Subject Knowledge
Many people say that you should only write on a subject that you know about. However, many freelance writer’s will tell you this is not always wise. By doing this you are limiting yourself and your potential income!
Don’t limit yourself to only writing about what you know, limit yourself to topics that you either know about or are interested in learning about. Never write about something you have no knowledge or interest in. It will be reflected in the piece and your reader’s will find it as dull and boring as you.
If you are given a project you aren’t familiar with, allow yourself extra time to research it properly. If the deadline is too near, don’t accept the work. Otherwise, a badly thrown together piece that tries to pull the wool over the reader’s eyes will annoy your client and not only will they never hire you, they’ll tell others. Politely turning down the piece is a much safer alternative.
Knowledge is not a ncessary tool of a writer.
Passion is.
Common Mistakes
Read the ad/submission guidelines, application instructions, and assignment details carefully. Reading these things more than once is a good idea, and you should check to make sure that you followed the instructions before turning in anything.
-When applying, use the method that they prefer (email, phone call, hard copy mailing). Customize the experience you share and highlight qualities that give you an edge on the specific project you are applying for.
-When working on an assignment: Use the font and style the editor/client wants.
Read the assignment details over and over for do’s and don’ts. When in doubt, ask the client, and make sure that your question is not already answered in the initial assignment details.
Again, use the method they prefer when turnin in your work (via email attachment, in the body of an email, mail hard copy, etc.)
MYTHS Myth: “I am a freelance writer, I don’t need an office.”Yes you do. You want to make this into your profession don’t you? Well professions require professionalism. Sitting on the couch with cat circling your ankles and your partner telling you about his/her day while you’re trying to work isn’t going to cut it.Even if you live alone, it’s important to have an area specifically to work in. It’s important for you’re focus that you have an room or a part of a room that you associate with work.You step into that room and conentrate on what needs to be done.It doesn’t have to look like the back room of an accountancy firm. It just has to be organised.A tidy neat environment will help the little grey cells to get going and will eliminate distractions.It will also make it easier for you to store invoices, contracts and other records when you become established.Writing may be something that you enjoy but once you cross over from hobby to self-employment, you’ve got to get proffessional.Myth: Freelance writers have low incomes and need others jobs to support themselves.To start with this is usually the case. As time goes on however, you may begin to make a name for yourself and leave any other employment.A lot of freelance writers out there make a decent living from what they do. Some make it big, like Kelly James-Enger.She left her job as a lawyer to become a freelancer. And having become a success, she has written several books on the topic of free-lancing including “Six Figure Freelancing”.However the myth of freelance writing being a beggars career should not be entirely overlooked. It should be obvious that if you don’t put in the time, effort and commitment it takes to be a success then you won’t be a success! But if you work hard, practice patience and profesionalism then you never know. You could be writing the next best-seller about Seven Figure Freelancing! | COMMON LIES Do this one cheap/free and we’ll make it up to you on the next one.Well, we never pay a cent until we see the finished product.Do this job for us and you’ll get great exposure! There’ll be more work flyin at you than you can handle!On looking at your work: “Well, we aren’t sure if we want to use you yet, but leave your material here and we’ll talk in over at out weekly meeting and be in touch.”Well, the job isn’t CANCELLED, there’s just a slight delay. Keep you’re schedule open and we’ll be in touch.Contract? We don’t need a contact! We’re friends/You have my word!Send me a bill after the work goes to print.The last guy did it for ‘insert low figure here’.We are having financial problems. Give us your piece, we’ll make some money and then we’ll pay you.Comments Questions & Answers "Writing is a art of expressing your ideas and feelings in suitable words so that it can be understand by readers. Blog is a place where you can write what you want to share with the people" We checked out this site and found it interesting and a very good idea too."Freelance writing is a good career. If you work hard practice patience and professionalism then you can become a most salable writer." Another comment from the guys at www.writerslinkup.com Thanks! .
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