Freelance Writing Tips to Make the Most of Your Career-Guest Post

Freelance writing is a great way to make extra money, build an extensive portfolio of work, and create a flexible lifestyle. Unfortunately, it can also be an erratic line of work, with no guarantees of being able to find work or to produce a steady income. There are a few tricks that can help you become more successful in your freelance writing career, whether you are just starting out or have many years of experience.

Build Relationships
If you have the good fortune to land a client, don’t let that contact slip through your fingers once you are finished with the job. Take the time to build relationships with each client so that you can create steady income streams or “anchor” clients that provide steady work. When you are finished with a job, inquire about other writing or editing needs the client may have, or ask for a referral. If there is no work for you at that time, check back regularly over the following months.

Always Look for Work
Freelancing is usually feast or famine. Sometimes, you have more work than you know what to do with, and other times, you can’t find work even if you’re offering to do it for free. Don’t wait until you’re starving for work to look for it. Keep checking job boards and submitting query letters, even when your schedule is full. You are more likely to maintain a steady stream of work if you do so.

Be Flexible with Pay
Set a base hourly rate that satisfies your personal budget and reflects your experience and skill. But be prepared to sometimes take less – especially if you are still building your portfolio and your reputation. Sometimes, you need to start out at a lower rate so that you can build a relationship and earn credibility, then ask for a raise later. Different projects will also carry different rates of pay, sometimes much more than what you would usually charge. As long as you are not working for far less than you are worth on every project, your overall income should average out at an acceptable level.

Create an Online Portfolio
The days of sending in a query letter and a packet of clips with a self-addressed, stamped envelope are slowly dying. More employers expect to be able to review your work online – preferably in real time, published on the site or blog for which you wrote the piece. Creating an online portfolio need not be complicated or expensive. Many Web hosts are available that are free or reasonably priced and that come with user-friendly templates for creating a page. When you contact prospective clients, you can refer them to your site, making the process easier for you both.

Network
It’s the number one rule of thumb in every job search for good reason. Networking helps you build relationships, develop your skills, and find your next job. There are numerous blogs and online forums for freelance writers that offer industry tips and post job opportunities. Take the time to become familiar with these, and visit them often.

Building a successful freelance career can take time, and writers will face many obstacles along the way. Consistency and perseverance are key to finding success. What other tips have helped you to build success in your freelance writing career?

Bio:
Maria Rainier is a freelance writer and recent graduate of Elon University. She is currently a resident blogger at Accelerated online degrees, where recently she’s been researching different online physical therapy assistant classes and blogging about student life. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.

Ditch the Pitch! 5 Ways to Sell Your Work Without Working Your Tail Off...

Forget what you’ve been told. It is entirely possible to break into the publishing world without perfecting the “sacred” query letter. And I should know. As a professional writer with hundreds of credits under my Bic Pen, I can attest that it’s just a matter of working smarter, not harder.

But before I share the secrets of how, allow me to establish the mindset of why…
Unlike many scribes, I didn’t discover that writing was my purpose until I had worn many other professional “hats.” I was a late bloomer.

Not to mention, when I did decide to seriously pursue it, life and its hectic pace had already settled in. I was working full time, managing the obligations of a home and juggling other commitments. Long story short, I had to learn how to make up for lost time, and how to use my limited hours wisely.

And you should too. There’s great truth to the adage, “time is money.”

Consider this. By the time you craft the “perfect” query, submit it to an editor, wait for feedback, take his or her suggestions upon advisement and submit the final piece, I’ve written several articles, submitted them, gotten paid, and more than likely am working on selling reprint rights, or slanting them for other online or print publications. Hello?
There's a better way.

With this in mind, here are a few tips to make more money in less time, with less effort.

1. Know the nature of a query--A query is simply a letter that serves as a pitch and an introduction to an editor or publisher to get permission to submit your work for publication. It’s that simple. No matter how cleverly you craft them, if the idea is not a good one, has been recently covered, or you get your facts wrong, you won’t get published.

2. Be strategic---Don’t slant your work so narrowly, that if the publication that you initially intended to submit it doesn’t accept it, you’ve spinned your wheels for nothing.
Instead, craft well-written, clever, topical pieces that can be placed in multiple markets.

3. Don’t concentrate on perfecting your query, perfect your skills. Learn research techniques. Read. Study the works of writers in your chosen genre. Dabble and diversify. Work on your grammar and spelling. Stay abreast of industry trends. Find a mentor. Any effort is a step forward.

4. Increase the odds of success by checking the archives and perusing past issues of your targeted publication. Has anything similar been done in the past 6 months or less? Does your tone and focus fit? Have you read and understood the writer’s guidelines carefully? These are important things to assess.

5. Consider crafting a (L.O.I.)---Letters of Introduction are often used as an alternative to query letters. As the name implies, this letter merely is a way to make initial contact with an editor, express your interest in writing for his publication, and briefly state your related experience and credentials. It’s intended to pitch you as opposed to a query letter which pitches an idea. It’s shorter and sweeter. I should also mention that I have even had the good fortune of breaking into publications by crafting a short, professional email to editors with whom I have wanted to work. To quote some famous words, “There is nothing to fear but fear itself.”

Of course I would be remiss if I didn't mention that some of the big "glossies" will not consider your work without a query. But, you can cross that bridge when you get there.

Also keep in mind that conversely, there are a number of online and print publications that do not make queries mandatory. A few examples are Writing for Dollars, Funds for Writers, and Writing World.com.


Follow these five timely tips to earn more money and to have more time to spend it.

Thoughts?

Image Stock Photo

Could Your Writing Career Use Training Wheels?

Most of us can remember riding our first bike. How our fear of falling and skinning our knees was cushioned by big training wheels that supported us, gave us balance, and courage.

As we grew in maturity and got a little experience under our belt, the wheels were removed and the level of speed increased, as did our level of excitement.

With the progression of time, we even learned to ride without holding on to both handlebars. But it took some time and effort.

In a similar way, aspiring and novice writers could benefit from a little “training and support”.
Unfortunately, many seeking to travel the creative path, mistakenly believe that all that is needed is to simply “suit up” and mount, and they will be able to navigate the road to success based upon sheer desire. Though it‘s not entirely impossible to do, these eager beavers will often encounter bumps, bruises, detours, and being “grounded“ literally and figuratively.

There’s a better way. There are many sources of support to today’s scribe to go the distance. Here are a few resources:

1. Mentors or Creative Coaches
Athletes hire coaches and trainers to achieve optimal levels of performance. Some singers do too. These individuals have experience and expertise that can guide students and help identify needed areas of improvement. Objectively.

2. Online Creative Classes
Writing classes are a way for writers of all levels to learn more and ultimately earn more. Teachers are often published authors themselves, who know the ropes and can provide insider’s tips, answer questions, and provide needed information and inspiration.
Check out www.Coffeehouseforwriters.com/ for current listings.

3. Writers’ Groups
No matter what your area of interest, or level of experience, writers groups boast an array of benefits. Whether online or in your local area, many offer job banks, insurance plans, meetings, events, publications, and networking opportunities to enhance your efforts.


According to editor Drew Tewksbury, "No matter where you are in your freelancing career, everyone needs a little help sometimes."

Don't let your ego get in the way of your excellence.

Thoughts?

ImageStock Illustration

Week End Updates!

Overwhelmed and under the weather, it's been a challenging week, folks.
Still, I'm happy to see the ushering in of September. I love fall. It's among my favorite seasons. How about you?
I dig the quieter pace, the cooler temperatures, the fall colors, the hint of romance.
It's more conducive to creativity too.

Well, enough of that. Before I become too pooped to post, I wanted to share these announcements for this week...

1. Cutie Keanu Reeves celebrates his 47th birthday, (according to what I've read).
As he is one of my favorites, had to give him a "shout-out"!

2. It's not too late! If you've been saying all year that you want to, (or need to) take a writing class to help to hone your craft and increase your cash, now's the time! Coffeehouseforwriters.com would love to have you pull up a "virtual chair" and sign up for the new line-up of fun, interactive online classes! Sessions are affordable and flexible. With a variety of "menu selections," there is something for writers of all levels and genres. Remember, as the saying goes, "You have to spend money to make money." Register today!

3. Pen and Prosper will be on break from September 5 to September 19th. Let's reconnect later and enjoy more guest posts, how-tos, reviews and interesting dialogue.

Until then, I'm wishing you and yours a safe holiday and wonderful weeks ahead!

XOXO
Jen