Tag Archives: freelance advice

advice

Querying an Unknown Editor

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pen-and-paperOne of our recent comments mentioned not knowing how to address an editor when you don’t know the name. In the past, the short answer would be “do your homework” but this advice, while short and snarky, is a bit behind the times.

I’m discovering more and more websites which simply ask freelancers to send queries and story ideas to a general e-mail address. In some cases this might be specifically aimed at weeding out people who haven’t done their homework, but in others it’s a legit time-saving measure aimed at letting multiple editors handle a busy inbox.

My take on this is simple. If you don’t know the editor’s name, simply omit the salutation and get right into the body of your letter. When I have to do this, I try to be extra polite at the END of the letter just to show that I do have SOME social skills. It’s also a good idea to drop a reference or two to the publication’s recent material just to give the editor a hint that you’re actually familiar with the publication and aren’t firing blindly into the Internet looking for work.

editorial, lifestyle

Freelancer Karma

freelance-writing-improvements

In the freelance world, what goes around definitely comes around. I remember a recent situation where a fellow freelancer had to bail on a project and left some work that needed completing; long story short, I stepped up to help. When it came time to get the materials for the project, my colleague got a strange attitude–as if he couldn’t be bothered to actually deliver the materials I needed to help finish the gig on time.

It all worked out in the end, but lo and behold a few days later this same person wanted me to do him the same courtesy I’d asked for (but not gotten) with the project materials. Funny how that works, eh?

In these situations I try to take the high road, but now and then every freelancer succumbs to the guilty pleasure of really sticking it to somebody when they seem to deserve what the Brits call being “kicked back into touch.”

I don’t advise this since freelancer karma works both ways even when you’re in the right. I usually just take satisfaction in knowing that I was vindicated and move on.

I do make sure the person knows they owe me one, though–and that’s a LOT more productive than giving in to the temptation to be a bit petty. The real danger in these situations is that the person on the receiving end of freelancer karma often winds up becoming grist for the writing mill.

In the words of a t-shirt I spotted for sale online recently, “I’m Blogging This”.

Fooey on you, karma scofflaws!

advice, editorial, lifestyle

Understanding Your Editor

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freelance-writing-advice-3I have written elsewhere that I have very little use for About.com. In my snottier moments, I paraphrase William S. Burroughs; I find the advice on About.com to be roughly on the “Confucius say” level.

Today, however, I am pleased to report that I am eating the tiniest helping of crow, as I’ve found a quite redeeming article on About.com, and located in the Freelance category to boot!

Allena Tapia’s article, “Tips For Dealing With Your Editor” may seem like a list of revenge ideas if you go by the headline alone, but speaking as an editor myself, Tapia hits the nail squarely on the head with this short, readable list of things that can make your life as a writer and mine as an editor much easier indeed.

Her most valuable bit of wisdom? Here’s a quote. “Despite the editor’s role in your writing, the writing is still your job. Turn in the most flawless work you can.”

I cheered when I read that and I can tell you–again, from the editor’s perspective–it doesn’t happen nearly as much as we’d like. Sure, dear reader, I know YOU turn in flawless copy…but that ONE guy who turns in dorked up material on a regular basis puts the whole operation back for as long as it takes to chase him down and get him to fix what should have been right the first time.

Read this quick, informative article and you won’t regret it. The only advice missing from this piece is not to take it personally if the editor doesn’t get back to you in a timely manner once the article is put to bed for that issue–we’re usually putting out other fires in the meantime.

A good editor will eventually drop you a line, but sometimes there are other little crises to deal with between approving your submission and going to print or live on the web.

That minor nitpick aside, this article is spot-on, and I wish there were MORE of them. Recommended reading.

advice

Networking Opportunities You Never Thought About

freelancewritingLast week my phone rang–Jon Kitley of KitleysKrypt.com was on the other end asking if I wanted to go with him to a horror movie convention called HorrorHound Weekend. Why not? I’d never been to one before and it would be fun to see what kind of mischief i could get up to.

Little did I know that hanging out with the horror lovers could turn into an opportunity to score new writing gigs.

As with any good horror movie convention, there were plenty of DVD dealers to chat with. One vendor turned out to be the official table for a very good DVD company that licenses scary movies from four decades worth of obscure or neglected (by the mainstream) movies. After ten minutes of conversation I learned that this company relies on freelancers for some of its work, and before the end of the convention I had a pretty good idea that some freelance work writing descriptions for the DVD covers would not be out of the question for yours truly.

I had no intention of picking up work at the show, but in the world of freelancing, work is where you find it. The trick is to keep your antennae up without being one of those “always on” people. I tried to gather the right kind of info I’d need without being pushy or talking nothing but shop the whole time–it’s always good to know when the right time to pitch yourself comes along and when to just chill out and have a conversation.

The point of all this is, you never know when you might have a chance to offer your freelance skills to someone. If I’d been a bit smarter about going to the convention, I could have brought along some writing samples and a resume kit just in case. I wouldn’t have brought it out with the folks I was talking to in this particular case–it wouldn’t have been appropriate at the moment–but if someone had asked, I could have been ready.
Lesson learned? The Boy Scout motto, “Always prepared” is a damn fine philosophy to live by when you’re traveling.

advice

Freelance Writers: Please Stop Flirting With Me

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kissI’m clearly having a Dave Barry moment, so please be patient.

Lately the deluge of offers of naughtiness are coming at me non-stop. Already twice today at the time of this writing, I’ve had freelance writers let me know they think I’m hot stuff.

Now they’re too professional to come right out and say it in an e-mail. No, these temptations come to me by way of thinly veiled messages. To the casual readers they look like simple writing goofs, but I know better.

See, I know how to read between the lines. And I can JUST TELL these freelancers are trying to tell me something. Something steamy. Like maybe they want me to scoop out one of my spare millions and take them on a world cruise, sipping alcoholic drinks out of coconut shells and savoring the pleasures of the flesh.

I know what you’re thinking right about now, but trust me. This is REAL. They all use the same code, and it’s flattering really…but I just don’t know how I can afford to take ALL these people on a steamy cruise, let alone spend the proper amount of time with them all. So what’s the hidden message in all of this material they send me?

They all write, “Please bare with me.” Some say it in the articles they send, others say it in their cover letters or e-mails about this and that. Some of them also mention that a sign proudly “bares” a logo, or that they “bare in mind” which also sounds to me just a bit dirty. I know dirty thoughts when I read them, oh yes indeedy.

But I just can’t bare with you. For starters, I’m taken. What’s more, I can’t afford all the cruise ship time. I’m flattered, really, but it won’t work out between us no matter how many times I bare with you.

Please don’t be hurt or upset, but unless you want me to “bear with you” instead, I’m afraid it’s just not on, as the kids would say. I just can’t respond to your pleas for nakedness.

I’m sure you understand.

editorial, reading

Digital Magazine News Offers Glimmer of Hope for Print

digital-magazine-newsFaithful FZ readers know I’ve been saying the bell tolls for print mags for quite some time, but Digital Magazine News begs to differ. In their latest issue, Digital Magaazine News shows that some publishers not only have a clue, they are actually using it to extend the lifetime of their publications.

Behold US News & World Report galloping right into the 21st Century with an online/print combo idea that is designed to keep the enterprise going. Rather than rely on print or the online version is the mainstay, US News has taken the “value added” angle–using both editions to give more to both readers and advertisers.

Now for some of us, this is a “well, duh!” approach. But why it has taken so many magazines so long to do what Wired has gotten right for years is beyond me. Simple laziness? The old “We never did it that way before” excuse? A complete and total lack of a clue? Hard to say. But it’s shameful, whatever the excuse.

If there is one bright and shining hope for newsstand mags, this approach is part of the equation. Hey, Chicago Tribune–wake up and smell the newsprint. This is the way to go. Freelancers, keep your eyes peeled for more enterprises like this–this is your future on the newsstand.