Sometimes it feels like finding freelance writing gigs is a full time job on its own. I have these grand dreams of having enough gigs to make this writing my full time occupation. I know it will be a long road. I know I will have to keep applying and making a name for myself. I know I can’t give up or “take a break” or it will just take longer. There are weeks where I spend more time on the search than I do actually working on content.
When you are just starting out, you know things won’t just happen over night. You know it will take time to build a client base and to become one of those bloggers that can work from home and pay all the bills. What many writers do not realize is breaking into this market is very hard. I know I have had many false starts and put my goals and game plan on hold over the years. Sometimes the set backs were for good reasons, sometimes they were just bad choices on my part. However, I have learned that even short breaks can lead to basically having to start over. That is why I am not giving up this time.
Everyday I come home and spend at least an hour looking at job leads. At first, I just flag all the ones that at first glance seem like a good fit. Then I go back and look at each lead more closely. Applying or submitting a query for a gig that I am not qualified for or have little to no interest in is a waste of my time. If I can research the company, I take time to do that. If the add seems sketchy, I go with my instincts and just avoid applying.
When you apply for jobs, remember that many times it requires more than just a cover letter and resume. They may ask for writing samples. They may ask you to put specific things in your cover letter. They may want specific things listed in your resume. It helps to have a couple different resume templates ready to go. That way you can pick the resume that best fits your needs, and make the additional changes as needed.
I have a detailed resume, a shorter “one page resume,” a writing CV and a CV that combines my resume and my writing CV. I want to be sure to give the potential client or employer exactly what they request. Your goal is to first make it past the recycle bin and onto someone’s desk. Not giving them what they ask for is a good way to fail. Yes, just putting together the information needed to apply can take well over an hour, but each time you make a information packet, you get practice.
The worst part for me is the waiting game after you apply. Sometimes you never hear back. Sometimes you do get a positive response, but the editor is flaky and the whole project never takes off. Sometimes once you do hear back and you get more details on the project, you realize it may not be as good of a fit as you thought it would. Rejection is just part of the game.
The biggest challenge is to not get lazy. Don’t neglect your blog. Be discerning and avoid scams and jobs where the costs are less than the rewards, but also do not snub jobs that could be a great networking opportunity. Like consumertraveler.com (formerly Tripso) is an unpaid site, HOWEVER your post will be published along side posts from heavy hitters in the Travel writing world like Christopher Elliot and Janice Hough. Your post may be featured on MSNBC or another high profile site. If you want to be a successful travel blogger, you want these people to know who you are, take their advice and have them on your side.Similar Posts:
- A Little Encouragement to Keep Writing
- How Twitter Has Helped My Writing
- How Much Do Novelists Make? (Part 3 of 3)
- Top 10 Rules of Success for a Young Writer (Part 1 of 3)
- Top 10 Rules of Success for a Young Writer (Part 2 of 3)
© 2009, Jenni Hammitt. All rights reserved.
