What’s on the iPod: You and Your Heart by Jack Johnson
Yesterday was one of those rare days – ones I used to dread, but now am thankful for. There was a lull in the work. Nothing due, nothing coming in that needed immediate attention. That was my cue – I grabbed the laptop and headed to Panera. I managed to get poetry written, an online course chapter completed, and some edits to various personal projects. And I got a few queries out.
Here’s what I don’t get – I hear people saying “But content mills are all I can get!” I don’t buy it. One simple search proves that’s hogwash. But hey, as I said before, if you think it’s such a great deal to work yourself sick for $5-15 per piece, go for it. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.
But if you’re not wanting to head down that road, or if you’re there and you want to get out, here’s how you up your game.
1. Open your browser. In your favorite search engine, type these words: “Writer’s Guidelines.”
See how many pages came up? That’s because it’s a complete falsehood that there isn’t any work out there for us writers. There’s a magazine, a price range, and a genre for nearly anyone – for free, right there in your search engine results. Go on. Look.
Those of you who think $5, $10, even $15 is all you can get without having to market heavily are deluding yourselves. How long did that search take? All of what, five seconds? Well, ten if your connection is slow. And now you have more than enough opportunity staring you in the face. These jobs pay anywhere from five cents a word to two bucks a word. Already you’re looking at much better pay rates, even at the five-cents-per rate. (If you’re writing 500 word at $10 for your content mill grind and you write the same amount for a magazine, you’ve just earned two and a half times that with a magazine. Plus now you have a published clip from a reputable place.)
2. Pick one. Scroll the list and see what appeals. This will take you three, maybe four minutes to find one that stands out. Open it. Like what you see? Then read the guidelines completely. Another three or four minutes of your time. Browse the online magazine. A few past issues. There went maybe eight to ten minutes.
3. Formulate your idea. I like to do it after I’ve familiarized myself with the publication so I don’t have to keep reworking the idea to match different styles and voices. And sometimes the ideas come from reading the guidelines or the past issues. You do it the way you prefer. This is the hardest part of the process – finding an idea you’d like to write about. This could take you two minutes, it could take you two hours. Depends on you. Can’t think of anything right now? Save this to your Favorites folder and go on to the next one that looks interesting to you.
4. Write the query email/letter. This will take you another five or ten minutes, depending on how familiar you are with writing queries.
5. Repeat. Do this once a day. Find that 20 minutes out of your day to scroll through a basic search and find new markets, better pay, more credible jobs. By the end of a typical month, you’ll have sent out 20 queries and found 20 new work possibilities.
It may take some time for you to craft queries that will land you the gig, but eventually the jobs will come. And you can put the content mills behind you and build a much more lucrative career that you can be proud of.
20 responses to “Worthy Tip: Upping Your Game”
Hi, Lori,
I haven't fallen prey to the content mills, but I have definitely been working for too low of a fee on far too many projects lately. I've been fighting a mental hurdle over sending out queries. This was a good kick in the pants this morning to remind me that it's not that hard and I need to just do it.
Btw, your blog is among my favorites. It's always an awesome way to kick off my mornings. Thanks!
Thanks for the love, Ronda! I'm glad you're here. 🙂
You're right – it's a mental block. Once you get used to sending these out once a day (or more – nothing stopping you!), it becomes easier each time. And soon you're working regularly for one, two, or more magazines. Let me know how it goes!
Another good search term is "editorial calendar." 🙂 That can help you to guide your thinking process to come up with ideas, because each issue of the publication will have a certain focus.
You hit on another good idea, Lori.
It wasn't that long ago, that I was passed over for a project that would've paid really well. The reason they stated was because I didn't have a published clip from a print source. (magazine, book, etc.)I don't really know why that was important, since the project was for the web and not print, but that's what they said. So, that's now on my to-do list.
I was one of those that had fallen into the content mill type business because I was led to believe it was a great way to get started. (let me say that the owner of this mill was a fellow writer who pushed more for quantity and less quality-long story)When I tried to get into writing for clients, it was rough since some clients didn't accept that mill as reputable experience.
Such a simple idea, but so effective. Thanks, Lori, as always, for the inspiration.
I agree absolutely. Work is out there, it just takes an effort: that's why they call it work! Writers (or those who like to call themselves writers) are just generally like that, I'm afraid. I got into terrible, laser-stare trouble at a conference when I "suggested" that giving away poetry instead of finding legitimate markets for it doesn't make the poet noble. And don't get me started on moaning playwrights who sit on a stack of manuscripts listening for that discovery knock on the door while I have a list of 300 theaters that actively seek new work. But thank god for those who sit and wait, more work for us.
Why have I never thought of searching "writer's guidelines"? That opens up a lot more doors than searching for guidelines of titles you already know.
Another option: "Contributor's Guidelines."
I'll do that today after I wrap up the other marketing things I have planned.
Right on, Lori! I just taught week one of my freelance writing course last night, and I warned students away from content mills. There are SO many other markets out there if you're willing to do the legwork and write a query letter. And often you can retool those queries if you don't land an assignment on your first try. Plus, querying is good writing practice, so over time, you'll get more efficient and use stronger, more interesting language.
Good idea, Eileen. 🙂
Wendy, you're the example for anyone starting out. You have to start better in order to grow better. Good for you for getting out of that trap!
You're welcome, Cathy. 🙂
Oh not the laser stare, Joseph! LOL Good for you for speaking up. I'll never understand why anyone would think giving away work is acceptable.
Paula, you can also try "Writing Guidelines", "Magazine Guidelines", and "Editorial Guidelines." One search nets so much potential!
Amen to that, Susan! What unnerves me is when proponents of content sites harp on about how much harder it is to market. Sure, you do legwork, but you get so much more in return. And you have credibility in the market as a result.
Lori: As always, I appreciate your ability to condense a confusing/ intimidating process down to its simple & essential components — & also admire your willingness to emphasize that while "simple" can translate to "do-able," it doesn't necessarily mean "easy."
With that thought in mind, I think that Step 5 plays an integral role in separating the successful from those who wish they were. Back in my HS teaching days, I observed that, in a suprising number of cases, the difference between successful & struggling students wasn't intelligence or talent or even effort — but consistency.
I believe that the same concept applies to writing (or any other endeavor worth doing well). Forget the false dichotomy of "Work hard or work smart." You need to work hard *and* work smart — and you need to keep doin' both.
Thus endeth today's motivational diatribe … =)
Hugh, I love when you get going. 🙂 Great point on consistency. I just keep thinking of that song about the ant – "Oops there goes another rubber tree plant…."
To my shame, I admit it. I used to be one of those content mill writers. That was a tough way to make a buck (when they paid that much!).
Then, one day I wised up and realized that if I took those articles I was writing and put them between two covers, I could sell them over and over again rather than writing something once, and then having to find another writing assignment.
I'm happy to say it worked. I don't write for the content mills anymore.
If you're creative, there's always a way out or another avenue you can take. You don't have to write for peanuts. It's degrading.
Admitting it is the first step, Kim. 🙂
Great point on selling your work as a book. Also, ideas can be recycled. So many ways to approach the same topic!
"Writers guidelines" is one of my favorite search terms when looking for new markets to add to our writer's market directory (and we only list ones with online guidelines, so it helps with that too). Another option that works surprisingly well is to search for rate-related terms — "$1.00 per word," "10 cents per word," etc. The trick with that is to search for a few different variations (numerals vs spelling it out, per word vs per page, etc.). It takes a bit longer, but for someone targeting a specific rate range it can work wonders. 🙂
Shamefully enough, I used to write for a content mill. To make matters worse, a journalist from the AP was given my name and wrote an article – entitled, "Writing for Peanuts and Loving It" – and I, like an idiot, proceeded to give him quotes about how excited I was that people were paying me to write. I'm so disgusted with that now…
In any case – I've searched "writers guidelines" before, and another effective one is simply, "write for us" and then the niche you're interested in writing for.
I'm glad you're reformed, Angie. Don't be disgusted. I could rattle off a list of things I'm not proud of doing, too. You're with us now. All is well. 🙂
Excellent tip! Thank you!
Jenn, super idea! I hadn't thought to search that way. It would make it SO much easier to find the rate I want, not the rate they're paying.
After 10 years of this freelancing thing, I've just now gotten to the point where I can accept a lull as a nice break as opposed to the beginning of the end!
Yep, slow and steady wins the freelance writer race.
I'm just catching up on your blog… on vacay this week and have almost completely disconnected. It's heavenly!
This is a great idea. I'd been doing it the other way around – targeting a publication, then looking up the guidelines. I'm definitely going to try this — but not until after vacation ends 🙂
I've been writing for content mills (not steadily) for about three months. Talk about degrading. Then, about a week ago I discovered writers guidelines. There is hope!!!
I wrote my first query today, but I haven't sent it out yet. I'm a little afraid. To be honest, it's because I'm only a sophomore in college. I go to a good school, but I fear that my age and lack of a degree will scare editors and real clients away.