This is the last week you’ll find freelance writing jobs and blogging jobs posted every Monday through Friday here at All Freelance Writing. We’re making a change.
Instead of the normal daily lists, Clint will be posting once every Tuesday with just a handful of freelance writing jobs — the best of the best that are actually advertised on the Web. The absolute minimum pay allowed in our listings is $50 an article. While it’s nowhere near the upper end of the pay spectrum, we only want gigs that are a significant step up for beginning Web writers.
Why the Change?
Our freelance writing jobs were never intended for experienced writers. If you’re at all familiar with this blog you know my stance on that — the best jobs are not advertised, they won’t be found in any list on any blog, and you should be out building a platform and network instead of trolling listings if you really want to land them.
However, there have been plenty of general rumblings in the freelance writing niche these days about the poor quality of job listings, and that it’s hypocritical to post some of these freelance writing gigs while telling writers they can do better. And to some extent, I agree! There’s enough hypocrisy in this niche as it is, and All Freelance Writing is taking a step back while we re-think how we want to approach certain topics, like writing jobs.
What’s to Come?
We have a crazy amount of projects in the works that will help you grow your freelance writing career, from free online tools to a major industry report and much more. You won’t be coddled here. You won’t have us tell you what you want to hear just so you can feel good about being complacent in your writing career. You won’t have your hand held. If you want those things I’m sure there are plenty of other places on the Web that are happy to give it to you.
All Freelance Writing doesn’t target those writers. We’re here for the freelance writers who are serious about growing and improving their freelance careers — the ones who want to learn a bit more about the business side, the ones who want to truly separate themselves from the competition, the ones who don’t want to look back five years from now and realize they’re still in the same place earning the same kind of money with the same kind of freelance writing jobs.
You’ll be seeing more posts directly from me throughout the week moving forward, in addition to posts from other AFW staff writers. You can still expect a minimum of one post daily and often two.
Clint will be posting a few relatively decent jobs with descriptions right on the site each Tuesday (so you don’t have to click and visit just to see a gig isn’t what you’re looking for). He’ll also be including a weekly warning — highlighting one ad for a freelance writing job to avoid (giving tips on some of the subtle tricks used to disguise crap gigs in ad copy). You’ll also get a weekly tip on landing better freelance writing jobs in Clint’s posts.
We think this approach fits far better with All Freelance Writing’s goal of helping those writers who are willing to go out and help themselves by giving you tips and tricks to make the most of any time you do put into job hunting.
Feed Updates
This change will mildly affect how feeds are setup here. The job feed link will be removed next week. However, the feed itself will still be operational, so if you’re subscribed and you only want that single weekly job-related post you can keep your subscription as-is.
However, the new posts will be included in the main article feed (that category was previously excluded so post subscribers didn’t have to see the link lists for jobs they weren’t interested in anyway). If you’re subscribed to both feeds, I would suggest unsubscribing from the jobs feed as the main feed will have those posts anyway — no need to get it twice.
If you have questions or suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment. If there are any hiccups when the feeds change I hope you’ll let me know.
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Cathy Miller
Amandah
Andrew Kardon
Amelia Ramstead
Lori
The whole thing about the best jobs not being advertised online scares me. I feel so overwhelmed by that, I don’t know where to begin finding them in that case. How do you even begin networking online? I’ve been writing with consistent gigs for a year now, but they’re not the “big jobs,” and I’ve felt so stuck in that rut lately.
First of all, you can’t allow yourself to be scared. It’s just the way things are. Am I saying there are NO decent jobs advertised? Of course not. But the vast majority are not. They’re landed in other ways such as:
1. A freelancer pitching their services to a company that didn’t realize they needed them.
2. A prospective client getting referrals from employees, colleagues, and others in their industry.
3. Someone searching online for a writer that meets their project needs (why you need to worry about search engine rankings for your professional site).
Fear will do nothing but hold you back from the great gigs (and there are a LOT of them out there). You’ll only be stuck in that rut as long as you choose to be there.
Forget about networking for a minute. First focus on your platform. Do you have a professional site where prospective clients can find you and learn about your services? If not, start there. Not only will it help you attract search traffic but it’s also somewhere members of your network (or future network) can direct referrals to when they want to see portfolio pieces, find out what you charge, etc. You might already have a site setup, but if you do I don’t see it mentioned on your blog (and it should be if it exists). If not, then there’s a place to get started. :)
I don’t think that I’m at the beginner freelancer level anymore (my freelance business will turn 1 years old in a month and a half), but I still enjoy perusing some of the freelance writing blogs just to see how other people run their business, if they have a unique point of view/suggestions, etc.
My main comment, Jennifer, is that it is great to see a blogger actually try their best to benefit beginning freelancers and advocate best business practices. I’ve seen blogs not only advocate but then advertise (hence profit) by sending freelancers to really low paying gigs like Demand. Or they will say “hey I’m a business expert but it’s a great idea to work for $10 an hour). Anyway, I think it’s great that you are trying to push beginner along just a little by not offering/providing the listing to low paying gigs. Everyone can be successful and aiming a bit higher is the first step.
The freelance writing jobs here were originally posted for a very specific reason — I knew that beginner writers were going to waste countless hours perusing job boards and I wanted to help them waste a little less time by putting jobs together in one place (while weeding out some of the worst garbage). I think we’ve gotten to the point now where people are either learning to move beyond them or they simply aren’t. And I’m choosing to focus on those who are ready for something better. In fact, the Indeed job board linked in the black nav bar above will replaced sometime around the New Year (not saying with what yet b/c I’m still deciding between two options).
I’m glad to hear that someone appreciates the push in the right direction — I know some of the changes happening (and those to come) won’t sit well with some folks. That just makes it all the more thrilling coming across writers who do “get it” and can take that step you mention of aiming a bit higher in their freelance careers. :)
Courtney,
How are you finding your jobs? Do you have a specialty/type of writing that you do?
I write a brief introductory letter to companies that write material for my niche area. I write something along the lines of “I am a freelance writer that specializes in X. Here are some of the things that I can write for you (a few bullets of things I can write). If you need someone to write similar material please don’t hesitate to contact me.” I provide my contact info and a link to my webpage and links to samples.
I send these by email. In the beginning it took a while to do this (during month 2 of my freelance writing business I had free time so I sent out lots of these emails). I’m still getting work from this – some are really interesting and pay my rate. Anyway, I think you will improve your chances by approaching the companies that have these type of jobs before they have time to post a job – because then you will be competing against a billion other people.
Anyway try that approach as a start. Another option you may want to try includes looking at job boards – for your niche can you find job listings for directors and managing editors that are going to “direct and work with freelancers”? Pull the company name and email; write them 6 weeks later when the new person is probably working there. Probably a win-win situation. You may also want to try to find lists of companies that write your type of material (ie google” email list” and “[your specialty] companies”) – I lucked out and found a PDF with 70 companies in my niche area.
Good luck
P.S.: Use your linkedin profile – make it specific. Link to your webpage and list all your services. Really interesting gigs can come that way too
I am really glad to see the new direction and I’m looking forward to seeing what you have planned. I wish I had seen something like this when I started out. I would never have gone down the low-balling road if I knew some of the things I do now. I’m not really new to freelancing, but I am new to marketing to a niche, so in that sense I am new. Thank you for showing that writing is a profession and not some internet hype where you can make tons of money overnight without lifting a finger. There’s enough of that already, I’m afraid.
I think it’s a great direction you’re moving in. You’re right, there were some links to offers that were pretty lousy, and that wasn’t your fault. It will be great seeing only quality opportunities here.
@Wendy – You’re quite welcome. You’re right about the hype out there. There’s so much emphasis on doing whatever’s easy, that people forget freelancing is more than for pocket money. Don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing wrong with being a hobby writer content with low pay for a bit of spending money. The problem is when people advocate things like that for serious freelance careers, encouraging writers to dig themselves into a rut.
Don’t worry too much about marketing to a niche. It boils down to three things:
1. Find out what things influence your target market.
2. Find out what everyone else is doing to reach that target market (your competition).
3. Do something not in #2 that still falls in #1. Get creative. It’s okay to do some things the competition does. Just don’t forget to set yourself apart from the masses.
@Mitch – Glad you think so. It’ll be some adjusting, but we’re out for quality, not quantity.
Jenn,
You’re always taking creative and smart directions with AFW, and I’m looking forward to this one. I really have been building my platform and working on creating the best possibility mix of visibility in value in my platform components. I’ve also been doing a lot of networking in person and online to strengthen my network. I’m entering the fourth year of my freelance writing business and I’m finally getting your advice and that of Yolander’s into real and long-term action.
I implemented my new rates today rather than waiting for the absolute new year – during a meeting today I told someone my exact rates, charged the high end of my range as well because I see it taking a lengthier set of time to get it all together and they were in absolute agreement at the worth of my time. I feel good that I can charge three digits for 300 words / one page of content and have a business owner that is in my target client base overwhelmingly agree on the price and the value.
Damnit, this is why I’m in business. Creating and being paid for real value.
Looking forward to more from AFW and hoping that I’ll be part of that. Hope you are doing well Jenn.
- Jessie Fitzgerald
Thanks Jessie. I try.
I’m glad to hear the rate increase is going well for you so far. :) Even more glad to hear you’re out there getting paid for the value you provide. Every time I hear a freelancer who figures out the value vs price issue a little shiver runs up my spine. I like to think it’s pride… feeling proud to know another writer who’s stopped settling and started setting a positive example. :)
Freelance Writing Jobs – November 19, 2009 | All Freelance Writing
Job Postings Here Are The Tip Of A Great Big Iceberg! There Are Lots of Writing Jobs
Bravo, AFW, this is a giant leap in the right direction.
To the reader who said: “The whole thing about the best jobs not being advertised online scares me.” That’s the way it’s always been in the media industry, and in other industries as well. The best jobs got filled long before they made it into the newspaper classified ads because managing editors or city desk editors worked their network to find up-and-coming writers instead of taking out ads and going through resumes from virtual strangers. Magazine editors cultivated a squad of tried and true writers they turned to month in and month out, and took with them when they moved to the next title. The only thing different about the process now is that it happens online.
That said, there have always been places online to look for decent paying work. JournalismJobs.com is one, but most of those jobs are full-time. Mediabistro is another. Or you can pay to have your profile listed in their Freelance Marketplace. I’ve also seen interesting work, full time and freelance, listed in LinkedIn’s Jobs section. It’s all a matter of knowing where to look.
Also, I wouldn’t underestimate the power of using your own network. If you’ve worked in the business long enough you probably have editor and writer friends who’ve moved on to new gigs. Even if they don’t have work for you today, it pays to stay in touch. This fall I got a gig from an editor I hadn’t done work for since 2000 and one thing led to another and it’s turned into a long-term project that will boost my income considerably next year. When I came back to writing full time two years ago after a long hiatus for family reasons, I contacted a bunch of people I used to write for and got assignments within the first month.
In this business there is no room for fear. Only enterprise and entrepreneurial thinking.
Michelle Rafter
WordCount: Freelancing in the Digital Age
I’ll add my congratulations for the new direction. Often, finding new markets is like going for a swim in a lake. You know the water will be cold and hesitate about going in. Trying to get used to it bit at a time is unnerving. And yet, when you finally take the leap, the shock to the system is over quickly and you begin to move about with freedom and enjoyment. There is good paying work out there from publishers and clients that want to find good writers.
I was thrilled to read this! I am a droning buzzkill on the boards about these exploitive, dopey listings and feel we have a chance to slowly bend the curve back upward if we don’t disseminate the ridiculous listings, even if people for some reason will take them. Why help these low-payers? They are making money off us! Let’s educate would-be employers about what we bring to the table as professionals:
We save them money–they pay only for what we do, no overhead.
We provide our own equipment, turn on our own lights, buy our own insurance (not discount cards–you can get those anyplace if you want one).
We know from a range of clients how to find sources, interview people, do research–we do it so they don’t have to. That is worth money to them–or should be.
Most of us are attentive, are thinking of their needs, will even pitch ideas and try to help their business become more successful.
I could go on–but I applaud this post. I cannot tell you how much!
@Michelle – It was time to stop babying and coddling and time to get back to the mission at hand — educating freelance writers about the business side of freelancing, and helping them make serious money in the process. It’s always been the focus. The jobs were just a way to help newer writers save some time in trolling boards independently each day, but that’s not the kind of hand-holding I want AFW to represent. Media Bistro and Journalism Jobs are definitely two of the better resources still available. Unfortunately though the lack of good freelance gigs there is coupled with intense competition. But LinkedIn is probably a great option for those who aren’t already there. Even if they’re not landing gigs directly from ads, they’re still building their connections in the process by taking part in the community — always a smart move.
@Erik – Thanks! You painted a much better picture than I ever could have, and you’re right on target!
@Star – It’s a double-edged sword – lousy advertisers but also as much the writers’ fault for taking on the gigs in the first place. It was always important to me to help writers in that rut move beyond it if they wanted to. Some simply don’t. For those who do, we have plenty of information to get them in the right direction, and for those who don’t, well, they’re welcome to go elsewhere for a pat on the back when they get a $15 gig. AFW isn’t about trying to be everything to everyone. We’re about the forward-thinking freelancers who are ready to get out of the sandbox, start looking for more, and who are willing to go out there and actually get it. There’s nothing wrong with the hobby writer type of crowd. It’s just not who AFW is speaking to. And you’re right on about educating clients. In fact, I’ll be releasing a paper on that very topic within the next couple of months (looking at the differences quality writers make versus ridiculously cheap SEO content, and why both older authority sites and many new ones go that route).
So thank you for the applause, but I’m not out for praise. Just doing something that should have been done a long time ago.
I’d call this a baby step in the right direction, since $50 is pretty paltry. When I sold my first article back in 1976, I received $35, and even then that wasn’t much. After making a few sales, I quickly found a market paying $350, and then moved up to the $1 a word markets. And that was 33 years ago!
Lisa,
I agree that $50 is too low. But we’re not talking magazine features that take days to weeks to complete (where $1.00 per word and more is not only much more reasonable as you noted, but also still very achievable). The $50 threshold is in reference to the type of quick Web content that people are often accepting now at $5 – 15 with the justification that the low per-project pay is okay because the work is quick. We want to show that you can get paid much more than those rates for the same kind of time commitment. You’re not going to see more labor-intensive gigs listed here at that low of a rate. Remember, $50 is the bare minimum to be eligible for inclusion. It’s not a representation of what all of the gigs and markets will look like.
The point of the change is that we’re not going to offer any support to the bottom of the barrel client crowd, and are only posting listings that are a serious step up for those low-pay writers who want to make some progress. That said, we’re obviously still limited by the scope of the gigs that are publicly advertised, and as I’m sure you know the vast majority of great gigs are not. As always, the listings are not for experienced freelancers. They’re perfectly capable of going out and getting their own gigs through established networks and their platform without trolling job listings here or anywhere else.
As always, the listings are not for experienced freelancers. They’re perfectly capable of going out and getting their own gigs through established networks and their platform without trolling job listings here or anywhere else.
But we check listings, too–in addition to networking, querying, cold calling, sending out our brochures, letters of intro, etc. And we are getting hurt, too, by the cratering rates–so this is so welcome, I cannot tell you. I will come every day to your site, get your numbers up if I can, even tho you will list jobs one day a week. This effort should be supported.
Mentions rates and the commenting ensues. You deserve that pride Jenn, you are absolutely the reason I’ve got to where I am. Of course, right away I encounter a turd that tells me that there’s no value in what I do and goes along with that highway robbery mentality mentioned in one of your earlier posts.
I looked through the WWG again and felt great to see that, hey, that just isn’t my target market. I’m trying to get more focused now because I want to work self-starters…I need to find the ones that will both understand the value and understand the need for what I provide. Someone running a two-digit startup cost MLM / franchise whatever deal isn’t that market.
So get all shivery Jenn :D
I’m new to this list…but congratulations on setting a $50 floor for your ads. I think it’s a great idea. Below this level there is just a lot of exploitative and scammy stuff. I recently started a petition for writers who pledge to not take assignments for any less than that. I’m organizing writers to raise public awareness about big content mills and their clients, and the rates paid there.
You can read my blog about it, “7 Reasons Why I Won’t Write $15 Blogs” here: http://caroltice.com/blog/27
I applaud your cutting the garbage ads and helping writers focus on gigs that pay at least enough for a meal out. I finally developed my own system for wading through the online job boards without letting it take up too much of my day, which you can read about here: http://caroltice.com/blog/20
As you say, the really good stuff is out there, in in-person and online networking, in cold calling and otherwise marketing your business. I think the very low-paying gigs become a distraction to many writers who would be better advised to spend their time marketing. That’s what I tell my mentees to do. Just say no! And work on your own business plan.
With your site, it’ll be easier to find the good stuff! Thanks again –
Carol Tice
http://www.caroltice.com
http://Twitter.com/TiceWrites
I have decided I am sick of writers undervaluing themselves and other writers and am only going to sites like this one that try to educate would-be employers and newcomers to what a writer contributes and is worth. I was checking the other sites–just in case…but don’t think I ever got a job from them…and think of the time…Now, I am going back to networking, pitching, and calling.
I care much less about what people choose to do themselves, and am more sick and tired of so-called professionals giving terrible business advice to newbies who want more than the mediocre. It’s fine by me if other writers want to undervalue themselves. Not my problem. But I also won’t cater to them here. I’d rather spend my time on writers who are interested in doing the best they can rather than simply the best someone writing for $15 themselves tells them they can.
LOVE the minimum idea, Jenn. This entire post, in fact, is great. You’ve hit it exactly – established writers don’t rely on these jobs, but the minimum you’ve set is a great stepping stone for beginning writers.
I love also what you’ve said about complacency. Careers – and that’s what we’re building here – take work. You have to want more in order to achieve it, but also you have to put action behind it. I think it’s terrific that you’re helping beginning writers understand that online jobs are not their sole source of work, nor should they be.
Thanks Lori. I just want to clarify — I don’t have an issue with online jobs in general. I actually earn my entire living writing for the Web (business blogging, Web copywriting, etc.), and a nice living at that. So it can be done. It’s just about finding gigs that really do offer value to you, in addition to value for the client. It’s unfortunate that the Web has led to so many crap gigs, but then again it’s also led to enormous growth in business writing, corporate blogging, and other much higher-paying work even though most of it isn’t seen on the job boards.