|
Oct
14
|
I have some exciting news. I was invited to speak at the University of Georgia’s Magazine Club next month! I’m going to talk about the ins and outs of freelance writing, getting started in a freelance writing career, and my own favorite way to earn scratch – corporate blogging for pay.
I.e. Truth Serum
Now, I covered most of my tips on getting started freelance writing on this very blog in my Quick and Dirty Guide to Landing Freelance Writing Jobs Parts One, Two and Three, but by no means am I the final word on the right and wrong way to start freelancing. Goodness knows I’ve made my fair share of mistakes (like the time I went months thinking one of my male clients was female.)
So I thought I would mine the crowd and find out what you, my fellow freelance writers, consider the most important piece of advice to the newbies in our field. Is it to specialize? (I’m looking at you, Yolander.) Is it to charge enough? (I see you over there, Jenn Mattern.) Or is there another jewel of wisdom, germ of truth, or crystal of clarity you think a group of new and pristine writer-lets needs to hear?
My intention is to compile your advice onto a handout to give out at the seminar, complete with a link to your blog so that these chickadees can go straight to the source of all this great advice. So hit me with it. If had a newly minted freelance writing sitting across from you, what you would tell him or her?
(Unrelated, but this is the Life and Times of a Freelance Writer’s 100th post! Huzzah!)
2 Pings to “What is Your Most Important Piece of Advice to Up and Coming Freelance Writers?”
7 Responses to “What is Your Most Important Piece of Advice to Up and Coming Freelance Writers?”
-
1. Susan Johnston Says:
October 14th, 2009 at 8:47 amAlways, always insist on a contract before you start writing. Take it from someone who learned this the hard way!
Susan Johnston´s last blog ..Open Thread: What Happens When You Mess Up?
-
2. Natalia Maldonado Says:
October 14th, 2009 at 9:28 amMake sure you have a professional-looking website showcasing not only your best work, but your personality. So many clients have told me they researched many writers but loved my site, and that’s what made them contact me.
Natalia Maldonado´s last blog ..Writing exercise: Family relationships -
3. Yo Says:
October 14th, 2009 at 11:40 amJenn Mattern gets all the credit for specialization too–she’s the one who got me started on it, and boy have I ever carried that torch
I would tell them to focus on being a business owner first and a writer second.
-
4. Melissa Taylor Says:
October 14th, 2009 at 11:57 amI agree with Yo, you must be an entrepreneur who writes. If you don’t spend the time getting the work, you’ll only be writing for your pets. Which doesn’t pay well and if you don’t have any pets . . . well, that’s just sad.
Yo’s convinced me to specialize — she’s right, 100%. I’m finding it challenging though.
-
5. Lydia Dishman Says:
October 14th, 2009 at 12:03 pmThere is no magic bullet, just patience, perseverance and good sales(wo)manship: http://lbdcommunications.blogspot.com/2009/07/what-to-expect-when-you-are-expecting.html
Also, don’t sell yourself short and accept low pay for your hard work: http://lbdcommunications.blogspot.com/2008/12/what-price-freedom.html
Above all, keep writing
Lydia
Lydia Dishman´s last blog ..In Which We Deal With Rejection -
6. Ian Barker Says:
October 14th, 2009 at 12:06 pmRead the publication you’re submitting to and understand the style.
-
7. Jenn Escalona Says:
October 14th, 2009 at 7:15 pmThanks for all the wonderful tips, everybody! Please ask your writing buddies to come over and contribute their two cents, too. I know the ladies and gentlemen of the UGA Magazine Club will appreciate the good advice!
October 14th, 2009 at 11:58 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Melissa Taylor, Jennifer Escalona. Jennifer Escalona said: I want YOU to give me your most important piece of freelance writing advice: http://bit.ly/Z3IBR [...]
February 5th, 2010 at 12:50 am
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by MelissaWrites: Just commented RT @JennEscalona: I want YOU to give me your most important piece of freelance writing advice: http://bit.ly/Z3IBR...