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Freelance Tips - Freelance Writing, Freelance Jobs

Finding Writing Jobs: Be Proactive

February 6th 2010 12:57
You don't have to prowl the job boards to land a new writing job. There are many job opportunities for good content writers and they aren't advertised anywhere. It may take you longer to find these opportunities, but when you spot one, chances are you don't have any competition.

So how do you spot these potential writing gigs? Easy: You keep your eyes and ears open.

Read fliers and adverts of local small businesses, identify the ones that might improve their marketing efforts by using a skilled copywriter and contact them with a proposal. You'll have to be diplomatic in your proposal: Don't tell them that their current copy is bad - show them how you can improve it.


As part of your online job hunt, read forums for small businesses. Many small business owners don't know anything about writing web content. Get active your favourite forum and offer basic writing advice. Questions about search engine optimisation are frequently discussed and many budding entrepreneurs ask for help with SEO. Contact them and explain how you can help with relevant, keyword-rich copy.

Do you live in an area with independent shops? Then talk to the owners when you shop there, find out if they might be interested in your services. Leaving your business card can't hurt.

As a freelance writer, you need to be resourceful and proactive. If you notice what's happening around you, you will identify many potential writing jobs nobody ever puts on the job sites.

Have you ever landed a writing gig by using a any of these methods? Do you have other tactics for sourcing writing gigs? Let the Freelance Tips readers know in the comments.
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The Book Drum Tournament is a contest for avid readers that could turn into a full-time or a freelance job.

Book Drum is a new online community geared at book lovers. The community members create profiles for their favourite books. Profiles include a summary and review of the book, information on the author and page-by-page bookmarks. The bookmarks are the feature that set Book Drum apart - you are encouraged to use photos, videos and background info to point out specific passages in the text (note: material must be in the public domain.

For launch, Book Drum are hosting a tournament. First price is £1,000, second prize is £500 and £100 each for five other entrants. Book Drum will also recruit full-time and freelance editors from among the best entries.


More info is available in the Book Drum FAQ and on the Book Drum Tournament page.
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Writing for Dollars

January 31st 2010 00:48
Writing for Dollars! is a useful website for freelance writers. They offer a weekly email newsletter with the latest paying markets. On the website, there is a huge database of paying markets with information on what each market is looking for and a link to the guidelines.
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Freelance Work/Life Balance

January 28th 2010 23:18
As a freelance writer, getting the balance right can be a bit tricky when you start out. While you are not making much money yet, it often feels like you should be working constantly. If you do, it will wear you out and you might lose your passion for writing.

It is important to remember that you need time to relax, do something you enjoy. You need to have a life outside of writing if you want to have a variety of things to write about.

Don't feel guilty about going out with friends for dinner or to a movie. Take pen and paper to take notes and write a review later (check with your friends first if it's okay, though, you don't want to ruin dinner).

Take a course that will make you an expert in another niche. The more expert knowledge you have, the bigger the writing opportunities.

As a writer, reading counts as career development - even if it's fiction. It's important to see how other people use language and tell a story. Non-fiction writers need to be story-tellers too, only their stories need to be based on facts.
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Writing Contest for Freelancer Writers

January 25th 2010 22:07
I've put up a post on Writing Words that should be interesting for freelance writers, too: There's a writing contest about writing.

The deadline is on Sunday and there's an entry fee. The winning entry will receive £100 and will be published in the first edition of Leaf Books Magazine, other entries may also make it into the magazine.
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New Freelance Writers: How to Stand Out

January 24th 2010 00:48
So you want to be a freelance writer? The good news is that thanks to the Internet, it is easier today to find freelance writing jobs. For the same reason, however, the competition is tougher than ever. To launch a successful freelance writing career, you must distinguish yourself from the competition.

These are our top tips for new freelance writers on how to stand out


[ Click here to read more ]
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Writing for Free?

January 21st 2010 22:27
As a website editor, I know how content decisions are made in companies. Here's the inside scoop: They want good content and are aware that poor copy does more harm than good. They also don't want to pay a lot for content, if they pay at all.

This can be frustrating for freelance writers. Why should you give away your services for free? You have bills to pay, and last time you checked the utility companies didn't accept words, not matter how well they were put together


[ Click here to read more ]
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Freelancing: Fact and Fiction

January 19th 2010 22:45
Many people have a romantic notion of being a freelancer that bears little resemblance to the truth. There's the old cliche that as a freelancer, you can wear your pyjamas all day. Many fantasize about working in the sun. And too many people think that you can get away with working for five hours tops and then recline to the sun lounger.

Freelancing reality comes in many different versions, but more often than not clothes, a desk and long working hours are part of it


[ Click here to read more ]
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Follow Freelance Tips on Twitter

January 18th 2010 22:18
I set up a Twitter account for this blog. If you use Twitter, follow me @fltnet.

Twitter, if used smartly, is a good for job leads. I've already created a list for freelance jobs. Feel free to suggest other users worth adding to this list.
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Freelance Tips is Back

January 17th 2010 21:49
I did a brief stint as the Freelance Tips blogger in late 2007 and I had big plans. Then real life happened. Now I'm back, though, and the big plans with me.

For tonight, I just want to leave you with a couple of questions and an assignment: Are you standing in the way of your own success? Do you think you don't have what it takes to launch your freelance career, write guest posts on successful blogs or apply for higher-paying freelance gigs? If that is you, make a list of your writing achievements - I bet you'll find that you've achieved more already than you were aware of. Remember that the next time you find a gig which is right up your street and go for it.
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