Freelance Writer

You mentioned that you freelance full-time and are able to live comfortably. What is comfortably. My parents don't think I would be able to support myself on just writing, so wondering how much you make...if that's ok to ask?

Asked by LA_CA about 12 years ago

I wondered how long it would take someone to ask me that! I get an email or a Facebook message asking the same question about once a week. :) My definition of "comfortable" is being able to buy and do pretty much what I want (within reason) without worrying about it or living paycheck to paycheck. When you average out the low-income months (traveling in developing countries and working 2 hours per day) and higher-income months (traveling/living in the US or Europe and working a max of 5 hours per day), it comes to about $40,000 a year. Obviously, that salary comes with some limitations. If I want to work 4-5 hours a day, I'm not going to be living in Paris or New York. But I have a completely flexible schedule. I never have to set foot in an office. I can travel 100% of the time. I can work from home, a coffee shop or a library. I never work before 10:30 am. I can fly off to visit friends or family even if I'm in the middle of a big project. I've worked from 42 countries around the world. That's worth so much more to me than making $80,000 sitting in an office for 40-50 hours a week and fitting all of my fun into three weeks of vacation. This is my dream life. :) One thing that's important to note: I try to keep payments to a minimum. I own my car and I don't keep an apartment when I'm out of the country for more than two months at a time. I don't buy anything I can't pay for in cash. If a month comes along where I lose all of my clients--I've heard of this happening--there won't be a million payments to worry about. With a mortgage and a car loan and huge car insurance payments and credit card debt and a summer house, it would be a different story. Writing is an absolutely viable career as long as you write well and you can plan ahead...and as long as you're not planning to be a poet. I've never met a full-time poet. :)

Do you get annoyed when clients try and wordsmith your writing to death? It's THEIR publication, but it's YOUR personal brand (that may land you other gigs, right?)

Asked by AllYourBase about 12 years ago

I'm fortunate enough to have great clients who respect my work and recognize when I'm the authority. If they make changes, it's usually to refine the technical or scientific content. (I do a lot of writing about highly complex technologies and research projects.) I love that type of editing because I can learn from it. Plus, if I have clients who are truly irritating, I can dump them. :) When I worked for a communications agency, it was different. My job was to put out great writing AND pacify clients to maintain the company's relationships. Academics are the worst. I sent a technical piece to one interview subject (an engineering researcher) for fact-checking, and he sent it back with 500 extra words added--500! On a 1200-word piece! Not only that, but all of those extra words were spent boasting about himself. Fortunately, he wasn't the client--so I took the extra text out and approved it for publication. I will say that it took some time for me to create a distance between me and my writing. As a professional writer, you MUST learn to separate yourself from each piece and look at criticism objectively. You can't take it personally, because it's not intended that way. Clients aren't trying to hurt your feelings--they just want to get the best possible piece, even if they go about it the wrong way. It takes time to learn how to gently inform a client that they are wrong and persuade them to let you do things your way. One more thing. I do a lot of ghostwriting, which means that my byline is not attached to the piece. Universities and corporations often request this type of work so they can retain all of the rights. I have one such client that sends my text on to his company's in-house marketing department to ensure style guide compliance. The marketing folks, who are irritated that the executives outsource the writing, butcher each and every piece. They change meanings, alter sentences, and weaken each document. After much consideration, I've decided that I don't care. The job pays really well and ensures steady work, which is a big thing for a freelancer. Plus, my name isn't connected to the crappy work and I really enjoy doing it--I just make sure not to read the published pieces.

Do you ever go through periods where work is scarce? When it happens, do you wait for the lull to pass, or quickly start chasing down new projects?

Asked by A-Train about 12 years ago

I ran into a seriously slow period just once--the fear was enough to motivate me to change the way I work. I was working with only two clients at that point, and one of them lost their government funding. Luckily, I had another project coming right down the pipeline, but it was terrifying to realize that I could lose half of my income in an instant. Now, I've added more clients, so I have a very steady supply of work. I also put in place a few backups that I can turn to if things go south. One of them, which I hope I never need to use, is content mill work--Demand Studios and CloudCrowd. Both sites have a large supply of work, pay out frequently (and reliably), and don't have a minimum writing requirement. As a result, I can let my accounts sit for years on end and use them only if I need to. Content mills are a sensitive topic among writers. They're not really a viable source of full-time work, because you'd have to write forever to make a reasonable salary. The editorial standards are often VERY low. The pay is also low--ridiculously so, in many cases--one site I saw offered $2 for 500 words! While it is possible to make money on content mills, I'd advise that you do NOT attach your real name to your account to protect the integrity of your personal brand.

What was the tipping point that brought you from unpaid to paid writer? And are you at the point now where you feel you're being compensated fairly for you work?

Asked by Miriam about 12 years ago

The short answer: I don't work for free and I never have. When it comes to compensation, I have complete control. As a freelancer, I can negotiate my rate and turn down low-paying jobs. If I am not being compensated fairly, the blame lies entirely with me. Many freelancers fall into the trap of writing for a pittance, just to get by or just to build a portfolio. The truth is, an employer that doesn't value a writer's work is not worth your time. There are plenty of companies and organizations that are willing to pay reasonable rates--you just have to put in the work to find them. Many writers make the mistake of quitting their jobs to go freelance before they have established clients or built up a savings. Bad idea! Before I quit my full-time job, I found several clients who would provide a steady stream of work. Now, the (seriously) long answer: This is a big, hotly debated issue for new writers: should you write for free to build a portfolio? The answer is different for every writer. I came out of college with a number of writing samples, which I used during the job-hunting process. One of my first jobs included a LOT of writing. Research reports, magazine articles, technical pieces, training seminar content, Web copy, marketing copy, academic journal articles, grant proposals...you name it, I wrote it. When I moved into freelancing, I had a solid portfolio and a slew of industry relationships. I had firsthand experience with the professional writing process--the time commitment, the rounds of editing, the client communication and the necessary background research. I knew how to write for different audiences. Most importantly, I understood that strong writing is of great value to clients. It helps them build a reputation, land new accounts, communicate with clients and increase profits. With that knowledge, there was no way I was going to write for free! As an aspiring writer, you must believe that your time is valuable. If you don't value your time, how can you expect anyone else to? If you have no writing samples, or if you are switching to a writing area in which you have no experience, the answer might be different. In that case, I would advise that a new writer do no more than three pieces for free. Why? Most employers won't ask for more than three writing samples. I'll go a step further and suggest that you only write these three free pieces under two circumstances: 1. The client is doing something you believe in and operating with a limited (or nonexistent) budget. Start with the organizations you love: humane societies, community theatre groups or environmental groups, for example. Most organizations have some type of writing need, which is usually filled by a non-writer. In offering to write for free, you get a portfolio piece and you get to help a cause you care about. Plus, when you're passionate about something, the writing process is almost always easier and more enjoyable. 2. You get something in return. Don't be afraid to barter! Find someone that needs writing skills but can't afford to pay a writer and negotiate an exchange. Offer to write web copy for a photographer in exchange for a photo session, for example, or write brochure copy for a masseuse in exchange for a massage. You'll find the most success with small businesses or individual service providers.

Does a well-written blog "count" as a writing credential? For example, let's say I want to write for a fashion site, and I have a fashion blog. If I don't have any published works beyond my blog, will the blog suffice in showing "what I can do?"

Asked by Alicia about 12 years ago

I'm certainly not a fashion industry expert, but I'm guessing it varies by publication. Obviously, Vogue.com is going to have different standards than SHEfinds.com. If you're aiming for a website that has exceptionally high readership or is connected with a respected national publication, the blog probably won't be enough. You'd probably also need some type of published sample to show that you understand journalistic writing and that you can work within the professional writing environment. If you are looking to write for a website that has a more informal tone, is not connected with a print publication or has a small readership, the blog might be plenty. In either case, here's what I suggest: go through every post in your blog and ensure that there isn't a single typo. Not one. Make sure that each post communicates your unique voice. That's the most powerful thing about a blog, especially in a subjective area like fashion--it gives you the unparalleled opportunity to express your personality and point of view. For many bloggers who transition to journalism, that's what sells. (Check out thedaybookblog.com for an example. The blogger also writes a fashion column.) Why go through every post? If I were an editor and I was considering you as a potential writer, I would scroll through a few current posts and then I'd randomly click on posts from years past to see how your style has evolved. Don't assume that no one will bother to look at your first post! Most sites that accept freelancers publish submission guidelines. They're also called writer's guidelines, writers guidelines (yes, they appear both ways), publication guidelines, editorial guidelines and every other possible variation on the theme. Usually, you can find them at pages entitled About Us, Jobs, Careers, Writers, Contact, etc. Read them carefully. If they ask specifically for published print clips, you probably won't have much luck sending a blog. (Though you can certainly try.) If they simply ask for samples or clips, query away.

Are you required by clients to tailor your writing to be as SEO-friendly as possible? If so, do you feel like that compromises the quality of your writing?

Asked by Jason K. about 12 years ago

For print work, no. For digital pieces...it depends. In most cases, when you cover a topic thoroughly, it will be naturally optimized. You'll automatically use the key phrases in many different places and in many different forms. That, and search engines penalize website for text that is over-optimized. In fact, one of my clients expressly requests that I do not worry about SEO. He'd rather provide his Web visitors with informative text than achieve high search engine placement. Now, if I'm doing text that is designated for SEO landing pages, it's a different story. In that case, my definition of "quality" changes. Rather than judge the text on how beautiful it is or how well the sentences flow, I measure it against the client's goals. Do the keywords appear the correct number of time to meet the target frequency? Do they appear in titles, subtitles, lead sentences and in different forms? I always aim to write text that is readable and error free, but sometimes it's necessary to sacrifice lovely prose to achieve the project goal.

If someone without a large writing portfolio wants to make a career switch into writing, how would you recommend she get started? (Let's also assume that she is, in fact, a good writer :))

Asked by Brenda about 12 years ago

Good question! For anyone that's interested in a writing career, here's what I suggest: 1. Identify your current areas of expertise. There is a market for pretty much every topic, especially on the Internet, so anything can qualify. Someone who's been a stay-at-home mom will have a wealth of knowledge about parenting, feeding children, cleaning and probably health issues. A female professional in a mostly-male industry might be able to talk about issues of equality, overcoming workplace obstacles and professional communication. 2. Find publications that specialize in those topics or have a section devoted to them. Start with online publications, which tend to be less particular about professional writing experience. Look for the writer's guidelines or submission guidelines to find out exactly how the publication accepts articles or queries. Don't ignore those directions! If possible, find a website that allows submissions rather than queries. That type of system gives unpublished writers the chance to prove themselves right off the bat without providing clips. (The only one I can think of off the top of my head is Matadornetwork.com, which is a travel/lifestyle kind of site.) Choose one that pays, if possible. Even $25 for a short article is better than nothing. (I wrote about writing for free in the answer to another question.) 3. Pick your favorite publication and develop a list of story ideas that might work for their target readership. Run each story title through the site's search function to make sure you're not duplicating anything. Notice the style and tone of each piece to get an idea of what the editors are looking for. More importantly, note what the site is missing and figure out how you can fill it. 4. Start writing! It's too easy to get bogged down in questions about qualifications and published clips, and those worries can impede progress. Write an article, send it to a few literate friends and make changes based on their feedback. Proofread the final result and submit it--and then let it go. Rejection is a VERY common part of writing--at least until you land some regular clients--and it's best not to get too attached to each piece. Then, move on to another piece. 5. If you're interested in writing for print, you have a few options. Once you've published three strong stories online, use them as writing samples when querying print publications. National publications might not go for online articles, but it can't hurt to try. You can also try smaller publications--local magazines, newspapers, regional magazines, etc. If you're hitting a wall, try writing small front-of-book pieces to build a trusting relationship with the editors before moving into bigger pieces. Most importantly, try not to let frustration take over. Freelance writing can be tough, especially in the beginning. It gets better. Plus, the freedom is worth all of the frustration.

When did you know you were a “good writer”? Did you get told that frequently growing up?

Asked by mary_eggers about 12 years ago

I've always been a fairly competent writer, mostly because I've always been a voracious reader. Reading is a big part of writing well--it introduces you to sentence structure, helps you recognize misspellings and grammatical errors. It also teaches you how to break the rules, which is more important than you might think. In answer to your question, yes, I was told that I was a good writer in elementary school, high school and college. Of course, the definition of "good" writing changes rapidly as you move beyond essays and term papers. In college, I learned that I am a terrible creative writer. I like to infuse creativity into non-fiction and technical writing, but when it comes to poetry or short stories, I'm hopeless. The moral of the story is that if you fail at one type of writing--or if you've never been told that you're a good writer--don't give up!

Are you able to do this full-time? How many hours do you put in, and how many pieces do you write per week?

Asked by Big Sol about 12 years ago

Yes--freelancing is my sole source of income. Usually, I put in 4-5 solid hours of work each day. (Though depending on how distracted I am by Facebook/Google Reader/news/email/Pinterest, I might be at the computer for 8 hours.) By working 4-5 hours per day, 5 days per week, I'm able to live comfortably. Plus, since I can work anywhere with Internet access, I often travel internationally for 2-4 months at a time. The number of pieces I write depends entirely on the project. Feature articles might stretch out over a period of weeks while I research, schedule interviews, draft and edit. With smaller marketing pieces, I might get out 10 or more in a day. On most days, I work on multiple projects.

I write as a hobby and would like to do it professionally, but how did you go about getting your first clients? Aren't there tons of uber-talented graduate writing students flooding the market every year?

Asked by Ignatius about 12 years ago

My first freelance clients came to me when I was working a full-time job, so I was able to learn the ropes without risking my income. One editor came across my personal travel blog and contacted me about writing a destination-specific article. My first corporate client came to me through a referral. After I quit my job, I didn't take on a full client load right away. The last year of my job was unbelievably stressful, so I took some time off to travel and shake the stress. By the time I connected back into the professional world, word had gotten out that I was no longer with my former agency. One of my old clients reached out to ask if I would take over his company's marketing writing. I turned him down out of respect for my former employer. He was really understanding--in fact, I'm pretty sure he passed my name on to other businesses, because I started getting project offers. A month later, another past client--who had moved on to a high-level position in a different corporation--called and asked if I was interested in writing for his new company. Years later, they are still one of my biggest accounts. It's hard to be specific without knowing your situation, but I'd suggest that you start by looking for writing opportunities in your current industry. If possible, tell your boss you'd like to take on some writing responsibilities, either internally or for clients. Frame it as cross-training. It's a fantastic way to learn. If you build a reputation as a skilled writer in your professional network, people may start sending referrals your way. If you're not comfortable going that route, look for writing opportunities outside of your personal network but inside your industry. Trade publications and topical magazines are a good place to start. For story ideas, use what you have--insider knowledge, unique access to sources, or information about upcoming challenges/trends/catastrophes/developments. If your company's R&D department is pioneering a new manufacturing technique, for example, you'll have an interesting topic and firsthand access to the researchers. As an industry insider, you will automatically be a step ahead of other writers. You'll have an in-depth, working knowledge of the target audience, the jargon, the major players, the ins and outs of business operations, and the challenges facing businesses. In my opinion, corporate clients are the way to go. They always have writing work and they understand the value of industry experience. (I can't tell you how many engineers have audibly sighed with relief when they realized that I was able to speak their language.) Plus, the pay is often higher than print/digital journalism and you don't have to jump through the querying hoops. If a business likes you and your work, they'll keep coming back. The project range is endless: annual reports, project proposals, feature articles, corporate magazines, print marketing copy, website copy, white papers, newsletter articles, client work, employee profiles, research reports... As for the grad students...yes, I imagine they are out there, though I haven't run into them. :) The thing is, there is absolutely no substitute for practical industry experience. A strong writer with five years of industry experience will almost always win out over a recent grad with five degrees and no experience.

How does 50 Shades of Grey get published written like it is? I get it: sex sells. But where's the editor / publisher stepping in to suggest grammatical changes to make it semi-legible?

Asked by grey about 12 years ago

I once read a Danielle Steele novel--it was the only English-language book in a tiny town in Mexico and I was desperate--and I had the same question. Appalling! Honestly, I don't know. My guess is that editors are overworked and underpaid. Maybe the audiences for certain books care more about the story than the writing? Actually, I just did a quick search and came across this quote, which seems to support that theory: "Writers make up a specialized but very small part of the reading public. As specialists of the craft, we’re naturally hyper-aware of technical gaffes and structural problems. The average reader isn’t going to be anywhere near as likely to notice or care about all the little things that drive us (rightfully, if perhaps over-zealously) mad. They just care that they’re given a good story." (From http://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/2012/07/why-do-bad-books-get-published.html)

What's the pettiest or most-heated wordsmithing argument you ever got into?

Asked by AllYourBase about 12 years ago

I once worked on a big writing project for a huge company. From the first meeting, it was obvious that the corporate project liaison did not support the company's choice to hire an outside contractor (a common problem when working with businesses that have in-house marketing/communication departments). To make matters worse, this woman had self-published a romance novel, so she fancied herself a writing expert. That may have been true in the bodice-ripping genre, but when it came to high-level science writing for an expert audience...not so much. This woman went out of her way to make my life miserable. She sent passive-aggressive group emails (the ultimate weapon for a petty professional), nitpicked about every tiny thing and demanded I use a different style. Every time I wrote "he said" at the end of a quote, she replaced it with things like "he elaborated," "he uttered, "he pronounced" and "he articulated." It took me weeks to convince her that those phrases have no place in super-technical writing. Luckily, I understood the target audience--who were emphatically NOT romance novel readers--so my choices prevailed. The worst moment came when I requested that the company change their corporate motto. That's a big deal--not to mention a big investment--but it contained a blatant grammatical error and reflected poorly upon the business. This woman just about had a fit. We went back and forth for ages until she finally called a meeting with the CEO, confident that she would come out on top. I'm not naturally combative, but her smug expression at the start of that meeting nearly sent me over the edge. After I calmly explained the issue to the CEO, he paused for a moment and said, "Well, you're the expert. If it's incorrect, we'll change it." The look on the liaison's face at that moment was worth all of the irritation and wasted time. :) It can be difficult to stay professional in that type of situation.

I enjoy writing for the creative and 'fun' aspects it has to offer. I'm not looking into doing this professionally or full-time, but would still love to make some extra change. Any tips on what I can do or where to get started? I love food and travel

Asked by Ford about 12 years ago

Start with some of your favorite websites about travel and food--check to see if they accept submissions from freelance writers. Websites often have lower barriers to entry than print publications, so experience is less important. I can't suggest any specific sites for food, but to get you started, there are some links below to the submission guidelines for websites that pay for travel content from freelancers. It's not much, but it's something. Lost Girls--Writing for NY Times http://www.lostgirlsworld.com/2011/03/pitching-101-how-to-write-for-the-new-york-times-intransit-blog/ Bootsn'All http://writers.bootsnall.com/ Wolrd Hum http://www.worldhum.com/info/submissions/ Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/content/contributors/ Transitions Abroad http://www.transitionsabroad.com/information/writers/writers.shtml Journeywoman http://www.journeywoman.com/writers_guidelines.html

Let's say I'm a talented writer, but I've never written professionally or had any training beyond mandatory high school & college courses. If I were looking to become a writer, would you recommend that I take a class or two, or just dive right in?

Asked by Shrugs McGee about 12 years ago

Why not do both? Diving in will give you practical experience, so you'll have more specific questions to ask in class. If you do take a class, choose one that meets or exceeds your level of experience so you don't waste your money. It's much better to be the least experienced writer in the class--you'll learn more and get more feedback.

What authors or journalists have been your biggest influences? Are there any you most want to emulate?

Asked by bella belle about 12 years ago

I connect to different writers for different reasons, though I don't necessarily try to emulate them. My favorite book is Anne Fadiman's "Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader," mostly because it made me feel like I'm not alone in my love of words and reading. One essay talks about long words, while another discusses Fadiman's delight at discovering new or unfamiliar words. Her writing is straightforward, uncluttered and absolutely oozing with personality. Jane Austen is another of my favorite writers. I love the way she analyzes human interactions, and how she packs a great deal of observation into small passages. In terms of journalism...hmm. Harper's is my favorite magazine. I love that it forces me to slow down and read each story--in the age of 140-character tweets and super-short blog posts, my attention span can use the exercise! The stories in Harvard Business Review are almost always excellent in terms of organization, writing and flow. In terms of newspapers, the only person that stands out in my mind is Thomas Friedman, who is one of the most sensible and persuasive writers I can think of.

Do you think becoming a paid, full-time writer is easier, harder, or the same level of difficulty as it was 10 years ago?

Asked by bella belle about 12 years ago

I was in college 10 years ago, so I can't speak from personal experience. Older writers I know have said that it's more difficult now. A lot of companies are outsourcing their writing work to countries like India and the Philippines because people there will work for pennies. (Literally, pennies.) American writers can't--and shouldn't--drop their prices far enough to compete with that. However, most of those workers speak English as a second language, and their writing reflects it. Clients worth working for understand the value of strong , fluent writing. I think "serious" journalism might be harder now, especially as many print publications die a slow death, but the Internet has opened up a whole world of options. Journalism as we know it is changing. Writers now can write for any number of websites. In most cases, it doesn't pay as well as print, but it's a completely viable way of making a living. There's more room for style freedom, the tone is often more informal and the variety is endless.

If you wrote a novel, what celebrity would you choose to record the audiobook?

Asked by Cordial almost 12 years ago

I love this question. It would depend on the subject and tone of the novel, of course, but I love Ira Glass (of This American Life on NPR). I'm not sure if he counts as a true celebrity, so my next choice would be Tina Fey. Or Stephen Colbert.

Do you find yourself frequently having to chase down payments? What kind of clients are the best & worst in this regard?

Asked by Carolyn (N Hollywood, CA) about 12 years ago

No. Thankfully, I've never had to chase down a payment. I'm very careful about the projects I take on; if I sense any uncertainty, I don't proceed. It's not worth my time. Plus, if I had to deal with the emotional and financial stress that goes along with unpaid invoices, I wouldn't last in this business. :) Most of my clients have been with me for over a year, which is the best possible situation for a freelancer. If an established client were to suddenly stop paying, they would sabotage trust, ruin the relationship and lose access to all of my accumulated knowledge about the company/clients/projects/etc.

Do you see this work/travel lifestyle as a permanent thing? Or do you think it all ends if and when you start a family?

Asked by Shocka Khan about 12 years ago

Good question. Honestly, I don't know. For me, the appeal of freelancing lies in its flexibility. If I decide one day that I want to stop traveling and live in one place forever and ever, I don't have to make any major career changes. I can keep working. If I decide I hate working from home, I can rent an office with other freelancers. I can expand the business and branch out into marketing consulting. The possibilities are endless. Plus, since my work isn't geographically dependent, I could decide to settle in the middle of the woods or the middle of the city without worrying about finding a job. If I decided to have kids, I could continue to work. I'm not sure that was your question, though. :) Obviously, it's impossible to say for sure what I'd do in a situation I've never experienced. From where I stand now, I think that if I decided to have a family, I would certainly keep traveling. It's who I am. Americans are woefully behind most developed countries in terms of travel, multiple languages and awareness/understanding about the rest of the world. That ignorance breeds hate and mistrust. If I had a child, it would grow up seeing the world as the friendly, amazing, accessible place that it is. I think it's fantastic when parents bring their kids out into the world. :) Check out www.sixintheworld.com/ and almostfearless.com/ for great examples.

I would like to start my new project on lavish individual villas for some Elite Clients. Any idea who can do that the best?

Asked by Ellis about 12 years ago

Any experienced marketing writer should be able to handle that kind of project. Luxury marketing is similar to standard marketing, with a few tweaks in tone/language/word choice. You might start with marketing agencies that have worked with luxury-industry clients. If they don't have writers on staff, they should be able to point you in the right direction.

If given the choice, would you prefer having 10 small clients, or 2 big ones?

Asked by Mikail about 12 years ago

In terms of productivity, I'd prefer two big clients. It takes me a while to get focused on a project, so I don't get much done when I have to change tasks constantly. In terms of finances, however, 10 is more sensible. If you have two and you lose one, you've just lost half of your income. If you have 10 and you lose one...well, it's not awesome but you're not going to go under.

What do freelance writers use for health insurance?

Asked by Geena almost 12 years ago

Freelance writers have to buy their own insurance. That part is no fun.

I love to write, but I am the WORST when it comes to procrastinating writing in a deadline situation. Any tips or tricks for this?

Asked by brikhaus almost 12 years ago

Stop procrastinating. That's it. Procrastination leads to rushed work, and rushed work is almost always of lower quality. Plus, when you're late with a piece, you sabotage your relationship with the client and ruin the chances of getting future projects. Here are my top methods for staying focused: - Make a schedule as soon as you get a project - Set phone alarms or calendar alerts to remind you of milestones - Turn off the Internet while you're writing - Give yourself regular breaks throughout the day - Do a bit of a project each day instead of leaving it all for the end. Even a crappy draft is easier to work from than no draft. Honestly, it's hard. Some days, focusing is nearly impossible. On those days, I try to do something else that's productive: research, interviews, marketing, etc. Or, I go shopping or go to a movie and forget about work for a bit. Sometimes, it's really not worth it to beat your head against the wall. :)

What areas of freelance writing are the most in-demand right now? Corporate blogging? Speechwriting? Copywriting? Something else?

Asked by Hildabird almost 12 years ago

Marketing writing is always in demand--even in (especially in) a tough economy, people need to sell their products. Also, in my experience, writers with specialized backgrounds are always in demand. If an aerospace firm needs someone to handle their writing, they might require someone to write everything from marketing copy to government proposals to technical reports--in other words, pieces with very different audiences. If one writer has an understanding of aerospace engineering, the aviation market, challenges faced by pilots, etc., they're already miles ahead of a writer who is simply a good writer. The first writer is more likely to 1) know what questions to ask, 2) understand the implications of a new development, 3) understand how it affects the industry, and 4) know where to look or who to ask for more information. As a result, the company can spend less time training the writer and less time explaining why the finished piece doesn't quite encompass the needs of the company, customer, and industry. Write what you know. :)

What would you say to an 18-yr-old whose parents told her, "The world already has too many writers, do something else?"

Asked by melinda over 11 years ago

What do you think is appropriate to charge a company who is looking for researched, 500-700 word blog posts on its site? I see many opportunities like this, but the companies are literally paying $10-15 per post, which is ridiculous.

Asked by shogunn over 11 years ago

How young were you when you started your writing

Asked by ChiickenBock almost 9 years ago

Do you foresee a time when writers are better compensated? Or will this forever be a starving artists' medium? (I'm obviously not talking about the J.K. Rowlings of the world, but rather, the average, everyday, good writer).

Asked by 1candream over 11 years ago