Thursday....
#Freelance Daily Post:
#Daily Writing Tip :
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by Yuwanda Black
1. Subcontract from Others: Many freelancers forget this strategy, or don't use it because they are reluctant to contact other freelancers because they are the "competition."
However, many successful freelancers often get overwhelmed and need help. To make the contact professional and "non-threatening", say something like the following:
Dear Ms./Mr. Smith:
I noted from your website that you are a copywriter specializing in corporate finance. I read several of your articles and your list of clients. I was impressed with the quality of your work and the breadth of your experience.
I'm contacting you today because I would like to form a mutual alliance, eg, if you are ever in need of help on a project, or need a reliable person to outsource work to, feel free to contact me.
FYI, I am a copywriter specializing in general finance. I have written on everything from mutual funds to personal wealth management (samples at www.mywebsite.com). A list of references attesting to my professionalism and reliability can be forwarded at your request.
If I ever come across a project I can't handle, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend you. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Yuwanda Black
P.S.: I advise contact via email, and a follow up with a phone call after about a week.
P.P.S.: The first paragraph of this correspondence is particularly important. You want to establish that you know what they do and have taken the time to review their website and several samples of their work.
This does two things: 1) it lets them know that you are not just collecting addresses and sending out a form letter to everyone; and 2) by doing this, it shows your professionalism. For added measure, you may even want to mention the title of several pieces of their work that you have read. This makes them much more likely to contact you.
NOTE: When you subcontract, the pay is probably going to be much less than what you'd make if you'd garnered the assignment on your own, but hey, it's a job - a job that you didn't have to market for.
2. Build Basic Websites: With all the "ready to go" software available now, there is no reason that freelance writers can't build basic websites for clients.
Most clients just want a web presence. Template software makes it as simple as clicking and adding text (which you already provide anyway). As a one-stop resource, this is an easy service to add to your existing business.
Nervous about delving into this realm? Don't know HTML from a hole in the ground? Don't want/need to learn anything about building websites? Guess what? You don't have to.
Team up with a web design company and/or another freelancer who offers this service and outsource it. You can pay them the full fee, or get a cut off the top of every client you refer to them. Either way, it's a good vehicle for bringing in more clients.
3. Target a Business Niche: Most freelancers know that the real money to be made is in the business community, ie, commercial writing. But, with so many types of businesses to target, it can be hard to focus.
Solution: Target a niche. For example, I target realtors and mortgage brokers. Why? Because I have been both in my professional career. Hence, I know a lot about these markets.
The best way to find a niche is to start with your professional/personal background and write down all of your skills and knowledge in each particular area. If you don't find a suitable niche from this exercise, try your hobbies.
No luck in hobbyland? Try what you would like to learn about/have an interest in. What makes freelance writing so exciting these days is that with the advent of the Internet, it's easier than ever to research a particular niche and gain a wealth of knowledge in a relatively short period of time.
So, no matter where you are skill wise, don't let lack of experience be a barrier to targeting a market.
4. Have More than One Income Stream: However, try to make your second income stream compatible with your first.
Eg, build websites; create an e-book and sell it via Clickbank.com, or on your own website; create your own line of writing paraphernalia (eg, t-shirts, cups, mouse pads) on cafepress.com do logo design - the possibilities are endless.
5. Become a Resource for Others: I forget who said the following, but to paraphrase: "To get what you want, help others get what they want." Ie, become a go-to resource. How?
Build a website with helpful resources and links
Participate in forums and ask questions
Have a helpful Q&A on your website
Publish an industry "must know" list
Create a forum on your website
The list is endless on how to go about this.
But, once you are known for being a resource, you become the go-to person, the industry "guru."
NOTE: This is a roundabout way of getting business and takes a longer time, but over time, the amount of business it can bring in is immeasurable. Projects will seem to come to you effortlessly once you build up this kind of reputation.
6. Develop a Marketing Plan: When I first started freelancing, I was doing a lot of work in the legal field, because that was my background.
Not relying solely on freelancing, I just kind of took what came my way, eg, I didn't devise a marketing plan. Once I decided that I really wanted to make a go of it, I finally did this.
Drawing on all of my experience and what I liked to write about, I decided to target the real estate and mortgage industries. I wrote 5 articles within each specialty and developed brochures and postcards introducing myself as a freelance copywriter specializing in newsletters for real estate and mortgage professionals.
Focusing my marketing efforts did two really important things for my business: 1) it DECREASED my advertising budget; and 2) it INCREASED my income. How?
Focus helped me to hone in on a specific market. Not trying to be everything to everyone, I could deliver a concise message to a defined group. Therefore, I spent less.
I increased my income by being more productive. I could sit down and pump out 10 articles at a time because I knew the industries I was targeting. I always had a cache of new material on hand. And, the old material I had could be rewritten with a different slant, then sold.
As demonstrated here, writing for a defined market saves time (eg, reslanting old material and writing numerous articles at once). This goes directly to the bottom line, which leads to my next point.
7. Market Incessantly: When freelancing, time literally is money. You should always be marketing for new clients. When you are busy, it's easy to forget this.
The one thing I like about writing for a defined market is that you have so much more time to market for new clients, because, as outlined above, the work flow is so much smoother.
In conclusion, the problem many of us have when we encounter a list is that we try to do everything on it and wind up not doing any of them well.
So, take 1-2 ideas from the above and really own it (work it!) and watch your income increase.
About the Author
Yuwanda Black is the publisher of InkwellEditorial.com: THE business portal for and about freelancing in the editorial and creative industries. First-hand freelance success stories, e-courses, job postings, resume tips, advice on the business of freelancing, and more! Launch a Profitable Freelance
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#Freelance Writing jobs :
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We are seeking submissions for our online Journal on Religions and the Esoteric ( anywhere.)
We are seeking submissions for our online Journal on Religions and the Esoteric, which is published free to the public quarterly.
Articles must be original work and all citations and quotes must be referenced. Articles may range from 1,000 to 5,000 words in size. Payment is based on the amount of words in the submission and the depth of research involved.
Please email ******* for more details.
EmailAddress: ********
ApplicationDeadline: Ongoing
CompanyDetails: We have been established for one year and the next issue will be our fourth. We have a high base of regular readers,most of whom are in Europe or the United States.
Payment: Payment depends on the size and quality of the articles recieved. Our minimum pay rate is $25.00 per article.
To apply view the job in Writer Find
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freelance editor/layout - US
New York City daily newspaper needs editors who can fill in for layout shifts on a regular basis. Candidates must know QuarkXpress and have a journalism background. Editors will need to select stories, design attention-grabbing pages and write compelling headlines and captions in a fast-paced environment. Please send resume and a few paragraphs about your journalism background to ********
To apply view the job in Journalism jobs
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Freelance Story Writers - US
I need story writers for local magazine.
To apply view the job in From Directfreelance.com
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Advertising Copywriter (The Creative Group - San Francisco, CA )
San Francisco ad agency is seeking a copywriter for a freelance opportunity. This position is to work on advertising as it relates to a major retail advertising account. It is for a person who understands the demands of retail but still wants to do great work. Related category experience helpful but not necessary. Working under the Executive Creative Director the Copywriter will read briefs to fully understand the goal/ message of assignment in order to execute impactful creative work in a variety of mediums such as TV, newspaper, and radio. Work, in team, with an Art Director to write appropriate headlines and body copy under the direction of the Executive Creative Director. Deliver presentations to the creative team and/or client as needed.
All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be authorized to work in the United States. All applicants applying for Canadian job openings must be authorized to work in Canada.
Qualifications :
Five plus years advertising experience. Have a killer book, is a must. Prior experience in a fast-paced advertising agency. Excellent at prioritizing and accomplishing goals within specified timeframes. Experience in outdoor, television, and some online a plus.
The Creative Group specializes in placing a range of marketing, advertising, creative, web and public relations professionals on a project basis with advertising and public relations agencies, Fortune 500 companies and small to mid-sized firms. Our strong relationships within the creative community enable us to provide our clients with precisely the talent they need for a variety of deadline-driven projects. Call us today at 888.846.1668 or visit us on the web at http://www.creativegroup.com/ where you can register online and view the work of our associates.
To apply view the job in Monster
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On-site Copywriter (Aquent - Westchester, NY )
Our client is seeking a talented conceptual, results-driven Copywriter to join their team in an on-going freelance capacity. The projects they produce run the gamut, from collateral, training guides, newsletters, ads, direct mail, some e-content and also possibly multimedia scripts, so the proven ability to write for a variety of mediums is a must.
Responsible for the written elements of any given project, the Copywriter must ensure that all messaging is attention-getting, appeals to the target audience and effectively meets the client's goals. Must be able to proof, edit, and/or translate own and others work.
The copywriter works collaboratively and synergistically with Art Directors, Account Executives, Designers and Marketing teams to manage and drive copy development in a timely fashion. The role will be called upon to update job knowledge by staying aware of key industry trends and understanding emerging writing practices as well as, cultural influences for inspiration on new product positioning and communication strategies.
Client Description:
Our client is a the Creative Services Department of a Fortune 500 international company. Position is commutable via mass transit.
Other Requirements:
Our client is seeking an experienced and versatile in-house copywriter who can come-up with a great concept, a clever headline and write a compelling advertisement, brochure, newsletter, manual, tagline or e-mail, and more. Someone who can hit the ground running and get to know their clients and their voices. Also, help to manage other writers on-staff or freelance.
If you are a smart, talented, proactive individual who writes killer copy and can help them create work that gets a response this job is for you.
# Bachelors degree in Advertising, Journalism, Communication Arts, English or related discipline required.
# 3 years or more of professional, post-graduate experience using varied styles and for different mediums. Must be able to submit electronic samples of your work for review. The ideal candidate will have experience with BOTH advertising and collateral copy.
# Copy for luxury or lifestyle brands and services are pluses.
To apply view the job in Hot Jobs
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NY1 News- Writer (Freelance) -(Time Warner Cable - New York, NY )
Prepares, writes and copy edits assigned stories into scripts and edits audio and video to be presented on the air. Updates copy and audio/video as story changes. Works with reporters, producers, assignment desk and to produce factual, clear, interesting news stories that the viewing public can understand. Writes scripts and edits audio/video in a timely fashion.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES
Preparation
• Reads local newspapers and watches other local TV stations to keep in touch with NY news.
• Prepares news stories based on information provided by the assignment desk, wire service, newspapers, press releases, NY1 Archives and video tape shot in the field.
• Adds video, sound and graphics.
Writing
• Writes clear, simple scripts for anchors to read.
• Copy edits scripts correcting for accuracy, factual content, pronunciation, grammar and spelling.
• Updates scripts as news changes.
• Provides scripts in a timely fashion.
• Suggests ways to improve the process.
Audio/Video Editing
• Logs incoming video and audio for use in news wheel.
• Edits video for anchor voice-overs and sound on tapes using current and future technology.
• Works with reporters to prepare voice over material and sound for their live field reports.
Equipment Setup
• Checks all equipment.
• Reads scopes and audio levels.
• Sets machines to required levels.
Quality Control
• Makes certain all video and sound meet quality standards.
Other duties as assigned.
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
• College degree
• Degree in Journalism, Communication or English preferred.
Experience:
• 1-2 years newsroom experience: internship, field work, or freelance.
• Video Production experience necessary.
• Experience writing copy, editing, shooting, collecting elements and putting packages together.
• Experience researching, creating news stories and making basic editorial decisions on what is a newsworthy story.
Skills, Knowledge, Abilities:
? Ability to work under pressure
? Attention to detail
? Communication/Interpersonal skills
? Creative thinking skills
? Current news events
? Editorial skills
? Electronic newsroom system
? Legal issues as they relate to news coverage
? News judgment
? News production knowledge
? News systems: library, archives, editing, desk
? News reporting
? NYC people, issues and events
? Organization skills
? PC knowledge
? Windows
? Word, Word Perfect
? Excel
? Lotus
? Problem Solving/Decision making
? Programming subject matter
? Server technology knowledge
? Time management skills
? Typing
? Video & audio equipment knowledge
? Video Editing
? Video formats (Beta, Que, 1 inch, ½ inch)
? Writing skills
Contacts
Supervision of: No one
Authority
• To choose style and content of scripts, sound and video that go with news stories, but all work is subject to review.
Working Conditions:
• Fast-paced environment requiring flexibility, cooperation, immediate and appropriate responses and swift news judgment.
• Stressful environment requiring patience, sensitivity and strong people skills.
• Creative, entrepreneurial environment that attracts talented people requiring the ability to listen, follow instructions, identify and meet their needs, and take constructive criticism.
Time Warner Cable supports a drug-free environment and is EOE M/F/V/D
Business Unit DB98A
To apply view the job in From AJB
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TV writers ( Media Life Magazine anywhere, Telecommute )
Media Life is looking for writers who can review new TV shows and also revisit exiting shows and offer solid yet lively critiques, writing to a sophisticated audience of people who plan and buy media for a living. A strong background in television would be helpful but is not required. Include a full resume.
To apply view the job in Journalism Jobs
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For more Freelance or Full time leads please go to The Jobrolls and Craigslist Today
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