, do not get duped into writing for free in the hope that you will be able to use the piece as a clip. Editors know which jobs pay and which don’t and are very unlikely to pay someone they know works for free. The same is true of self publishing unless you are the rare exception that can turn out a best seller on your first self publishing venture.
Rebecca Keene
www.kentuckysdemocrat.today.com
Amen!
La Penna Prolifica Writing and Editing Services™
Portfolio:
www.thedb.com/lapennaprolifica
Blog:
http://waxingpoetically.today.com/
http://artfromtheoutskirts.today.com/
Thank you all for your comments, Each of you guys had priceless advice and this blog more than paid for itself. I just fell in love with the associated content site, that site is sheer genius. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to finish up this blog today but I do plan to finish or follow up on it asap. Kami, as for your team, what would I have to do to be accepted. I’m looking to write as much as possible and this is a excellent start.