Lessons Imparted at Last Night’s Get a Freelance Life Panel in Chicago
These aren’t exactly detailed, but then again, I was busy moderating (and we didn’t record):
•Don’t miss deadlines (or if you are going to, alert your editor)
•Keep pitching, no matter what. Don’t be afraid to be rejected.
•Agents can help you secure larger features for bigger pubs.
•Follow up after every meeting or conversation you have with an editor. Bring ideas to every meeting or conversation you have with an editor.
•If you’re freelancing full-time, break down your hourly rate. A magazine with a great per-word rate may actually not measure up if you’re doing rounds and rounds of revisions.
•There is money in trade/business/nonprofit writing
•It’s hard to stop your brain from mining every opportunity, including vacations, for story ideas.
•If possible, secure one steadyish assignment that you can rely upon.
•If you freelance full time from home, make sure you get out of the house.
•Check out the Quicken credit card, Traxtime and Ibiz.
•Don’t be afraid to ask questions of other freelancers, and, hey, it pays to be a nice guy.
Many, many thanks again to Annie Logue, Margaret Littman, Shane DuBow and Darci Smith. And to everyone who showed up!
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