Comments on: Freelance Truth: Being Worth More

By: Meryl K. Evans

Meryl K. Evans — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 19:16:27 +0000

It's funny how when you tell someone you're a writer -- the first thing she thinks is of magazines, newspapers and books. There's so much more out there.

I've written for a few magazines and have one annual gig. But like Cathy said -- it's the query time that gets you. The magazine gigs I've had were steady gigs that required no querying. More effective.

I'm all for ghosting. It's not about my name. It's about the work and helping clients.

By: Wade Finnegan

Wade Finnegan — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 17:30:19 +0000

Diversification is good practice for any business. When we have different revenue streams it eliminates reliance on one particular client. I want to build passive income, so I'm not always tied to the keep board in order to pay the bills.

By: Paula

Paula — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 15:16:25 +0000

Magazine writing isn't the only thing I do, it's just the one I do the most. It's fun and I'm really good at it. But I'm always searching for other opportunities. Ghostwriting opportunities have only come up for me once so far - and ended less than a year later when the Boston-based company hired a full-timer and didn't need me anymore.

Finding places that use ghostwriters is the tricky bit, especially in the fields I tend to cover. Yet I still try.

In fact, today a referral came through. A marketing company that uses freelancers to handle client blogs, articles, etc... So cross your fingers - I can use the extra cash. Not only is the oven glitchy (no hurry - I don't bake in the summer) and the AC broken, but now my 2-year old fridge is on the fritz. Don't you hate it when everything craps out at the same time?

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 12:43:50 +0000

Cathy, exactly as you say. I have never been concerned about my name not being on a project as long as it's on a paycheck. I take other people's ideas and make them readable. They're not my ideas, so why should I get credit?

Besides, I've had plenty of bylines. My ego doesn't need one more byline -- my wallet needs a few more bucks. LOL

By: Cathy Miller

Cathy Miller — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 11:30:54 +0000

I know we have had the discussion before, but I rarely write for magazines EXCEPT in the role as a ghostwriter. I love that gig. They're trade publications and I get paid by the company whose byline goes on the article.

The pros ~
1. You don't have to submit queries to the magazine---and wait...and wait...

2. Your are paid much better rates (due to the ghostwriting aspect and corporations, in general, pay more).

3. It often turns into an ongoing gig.

Cons ~
It's not your name on the byline. This doesn't bother me a bit. As long as it's my name on the check, I'm cool with it. :-)

But, if that's a problem for you, then that would be a big negative.