In a thrilling turn of events, I billed $805 for a single article and three hours of editing. This achievement didn't come overnight; it was the result of hard work, persistence, and a few tricks I picked up along the way to launch my freelance writing career.
Before I started applying for jobs, I established a solid foundation for my writing business. I created a website, updated my resume, and signed up for a fax service that offered free business cards. I spent a lot of time dreaming about being a 'writer'. When I could no longer delay the inevitable, I started applying for jobs.
There are numerous job sites on the internet that I visited daily. Some of my favorites include:
Another excellent resource is the Sunday classified sections of metropolitan newspapers. Just search for 'freelance', 'writer', or 'editor', and see what comes up.
Whenever I found a job that piqued my interest, I applied immediately. I knew that if I bookmarked it, I would never return to it later. So, to combat my tendency to procrastinate, I made it easy to apply for jobs as soon as I found them.
Many jobs require a resume and clips in text-only format. This means typing directly into an email or copying and pasting from another program. It doesn't mean sending Word attachments or any other type of attachment. Remember, your potential employer may be sifting through hundreds of resumes. They probably don't want to open another program to read yours.
To streamline the process, I created an email template with a text-only resume, using asterisks and dashes to separate sections. I included three clips, with the headline in caps and the date it was published. Since I had online clips, I added the URL in the http:// format, so the link could be clicked even in a text-only email. For each job, I opened the template, wrote a brief cover letter at the top, included the job reference in the subject line and the body, and hit SEND.
One crucial step that should never be overlooked is spell checking. I've made the mistake of skipping this step and noticed glaring errors afterward. It's not a good look, and it's certainly not professional.
I keep my sent queries in a separate folder for easy reference, and I also keep the job description. I learned to do this after someone called about my application, and I couldn't remember which job they were referring to. So, I keep a simple text file where I copy and paste directly from the job-site page.
Applying for jobs can be a daunting task. I'd much rather sit and think about it than do it. However, investing some time in preparing my resume and clips has made it a quick, easy, and profitable process. And you can do it too.
The Freelancer's Journey: A Rollercoaster of Triumphs and Trials
The life of a freelancer is often romanticized as a dream job, offering the freedom to work from home, set your own hours, and escape the confines of a traditional office. However, the reality can be a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs, as one former news editor discovered when she decided to trade her $12.36 per hour job for the life of a freelance writer. This is her story, a year-long journey filled with triumphs, trials, and lessons learned.
H1: Four Essential Tools for Aspiring Writers That Won't Cost a Dime
The journey to becoming a successful writer can be made easier with the right tools. Here are four free resources that can help aspiring writers improve their skills, find inspiration, and navigate the publishing world. These tools include a handy software program, a grammar newsletter, a reference site for journalists, and a book club for writers.
