Monday 9 January 2012

Career Advice On Freelance Writing Jobs

Sometimes the freelance writing jobs available are those that no one wants. Or, they are those that new businesses are looking to fill. You will not find postings for the best jobs and employment because many of those jobs go to individuals who already have an established career or a good working relationship with those businesses. For those looking for career advice to find the best freelance writing jobs available, they can find a few things here that will help them get the experience they need or at least get a foot in the door.
The most important aspect of getting the jobs that you want is to present a well written portfolio. Any writer can create pieces of work to show to individuals who want a sample. You do not have to be commissioned to write, you can write just for the sake of filling your portfolio. Just remember to put the best of the best work you have in there.
Secondly, there are many types of freelance writing jobs available. Yes, it is not just the book or prized article that you should look for. Look for vacancies in smaller areas as well. This will help you to develop relationships in the field.
Strive to meet the client’s needs. This will mean that you meet deadlines. It will mean that you offer the best material you can. But, it needs to meet the client's specified requirements, not necessarily what you think they should be.
Be professional, and build a website. Most businesses these days are centered around their websites. Being professional means presenting yourself in the most appropriate way.
In any case, there can be be many freelance writing jobs available to you once you are in the know. When you learn how to write to your clients needs and meet those needs properly with each and every assignment that you do, employment will be available to you. To find the assignments to start with, you may have to present yourself outright. Simply always do so in a positive, professional manner.

Becoming A Ghostwriter

Ghostwriting can be rewarding in two ways.
a) You get a chance to research and write about all types of topics that you wouldn't normally have a chance to learn about. The old theory in writing "write what you know" doesn't apply to ghostwriting since your clients will dictate what topic you will write about.
b) You can make a decent living at it.If you're new to writing, it may take a while to get clients but it is possible. It just takes a little hard work and perserverance. There are several ways to get clients. Here are a few.
1. Bid on writing jobs on contracted work site such as Elance.comGuru.com andGetafreelancer.com
You basically signup as a service provider to begin bidding on projects posted by clients. If you win the bid, you do the writing project as a ghostwriter.
2. Place ads for your ghostwriting service on free classified ad sites. It doesn't cost anything to post ads on these sites and is a good way to get your services out there in front of potential clients.
3. Post responses in forums with a signature that defines your ghostwriting service and an email address or website URL. Something along the lines of "Affordable Ghostwriting Services, [your website url] or email for more details [your email address].
4. Introduce your services in forums where you are allowed to do this. Many forums have a section where you can introduce your business. See out writing forums for this.
5. Have business cards created showcasing your ghostwriting business. Pass them out every chance you get. Put them on bulletin boards in supermarkets etc. You can create your own or have them made.
6 Write a press release announcing your services. There are plenty of no-cost or low-cost distribution services on the web to get the message out for you. Ghostwriting may not be for everyone because you don't get credit for your work, the client does. If that doesn't matter to you and you like writing on a variety of topics, it can be an enjoyable way to earn some money.

Are You a Freelance Writer? - Then You Need a Website

As a freelance writer, it is important to present yourself to your clients in a highly effective way. One of the most effective methods that freelancers use is a website. You can and should produce your own website to draw people in and learn about your skills. But, what should you put in your website? And, is it really cost effective to maintain a website that you don't know in advance will get used?
Your website will allow you to showcase your talent. You can providing clients with a look at what you can do. Can you write? If so, then your website should be able to draw the attention of your clients and hold it. If you are writing for search engine optimization, it makes very good sense that your website should be able to work in this way for you as well. Your abilities are seen first hand by all those who visit your website. On the website you can include things like your skills and qualifications, writing samples, and even testimonials about your work. You can also include ways for people to get your rates or to ask you questions.
An effective website will offer the client a way to view the abilities of a prospective writer.
Freelance work can sometimes be tricky business. People do not want to give employment or fill job vacancies with individuals who can not provide them with quality work. As a writer, it is up to you to sell yourself before you try to sell your client's products. It just makes sense! You can showcase your talent through providing references to other pieces of work you have done in the past. In any case, it is quite likely that people will look to fill their for writering positions online.
Having your own website to present yourself is an important aspect of having a successful freelance career.

3 Ways to Find Your Niche as a Freelance Writer

o make a six-figure income as a freelance writer, to need to be an expert. You need your name to jump to people's lips when a particular job or challenge comes up.
"Direct mail for software? You should get in touch with Bob. That's what he does." Insert your own name and specialty where appropriate.
You can't get that kind of awareness or referral if you're someone who just writes about anything in any medium. Nobody is going to believe that you are a trusted expert in absolutely everything.
So how do you determine a viable 'niche'? You have three choices...
1. Niche by industry...
That is to say, work within a particular industry. For years I worked with pharmaceutical clients. All my clients were drug companies. I wrote direct mail, brochures, sales aids, video scripts. I wrote anything, so long as it was about pharmaceuticals. That was my niche. And my clients knew that I was knowledgeable in that area. So they came to me.
2. Niche by medium...
In this scenario, you make a particular medium your specialty. After my years with the pharmaceutical industry, I decided to specialize as a direct mail copywriter. And for that period, about 15 years, I ONLY write direct mail and associated media...like inserts, fliers, postcards etc. I was a direct response specialist. And I wrote for all kinds of different industries - financial, cable TV, magazine publishers and more.
My specialty, my niche, was as a direct response copywriter. Other writers have built their careers around writing annual reports, radio scripts, white papers etc.
3. 'Double-Niche'
When you double-niche you are making a specialty of serving a single industry through a single medium. For instance, writing direct response for the financial industry. And ONLY writing direct response for the financial industry.
In conclusion...
As I said at the beginning, you can't be an expert at everything...not within every industry, not with every medium. So you need to take some steps to find your niche.
How do you choose? First, know yourself. Know what you are good at. Know what you like.
Also, be smart. Create your niche where the money is. Find your niche where there is a strong market.
And be smart about the size of your niche. Don't go so narrow that you're forever starved of work. Don't go so broad that people view you as a Jack or Jill of all trades, a generalist.