Jenn HollowellJob Boards vs. Querying Ideas
August 14th 2008 14:57
I’ve been giving a lot of thought to how my query methods have changed over the past nine years. In the past, I would:
· Write out a list of ideas and keep them in a file
· Search for submission guidelines on the ‘net, and in my copy of Writer’s Market
· Formulate a query based on how my idea matched up with the publication or website’s needs
· Make note in my calendar or tracking sheets of their response time, and when to follow-up with the query
· Negotiate and firm up the details of the assignment, and then begin
Now, things have changed. I have found that the use of job boards have opened a new door of opportunity I wouldn’t have thought of venturing through before. I use freelancewritinggigs.com, craigslist.org, journalismjobs.com, and I subscribe to a number of “markets for writers” type newsletters.
Does this mean that I’ve become a “lazy” freelancer?
It’s an interesting thing to think about because, while my query process has been cut considerably because I’m responding rather than approaching, I’m far busier “writing” than I was before. Before, my time was spent querying, responding, negotiating, firming up details, and then writing. Now, it seems all that legwork is done for me.
I’m not sure if that’s good, bad, or none of the above. How has your freelance writing career changed over the years? Do you feel it’s for the better? If there were something you could change, what would it be?
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Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
I've been using the job boards quite a bit lately, myself. I'm finding, though, that, unless I'm very selective about which job ads I respond to, I can spend huge amounts of time tracking down dead-end jobs. (The unfortunate reality is that everyone else is replying to those same job ads, too.)
I try, instead, to realistically assess my skills and experience and only target those ads for which I'm a particularly good fit. (Of course, having a writing blog myself, I often spend extra time on the job boards researching various markets for possible future blog posts. But, that's another story.)
I try to supplement my responses to direct freelance writing job ads with researching various Writer's Guidelines to see whether anything I've already written might fit a particular publication's editorial needs or whether I might be inclined to write a new article on a topic that would be of interest to any of them.
I particularly like to target publications (whenever possible) that accept completed manuscripts--which saves the time and effort of querying--and I prefer to submit my work via e-mail or a website's online form whenever I can. Of course, these super-convenient submission methods aren't always available, and I definitely send out my share of writing queries!
There's no question, though, that the internet has changed the way writers find gigs. And despite the consequent under-valuation of much online writing (particularly SEO writing), I believe that, for the most part, that change has been for the better.
Jeanne
Comment by Jenn Hollowell
Freelance Tips
Reality Mom
You're right, though, that the Internet really has opened a lot of doors for writers these days. When I first started experimenting with markets, I had absolutely no idea where to find writer's guidelines because I didn't have an Internet connection. What a challenge that was!!
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
No question about it, there's definitely something to be said for querying ideas first. Even when I submit a completed manuscript, though, I make sure to let the client know that I'm more than willing to work with him or her to adapt the piece to the needs and/or style of the publication.
Jeanne
Comment by Jenn Hollowell
Freelance Tips
Reality Mom
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
This happened to me recently with the story I submitted to the upcoming HandPrints On My Heart anthology. Marlene wanted to leave out several paragraphs near the end of my story (which was about my grandmother) because she wanted the entire story to be uplifting and those final paragraphs were more of a bittersweet chronicle of my grandmother's decline prior to her death. I said OK. We then went through several rounds of other edits, and now my story is ready to go once Marlene's agent finds a publisher.
Perhaps you'd be interested in submitting a story to HandPrints on My Heart. You may have noticed my post about it, which contains website and contact info for the project.
Jeanne
Comment by Jenn Hollowell
Freelance Tips
Reality Mom