Tip #4: Be Professional.
Once you’ve gotten the assignment(s), and things are going well, once you’re a feeling like a real writer and getting paid for what you’ve written, stay professional. Never forget when you’re a freelancer that you’re a freelancer. I’m always amazed at the demands freelancers try to make: they want a consistent workload, when we’ve told them we can’t give it; they want more money, when we have a set pay scale; they want payment faster, when we have a payment process; they want constant feedback, when we’re just too busy to give it. I’ve had freelancers who applied for a gig ask me to explain, in detail, why they weren’t selected. I’ve been told I’m too young, too defensive, too unhelpful–by freelancers.
Take this advice: treat your freelancing editor just like you would a boss, while realizing you are not a full-time employee and don’t get the benefits of being one. If your editor has time to chat with you regularly, great. But if he/she doesn’t, realize you are just a freelancer, and stay professional.
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One Response to “Tip #4: Be Professional.”
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I totally understand the last part. Editors are pretty busy with deadlines so I don’t ask for feedback but when she does want to share a tip, I take the opportunity to ask if there’s anything else she wanted to share. I think that works out well. I don’t bug her unnecessarily and she gets to pass on some helpful tips every now and then.