| About Freelance Writers |
| Put this feed on your website |
| Description: |
Freelance Writers |
| Format: |
RSS 0.91 |
| Url: |
http://z.about.com/6/g/freelancewrite/b/index.xml |
| |
| Latest headlines |
About Freelance Writers
|
Do You Want to Know About Shady Clients or Shady Practices?
Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:50:00 +0200
How about clients who are just plain rude and condescending? Clients who make you jump through hoops and waste your work hours, then reveal that they pay pennies? How about clients who put you through free samples and tests, but don't send feedback, or answer with a form letter?
As your Guide to Freelance Writing, I see it as my responsibility to lead you through some of these hoops. Much of your emails, comments and user-generated answers seem to point to a resounding YES- but, let me know:
Would you like me to blog or post in the forum (or both) when I run into these types of clients? Is it helpful to you at all?
Do You Want to Know About Shady Clients or Shady Practices? originally appeared on About.com Freelance Writing on Wednesday, February 8th, 2012 at 19:50:05.Permalink | Comment | Email this
|
Where Did You Find Your Best Client?
Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:16:00 +0200
I was just poking around on Idealist, and remembered that's where I found one of my best clients.
This nonprofit was hiring for a (full time) media position that spoke to me, specifically looking for someone in my freelance writing niche (Latino interests/Immigration Reform). The application deadline was one day past, but my excitement was overwhelming. So I wrote to the director and asked if he'd take my credentials into consideration, despite the deadline.
He took a couple days to say Yes, and in that time I reconsidered. Even though the work was in an area about which I am very, very passionate, I had (have) no interest in working full time nor outside my home. Freelancing just works for me and my family, and I told him that much.
But, he had looked at my website (dearest new freelancers, please build yourself a website!), and expressed an interest in possibly hiring me for contractual work. The nonprofit was quite adept and used to working with freelancers/consultants.
So, we met for coffee, and the rest is history. I've been with them since October, and they send me about 5 hours of work per week (that's a quarter of my time), at a very decent, solid hourly rate. I write about subject matter that is important to me, the words flow easily because I can get behind them, and I feel like I'm actually making a positive difference in the world with my work.
Based on this, I would say Idealist is a great place to look for freelance writing jobs!
What about you? Where did you find your best client?
(PS- We freelance writers disparage Craigslist a lot, but both PC World and National Geographic used Craigslist to find writers in the past week)Where Did You Find Your Best Client? originally appeared on About.com Freelance Writing on Tuesday, February 7th, 2012 at 15:16:37.Permalink | Comment | Email this
|
Solution to "Free Samples"?
Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:45:00 +0200
We've talked about freelance writing job clients asking for free samples several times. There are several annoyances to this, but I want to talk about something new here.
I recently did a free sample of translation (another service my company offers). I don't know why I did. I should not have. But it was a big name client, and I wanted the job.
Today I got a form letter that the sample wasn't up to par (which is funny, as I had my cousin, who lives in my house and is a native speaker of the target language, vet it).
That's it. Just "not up to par."
Now, I gave that company two hours of my time. Without complaint. For free. I think they owe me just a little bit more feedback than one sentence, don't you think? And so, I told them so.
Maybe this is an idea for all those free samples we're being asked for. Maybe we say "Okay- but--"
But:
It has to be less than 45 minutes (or your choice) of our time
If you don't choose me for your project, you tell me why
If you don't choose me for your project, I keep all copyrights
Maybe if they hear "Okay, but-" enough times, they'll get the idea. Maybe if we all email them and demand more feedback, they'll get the idea.
And one more bonus: any feedback you get on your writing has value. I don't know if the feedback I'll get from this lost client will be worth my two hours. but it will be better than the ZERO VALUE they asked me to accept.Solution to "Free Samples"? originally appeared on About.com Freelance Writing on Tuesday, February 7th, 2012 at 11:45:32.Permalink | Comment | Email this
|
Pinterest: What Small Businesses Must Know
Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:17:00 +0200
Last week, I wrote Secrets Writers Should Know About Pinterest, and I realized there are slightly different uses of the platform for freelancers. So, please, check out my second article on Pinterest: What Small Businesses and Freelancers Should Know About Pinterest. Pinterest: What Small Businesses Must Know originally appeared on About.com Freelance Writing on Monday, February 6th, 2012 at 13:17:03.Permalink | Comment | Email this
|
Pinterest Secrets for Writers
Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:04:00 +0200
Have you discovered Pinterest? All my friends are suddenly addicted. Check out my new article Pinterest Secrets for Writers. Oh, and if you managed to snag an invite at Pinterest, be sure to follow my writing boards here. Pinterest Secrets for Writers originally appeared on About.com Freelance Writing on Thursday, February 2nd, 2012 at 23:04:16.Permalink | Comment | Email this
|
Are You a Writer Or a Salesman?
Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:30:00 +0200
I say you're both (and so am I). See why here: Writing as Sales. Are You a Writer Or a Salesman? originally appeared on About.com Freelance Writing on Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 at 22:30:02.Permalink | Comment | Email this
|
What Are These 1099 Things I Keep Getting?
Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:15:00 +0200
If you're wondering what all those 1099s in your mailbox are, be sure to check out this article: Freelance Tax By the NumbersWhat Are These 1099 Things I Keep Getting? originally appeared on About.com Freelance Writing on Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 at 22:15:01.Permalink | Comment | Email this
|
Editing and Word Count- A "How To"
Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:08:00 +0200
I've used my own words and writing to put together this quick little example on editing and word count. Hope it's helpful!Editing and Word Count- A "How To" originally appeared on About.com Freelance Writing on Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 at 21:08:45.Permalink | Comment | Email this
|
Sample Writing Resume
Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:21:00 +0200
Sigh. This one's been requested again and again, but I've had much trouble getting it to sync with the layout here at About.com. However, I hope this Sample Writing Resume still works for ya!Sample Writing Resume originally appeared on About.com Freelance Writing on Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 at 20:21:24.Permalink | Comment | Email this
|
Between Projects?
Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:25:00 +0200
Have you ever found yourself between writing projects? Got a breather? Here are things a freelancer can do between writing projects. Between Projects? originally appeared on About.com Freelance Writing on Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 at 18:25:25.Permalink | Comment | Email this
|
|
