Tag Archives: advice

advice, editorial

Top Ten Freelancer “Hire Me” Traits

Recently I posted a set of “don’t hire me” traits new freelancers sometimes display, so I figured it was time to throw out some advice in the opposite direction. What makes an editor take a chance on new writers? What makes them ask some writers back for more? I don’t claim to know what works for every editor, but here’s what I look for;

10. A good cover letter. I recently put out a call for writers requesting three writing samples and links to online work. The worst responses I got included those things and nothing more. While some of the writing samples were decent, they were outclassed by the ones I got that had good cover letters. The good cover letters were the ones where the writer introduced themselves, listed some relevant qualifications and gave some background. The worst cover letters all said the same things. “I believe I am qualified for the position you advertised,” but did NOT ELABORATE.

9. Relevant writing samples. One joker sent me a cover letter, resume and a copy of his college thesis. I advertised for a writer who could do research and writeups on consumer electronics with a slant towards bargain hunting. What that guy SHOULD have done was to send me any writing at all that had something to do with what I asked for. Always at least try to include at least one sample of your work that is tilted towards the job at hand. Some editors will disagree with this next bit, but I’d rather see two published clips of any published writing and one unpublished clip that is relevant instead of nothing but samples of work that has nothing to do with my needs. I just want to see whether you are capable of writing in my niche.

8. Flexibility and reliability. A writer who can demonstrate the willingness to learn or go the extra mile is pure gold to a busy editor. There are plenty of writers out there, but not as many who have the ability to think on their feet, roll with the editorial punches and can take a few curveballs. The easiest way to establish your flexibility in the early stages of an editorial relationship is to simply decide you won’t say no to ANYTHING. Some writers don’t have this luxury, especially those who still work day jobs, but it is in your interest to say yes to as much as possible from a new editor in the early stages. It endears you to the editor and makes you the go-to person–status which gets you more work and higher pay. Reliability is a valuable trait in a freelancer.

7. Honesty. Don’t learn the hard way; reliability and flexibility doesn’t mean you can do EVERYTHING. When you hit the end of your current abilities, don’t try to fake your way through a topic if you don’t have the chops or the know-how. Tell the editor if you legitimately can’t take on the challenge. You’ll find that the honest approach works better towards building trust than if you take on something you know is really beyond your reach and turn in work that’s not up to par. I was once asked if I could handle doing an annual report for a large corporation; the money was massive and I had dollar signs in my eyes. But I also knew I’d never done one before and I had to force myself to tell the editor I didn’t think I could deliver the polished results the client was looking for. I missed out on a few thousand dollars that way, but the relationship actually got better and I took on more work as a result of my honesty. In the long run, I wound up making much more because I took the transparent approach. Continue reading Top Ten Freelancer “Hire Me” Traits →

advice, editorial

Confessions of an Editor: My Take on Associated Content

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Looks like my last post stirred a little tempest in a teapot, so I thought I’d address the Associated Content issue from an editor’s perspective. It would be easy to assume from my last post that I don’t think you should ever use Associated Content. Quite the contrary.

Should you use Associated Content posts as writing samples? As evidence that you are a published writer? HELL NO. Not for any serious publication, anyway. Do you want to know the secret? What makes editors (not just me) turn their nose up at this?

Two words–editorial review.

As in, there isn’t much doing at Associated Content, and good editors know that. The simple fact is, posts on Associated Content have value to a writer, but not quite in the way most people assume when they start publishing there. Editors know that there’s no real motivation to edit someone’s posts on AC because they are NOT in the business of publishing in the same manner as Travel + Leisure, Poets and Writers, or Spin Magazine. Associated Content is a completely different business model, and doesn’t require the same kind of editorial rigor you’d get from somebody behind the desk at Fangoria or Scottish Life. Continue reading Confessions of an Editor: My Take on Associated Content →

advice, editorial

Confessions of an Editor: Top 10 “Don’t Hire Me” Traits

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I spotted the above sign while driving back to Chicago from Toledo, Ohio and was inspired to write something for new editors who are about to put out a call for freelancers or writing staff. Writers, you should read this and take notes–knowing the mind of a potential editor is important to your survival in this business. As I am about to put out a call for new freelancers, this list is definitely top of mind. I dread posting those “freelancers wanted” ads, because I’ll get a flood of responses from people who belong in clown college rather than behind the keyboard. The three to five good results I get are worth the hassle, but when I am reading the slop, I don’t believe it.

I don’t view this so much as advice as sharing about how I personally do business. For some editors, this top ten won’t work, and that’s the nature of the biz, but I’m willing to bet at least 75% of those new to the editing game can find something useful here:

Top Ten Writer Traits Which Scream, “Don’t Hire Me”:

10. Misguided Cover Letters. Don’t tell me anything unrelated to the job ad–and don’t bother replying to an ad which seeks a specific type of writer unless you fit the bill. I once put out a job ad requesting replies only from writers who were also musicians. One cover letter in my inbox started out, “I am a voiceover artist.” That’s nice, buddy, but that’s NOT what I asked for. In case you’re wondering, the rest of the ad made it perfectly clear I was seeking musicians only, no other type of performers. The respondant clearly couldn’t follow instructions.

9. Clips From “Content” Websites. Sorry, kids, but if I see Associated Content, HubPages, or any other content mill material used as writing clips, it sends big warning flares off in my head. I’d rather see an unpublished clip directly related to my publication’s focus than some generalized crapola you took five minutes to write and edit before posting to the content mill. Submitting content clips screams “amateur” to me.

8. Clips From Blogs. If I am LOOKING for a blogger, I’ll ask for blog clips. If I need ARTICLES, blog clips don’t do me a damn bit of good when trying to evaluate the appropriate skills. Blogging is NOT article writing, and vice versa.

7. Submitting Fiction. Unless specifically asked for fiction clips, never include your short stories or novel excerpts when replying to a job ad. This is among the worst judgement errors you can make as it shows a fundamental lack of understanding about how the game is played. I have plenty of time for noobs and beginners as long as they show initiative and at least TRY to respond properly to a job ad or call for writers. Continue reading Confessions of an Editor: Top 10 “Don’t Hire Me” Traits →

advice, editorial

Confessions of an Editor: Karma For Freelancers

There are two kinds of karma a freelancer can earn. In the earliest days of my career as a writer/producer for radio and television, I had three people who took the time to pass on some genuine wisdom about how to survive and grow in the craft. One was exceptionally generous–even monetarily. I was in my early 20s at the time and had a lot to learn, so for anybody to take a snotnosed, know-it-all punk in tow had to have a great deal of patience.

Especially with ME.

One thing that my three mentors passed on to me was the notion that I didn’t owe them anything except one thing: when I had the opportunity to do the same for someone else, I’d be obligated to do so.

Many years later I find that opportunity again and again. Every time I have an opportunity, I feel obligated to at least try to do SOMETHING. It’s the only way I can pay back the people who took the time and energy to help polish my rough edges off.

The thing is, freelancer karma works both ways.

Once upon a time in a galaxy far, far away I had to let a freelancer go. It was someone I had tried to work with, giving a lot of advice, fine tuning, trying to work with someone who clearly needed some guidance. The problem was, this was a writer in the early stages of a career and didn’t a lot of polish. In fact, the skills were really quite basic, but I took a chance on this person anyway. I thought I saw some potential, but when the going got tough, the effort just wasn’t there and we had to part ways.

The business relationship didn’t last a terribly long time, just long enough for an editor to figure out what the writing on the wall was saying and terminate things before they got truly awful. Unfortunately, when it came time to part ways, the writer didn’t take it very well. This person did not go gentle into that good night. In fact, with apologies to Dylan Thomas, Continue reading Confessions of an Editor: Karma For Freelancers →

gear, resources

PoeWar.com: Seven Powerful Tips to Maximize Your Freelance Writing Business

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I was browsing PoeWar.com and ran across an interesting article by Meryl K. Evans about making the most of the freelance writing game. Some of the advice is standard motivational and money management stuff, but one excellent point made in this piece makes this one shine–the portion titled, “Make marketing a regular part of your job”. A brilliant suggestion many of us–even established writers–sometimes neglect. This is a good read. Check it out here.

If you like the article, have a look at Meryl Evans’s site. She has plenty of articles and there’s a lot of info for those of you who are getting into content writing. Drop her a line and tell be sure to mention that Freelance-Zone.com sent you…

advice, editorial

Top Ten Freelance Writing Blunders

Top Ten Freelance Writing Blunders in No Particular Order:

10. Failing to get the editor’s actual name for your query. “To whom it may concern” is the mark of a rank noob. Even if you ARE a rank noob, don’t do this. EVER.

9. Failing to spell check all e-mails to potential paying sources. ‘Nuff said.

8. Not reading the instructions. Do the guidelines say NO ATTACHMENTS? What makes you think YOU’RE the exception? Editors HATE people who don’t follow the directions, and they round file accordingly. Me? I don’t even give them a CHANCE. Does that make me a jackass? YES. But I am the one behind the desk.

7.  Talking money up front. DO NOT discuss payment in a QUERY letter. Let the editor tell YOU how much they are willing to pay. To do otherwise sounds presumptuous. If you get all the way through the query stage and have started to write the piece and haven’t heard about payment, THEN find a tactful way to raise the subject.

6. Do not query before breakfast, before coffee or after beer.

5. Failure to follow up. Never send a query and let it disappear into the ether. Always follow up, even if it is just to say you’ve found another market and you are sending a courtesy letter. This will stick out in someone’s mind–courtesy is always appreciated by editors.

4.  Sending unrelated resume items. Editors do NOT care that you were the president of your college cheerleading club or the head of the basket weaving department. If it is relevant to your pitch, include it. If not, dump it.

3. Admitting you have few clips or credits. Why bother to send a query at all? Why not just write a rejection letter to yourself in the name of the publication instead? You’ll save time. If you want to catch the editor’s eye, don’t waste time talking about what you HAVEN’T DONE. Tell them what you CAN do.

2. Sending a query without your contact information. Always include more than an e-mail address. Send the full monty INCLUDING relevant links to your work where possible. Make yourself very easy to find.

1. Being anything but polite, accomodating and willing to bend over backwards a new editor. If they want it in five days, give it to them in three. If they want 100 words, give them EXACTLY 100 words. If they want a sidebar about hot air ballons sailing into the rings of Saturn…you get the idea. Editors expect new freelancers to be willing to go the distance. Oh, and you have to find a way of doing this that does not seem like excessive kissing up, too.