When looking for a blog, what do you like? You know, a blog you add to your list you check religiously. After looking through several blogs, I found there are certain things I look for in a freelance writing blog. I guess you could call it my blog style.
Personality
I like blogs in which the person writes like he or she is talking to a friend. The person is real and does not try to be the guru in writing. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of well written, informational blogs out there and I do benefit from them. However, when I am looking for something fun to read on freelance writing, I enjoy people who are talking about their life as a freelance writer.
New Material
Many blogs talk about the same things and although it's nice to hear other people's opinions, I enjoy reading about things I haven't read about before.
Colorful and Attractive
I am a judge a book by its cover kind of person. I love blogs that are nice looking. They keep me interested and it's pleasing to the eyes.
Surveys
Surveys are great because it gives people information about others without divulging people's names. Surveys such as, "How much do you write in a day?" or "How much do you charge…?" are always interesting.
Freelance Writing Jobs
Okay, I will admit, I do like blogs that post jobs. Have to make a living somehow, right? So yes, I will visit blogs posting freelance writing jobs.
Well, that's my list. What do you look for in a blog?
Showing posts with label applying to freelance jobs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label applying to freelance jobs. Show all posts
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Your Business, Your Rates
There is always discussion among freelance writers about how some people prefer to charge low rates for their work and this brings others down. I have read about it so much that when I find something else about it, my mind usually goes blank and all I read is BLAH BLAH BLAH. It's one of those things, if you've heard it once, you've heard it before.
However, I feel the need to state my opinion here on my blog. I think everyone has to start somewhere to gain experience, confidence, and knowledge about the industry. If this means charging clients .01/word, so be it. The key is how long someone stays at that rate. It does not take long to understand what the market is looking for and what you need to do to market your writing. That is, if you don't completely fill your plate with these .01/word projects.
Once you work up the confidence, just throw caution to the wind. Don't think about the possibility of not getting an assignment or project because your rates are too high (because they won't be). If the client chooses you than great, if not, keep going. Weed through the clients because there are fields of them available to you. If you need to lower your rates so you can get some experience in a specific niche, go right ahead, but then use that to get higher work. Don't get stuck.
My next tip is just to APPLY APPLY APPLY. You never will know if someone didn't choose you because of your rates or your experience. However, the more you apply the more experience you will receive in writing cover letters and selling yourself.
Finally, this is your business so you can charge the rates you feel are fair to your clients as well as to you. Do not short change yourself. You work too hard and need compensation for it.
One more thing, I visit Writing World and there's a great post about this same subject. There is a survey that was taken on how much people charge for a 500 word article. The results may surprise you and show you that you don't have to charge clients such low rates because many others are working less and getting paid more.
However, I feel the need to state my opinion here on my blog. I think everyone has to start somewhere to gain experience, confidence, and knowledge about the industry. If this means charging clients .01/word, so be it. The key is how long someone stays at that rate. It does not take long to understand what the market is looking for and what you need to do to market your writing. That is, if you don't completely fill your plate with these .01/word projects.
Once you work up the confidence, just throw caution to the wind. Don't think about the possibility of not getting an assignment or project because your rates are too high (because they won't be). If the client chooses you than great, if not, keep going. Weed through the clients because there are fields of them available to you. If you need to lower your rates so you can get some experience in a specific niche, go right ahead, but then use that to get higher work. Don't get stuck.
My next tip is just to APPLY APPLY APPLY. You never will know if someone didn't choose you because of your rates or your experience. However, the more you apply the more experience you will receive in writing cover letters and selling yourself.
Finally, this is your business so you can charge the rates you feel are fair to your clients as well as to you. Do not short change yourself. You work too hard and need compensation for it.
One more thing, I visit Writing World and there's a great post about this same subject. There is a survey that was taken on how much people charge for a 500 word article. The results may surprise you and show you that you don't have to charge clients such low rates because many others are working less and getting paid more.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Motivation…Motivation…Oh Motivation, where are you?
It's Monday and my headache is finally gone…only three days later. Now, I am sitting here with a list of things to do and NO motivation. UGH. What happened to that surge I talked about in the last post? Must have jinx myself. So in my attempts to get started I thought I would write a little on this blog.
My Procrastination Tactics
In my procrastination tactics, I just looked through my Google Reader for all the new posts for today. I applied for a couple of good gigs. That is always exciting.
Feast or Famine in Freelance Work
Freelance writing or any other freelance work is such a feast or famine type of thing. Either you have too much on your plate or you have almost nothing at all. I apply for jobs everyday or whenever there is something that I may be interested in. That way I cut down on the time that I am in famine status. Sometimes I get a little overwhelmed because I worry that jobs will overflow my inbox and I will not have enough hours in a day.
Ready to Work
Well, I think I have broken through the motivation glitch and am ready to get started. Thanks for listening to my rambling. My lesson for today is when you are stuck or lack the motivation to write, just start writing anything. You will break through that mental block you have and get ready to start the real work.
My Procrastination Tactics
In my procrastination tactics, I just looked through my Google Reader for all the new posts for today. I applied for a couple of good gigs. That is always exciting.
Feast or Famine in Freelance Work
Freelance writing or any other freelance work is such a feast or famine type of thing. Either you have too much on your plate or you have almost nothing at all. I apply for jobs everyday or whenever there is something that I may be interested in. That way I cut down on the time that I am in famine status. Sometimes I get a little overwhelmed because I worry that jobs will overflow my inbox and I will not have enough hours in a day.
Ready to Work
Well, I think I have broken through the motivation glitch and am ready to get started. Thanks for listening to my rambling. My lesson for today is when you are stuck or lack the motivation to write, just start writing anything. You will break through that mental block you have and get ready to start the real work.
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