Freelancing 101 or, How to Tick off Your Editor

GET YOUR WORK IN ON TIME.

Simple enough. So why did my new writer, when I called her 12 minutes after her assignment deadline had passed, tell me “It’s almost done”? Why, after my e-mailing her, calling her, repeating over and over again 5 PM, 5 PM, 5 PM, It has to be in by 5 PM! did her work come in at 5:28 PM?

And why, when I asked her about this, did she say: Well, it was almost in on time?

Almost = Not Good Enough.

I Was the Guest Speaker.

Today, at a college class at my alma mater, I was the designated guest speaker. This is, I’m quite sure, one of the weirdest things I have gotten to do, to date. Just a year ago, I was sitting in a grad class, listening to guest speakers. Now I was the one doing the talking? Telling them about my job? Giving writing advice? It was Twilight Zone, strange dream and confusing, bad story all rolled into one.

Most of the drive up, I was practicing things I could say when I spoke to this class. My biggest fear was that I’d burst out laughing or that I’d say something horrible like, Guess what? We’re in a salary freeze! Oh, gosh.

All in all, it went well. I’d forgotten how much I loved classrooms and workshops and discussion.

Beyond major specifics, I told them a lot of the things I’ve written here: TRY, make an online portfolio, double-check your work!! and so on.

I left, having really enjoyed talking about my job, remembering all the things that are great about it. And it made me realize how valuable it is to count your blessings–out loud and to someone.

Try it, and see if you don’t feel like things are going well in your life. I dare you.

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.

Tip #3: Be Your Editor.

Of course, get suggestions from writerly friends. Of course, workshop and listen to advice. But above all, be your own critic. Examine the genre you’re interested in writing for: is it nonfiction essays? Examine Best American and look for what sets those essays apart. Aim high! Realize that anyone with a basic command of the English language can put sentences, but you’re not just anyone: you’re a writer. You’re going to do better than that. Is it advertising copywriting? Take a look at what that agency is using and determine what they seem to choose.

Draft something and edit it. One of my best professors said it’s the editing that makes the best writing. Tweak, tweak, go for a walk, revise, revise. Then, when you’ve had your last look and you just *know*–that’s when you submit it.

Tip #2: Make a Portfolio.

I’ve mentioned this before, so I’ll avoid repeating myself about the hows of a portfolio. Right now, I want to talk about the importance. Part of getting yourself a steady gig (if that’s what you seek) is proving that you are talented. What’s a better way than showing?

As you build clips, save copies of them. The idea is to create a file, so to speak, about yourself that will knock the socks off a potential employer. When I was job-hunting, not only did I create an online portfolio that I could track hits on, but I also made individual hard-copy portfolios for interviews. If I were really interested in the job, I’d put this set of info in a report cover and make my cover letter the top sheet.

Tip #1: TRY

1. TRY or, cast your net widely.

What do I mean? Follow up with every lead for writing opportunities. If you’re serious about freelancing, you need to build a portfolio of clips. The best way to do this is by writing many things, in many different styles. Never written for a newspaper before? Chances are, your local weekly is looking for stringers. They’ll give you small assignments, but you’ll be building clips. Want to write for a magazine? Examine its style and pitch something that would fit. The point is: keep trying, trying, trying. Consider it research, not rejection, when something doesn’t work out.

Since I’ve become an editor, I’ve mentioned to three different budding-writer friends that I had an opportunity for them. Each one was interested at first, took my work contact info and then never followed through. I’d understand if they were pursuing other assignments instead, but each one just didn’t care enough to try. Opportunities don’t usually fall in your lap; go out and find them!

Tips for Freelancers

People often ask me for advice on freelancing. I’ll admit my experience is rather specific: I’ve done a few months of freelance newspaper reporting, one feature magazine article, an online travel essay and a narrative essay in a book. However, I manage freelancers now–in a copywriting environment–and I definitely know what we look for.

If you’re interested in learning how to get into this industry, how to stay in it and how to make your editor happy (at least if your editor is like me), stay tuned. The next few posts are just for you.

what I wish I could tell them

After months of looking for the right job, I’m finding the tables turned: I’m hiring.

That’s right: my company has given me the power to place job ads, filter applications and choose whomever I’d like to fill freelancing positions. When things are slow, I pour over job histories; when busy, I click in and out. The experience has already taught me a few things, things I wish I could tell these faceless job applicants but instead that push their resumes into my “not to use” folder.

Things like these:

1. There’s such a thing as a resume format.
In an information design class I took, the professor talked about the genre of resumes. What does a resume *have* to have, he asked. Your name, I remember saying.

Well, believe it or not, that rhetorical question wasn’t so rhetorical. I’ve actually received resumes that were nothing more than a Word doc. with a paragraph of “here’s some random info” text, without so much as a name or phone number. People sometimes don’t even give their address or contact info. I’m amazed.

2. Be choosy with writing samples.
If you’re applying for a freelancing opportunity at a funeral home, let’s say, or even at a circus, your favorite piece of erotica fiction probably isn’t appropriate info. ‘Nough said.

3. Please proofread.
I feel bad, I really do. When someone sends me a cover letter riddled with errors, I empathize. We’ve all been there. But the thing is: if you’re applying for a WRITING job, you kinda’ gotta’ check your stuff. This is simple logic.

4. Aim to impress.
One applicant checked my company’s materials before sending a sample. He wanted to get a feel for our style. Though he didn’t even mention this in his application, I could tell. He went above and beyond. You can bet we’ll use him.

article 1

Yesterday, I talked to the magazine editor who bought my first article. She’s nine-months pregnant, I found out, so it’s understandable that’s she been hard to reach. The mag made a few changes to my piece, so she wanted to tell me that she’d e-mail me the new draft to check and edit.

She also got back to me about payment. The article is around 1100 words, but it’s a list piece–”A Dozen Great…”–you get the idea. I expected at least $100, as that’s how much I was paid for an essay that was placed in a book last year. I’d spent about ten hours on it, including phone interviews and light internet research. I probably would’ve been happy with $75, honestly.

So imagine my surprise when she dropped this news: $600 will be coming my way next month, when the piece is published. That’s $60 PER HOUR. Sweet!