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Topic: Just ... help
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| krabappel | Posted – 1/9/2008 10:17:38 PM | show profile | email poster Hi. Long-time lurker, first-time whiner. [insert generic newbie introduction about how I'm completely ignorant about freelancing] I've read so many posts here and elsewhere, enough blogs to make my eyes dry. I still feel at a loss, and maybe it's my own fear of failure crippling me. I hold a B.A. & M.A. in English. I've done a fair amount of adjunct work teaching college-level English. I've spent the past several years as a tech writer at an oil refinery. I'd like to work from home now and am at a complete loss. Reading about queries and rights just twists my brain. Am I supposed to write on spec? How do I even find out writer's guidelines or submission contacts when it's not readily apparent? And then ... I suspect that I'd be a better editor than writer, or maybe it's just a tendency to fall back on the familiar, to temper myself instead of diving right into the fire. Again, I'm at a loss. I find myself on craigslist looking at nickel-and-dime offers that probably get a thousand respondents, many willing to work for the penny. Is it really about linkbaiting and soullessly churning out keyword content? I hate feeling mystified when the answers are, I'm sure, right in front of my face or near my fingertips, at least. To anyone who's made it this far, I wish I could offer refreshments. Instead, all I have is my thanks and a meek plea for advice or even just a nudge in a general direction |
| krabappel | Posted – 1/9/2008 10:22:34 PM | show profile | email poster And another thing P.S. I have a few clips, I suppose, but they're all fiction, like pieces published in anthologies and whatnot, so when magazines or media sites want samples, I have nothing relevant to offer. I feel lame. I might as well have a hole in the bottom of my shoe. |
| flight risk | Posted – 1/9/2008 10:42:26 PM | show profile You're in the same place everybody is at the beginning of their career. Why don't you use some of your past experiences to your advantage. It sounds like you can bill yourself as an oil industry insider. With oil prices topping $100 a barrel, I'm sure you can find a good story angle someplace. Your experience substitutes for relevant clips. Pitch trade pubs, pitch weeklies, pitch small dallies. Oil is all over the news. Use those first clips to write about things you're more interested in. |
| pamelabeth | Posted – 1/10/2008 12:42:53 AM | show profile when i was beginning, i: 1) freelance edited and fact checked for magazines i was interested in (as well as some i was less interested in). getting to know people on staff, and getting to know the pub. from the inside out, sometimes puts one in a good position to pitch. 2) sometimes wrote for free or for very little. i did this for friends, not strangers--people whose pubs i believed in but who i knew really could not pay. in exchange, as these people were my friends, i got a good pick of potential topics and also got input on edits all the way along (so, no unhappy surprises upon seeing the final work in print). this was a good way to build up clips and experience. i see lots of the craigslist-type ads you mention asking writers to work "for exposure." in general, i think this sucks and is robbery. but--in the right situation, when you know the people involved and know they're not profiting off you while refusing to pay, it can be ok. good luck! keep us...um, posted. |
| dribbledrive1 | Posted – 1/10/2008 1:17:11 AM | show profile It depends on your goals. If you want to work from home full-time and support yourself, your best bet is to seek out corporate writing gigs leveraging your tech experience. Tons of freelance jobs out there for people with those skills. You probably won't support yourself writing for magazines anytime soon, if ever. If you want to write freelance stories, or incorporate this into the mix, breaking in just takes determination. Most of us start by writing for low-level local pubs for little money. We write on spec, and have those pieces rejected sometimes, getting no money for our work. We call up magazines, ask them to send us guidelines, and ask who the editors are. |
| writesonwater | Posted – 1/10/2008 3:06:54 AM | show profile It's overwhelming because it's too big. BReak it down into steps -- the way to eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Start by being happy with your education. Many would like to have that! Congratulations. For starters, combined with tech writing background, you could do copy editing. Who will pay for this? Tech publications, trade publications, people who hire tech writers, regional magazines. Sometimes big ones do, but they want you to come and do the work inhouse in NY. Sigh. For freelance writing, first, master the query/pitch. See examples here. Linda Formicelli sometimes posts here and I think she has samples she gives out, very generous writer. Know who pays: small daily and weekly papers suck, big ones are sometimes better, sometimes not, and all of the above are not guaranteed to have work for freelancers, especially newbies. For a newbie, sheer bylines with pittance payment, cover events and meetings or do features for small dailies or weeklies. Possibly a small regional magazine might give you a shot if you present well. In all of the above, contact the managing editor. Your expertise should make it easier to target trade pubs. But read them first (online could do) to know what they're looking for. Show them clips that show your area expertise, promise them what they need, deliver. Repeat. Leave the fiction clips out of the picture, except when pitchin fiction. I generally don't recommend you write on spec, unless you are carefully targeting the publication, know they take freelancers, and KNOW the story will be irresistible editorial catnip. Even then it's tricky to get interviews when you have to say you're writing on spec, unless you know the subjects well. For ideas on how to present and what to say about yourself and your work, look at some of the better Freelance Marketplace entries right here on MB. Many of us on here have been where you are. It's doable, but it's not for the faint of heart. Recommend if you can be either independently wealthy, have a spouse who supports you in the short or long term, or to start freelancing while still employed. Good luck! Writes on Water |
| rhino writer | Posted – 1/10/2008 6:12:21 PM | show profile | email poster I am also starting out. In case it helps you, this is what I'm doing. 1. Took a MB class last fall on freelance writing. It was a TON of work (like, so much work that only about 2 out of 10 people ended up handing in all assignments), but I also learned a lot. Make sure you can do the class chats -- they were great, and the instructor was wonderful. Highly recommended, especially if you're feeling totally at sea. 2. I've been volunteering writing articles for the local hospital's newsletter for a while. So I can use those pieces as clips. 3. I check this blog daily: http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/ I've applied to 5 or 6 things I've found there, and one has worked out. (yay!!!) And it's not a $5 article job, either. Since you have great-sounding experience (can't you use the writing you've been doing as clips?), I'm sure there will be jobs there that work for your specific expertise. 3. From everything I've read, it seems to take about 18 months to get established as a freelance writer. So I'm keeping my current job (freelance editor) while I'm transitioning. I realize this is a process that needs to develop. 4. I'm also sending pitches to local mags. They won't pay much, but clips, clips, clips. Besides, I love doing this, so it's fun at the same time. At some point, you just have to plunge in, ready or not. The writing job I just got wasn't one I thought I was super-qualified for. I applied for a couple of things I didn't care about just for the practice. Give it a shot! If I can do this, so can you. |
| FeaturesGal | Posted – 1/10/2008 10:53:17 PM | show profile HI! It is hard at the beginning-- most freelancers have been there. Here's just my take on it-- don't work on spec. That's ridiculous-- where else in life would you tell someone to work on speculation and if you like what you did, you'll pay them? Also, the Craigslist things are, as you put it, penny pinching. Stay away. Here's what I'd do. Get some clips from a local or regional pub. If you have a niche in mind, try to get some clips in that niche. Then go to mastheads.org and subscribe. Pitch, pitch and pitch. Just by reading this post, I can tell I like your style. You're pretty witty. You can do this. I promise it is possible. It will take dedication, but it can happen. |
| krabappel | Posted – 1/11/2008 3:09:20 PM | show profile | email poster THANK YOU Thank you all -- and anyone who follows -- for being so sincerely helpful to a person who's asking the same questions you encounter every day. I'd have all your babies if I could, and I'm not just saying that because I've already had a tubal ligation and know that I don't have to follow through. Y'all have given me a lot to chew, so thanks for the guidance. If you have anything else to deposit, I am your sponge. |
| krabappel | Posted – 1/11/2008 3:09:40 PM | show profile | email poster THANK YOU Thank you all -- and anyone who follows -- for being so sincerely helpful to a person who's asking the same questions you encounter every day. I'd have all your babies if I could, and I'm not just saying that because I've already had a tubal ligation and know that I don't have to follow through. Y'all have given me a lot to chew, so thanks for the guidance. If you have anything else to deposit, I am your sponge. |
| SeeKatyWrite | Posted – 1/14/2008 2:38:16 PM | show profile | email poster Hi, Krab -- I'm going to keep this short, because anything I have to say would be repetitive, at this point. I will emphasize, though, with other posters -- build on your career in the oil industry. My first job out of college was as a real estate advertorial writer, and I'm now a "reluctant expert" -- I never thought I'd write about real estate, of all things, but it's a solid niche, even with market ups and downs, and I'd say the same thing about oil. Also, may I direct you to www.FreelanceSwitch.com? I recently led a meeting of a local freelancers group, and I could not emphasize this site enough. It's full of great articles, blog posts and other resources, designed for those who are making a transition from full-time job to full-time freelancer. It also lists some ways to make passive income, which you might find interesting. Good luck!! ~Katy |
| UGoGirl | Posted – 1/14/2008 3:08:24 PM | show profile Hi there, here is what I would suggest. Since you have experience writing in the petroleum industry, I would suggest that you look at all the petroleum related magazines, publications, even biofuels, and contact them to see if they hire contract writers. You might also look at government publications, because they may hire a consultant to write their magazines and you could potentially be hired on as an hourly contract writer. It's a competitive market out there, so if you can stick with a field that you will have a leg up, it may work (and can do from home). I did something like this a while ago and it was a pretty good way to go. |
| rev1976 | Posted – 1/14/2008 10:51:00 PM | show profile You seem overwhelmed and lacking in confidence, which is the normal reaction of a newbie faced with the imposing world of freelance writing, and if it makes you feel better, it was also my reaction several years ago getting started. What you need to do is get some clips under your belt and overcome the mind block that you'll never get published. I would start at small internet publications or magazines and gradually work your way up. I did work for free at first, and took a few jobs for $20 or $30, but afterwards at least I had a portfolio and wasn't as intimidated when applying to bigger publications. And saying "they probably have thousands of letters," is a cop-out. More likely there's thousands of intimidated writers who give themselves the same excuse and end up not applying at all. By simple virtue of just trying, win or fail, you've already got those people beat. Also, don't expect to make a living or even decent money when you're starting out. Making contacts will take several months, and until then patience is a virtue. Good luck ;) |
| writesonwater | Posted – 1/15/2008 1:50:36 AM | show profile Good advice so far on trade pubs/niche work. I got in doing copyediting at a magazine I never would have thought of pitching for. Trade pub, serious trade pub, specific industry, lots of detail. But in editing their copy, I made their stuff so much better that when it sunk in that I wrote for other technical-type pubs, they gave me an assignment. Now 95 percent of what I do for them is writing. And that was for an industry I didn't initially get. Consider how much easier when you already know the industry. |
| krabappel | Posted – 1/15/2008 10:22:48 PM | show profile | email poster Whoa, y'all. So before, I was so grateful for the replies that I had to thank you twice. I'm gushing. My fingers runneth over. I think I was looking to make a dramatic departure from the oil industry. [cue sassy music montage] But in reading all of what you, with more seasoning, have to say, it's probably better for me to not do a 180, to instead rely on stepping stones, or pebbles, even. Here is a dispatch from the search: -Offered $15/article to write keyword bits, minimum 500 words each. It sounded so generic that I wasn't sure whether to be grateful for the offer or slap my forehead with my keyboard. I chose the latter. -Offered to edit a book for ESL learners, something with which I have experience, and look, $1/word. Oh, wait, that's NEW TAIWANESE dollars. And I'd get paid about seven months after completion of the project. If I met all qualifications. If the manuscript does not pose any problems. If I'm willing to sell my first child and the naming rights to the second. I feel like I'm in a cow pasture and I'm too busy not stepping in patties that I can't focus on anything else I'm trying to do. But y'all have really helped. Honestly. I'll be in touch after I wash my shoes. |
| rhino writer | Posted – 1/15/2008 10:34:34 PM | show profile If you have ESL experience, I've seen a bunch of things lately calling for ESL writers. Just a thought. Cow patties! Now there's a topic! |
| Cait | Posted – 2/9/2008 11:05:48 AM | show profile | email poster Advice from a Canadian... Hiya! I've got a couple of pointers for ya. I began freelancing six years ago, while a student. I started writing for our student newspaper, became an editor for two years, moved on to weekly newspapers, then our city's daily, then a national newspaper and magazines, and now, finally, consumer and trade magazines. Eight months ago, I left my last job (editing a University publication) to freelance full-time. I had developed a solid client base after years of doing it part-time, so when I took the leap, I had some idea that I could, at the very least, feed myself. I really believe that success is about small steps. I started writing for free, and built up clips that way. Consider chatting with the editors at your alma mater's student newspaper (or any student newspaper). Perhaps you can do some writing for free in order to get the bylines and more importantly, fine tune your interviewing skills. All of my colleagues from the student paper have done well. You might also check out alumni mags/university websites as well, after you've had some experience writing about uni research through a student publication. They don't always pay well -- but generally better than newspapers, I've found. And the subjects can be fascinating. I've also found that asking editors to coffee is a great way to get career advice/a foot in the door. Buy them lunch or a cup of Joe -- it's amazing what people will share with you. They appreciate a bit of gumption and keenly remember how brutal it was for them when they started. Be bold! Also, at least in Canada, editors tend to prefer a fantastic idea and little experience, over a mediocre idea and lots of experience. Many have told me that they'll consider new writers who can blow them away with a super duper pitch. As far as your petroleum knowledge goes, I agree that you should exploit that. I'd suggest you check out trade magazines in Alberta, Canada. I'm in the heart of oil country, and there are countless oil-related magazines (the Canadian Writer's Guide will have a list). I do not know of a single freelancer in Edmonton who's tapping into this market, and I would guess that it's not easy for editors to find someone with technical knowledge of the industry. Good luck! Cait www.inkslingermedia.com |
