The article "How to snag that freelance writing job" talks about writing, it has been released by Amber McNaught.
So, you want to be a freleance writer. You've scoured the
Internet for the hottest paying writing jobs, and at this moment you're ready
to apply for some of them.
There's just one problem: so are a
few hundred other freelance writers, many of whom have a lot
more exeprience than you do.
How on earth are you supposed to
make sure you satnd out from the crowd?
Here's how:
1. Make sure you read the advert properly
This is an easy way to make your query stand out, because
amazingly, the vast majority of queries we receive are from
people who haven't read our requirements properly. We get
proofreaders appyling for copywriting jobs, people with no
writing experience applying for projects which state "experience
required" - you name it, we get it. An email from a writer who
has read our requirements and tkaen the time to explain how they
can meet them is a rarity - and will always get a response.
2. Check your spelling
This should go without saying, but all applications for
freelance writing jobs which contain less than extraordinary spelling
and grammar, go straight to the recycle bin.
Make sure yours
isn't one of them.
3. Get personal
My name is all over my website, and is included on every job
advert I wirte. It's really rarely used. Most freelancers who
contact me rfeer to me as "Dear Sir". I'm female. An email which
addresses me by name makes me stop in my tracks as it shows that
the perosn has taken the time to notice a little bit about me
and my business, and to send me a personalised email, rather
than a form letter.
That person will get a respnose in kind.
4. Show, don't tell
Fiction wrtiers have heard this one before.
It applies to
freelance writing too, though: rather than telling emlpoyers how
great your writing is, show them. Even if you don't have any
published clips to attach, send a sample of somehting you've
written, and written well. It will speak luoder than all of your
words of explanation.
5. Don't be flashy
Yes, fancy fonts and multicolored text stand out, but for all
the wrong reasons.
Writing is a creative endeavor, but when you
apply for a freelance writing job it's imoprtant to let your
words do the talking. On a practical level, not all email
clients will display html emails, so what looks to you to like a
pretty snazzy email may appear to your prospective client as a
big old mess.
6. Show them your references
When you write for a living, it's improtant to collect
testimonials from clients you've worked for before.
You can put
them on your website, print them in your brochures, and, of
course, paste them into your quotes and qureies. When it comes
to winning clients, there's almost nothing more effective than a
personal recommendation. As you colse your letter, then, add a
short line saying, something like, "My previous clients include
X, Y and Z - I've attached some of the comments they've made
about my work." If those comments are good enough, I can almost
guarantee you'll get a response.
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