The freelance writer-editor relationship can be a tricky one to navigate. Many of the writers I coach often feel they are double guessing what an editor wants and are never really sure if they’ve hit the mark. Over the past six years I’ve found that editors of magazines, newspapers and digital outlets have three main questions they want freelance writers to be able to answer.
There are numerous online magazines and publications looking for writers. But it can be hard to know where to pitch your ideas if you want to write about social justice, international development, human rights or humanitarian issues.
Even though I have written before about how it’s possible to be a part time freelance writer, I have to be honest and say that this month I’ve found it really tough. I’ve only worked about three days a week, but it’s been hard to fit all my work in. I had a press trip to Queensland in the middle of the month and five days later I headed off to present at The Launceston Freelance Festival. Those kind of opportunities are amazing, but there’s been very little fat in my schedule in April, so it threw things out a bit. Or actually, a lot.
If you’ve ever scrolled through a real estate website and wondered about the person behind the beautifully written and enticing blurbs about your dream house – wonder no longer. Meet Donna Webeck – freelance property copywriter. To say Donna is passionate about property is an understatement – she lives and breathes architecture, design and real estate, and it shows in the way she runs her freelance real estate copywriting business. Her enthusiasm for property is infectious and inspirational – imagine if we all felt this way about the work we do?
When you think about the dream job – being a travel writer is up there for many people..
Whether you are a freelance content writer, journalist, copywriter, editor or something in between, we have all been in situations where we could do with more work. The feast or famine nature of being a freelancer is nothing new, but there’s one very simple thing that freelancers often neglect to do. But if you do it regularly, it can turn your business around.
All through March I wondered what I was going to be writing in this end of month round up. In the middle of the month, I was nowhere near my income target and I felt that a lot of the exciting business plans that I had dreamt up at the end of 2017 were getting left behind because I needed to use the time I had to work, rather than to build a business.
I’ve been coaching quite a few freelance writers lately and when we talk about some of the challenges they have there are five words that pop up over and over: “I don’t have a writing routine”. Often these writers tell me they feel guilty and unproductive because they don’t have a set routine. But I think the focus and pressure on freelancers to have a writing routine is unnecessary. Here’s why.
I received an email a couple of weeks ago from a reader asking about investing in online courses. She wrote, “I’ve subscribed to a few newsletters and get invitations to do courses. The most recent is for for people earning under $2,000 a month and wanting to grow clients. I’m tempted, but I don’t want to spend all my money on courses!”
None of us know what life has in store, but when you’re a freelancer, you never quite know what work has in store for you either. By the middle of February I had hit my income target, but I was also grappling with the idea of pulling out of writing a commissioned article on a very difficult topic. My family and work situation changed at the end of the month, meaning I’ve had to re-evaluate the time I can dedicate to my freelance business.
Libby Hakim is a quiet but extraordinary achiever – a former lawyer, Libby now works full time as a freelance copywriter, SEO writer and digital content specialist. She’s an incredibly versatile writer and is just at home writing technical white papers as she is penning an article about how tidying may just change your life. I was so thrilled when Libby agreed to be part of this Q&A – she spills the beans on the benefits of writing for agencies, why she resisted writing about the law and her advice for those dreaming of being a freelance writer.
After a hectic November and fairly busy December, January was really quiet for me. I didn’t feel much like pitching, instead I wanted to hang out with my family and have some down time. Towards the end of the month I started pitching, because I realised that even though I had invoiced for a good amount of money, not having lots of commissions means that a few months down the track, my bank account will take a big hit.
And how about writing articles for publications you love? What about strategies on how to earn great money from content writing?
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We acknowledge the Traditional Aboriginal Owners of the land we work on – the Dja Dja Wurrung. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and to the ongoing living culture of Aboriginal people. Always was, always will be Aboriginal land. 💛🖤❤️