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Eileen
Gunn overcame her initial doubts. "Several friends told
me they'd gotten some great assignments through Freelance Marketplace,
but I was skeptical. You get all the best gigs through word-of-mouth,
don't you? ... A few months later a book packager who found my listing
asked me develop a proposal around a career-advice book she wanted to
put together that sounded unusual and very cool ... I did the proposal,
got the job, and my book, Your
Career Is an Extreme Sport, was released by Adams Media this
fall. If it had been the only job I got through the Marketplace
(and it wasn't), that one project would still have returned
what I paid for my listing several times over. |
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Stevie
Wilson landed a contributing fashion editor gig in California.
"The editor found me through her search on mediabistro.com. Being a
member is definitely a worthwhile investment!" |
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Holly
Becker reports, "I've received numerous calls from my
ad in the Freelance Marketplace...and landed my own column in GKFA.com's
taste and style section. What a great resource to plug into, thank you!" |
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David
Barry was "just about ready to give up on the Freelance
Marketplace, having heard nothing but silence for months. Then, a proposal
which seems to be rapidly becoming a book contract came in. The same day,
a contract to write a twice-monthly column came in. I worked out a deal
within two emails, in less than 10 minutes, and now have a writing job that
I didn't have before... You just have no way of knowing when the lightning
is going to strike. And there is no other conceivable means by which these
two employers would have reached me. So, thanks, MB!" |
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"When I signed up for a year's subscription to Freelance
Marketplace, I didn't know whether I was blowing my money and consigning
myself to media oblivion or what," reports Kyle
Roderick, Los Angeles-based mind/body health journalist and
book author. "Twelve months and twelve grand later, I am now
a believer. I just renewed my subscription...." |
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Dann
Anthony Maurno just celebrated his one-year anniversary as
a full-time freelancer, and he states that the "first (and
best) thing I did was join [the Freelance Marketplace]. "In
technology journalism, no client wants to pay for a 'learning curve,'
they want someone who knows the basics. The word search feature
is vital,
and more clients have found me by punching in a word than any other feature.
"In fact, I haven't had to actively sell or query in three
months—mb helped me build a portfolio of repeat clientele, and allows
new clients to find me.
"That said, it is what a writer makes of it. After all, the profile
is the first writing sample. I noticed that the work started coming after
I tweaked my profile a couple of times.
"...Pretty damned marvelous service, and the first thing I recommend
when people ask me, How do I get into the business?" |
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Hawaii-based Alex
Salkever "had listed my services for a month or so with
no bites and then out of the blue came a $2,000 gig that would cover the
cost of Freelance Marketplace for years to come. It also could turn into
a steadier arrangement with multiple ideas getting published in a monthly
magazine. It was the easiest $2k assignment I've ever gotten." |
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Josh
Krist didn't waste much time: "I just wanted to let you
know that I scored my first freelance gig through Freelance Marketplace
two days after I put my listing up. The assignment was
a short, last-minute destination piece on San Diego—a place I've written
about often and was excited to put something together on. Just with
this first assignment, the service has more than paid for itself.
Great idea, thanks!" |
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"I never list on these kinds of things," writes
Deborah
Reber, "but was so impressed with the previous testimonials
that I thought I'd give it a try for a month and see what happened. Just
before the first month was up I was contacted by an editor who subsequently
assigned me two sweet writing assignments for her publication. The
pay was great (more than paid for several years worth of Freelance
Marketplace listing), but more importantly, I've
developed a great relationship with an editor who I hope to work with for
many years to come!" |
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Through Freelance Marketplace, Melanie
Votaw got an article assignment with a new magazine called
His & Hers. "They contacted me because of my book, '52
Weeks of Passionate Sex,' and asked me to write a 1,000-word piece at $1
per word. I've already been paid, so the Freelance Marketplace has paid
for itself many times over." |
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Cynthia
Graber recently posted a Marketplace listing, "not expecting
that my experience matches up with what most people search on mediabistro.
Within a couple of months, I received an email from an editor searching
for a science journalist who speaks Spanish—and I'm now working on
a series of articles that may span two years, and may end up bringing in
tens of thousands of dollars. Thanks!" |
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Carrie
Giardino writes that she just completed
a contract assignment with International Media Communications, which she
received through the Freelance Marketplace. "I reported directly
to the Project Director Raffaella Agosti and I want to say that it
was one of the best reporting experiences I have had. Ms. Agosti
engaged in constant communication and sent great research material. Payment
was also received very quickly. The organization was even able to expand
my contract during the process of organizing a corporate publication guide
they were putting together and gave me a greater opportunity to contribute." |
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Kristin
Bagnato was pleasantly surprised: "When I signed up for
the freelance marketplace, I thought it would be a long shot, but worth
a try. My first job from it put to rest any doubts. The fee for the story
more than covered the subscription to the marketplace, and landed me one
of my most visible bylines to date. Money well spent!!" |
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Cartoonist Dan
Rosandich had listed his
services for about 8 weeks "when all of a sudden I received an
e-mail from a doctor in California who indicated they saw my samples [listed]
and that they were starting up a new magazine. After noticing my medical
cartoon catalog, the editor asked if she could begin running my cartoons
in August and I gave her a reasonable price and we agreed on the payment
structure to escalate as the publication gets more subscribers. What
began as a $20 or $40 investment in the Freelance Marketplace looks as though
it should blossom into $3000 over time. I am extremely satisfied
and looking forward to more responses." |
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TV news writer and producer Jené
Luciani shared this good news: "I just wanted to say that
the Freelance Marketplace has been amazing. I secured a freelance job this
week that turned out to be a great contact, too. Both I and the
employer benefited from it and are both thrilled with the results.
We wouldn’t have found each other if I hadn’t been listed and
she hadn’t been looking. Thanks again!!!" |
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Donna
Halper contacted us with this: "Just wanted to thank you
for being such a good service. I am an experienced fact-checker, writer
and media historian. Thanks to you, I was contacted by a publisher in New
Jersey that needed a fact checker, and when I completed that assignment,
they liked my work enough to give me another assignment—this time,
doing some copy-editing. We would never have found each other were it not
for mediabistro. I'm glad I became a member—I've certainly made back
what it cost me to join, and I am hopeful of getting more work in the future.
Just wanted to express my appreciation." |
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Lilian
Dregalla posted in the Marketplace in March and, after a slow
start, she reported: "July 21st, I got a call from a New York Post
reporter, who saw my listing and needed a local writer to do some interviews
for a story he was working on. It was a fast turnaround—3 hours to
get to the site, do the interviews, transcribe, and dictate—but it
was fun, he was great to work with, and he generously put me first in the
byline." |
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Heather
Schwartz had Marketplace success back in December, but just
contacted mb again with an update: "I already have a testimonial up
on the Freelance Marketplace, but I wanted to let you know about this latest
news... I recently got a book deal through my Freelance Marketplace listing,
and as a result of that development, I now have an agent! Also, I researched
agents using your How
to Pitch columns—they were a tremendous help!" |
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Catherine
Rigod recently let us know of "a little success. I was
contacted for a freelance position off of mediabistro.com for a new magazine
that is starting in California, called In Sonoma. (The parent company
is the New York Times.) I was able to complete the assignment, and I was
also told the article might run in Savor Magazine as well...Thanks, mediabistro—getting
me quite a lot of tears!" |
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Kathy
McGilvery reports: "For the first couple of months nobody
contacted me but then all of a sudden in March 2005 that completely changed!
I am contacted at least once a week by someone I've never met or even heard
of. The mediabistro listing allows you to post a few small graphic samples
of your work but by far the most important thing is to have a link to your
website. Those searching for a designer can get a good idea of your style
and specialties before contacting you — no time wasted!
"Previously my work was all by referral or by me answering an ad.
In the last 2 months have I completed 4 jobs for 3 different clients who
found me through mediabistro and been paid for them. I’m currently
in the middle of 2 additional projects from 2 of those clients. So
I seem to have developed an ongoing business relationship with at least
2 new clients. And they are REAL businesses with professional attitudes
and realistic expectations.
"I am a full-time art director/graphic designer. I have worked for
myself for 8 years. Some years are better than others but this is the
only thing I do. And this year is already better than last year. mediabistro
is currently my only online listing." |
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Shannon
Okey writes in: "My Freelance Marketplace profile has
netted me more assignments faster than any other online service
I've ever used -- and the best part is, they came looking for me! It takes
hours to bid on new assignments at other freelancing sites...mediabistro's
built the better mousetrap with FM." |
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Within a month of listing on the Marketplace, Katrina
Olivares was offered a dating column by The Examiner. "That
led to an assignment at Marie Claire magazine
to go manhunting for the greater D.C. area's best bachelors.
It's thrilling to write for women's interests again,
especially after working at Cosmo for years and getting another gig at
a Hearst publication. (Incidentally, The Examiner's flagship paper, The
San Francisco Examiner, was initially owned by Hearst too. So this really
helps me feel I've come full-circle.)" |
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Wensdy
White of Royal Oak, Mich. has already been hired for two
jobs via the Marketplace. "Editors from both Modern
Bride and Marie Claire called
me looking for local angles on stories. I have so far written about wedding
trends in Michigan for Modern Bride, and tracked down the Detroit area's
most eligible bachelors for Marie Claire. Freelance Marketplace is priceless
when it comes to making connections between writers looking to increase
their exposure, and editors looking for quality journalists in particular
cities." |
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Anna
David happily reports: "I can't tell you how much I've
appreciated the Freelance Marketplace! I had been sending my clips to
Maxim for years, never hearing a word back, and one day I got a call from
a Senior Editor there who'd seen my Freelance Marketplace listing. She
gave me an assignment and was so positive in her feedback on my work that
she then took it upon herself to introduce me to editors at Stuff and
Blender. And even though she's not at Maxim anymore, the positive things
she said about me remained and I just did their March cover story." |
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Perseverance finally paid off for
Dina Santorelli, who told herself that if she got one
freelance assignment from the Marketplace, her subscription would be worth
it. "I told myself that every day when I checked my email and there
was nothing--not even a note from my mom! I told myself that when I had
gotten a few nibbles here and there, but nothing panned out. But today I
just landed a regular freelance writing and editing assignment for Family
and Salute magazines that, by itself, will recoup my investment
five times over. My advice to writers: hang in there!
It really can happen at any time, especially when you least expect it." |
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Sandra
Carr placed her profile in the Marketplace last October. A
week later, she tells us, "I received an e-mail from an Ink editor
(a publication that is based in London, England)...asking if I was interested
and available to write stories in Orlando and other areas (the airline's
hubs). Plus, I was able to pitch the editor enough stories for a
year!" (Ms. Carr has also been contacted to write feature
stories for a national publication, review Orlando bars/clubs for Zagat
Surveys, and assist a book author with interviewing celebrities.)
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Since joining the Freelance Marketplace one month
ago,
Dona DeZube reports receiving "constant
calls from potential clients. I've just finished an assignment
from a European Union website that will pay my tab at the 'bistro for
the next 52.5 months. What a great return on investment!"
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In her few months in the Marketplace,
Laura Wise-Blau of Bexley, Ohio, has gained four clients
and eight projects. Of the Freelance Marketplace, she states: "1) People
who hire really look at it, and 2) It minimizes having
to sell yourself, as the editors have a chance to review your clips
before they contact you. Thanks again for everything. MB has made
a real impact on my freelance career."
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Only 5 days after listing herself in the
Marketplace,
Hillary Easom heard from a magazine editor with a photography
assignment. "He needed photos quickly to accompany an article, and
I was available. This assignment more than paid my membership dues,
and it was a terrific opportunity. I'm eager to see how else the Freelance
Marketplace will help me broaden my career. Thanks for providing us with
such a fabulous marketing tool." |
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After about two weeks in the Marketplace, Cheryl
Fenton was contacted by "a gentleman at a new beauty
magazine in Boston called Mirror magazine. He hired me as his editor
on a freelance basis, and the magazine is going strong, becoming a
constant flow of editing and writing projects." |
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"Finally
a place just for freelancers!" Catharine
A. Henningsen wrote to us. "Within two weeks,
I booked several assignments through the Marketplace and
was contacted by several other prospects. Over the past five years, I've
joined several services billing themselves out as 'for freelancers' only
to receive one full-time job offer after another and no freelance assignments.
They were all a colossal waste of time. Thanks, Freelance Marketplace, for
finally giving us what we need!" |
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One week after posting, stylist/writer/editor
Michael
Cohen was contacted for a quick turnover writing assignment.
"The rate wasn't amazing, but it was enough to pay for a full
year listing in the Marketplace. I feel validated and confident
about my future as a freelancer. Thanks very much for launching the section!" |
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Debra
Gordon wrote in with the great news that she "landed a
$15,000 project just two days after posting my
information on the freelance directory. That's the fastest I've ever had
any business investment pay for itself (many times over)." |
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David
Chiu considers the Freelance Marketplace a great resource because
of its far-reaching potential for finding people interested
in his writing talents. "Thanks to this, I recently got a very favorable
response, which makes all the hard work worthwhile." |
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When Cal
Orey first posted her listing, she says she felt "like
a wallflower at a singles' bar. But after one month, I
was finally contacted by the founder of an up-and-coming inspirational women's
magazine. Not only will I be fine-tuning a wide variety of articles, I will
be submitting stories as well. Plus, I will be included as a contributing
writer on the masthead. It is a perfect fit!" |
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Princeton University found Jonathan
Bourland's profile in the Freelance Marketplace and commissioned
an illustration from him. "They were incredibly friendly and
allowed me a lot of freedom with the project. It was fun, and we were both
pleased with the end result. If this is the sort of experience I can expect
from the Freelance Marketplace, then I'll be here for a while." |
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Two weeks after listing on the Marketplace, Lew
Harris "got an email from a real-estate developer in Orlando
who had just bought a network of magazines--and was smart enough to realize
he didn't know what to do with them, in terms of content. We've had a long
series of conversations about how to turn them into something truly professional.
It could have turned into a great fulltime gig--if I'd wanted to uproot
from L.A. to Orlando! Instead we're talking about an interesting,
challenging consulting gig while he gets his staff on its feet." |
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After only a few weeks of registering on the Freelance Marketplace,
an editor for a pull-out section of the Boston Globe contacted
Jennifer
Elise Chase about profiling someone involved in Boston's higher-ed
scene. "Being a Bostonian, knowing that an editor actually viewed my
non-New York freelancing address as a positive was a huge thrill. My fingers
are crossed for more e-mails." |
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Steven
Viuker has already been contacted twice: once
regarding providing online content about jobs and the workplace, and once
about writing for a newspaper supplement with nationwide circulation.
"I got my money's worth already," he tells us. |
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Within a day of posting, Laura
Galloway "received several queries from fantastic potential
clients, and the calls keep coming... The Freelance Marketplace has been
like having my own business development person on staff. I'm now convinced
of the fact that that next to personal referrals, the Freelance Marketplace
is the single best way to increase one's exposure. Thank you, mediabistro!" |
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Within two days, Kathryn
Quigley was contacted by an editor at Modern Bride.
"After I told her my sad, sad tale of being a bridesmaid six times," Kathryn
reports, "she gave me an assignment." |
