Comments on: 3 Ways to Find Those Elusive Unadvertised Freelance Writing Jobs http://allfreelancewriting.com/2009/04/28/freelancing/finding-work/3-ways-to-find-those-elusive-unadvertised-freelance-writing-jobs/ Your Secret to Freelance Writing Success Sun, 21 Mar 2010 02:33:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jennifer Mattern http://allfreelancewriting.com/2009/04/28/freelancing/finding-work/3-ways-to-find-those-elusive-unadvertised-freelance-writing-jobs/comment-page-1/#comment-10230 Jennifer Mattern Tue, 12 May 2009 15:43:31 +0000 http://allfreelancewriting.com/?p=2121#comment-10230 I've found that the company name is usually listed when they're hiring editors (normally looking for full-time local staff for those positions, so it makes sense). I definitely wouldn't respond directly to the editor ad. Instead, I would look at the company's / publication's website and first see if they have info about writers there (they may mention writer's guidelines even if they don't publicly advertise job listings). If not, I would see if there are editors listed on the site to contact them directly. If still not available, I would give the company a quick call and just ask the receptionist for the name and contact information of their editor, webmaster, or whoever is responsible for the Web site content. If they don't know, your best bet is to try to track down someone in the marketing department (they would likely be the ones controlling Web copy, and even if they don't handle other content, they would know who does). Hope that helps! I’ve found that the company name is usually listed when they’re hiring editors (normally looking for full-time local staff for those positions, so it makes sense). I definitely wouldn’t respond directly to the editor ad. Instead, I would look at the company’s / publication’s website and first see if they have info about writers there (they may mention writer’s guidelines even if they don’t publicly advertise job listings). If not, I would see if there are editors listed on the site to contact them directly. If still not available, I would give the company a quick call and just ask the receptionist for the name and contact information of their editor, webmaster, or whoever is responsible for the Web site content. If they don’t know, your best bet is to try to track down someone in the marketing department (they would likely be the ones controlling Web copy, and even if they don’t handle other content, they would know who does). Hope that helps!

]]> By: Veronica http://allfreelancewriting.com/2009/04/28/freelancing/finding-work/3-ways-to-find-those-elusive-unadvertised-freelance-writing-jobs/comment-page-1/#comment-10229 Veronica Tue, 12 May 2009 15:35:21 +0000 http://allfreelancewriting.com/?p=2121#comment-10229 This has been covered here before, but I think it's something that is hard to pound into the ground. I do have a question, though. Maybe some others have had the same thought and it'll also help them out. It's about the part suggesting to look for ads for full-time editors. Say you find an advertisement for this. Just how would you suggest approaching them in your email? Ask to be referred to their editor? This has been covered here before, but I think it’s something that is hard to pound into the ground. I do have a question, though. Maybe some others have had the same thought and it’ll also help them out.

It’s about the part suggesting to look for ads for full-time editors. Say you find an advertisement for this. Just how would you suggest approaching them in your email? Ask to be referred to their editor?

]]> By: Jen's Writing Journey http://allfreelancewriting.com/2009/04/28/freelancing/finding-work/3-ways-to-find-those-elusive-unadvertised-freelance-writing-jobs/comment-page-1/#comment-9989 Jen's Writing Journey Fri, 01 May 2009 12:02:48 +0000 http://allfreelancewriting.com/?p=2121#comment-9989 <strong>Writing Roundup, May 1...</strong> Can you believe it’s already May? I can’t either. Here are some good resources to help you start your writing month off right. The Business of Writing Perception Is Truth Writing Career Coach Tiffany Colter takes a fresh look on book market... Writing Roundup, May 1…

Can you believe it’s already May? I can’t either. Here are some good resources to help you start your writing month off right.
The Business of Writing
Perception Is Truth
Writing Career Coach Tiffany Colter takes a fresh look on book market…

]]> By: Stephen Morgan http://allfreelancewriting.com/2009/04/28/freelancing/finding-work/3-ways-to-find-those-elusive-unadvertised-freelance-writing-jobs/comment-page-1/#comment-9893 Stephen Morgan Wed, 29 Apr 2009 03:10:15 +0000 http://allfreelancewriting.com/?p=2121#comment-9893 As usual, an excellent post. The most bizarre place I have found work is a side-job at an office supply store. Now, obviously you'll get kicked out if your blatantly soliciting there, but almost every customer at office supply stores work for or own a small business. Just getting to know the customers always leads to me asking more about their business, which in turn leads to them in some way talking about a writing need. When they hear about our company, their eyes light up. Some of them are astonished that these kinds of services are even available. Do you have experience with Toastmasters? Or does anyone else? I remember Y.O. suggesting in a Digital Point thread to use them as a resource to network with small business owners. Do you have any feedback about them? As usual, an excellent post.

The most bizarre place I have found work is a side-job at an office supply store. Now, obviously you’ll get kicked out if your blatantly soliciting there, but almost every customer at office supply stores work for or own a small business. Just getting to know the customers always leads to me asking more about their business, which in turn leads to them in some way talking about a writing need. When they hear about our company, their eyes light up. Some of them are astonished that these kinds of services are even available.

Do you have experience with Toastmasters? Or does anyone else? I remember Y.O. suggesting in a Digital Point thread to use them as a resource to network with small business owners. Do you have any feedback about them?

]]> By: robert ryan http://allfreelancewriting.com/2009/04/28/freelancing/finding-work/3-ways-to-find-those-elusive-unadvertised-freelance-writing-jobs/comment-page-1/#comment-9886 robert ryan Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:18:20 +0000 http://allfreelancewriting.com/?p=2121#comment-9886 Great post Jenn! I love the question “Where can I find high paying freelance writing jobs?” and your answer. My response is usually along the lines of: “Most of the best gigs aren’t advertised, so you don’t really ‘find’ them; you have to help them find you!” this is absolutely true. I did a few gigs on some site that just were pocket change on GAF and ifreelance.com mostly then I took a small job on www.vois.com the job was for $100 but since then I have gotten $9,000 worth of work and it doesnt look to end anytime soon. Who would have guessed. I have even hired another person i met on their site to help me keep up with this ongoing project. So its true and can happen to you if it could happen to me. Great post Jenn! I love the question “Where can I find high paying freelance writing jobs?” and your answer. My response is usually along the lines of: “Most of the best gigs aren’t advertised, so you don’t really ‘find’ them; you have to help them find you!” this is absolutely true. I did a few gigs on some site that just were pocket change on GAF and ifreelance.com mostly then I took a small job on http://www.vois.com the job was for $100 but since then I have gotten $9,000 worth of work and it doesnt look to end anytime soon. Who would have guessed. I have even hired another person i met on their site to help me keep up with this ongoing project. So its true and can happen to you if it could happen to me.

]]> By: Jennifer Mattern http://allfreelancewriting.com/2009/04/28/freelancing/finding-work/3-ways-to-find-those-elusive-unadvertised-freelance-writing-jobs/comment-page-1/#comment-9868 Jennifer Mattern Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:13:06 +0000 http://allfreelancewriting.com/?p=2121#comment-9868 Get outta my head Clint - there's barely enough room for one of us in here. ;) Get outta my head Clint – there’s barely enough room for one of us in here. ;)

]]> By: Clint http://allfreelancewriting.com/2009/04/28/freelancing/finding-work/3-ways-to-find-those-elusive-unadvertised-freelance-writing-jobs/comment-page-1/#comment-9866 Clint Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:21:40 +0000 http://allfreelancewriting.com/?p=2121#comment-9866 It's so funny that you mention this, because I just cold pitched to a favorite website of mine that contained a flagrant grammatical error. It's like we're on the same page! It’s so funny that you mention this, because I just cold pitched to a favorite website of mine that contained a flagrant grammatical error. It’s like we’re on the same page!

]]> By: Ed http://allfreelancewriting.com/2009/04/28/freelancing/finding-work/3-ways-to-find-those-elusive-unadvertised-freelance-writing-jobs/comment-page-1/#comment-9862 Ed Tue, 28 Apr 2009 14:48:24 +0000 http://allfreelancewriting.com/?p=2121#comment-9862 Jen - Yes, Finding freelance writing jobs is akin to finding an iceberg: 90 percent of them are hidden. Also, it cannot be stressed enough that editors are likely to follow this path when seeking a writer: first, in-house; secondly, through talking with other editors, and lastly through a very tight band of recruiters. With the current tight budgets, editors are not going to risk a public cattle-call that will bring thousands of wannabes. It all goes back to the maxim of it's not what you know, but who you know. Jen – Yes, Finding freelance writing jobs is akin to finding an iceberg: 90 percent of them are hidden. Also, it cannot be stressed enough that editors are likely to follow this path when seeking a writer: first, in-house; secondly, through talking with other editors, and lastly through a very tight band of recruiters. With the current tight budgets, editors are not going to risk a public cattle-call that will bring thousands of wannabes. It all goes back to the maxim of it’s not what you know, but who you know.

]]> By: Hazel http://allfreelancewriting.com/2009/04/28/freelancing/finding-work/3-ways-to-find-those-elusive-unadvertised-freelance-writing-jobs/comment-page-1/#comment-9853 Hazel Tue, 28 Apr 2009 12:54:57 +0000 http://allfreelancewriting.com/?p=2121#comment-9853 Great post, Jenn - thanks for getting me to think about this. Great post, Jenn – thanks for getting me to think about this.

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