Finding Freelance Work: How NOT to Do It

This post is a lot like my This Job Not That Job posts. Only difference is that the offender — and ironically, the victim — is none other than the freelance writer.

How many times have we seen it? How many times have I blogged about it? (Hint: several times. Several. Times.) How many times have I wrung my hands watching freelancers commit the same sins yet again? Too many to count, my friend.

The scenario, as played out online recently:

ABC Company is looking for a contract writer who is comfortable with science and technology topics. Please go to these URLs to see the topics we cover and to see if you would be comfortable covering these areas. Please DM for more details.

Pop quiz: Which response should you choose?

1. “I do it all! Here’s my website link. Please contact me at your earliest convenience.”
2. “I can’t send you a direct message. How do we move forward?”
3. “I have sent you an email and would like to discuss your needs further at your convenience.”

If you picked #3, congratulations. You’ve shown the company that you can follow simple directions, do your own research, and take the initiative to locate an email address and take the conversation offline.

Oh, but sadly, in our example, which was a real example, not one writer chose #3. They did indeed select #1 and #2. And gosh darn, I bet they’re upset that the hiring manager, a person who may get 30 appropriate responses, didn’t take the time to go to their websites (for more than one writer left a URL trail) and “check” them out.

Why this approach sucks:

It shows the client just how lazy the writer is.

That’s right — lazy. For if the writers in question had clicked on the links that the hiring manager had provided, they would have been twice rewarded — first, with examples of exactly what the client wants and second, with the direct contact information for the client.

[bctt tweet=”A large part of winning a #freelancewriting gig is showing initiative. And following simple directions.” username=”LoriWidmer”]

Time and again, I am shocked by how many writers do neither of these things.

It’s not a new phenomenon, either. Back in the day when I had to hire a freelancer, I asked for specific criteria — resume, samples, a brief summary of why they think the job is the right fit for them. Of the ten or so people who applied, one writer included what I’d asked for. One. She got the job, and she rocked it.

Those of you freelancers who are pros at finding clients know how to do this. Those of you who are new to it all — this little cheat sheet will give you a foot forward when responding to a job listing or a client inquiry.

Study the wording carefully.

This is particularly useful when trying to determine if the job posting or client project is something worthy of your time. Let’s look at an example:

Acme Rocket Corporation is looking for an experienced freelance writer who has a strong background in rocket science. We are needing support for writing projects such as white papers, blog posts, consumer-facing newsletter content, and general press release and sales content. Examples of the types of projects the writer will be working on can be found HERE and HERE (hyperlinks). Please send a CV and your fee schedule along with three samples of related writing to Judy Jetson, marketing director.

Now ask yourself this:

• Do I have a background in rocket science? Is it strong?  (If so, go to the next sentence in the posting. If not, stop. You don’t qualify.)
• Have I written anything they’re asking for? Ideally, at least three things from the list should be something you’ve handled. (And none of that “I can write about anything!” bullshit.)
• Are the project samples something that interest me or are within my current skill set? (If so, continue. If not, stop. You don’t qualify or don’t want the gig.)
• Have I located the email address for Judy Jetson? (If it isn’t visible in the URLs provided, look in the About Us section, the Contact Us section, and the News and Announcements section.)

Apply per the instructions.

If Judy Jetson wants three samples, give her three samples. Not six. Not one. If you have more, tell her there are more available upon request. Don’t inundate the woman with links and attachments. If she wants to know what you charge, don’t say, “Negotiable.” Tell her how much you charge per word, per hour, per project, whatever. You’re not losing an opportunity if you’re charging more than she has budget for. You’re weeding each other out, and that’s okay. In fact, it saves you both some time. If she likes what you’ve done, she may have some wiggle room to negotiate. Also, she asked for a CV. If you don’t have one, get one. She wants to see your background. She wants to be sure you can handle the job once you get it. Make sure to highlight those skills that Judy is most interested in. Move them to the front of your CV, if you can.

Check in once. Then let it go.

Know this: You are one of many freelance writers applying for the same gig. Judy may never see your email, or she may have found her writer in the first five minutes of that gig being posted. It happens. I cannot tell you how many times I didn’t get a gig that fit me exactly. When you apply to online job postings, you are handicapped by the fact that others want that gig, too. It’s why I push for writers to find their own clients through smart, targeted networking and marketing. But hey, I get it. Sometimes that perfect gig lands in front of you. You’d be crazy not to try. Just don’t drive yourself — and poor Judy Jetson here — crazy with constantly pestering about the status of said gig.

Final note: No online whining about it.

Too many times, writers think it’s incredibly good for their careers to take to the job poster’s thread and bitch about how they shouldn’t require experience in blah blah because as writers, they are infinitely qualified to write about anything. It’s not true, and it’s an insult to the person doing the hiring. They know what they need. They want to hand it off and not worry about training someone, babysitting, or teaching them industry terminology that anyone writing in the field regularly would already know. Any writer thinking they can waltz into a gig without experience or background is arrogant at best.

Writers, what examples of writers behaving badly have you seen?
What’s your best advice for winning over the client?