Freelance writers: how did you get started?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:13:54 here, inspired by 13:58.

To put my comments into greater context, I own a small business in an arts-related field. I have a couple of product lines, and offer some complementary services. I also do freelancing for some publications related to that field. When I started the business, I offered the services as a way to start while I was developing the product lines. Now that the product lines are starting to move, my focus is on building those and am hoping to transition away from most of the services I offer (except for those that help promote the product line -- think teaching classes that encourage the use of my products). I wasn't able to start getting any nibbles on my freelance work until I had a name you could google and find relevant hits, because people aren't nearly as interested in learning something from Joe Schmo off the street as they are from someone with a demonstrated expertise in the area. You may not need that kind of profile to start the kind of freelancing you want to do, but it helps a lot to have some kind of background to demonstrate why a publication should buy your piece rather than one of the many other submissions they receive. So I agree with 13:58, figure out where your expertise lies and develop that. But even now, with a number of published articles, I don't look at freelancing as a revenue stream, it's a means of promotion.

I also agree with 13:59. Freelancing is a form of self-employment, and self-employment requires that you be a self-starter who's willing to do their own legwork. Once you have an idea for a piece, typically no one is going to hand you your research, your interview subjects, etc. You'll need to figure out how to find those for yourself, and figuring how to get started in freelance writing is a great introduction in how to do that.

Further, you're basically asking your prospective competition to hand you all of the tricks of the trade. What incentive do I have to help you, when it just means one more person I'm out there competing with?

Then don't help her. Why did you post a response at all?

I posted to give some some color to the whole notion of finding your niche, about figuring out how you will sell yourself to publications beyond just "I was an English major, I want to write!" But beyond that, no, I'm not going to share the details of how I get my assignments. It's like my product lines, people in my field are very secretive about who their suppliers are because they don't want to encourage competition. So I had to do my own research, attend trade shows, etc., to figure out who the good ones are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone who makes a living writing, I tend to think people who start threads like this (not just here, but on other forums) instead of doing the legwork on their own don't really have what it takes to make a career of it. I don't say this to be mean. It's just that the nature of the job is involves doing the work on your own, unprompted.

But you don't know how much research she's done. This post might just be one small part of her information gathering. I think it's smart to ask others who are doing it for insight.

Yes, that's true. Just offering my two cents based on what I've observed.

My response wasn't meant to be discouraging. I just tend to think that all the information you need on this particular career is already out there, and the best way to learn is to search, search, search. To answer the question of how I got started: I read. A lot. And read some more. I held back from asking questions of others more experienced until I needed to because I'd exhausted what I could learn on my own. My response was just meant to share that I learned a lot more from seeking the answers on my own than I would have if they'd been handed to me, even though at first I really just wanted the answers handed to me!

Good luck, OP!

[Anonymous]

The freelance writers we hire at my company have some expertise of our area, which is health/healthcare policy. If you don't have some expertise or some good knowledge in an area, I don't think being a good writer is enough.

That said, if you are a SAHM there might be opportunities to write for parenting blogs etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As someone who makes a living writing, I tend to think people who start threads like this (not just here, but on other forums) instead of doing the legwork on their own don't really have what it takes to make a career of it. I don't say this to be mean. It's just that the nature of the job is involves doing the work on your own, unprompted.

+1 - this is a very very good point. I don't mean that to be rude - I just mean that a huge part of making a living as a writer is being able to chase down information that other people can't easily get. It's as much about that - and about being EXTRA reliable and easy to work with - as it is being able to string together words in a readable manner.\

[Anonymous]

PP again - but everyone starts somewhere. When I got started as a freelancer, I read the Mediabistro message boards day and night to figure out how people earned a living; I joined and obsessively paid attention to a website called Freelance Success, which is about $100 a year to belong to and is worth every penny.

What are you interested in writing about? What is your background, beyond being an English major and mother? Do you have any experience or expertise that'd make you the right person to be writing for a particular kind of company, or about a particular subject?

[Anonymous]

I've been freelancing as a writer from home for several years now-- I started when my oldest was a newborn.

Don't listen to the doubters! I was actually earning a great income pretty darn quickly once I got started.

I focus on freelancing for clients on the web. There are so many businesses (including magazines, major blogs, and content companies) that need great writers.

Set up a website showcasing your samples and the freelance services you offer. Join writer forums (even the ones at wahm.com, absolutewrite, and others) and see how other writers are doing it-- start to interact with writers who are successful and ask questions.

To get your feet wet, you might apply for writing jobs at Odesk.com, elance.com and bidding sites like that. Demand Studios is another route you can take (content company). Bidding site jobs can pay well but I'd really just recommend it as a starting point.

I don't know what type of writing you prefer, but there are opportunities out there (especially on the web) for anyone who's willing to find them.

You don't need a tons of samples and a huge portfolio, either. Study successful freelancers on forums and blogs, decide what you want to do, show that you're good at what you do, and you can easily get jobs.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ditto the previous poster. Freelancing while a SAHM is not going to bring in extra income. The amount you make will be a pittance, and you'll spend six months chasing half your checks. If freelancing fits into your broader career plans, that's one thing, but just to do something to bring in a little pin money, it's not worth the effort.

So not true! Don't listen to this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Further, you're basically asking your prospective competition to hand you all of the tricks of the trade. What incentive do I have to help you, when it just means one more person I'm out there competing with?

Seriously!? OP... most successful freelance writers are happy to share and are not jerks this this poster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Freelance writing is no way to make a living, as PPs have said. It's almost impossible, unless you have a lot of experience and very good contacts within the business.

Completely false! It's never been easier to succeed as a freelance writer. Why do people comment when they don't know what they're talking about?

The Debbie Downer posters are really annoying me because freelancing meant so, so much to me as a young mother. I was once like OP-- looking for a way to make money from home with young children. This wasn't just side money to me... we really, really needed the income. It meant to so much to me in the beginning when other successful freelancers were willing to help me get started by sharing their experiences and what worked for them. There are a LOT of successful freelancers out there. I quickly became one of them.

OP, please realize that it is absolutely possible. You need to be willing to do the research and study successful freelancers and reach out to them when you have questions. DCUM, sadly, isn't going to give you what you need to inspire you to action and point you in the right direction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Freelance writing is no way to make a living, as PPs have said. It's almost impossible, unless you have a lot of experience and very good contacts within the business.

Completely false! It's never been easier to succeed as a freelance writer. Why do people comment when they don't know what they're talking about?

The Debbie Downer posters are really annoying me because freelancing meant so, so much to me as a young mother. I was once like OP-- looking for a way to make money from home with young children. This wasn't just side money to me... we really, really needed the income. It meant to so much to me in the beginning when other successful freelancers were willing to help me get started by sharing their experiences and what worked for them. There are a LOT of successful freelancers out there. I quickly became one of them.

OP, please realize that it is absolutely possible. You need to be willing to do the research and study successful freelancers and reach out to them when you have questions. DCUM, sadly, isn't going to give you what you need to inspire you to action and point you in the right direction.

Eh, you know - I think what a lot of people are reacting to is the tone of the original post. Which seemed to sort of suggest that freelance writing is an easy way for any old english major to get some money, rather than a highly competitive field that takes both business acumen and journalistic skills. I am not a mother, but spent a long time freelancing - and it's hard work. It can really irk when people suggest that it's a cute hobby, or something like that. It's a business.

Don't sign up for demand studios or elance or any of those other content mills. You will work your tail off for virtually no money, and you won't develop the kinds of relationships with good editors, or the kinds of clips, that'll bring you well-paid work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Freelance writing is no way to make a living, as PPs have said. It's almost impossible, unless you have a lot of experience and very good contacts within the business.

Completely false! It's never been easier to succeed as a freelance writer. Why do people comment when they don't know what they're talking about?

The Debbie Downer posters are really annoying me because freelancing meant so, so much to me as a young mother. I was once like OP-- looking for a way to make money from home with young children. This wasn't just side money to me... we really, really needed the income. It meant to so much to me in the beginning when other successful freelancers were willing to help me get started by sharing their experiences and what worked for them. There are a LOT of successful freelancers out there. I quickly became one of them.

OP, please realize that it is absolutely possible. You need to be willing to do the research and study successful freelancers and reach out to them when you have questions. DCUM, sadly, isn't going to give you what you need to inspire you to action and point you in the right direction.

Eh, you know - I think what a lot of people are reacting to is the tone of the original post. Which seemed to sort of suggest that freelance writing is an easy way for any old english major to get some money, rather than a highly competitive field that takes both business acumen and journalistic skills. I am not a mother, but spent a long time freelancing - and it's hard work. It can really irk when people suggest that it's a cute hobby, or something like that. It's a business.

Don't sign up for demand studios or elance or any of those other content mills. You will work your tail off for virtually no money, and you won't develop the kinds of relationships with good editors, or the kinds of clips, that'll bring you well-paid work.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Freelance writing is no way to make a living, as PPs have said. It's almost impossible, unless you have a lot of experience and very good contacts within the business.

Completely false! It's never been easier to succeed as a freelance writer. Why do people comment when they don't know what they're talking about?

The Debbie Downer posters are really annoying me because freelancing meant so, so much to me as a young mother. I was once like OP-- looking for a way to make money from home with young children. This wasn't just side money to me... we really, really needed the income. It meant to so much to me in the beginning when other successful freelancers were willing to help me get started by sharing their experiences and what worked for them. There are a LOT of successful freelancers out there. I quickly became one of them.

OP, please realize that it is absolutely possible. You need to be willing to do the research and study successful freelancers and reach out to them when you have questions. DCUM, sadly, isn't going to give you what you need to inspire you to action and point you in the right direction.

Eh, you know - I think what a lot of people are reacting to is the tone of the original post. Which seemed to sort of suggest that freelance writing is an easy way for any old english major to get some money, rather than a highly competitive field that takes both business acumen and journalistic skills. I am not a mother, but spent a long time freelancing - and it's hard work. It can really irk when people suggest that it's a cute hobby, or something like that. It's a business.

I agree with this. I've devoted time and effort to typing up full, detailed guides on how to get started for people who've expressed interest in doing what I do. Unfortunately, the people never actually get started, so I began to feel like it was a waste of time. Because of this, I've come to view it as people who are truly interested in succeeding at this will be seeking out the information themselves.

[Anonymous]

Freelance writing can be quite lucrative for people who are 1) talented, 2) motivated and 3) savvy about today's market conditions. That could be the OP but it won't necessarily be easy to start breaking in from scratch about how the market works.

Some tips:

1. While it may be possible to make some money writing about parenting or soft womens' issues this is probably not the easiest route.

2. Look beyond mainstream publications to businesses, trade associations, etc., that need a strong writers (often to write boring material) and have the money to pay a living wage.

3. Think about matching your area(s) of expertise with the market need. While all of us parents are parenting experts, the supply and demand in this topic area are not ideal. But if you dig deep you may find you have other areas of expertise: commercial real estate, retirement planning, home networking, energy efficiency, to offer just a few suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Writing as an English major and writing in a journalistic way are very different. Have you written for newspapers or blogs, or only academic-like papers? It matters.

I've written for newspapers for 20 years and I have my freelance clients, but it's not the easiest thing to break into writing about parenting, travel, etc. It's hard to make big money. There are an awful lot of people doing it. Top-notch publications will want to see that you've written for other top-notch publications. They also like to be pitched.

Some of the other PPs gave very good advice and resources. I would start there.

GL

[Anonymous]

You've got to put yourself out there and do some pro-bono jobs, for the PTA or preschool, your church or a friend. Then set up a website for yourself, include links to or PDFs of those jobs, and start networking. Get on LinkedIn, MeetUp, join the Chamber of Commerce. Chat up a real estate agent, for example, and offer ridiculously low rates to jazz up a home listing. BUT do your research and spend some time scouring real estate sites to get a feel for what works, what doesn't, and what's appropriate. That takes time, and skill.

I've been freelancing successfully for more than 20 years, and most years my earnings do a nice job of covering extras like vacations, home furnishings, etc. I'm lucky to have the work come to me; I don't have to market myself all that much. But it helps that I started out in corporate communications, did well, and people remembered my work. "I was an English major" won't get you places unless you can add that you spent X years in the Y industry, or have helped to build 3 websites.

Don't fall into the trap of "writing about parenting;" honestly, no one cares about a SAHM's view of parenting anymore.

It's fun to sit back and imagine quiet mornings at the computer with your steaming cup of coffee and a dog snoozing by your side, typing away about your amusing insights for glossy magazines. That's really not what freelancing is like for most of us. Frequently, it's "I need this website copy rewritten before EOD," and you're scrambling to produce readable copy between Gymboree and t-ball. You're trying to convince clients that you're worth $XX/hour when they want to pay you babysitting-level money because "ANYone could do this; I would do it myself if I had TIME!" And if a client wants you to write about 16th-century French crockery, you're quickly giving yourself a PhD course on the topic.