Today I’d like to talk about something else I saw in the comments to this post over at Freelance Writing Jobs the other day. In my last post, we talked about a commenter saying it’s alright that a client didn’t pay much because they were nice to work with. This second comment is about getting gigs when you’re a brand spankin’ new freelance writer.
Deb’s original post is a list of 17 places that hire new writers. Yet one commenter felt they were unqualified to write for these places still, simply because they were new. I mean, come on. We’re talking about places like Associated Content here. If a brand new writer can’t sell there, where could they possibly sell?
The commenter got the impression that the places Deb listed were looking for “professionals.” Here’s what I have to say to that – they can ask for professionals all they please, but unless they’re willing to pay for them, they generally won’t get them.
So writers, please, give yourselves more credit. It’s bad enough to see writers not charging what their time and skills are worth, but don’t look down on those skills just because you don’t have a lot of published clips to your name.
You don’t need a huge portfolio to get started. You don’t need years of experience. You need to be a decent writer, and you need to be able to market yourself. That’s really it when it comes to a lot of these lower-paying sites and publishers that will give you a start (and you can do even better than these types of sites if you know how to leverage your skills and background).
If nothing else, give yourself publishing credit! Launch your own blog and show that you can build an audience. You don’t need someone else to open a door for you. Don’t be afraid to take initiative, and don’t let being new hold you back. We all started somewhere.
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Brie Wallace
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As a professional, I would not consider working for any of those places right now,,, HOWEVER, I did get my start with a few of them. They’re to be used for stepping stones. That’s the GOOD in them.
Also, FreelanceWritinggigs has provided a huge list of sites that pay you an upfront or hourly amount, guaranteed–why EVER would anyone take such a list and go to AC or Helium or another “MAYBE you’ll get paid” writing site, when they have a fistful of guaranteed pay sites!
The good use of your time is a BUSINESS decision and those who make good business decisions are the ones that stick around long term and make a true career out it.
Jenn, I wholeheartedly agree with you. People left and right are not giving themselves the credit they deserve and/or the credit they need. That’s why so many people start freelancing, and then stop just as suddenly. This can be applied to any type of freelancing, not just writing. I’ve only gotten one worthwhile gig so far in my writing career, but I have just decided to start my own blog, and possibly more, so maybe I’ll be able to get publishing credit for myself, like you said.
I think I said this over on FWJ, but I think it’s better to write some good solid articles for free for the newsletter of a non-profit that you care about than it is to make $2 for 500 words for some outfit that’s mostly looking for quantity, not quality. I just don’t like the idea of dignifying someone who doesn’t even want to pay minimum wage for a writer’s efforts.
Well observed post. Thanks. Particularly agree with your point about maximising skills and experience. All the best.
What a great post! You are so right. When I decided to start freelancing again, all my clips from years back were lost. I had nothing to show but that didn’t mean I had no skill!
I began by posting eight articles on AC. The paid no more than $10 for the highest paid articles, but they were what I needed to move on to bigger and better things. Now I have five great clients who pay me well for my writing and editing skills.
If you’re a newbie, give it a shot! If you don’t, you’ll always wonder “what if”. Who knows. You may just surprise yourself. :)
Jennifer – I completely agree with you. Writing for reputable non-profits is a far better approach than cheap Web clients / content sites, and it’s something I covered in more depth previously in a post on building portfolio pieces sans crap gigs
That said, whether I personally agree or not, I do know a lot of writers will use those sites to try to get a start. What surprised me in the original FWJ comment was that someone thought you needed at least a year of experience before being qualified to write for them – I’d hope anyone writing for them would be far beyond them in a year, and I just wish new writers didn’t assume non- and barely-paying clients get to be fussy and demand “professionals” over beginners.