By Joe Wallace
Want to know the secrets of freelance writing? Want to know how some of us earn 90-100k or more in a year? For some freelancers, $90 thousand is the equivalent of four years of work. That was certainly true of me in the early days of my game, but it’s not anymore. Why is that?
This reads like advice but all this really consists of a few simple things I actually DO that brought me up to where I am now.
It’s important to note that I started out as a part-time freelance writer, getting pieces done between my day job and performing in bands in the San Antonio area. No trust funds or handouts here, just trying to squeeze in a bit of writing wherever I could. Here’s what I did–and still do to this day:
1. Read and Follow Instructions. I am still shocked at how few writers pay attention to the instructions on a freelance project. If you have questions about the requirements, always ask the editor. You’ll always get respect for trying to get it right the first time.
2. Learn to Love Deadlines. This is your golden opportunity to shine. The freelancer who beats the deadline by two days tends to impress. The freelancer who busts the deadline by five minutes does not. Editors love work turned in early and you can really make a good impression–especially on the first project.
3. Let the Editor Bring Up Pay. This one’s aimed at magazine writers only–I believe it’s bad form to bring up payment issues until it’s accepted that you’re going to do some work for the editor. For all other freelancers, negotiation of fees are important earlier in the game, obviously…but for print mags, get an acceptance first.
4. Keep Records. Some writers track every single phone call, the duration, and topics discussed. I don’t feel the need to get quite that complicated, but I do make a file of any sources I might quote, their contact information and any other info an editor might surprise me with needing later on. Sometimes MUCH later on.
5. Be Flexible. When the editor calls up and asks me to add a section or could I please turn the piece in a few days early, I hate having to say no. So I try to set myself up to be in a position where I don’t have to.
6. Let ‘Em Know You’re Still Alive. I like to drop my old editors and other colleagues a note every once in a while just to shoot the breeze. It reminds them I’m still in the game and it lets them know I am available without being too obvious about it.
7. Know when to walk away from a project. If all your time and energy go into something with little return for you, what’s the point? Find a better paying or more rewarding gig.
8. Be the most reliable, available person in the room. ‘Nuff said.