BEFORE You Apply for That Freelance Job

There are so many good writing websites out in World Wide Web and it is important to find a few that you enjoy visiting. Some are just freelance writers sharing with other freelance writers (kind of like here) while others are dedicated to giving you the information that you need to become a better writer and more successful freelancer (hopefully you get some of that here as well).

One of the sites that I have been enjoying lately is Freelance Writing Jobs. They are pretty good about offering tips and suggestions to help improve your writing skills (and eventually land more jobs).

The October 6 posting by Deborah Ng is great for beginners and advanced freelance writers alike. It’s all about the things you need to do BEFORE you apply for a freelance writing job.

One of the tips is creating a resume. It’s amazing how few writers have a resume on hand that can be presented to potential editors or employers. That is unheard of in the “real” job world. But as writers we often forget about the practical – it’s all about the art ;).

Deborah also suggests creating a website or blog so that you have a place to point potential employers. I want to add that you want to create a site that frames your best work and not just a site where you ramble on about the laundry. Plan out your website like you would any other business.

This brings me to a point that wasn’t included in the article. Writing must be treated like a business – if you expect to get paid. That doesn’t mean that you have to compromise your art for money, but it does mean that you have to look at a freelance career as a job and not a hobby.

One of the best ways to create a freelance career path is to create a business plan for your freelance writing. Then follow the other steps set out by Deborah and you will be on your way to freelance writing success.