Category Archives: social networking

Twitter Tips For Writers

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by Catherine L. Tully

If you are a fan of Twitter, here’s a great resource to help freelance writers get the most out of their tweets: Twitorials. There are a wide range of tips on here, ranging from basics, such as how to follow someone on Twitter, to more complex tasks, such as how to create a custom background. I’m going to try some of these out myself!


By TwitterButtons.com

Privacy On Facebook

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by Catherine L. Tully

I heard some information from a fellow writer, Cynthia Clampitt that I thought I would pass along for Freelance-Zone readers…

She said that FB is allowing third party advertisers to use photos that you post on the social networking site. I didn’t research this to see if it was true because you should really be protecting your privacy anyway. Do you know what your privacy settings are on FB? Can everyone see what you post? Careful…I’ve warned before about how this can work against you as a freelance writer. If you don’t want to mix your professional and personal life, take the following steps to protect your photos from other people using them without your permission:

  • Go to settings
  • Go to privacy
  • Go to newsfeeds & wall
  • Got to Facebook ads
  • Select no one
  • Save

Many thanks to Cynthia for bringing this to light!

5 Freelance Mistakes

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by Catherine L. Tully

There is so much to know when you are freelancing, and while it is important to learn about the things you should be doing, it is just as vital to understand those things you should not be doing. Here’s 5 of them to keep in mind:

  1. Manic follow-up. If the writer’s guidelines say 4 weeks, give them at least 5, preferably 6. If they tell you they haven’t had the chance to look at your query yet, wait a while before checking back. Don’t pester the editor–it can get your query deleted. Seriously.
  2. Social networking. Ok, let me explain. Yes, you should be doing this. Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are your friends. But not at the expense of your work. Remember that these social networking sites don’t do a thing for you if you aren’t actually working at writing. While you can get work there, you have to get that work done as well. Schedule time for it–then stick to your schedule.
  3. Copying. Just because your friend got a query accepted by sending in a paragraph on a subject written in a snippy tone doesn’t mean you should do it. Find your own voice. It will get you more writing work than anything else. It takes time to cultivate this, so start now and let other people do their own thing.
  4. Emphasizing quantity. Are you trying to get 20 queries out every week? Perhaps you are biting off more than you should. Instead, make sure that each one is meticulously researched and polished. Call to make sure you are sending it to the right person. Take the time to do it right and you will get much better results than if you send out a bunch hoping for a hit.
  5. Sending in a first draft. Don’t do it. Just don’t. First drafts are never the best writing you can do. Make sure you take the time to hone a piece before sending it off. If you do this every time, your writing will improve.

Writers: If You Want Work–Be Visible

I can’t even begin to tell you the number of times that somebody found me one way or another and then offered me a job. I can tell you that it pays off to invest some of your time and effort into marketing yourself as a writer. If you are visible, you will get work. The question is…how visible are you? Here are some smart ways to extend your reach and let people know you are out there:

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  • Have a website. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate creature. Mine is fairly simple, but has enough for people to get an idea of what I have done and what I can do.
  • Start a blog. If you want to write on the web, a blog is great practice. I had never done one before Freelance-Zone and now that I have the hang of it, I really enjoy it. Just make sure you are aware that anyone can read what you put on there. Keep it professional.
  • Stay in touch. Yes, I send holiday cards. I e-mail editors and let them know what I’m up to–or just touch base and say hello from time to time. Staying on their radar means they won’t forget about you when work comes through. Plus, it’s nice.
  • Add a bio. Whenever possible, see if you can add a one-line bio to articles that you write. Include an e-mail or website where people can get in touch with you.
  • Use a signature block. I have said this before and I’ll say it again….the signature block is your best friend. All e-mail correspondence should have one. I have gotten a lot of additional work through this. It should at the very least include your full name, a telephone number and your website and e-mail address.
  • Use social media. Not on Twitter? Today is a good day to set up the account. Do you have a Facebook account? If not, perhaps it is time. Social media can really get your name out there and it is FREE. Take advantage!

FreelanceSwitch.com Says “LinkedIn Rules”

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A great post on FreelanceSwitch is a reminder that while not all social media networks are as easy to use as Twitter, the same rules apply. On Twitter and Facebook it’s easy for freelancers to get chatty, make new friends and do that much-needed networking. But more complex platforms like LinkedIn are just as important–as is respecting the power of being social and active.

I use LinkedIn, StumbleUpon, Twitter, and Facebook to stay in touch with both friends, fellow freelancers, and clients. Of the four, StumbleUpon and LinkedIn are the most time consuming. StumbleUpon has high value for driving traffic back to a blog or resume site, but LinkedIn is wonderful for developing contacts you might need later on. I find the four together add up to much more than the sum of their parts.

But the key is using each of them in the ways they were intended–to be social, an active member of each community. It is NOT easy to maintain, but I find the results are well worth the effort.

Bottom line for me personally? I try not to sign up for new social media where I can’t actually PARTICIPATE. I’d rather use a smaller number of social networks well than sign up for a bunch of them and use them all poorly.