Momwriters Write

{All About MomWriters} {MomWriters Write}
{Special Events} {Projects} {Resources/Links}
{Contact Momwriters}

Working Words

Beyond the Query: How to Find Freelance Work
by Serena Gordon

A college professor once told me, "If you write well, you will always work." What he neglected to tell me, however, was where to find that work. He also forgot to mention that if I worked as a freelancer much of my time would be spent, not writing, but selling myself to prospective clients.

Numerous books and articles have been written on how to write a winning query, but as we all know, those coveted magazine assignments are few and far between. So, how will you support yourself in the meantime?

First, the key to any successful freelance venture is the willingness to write anything, and I mean, anything.
Newsletters, packaging copy, technical writing, church bulletins, even resumes and cover letters. When you’re first starting out, try not to say no to anyone willing to pay. The more people you work for, the more your name is out there. And, the more your name is out there, the more work you’ll get.

There is no one, all-purpose way to land freelance assignments. Different methods work for different people. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Advertise Yourself - Make sure everything that comes out of your office is professional and flawless. Invest money in good stationary and a good printer. Make up your own brochures, design a web page offering your services, and if you can afford it, get an ad in the yellow pages. The more places people see your name, the more likely you will be to get work.

Want Ads - This common source of job leads is probably the most overlooked method in the freelance business. Personally, I have obtained two lucrative assignments directly from the want ads. But, you can also use the want ads indirectly. Many, many companies have writers on staff and when one leaves, they place a want ad. Meanwhile, that position sits empty and things aren’t getting written. Send off a snappy cover letter with your polished resume and clips, and you might have an immediate source of well-paying, freelance work. Some headings to look under: Advertising, Communications, Editor, Freelance, Journalist, Marketing, Public Relations, Reporter and Writer.

Networking - As with any job, networking is crucial and often leads to new work. Mention that you are a writer looking for new clients to everyone you know. Have business cards made, and pass them out as quickly as you can.

Join your local Chamber of Commerce, and go to their functions armed with your business cards and prepared to collect others. If someone expresses an interest in your writing, follow-up with a letter and your brochure the next day.

While I generally don’t recommend working for free, I think volunteering is a great way to build up your portfolio and contact list, all while helping a worthy cause. I would, however, make these no-pay efforts project-specific. For example, offer to do a press release for the opening of the new senior center. Don’t offer to do all of the organization’s press releases, unless you have a lot of free time or it’s a cause you feel passionate about.

The Chutzpah Method -- In other words, get out there and sell yourself. Use direct mail and the telephone. Just about anywhere in the country, there are companies that need writers. Make up your own brochure and send it off to local companies both large and small (focus on advertising, public relations and marketing firms, and to those departments in larger companies) offering your services. Follow up with a phone call no more than a week later.

Take a look around a local newsstand; send a direct mail letter to the editors of local newspapers and magazines. You don’t have to have a specific article in mind, send a "I’m Jane Q. Writer. I’m available to freelance and I could make a contribution to your magazine" letter. Follow up with a phone call. Even if it the thought makes you squirm, make the call. Editors are busy people, and if you call while they’re trying to decide who’s going to do that article on XYZ, you just might get that assignment. Do have at least one or two story ideas in mind before you call, in case the editor wants to see how on target your ideas might be. If you don’t call, someone else will, and your resume will get buried in a blizzard of paper.

Go to your local university and put up fliers offering resume and cover letter writing services. Register with their job search office. Many universities give out lists of resume services to their students.

Look for bad writing (believe me, examples are everywhere.) Offer your services. A business owner just might have been struggling through, trying to do it own his own, simply because he was unaware that a talent such as yours was available.

Online - This method is fast becoming a favorite of writers everywhere. In a profession where waiting is the norm, online job searches can often provide almost instant satisfaction. One caveat, however, if you plan on using this method it’s a good idea to have your own web page with samples of your work ready or be able to email clips immediately. Those advertising online often want a position filled quickly and don't want to wait for snail mail copies of your clips. When searching for jobs online, like with the want ads, don’t limit your search to just "writer." Also try "write" because it will bring up more options, and try "freelance," and "reporter," etc. When you visit a company’s site, look for sections titled, "Jobs" or "Opportunities" or "Employment," etc. You just might find something good hidden there. Here are a few online freelance job sites to start you off:

http://www.sunoasis.com

http://www.asbpe.org/jobs/jobsites.htm

http://freelanceonline.com/jobsavail.html

As a Momwriter, you already have the inside track if you take advantage of Momwriters’ Markets, which puts job postings right in your inbox. Finally, don’t overlook writing e-newsletters. They are free and often contain guidelines and job postings along with a wealth of writing advice.

Freelancing is not an easy business. While we’d like to concentrate on our writing, the reality is we have to spend just as much time harvesting business.

So, what are you waiting for? Get out there!

Back to Top