How NOT to Get a Freelance Writing Job
In the business of freelance writing, it's not enough to be good at writing. You also have to be good at finding work - and selling yourself when you do. Persuading a new client to let you write for them, rather than one of the hundreds of other writers out there, can be an art in itself. Here's how not to do it?
Don't give any details about yourself.
When you're applying for a new project, whether it be through the WritingWorld.org jobs board, or in response to a "writers wanted" ad, don't bother giving anything but the most basic of information - your name, and your price. If you absolutely must give a little bit of detail, just stick to something simple like "I can do this". You're a writer, for god's sake! You don't need to explain yourself! The employer will look at your message and just know that you're the right person for the job - even although everyone else who applied sent their resume and writing samples, and gave a list of reasons why they'd be perfect for the job.
Why doesn't this approach work? Well, think about it. If you were in the market for a professional service, would you choose the person who provided examples of their work, client testimonials and other relevant information, or would you pick the person who told you nothing but their price? Even if your quote is the lowest, the employer will still want to be assured that you're capable of doing the job: and trust me, employers don't like to have to coax information out of writers. Nor do they need to. In most cases they'll receive quotes from so many well-qualified candidates that they won't need to chase up the ones who didn't bother to give them a reason to employ them.
Don't bother reading the advert properly.
Just stick to one set speil which you can copy and paste onto every application or quote you send. It doesn't matter if your standard speil talks about what a fabulous copywriter you are and the employer is looking for a proofreader. Again, they'll just know that you're also a trained proofreader. Even if you don't bother to tell them.
Why doesn't it work? Well, as soon as the employer realises that you haven't even read their advert properly, you can forget about that proofreading job. Employers like to think that you're paying attention to them and taking them seriously, not just firing off the same stock message to 100 people per day. It's OK to have a stock message, by the way - but the least you can do is make sure it's relevant to the job you're applying for.
Skip the spellcheck
Obviously you wouldn't do it on an assignment, but when you're giving someone a quote or responding to their job advert, it's perfectly acceptable to forget about spelling and grammar, right?
Wrong.
As a writer, you'll be judged on everything you write. That includes quick emails, IM conversations and, of course, quotes. Poor spelling, lack of punctuation and sloppy grammar marks you out as someone who doesn't care too much about their craft - if, indeed, you have one. Make it perfect every time.
Make your quote ridiculously low
We all know how competitive freelance writing can be. Unless you're willing to work for far less than minimum wage, you'll never persuade anyone to employ you. Make sure your bid is as low as you can make it without offering the employer to pay them for the privilege of writing for them, and they're sure to give you the job! Right?< br />
Um, not necessarily. While there will always be "employers" who aren't too concerned about quality and just want to find the cheapest writer around, to most employers, your low bid says one thing: that you're not very good at what you do, and certainly don't deserve decent compensation for it.
If you're willing to write for a nominal fee for a commercial employer (as opposed to a charity, for example, or a friend), the employer knows right away that you don't make a living doing this. Imagine how many $5 articles you'd need to write every month to pay your mortgage! If you're willing to write for that amount, then, it's clear that you must be pretty much scraping the barrel: so desperate for work that you're only one step away from working for free.
This kind of desperation doesn't inspire confidence: you may well get yourself some work from a certain type of employer, but when someone comes along who's willing to pay more, you'll be missing out on the opportunity to get paid what you deserve.
What's most frightening about this list is that I didn't have to make any of this up. These are all real examples of the kinds of things writers do when applying for work. And trust me: these writers never get the jobs.
Amber McNaught is a freelance writer and editor, and the owner of WritingWorld.org, an online agency for freelance writers, editors and proofreaders.
Writing World also offers a range of service such as proofreading, editing and manuscript appraisal services to new and aspiring writers.
Chat about all aspects of freelance writing in the WritingWorld forum!
MORE RESOURCES:
 guardian.co.uk | Steven Tyler Is Just Writing A Book! No Drugs (Allegedly) PerezHilton.com (blog) A spokesman for Steven Tyler has said that the Aerosmith frontman is just taking a quick break due to a shoulder injury and he is working on his ... TYLER IS WRITING HIS MEMOIRS |
Parting Shot: Writing In Alexander for Biletnikoff Award Kansas City Star By Mike dearmond - Posted on 20 November 2009 Danario Alexander is not a finalist for the award given annual to college football's best receiver. ... |
 Hindu | 'Writing is a solo pursuit' Hindu I really believe what happens in the writing experience happens in the reading experience. If there is velocity in the writing, then there will be the same ... |
 Contactmusic.com | Cruz's record label wants him to stop writing hits Ireland Online He said: “I kept writing them and the record company kept shouting at me because I kept giving all the songs away. “I'm not really precious like that. ... Taio Cruz: Breaking charts as well as hearts |
 Times Online | What's This Mania? Twilight's New Moon Radar Redux: Baltimore Arts and Culture (blog) Listen, I study Creative Writing in school. I love literature. I value writing and even more so, I value good writing, unique writing, writing which ... A Fan's 10 Favorite Things About 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon' Reflecting on the 'Twilight' Backlash "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" Review: $1/10 |
 Film School Rejects (blog) | 'Underworld 4' on the Way With 'Shield' Scribe Writing Moviefone According to the Hollywood Reporter's Heat Vision blog, the task of writing the fourth film falls upon John Hlavin, best known as a writer and story editor ... Underworld 4 being scripted by John Hlavin |
Dacre Stoker: Writing a sequel to a beloved classic National Post There are many mysteries surrounding Bram Stoker's writing of Dracula. These include: what resources he used or knew of, how much he actually knew about the ... |
 New York Daily News | Martha Stewart pans Rachael Ray's cooking - and cooking writing New York Daily News Stewart told ABC News' Cynthia mcfadden that Ray's approach to cooking - and cookbook writing - is "not good enough for me." In her first TV interview since ... |
'Precious' Screenwriter Talks Passion For Writing CDInsight Geoffrey Fletcher, screenwriter of "Precious," talked of passions for film writing before coming out with the hit drama. Fletcher said he took up film at ... |
Analysis: Darwin vs. Genesis, a literary smackdown Toronto Star Genesis, it has to be said, is tough to beat as a piece of writing. It contains both the best of the wilderness, emerging over several generations from the ... |
Five Common Errors to Correct Before Submitting a Letter or Report
First impressions count in writing too! So it is always a good idea to carefully check documents such as letter, reports, and proposals before submitting them. Below are five of the most common errors.
Formats for Writing Life Narratives
Q and A.Best choice when subject is very verbal or there are two or more people beinginterviewed or taped at the same time.
I Am Biodegradable - My Writing Is Not
My dad was wrong. I just discovered that I am good for nuthin' after all.
The Myths of Writing: Have You Bought Into These?
There is an image most people carry of the artist (think Van Gough's self-portrait, the one with his ear bandaged), working in solitude in a barren garret in a dark corner of the city. Everyday is a struggle.
Turning Your Journal Into An Idea Bank
A few magazines refer to their written idea sources in assigning articles to reliable, experienced writers, or even allow those writers to peruse them for topics to write about.And for awhile, I kept an idea book that was similar to a writer's journal.
How to Avoid the 11 Biggest Mistakes of First Time Authors
"If you want to change your life," Harry Beckwith wrote in The Invisible Touch, "write a book." But writing a book can also be tremendously frustrating and unrewarding.
Mexican Living: Pasatiempo
It occurred to me one day that I needed something to do with my time when I wasn't writing. You know--something to divert myself so more writing ideas could come to mind.
Business Writing Tip: Question & Answer Format
Traditionally, business writing uses the "one thing after another" format, which usually means a plain recitation of the facts, circumstances, or whatever else needs to be said.But, we have a number of other options, and some of them may provide more responses or better responses.
Open a Vein
If you want to be a writer, you must write and that requires sitting at your typewriter or computer and writing although it may not be easy. That also means avoiding all distractions that will keep one from writing-visitors, friends, relatives, television, radio, and anything that will keep the writer from concentrating on the task.
Do You Know How To Write English For Global Audiences?
When you write for international audiences, mainly directly in English, you will need to develop an audience profile. In particular, you will have to show consistency and clarity in style/expression and you will have to be culturally sensitive.
How To Filter Description Through Your Characters
How do you describe a scene without slowing down the pace of your novel? What do you include? What do you leave out? Here's a neat trick: use your own experiences as a guide.When we encounter a new setting or new experience, all our senses are on the alert.
How To Self-Publish Your Own Books, Manuals, Reports Or Newsletters
You can make a lot of money by writing and self-publishing your own material, if you are willing to write books, manuals, reports or newsletters that millions of people across the United States, and throughout the world for that matter, desperately want to buy. Today, more than ever before, is the age of information.
Water to Swim In
Not long ago, I took stock of my unrealized desire to be a published writer, or maybe I should I say â??Writerâ?? with a capital â??W.â?? For some reason it always seemed a lofty goal, to want to see my byline in print.
Tips For Better Writing
It is certainly true that we don't get a second chance to make a first impression. As the impression we make on the Internet is almost always with the written word, is it unfortunate that there is so much poor writing bouncing around in cyberspace.
6 Tricks To Squeeze Your Letters Onto One Page
Anyone who has read any of my articles on the subject ofletter writing or resume writing will know how important I believe it is to minimize the number of pages, preferably limiting them to one page whenever possible.And, we all know how tacky it looks when we put the finishing touches on a letter and it overflows onto the second page by one or two lines.
Sick of the Traditional Publishing Path?
A book coaching client recently emailed me that she was getting sick of traditional publishing because of so many costly requirements and so little payoff. Do you feel the same way?Fifteen years ago, I worked hard on a 60-page proposal for a top agent and after a year got "approval" to be his client.
Print-On-Demand: A Definition and a Comparison
The purpose of this article is to consider Print-On-Demandpublishing as an alternative for the aspiring author. It has itsstrengths and its weaknesses.
Important Points of Fiction
Fiction manuscripts receive feedback that addresses and scores:· The theme of the book· Character development and depth· Plot and story line resolution· Pace and setting of the story· The effective use of dialog· The appropriateness of the tense and point of view· How compelling the book will be in the marketplace· Spelling, grammar, punctuation and much more!The theme or premise of a novel is important because it sets the stage for the characters, the setting, the plot, the conflict, and the climax. Is it a story of love, jealousy, ambition, adventure, of triumph or failure? These themes, as well as many others must be considered and decided upon by the fiction writer.
Revving Up Your Writing Productivity
Productivity begins by recognizing and valuing your brilliance, time, and space. It starts with awareness of what works and what does not.
What Is The Single Worst Writing Mistake?
The following answer sounds simplistic?but think about it. The single worst writing mistake is "not starting.
