Comments on: Find the Freelance Opportunities That Everyone Else Misses

By: Julia

Julia — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 00:38:45 +0000

Right on Jenny, great post. I’ve been talking about getting my freelancing career off the ground for years now, & have just started to take the first steps a few months ago. I’m still working on my website, but have already started building relationships & my network. I’m hoping my niche will ensure me a successful entry into the freelancing world, although I sure hope to branch out into other types of writing too!

Thanks for the tips & reminders!

By: Stephanie Golden

Stephanie Golden — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 19:32:50 +0000

Hi Jenny–

I’m new to your blog–found it through LinkedIn Eds and Writers. It’s a wonderful resource.

As for how I get jobs: all my best ones come through referrals. I’ve gotten some jobs through job boards, but they were never as remunerative, satisfying, and trouble-free as the ones I’ve gotten through networking. So that’s what I’m focusing on.

Though your recommendation to send LOIs has me thinking. I’ve done it a few times, but never got results. Maybe I haven’t been consistent enough. Work comes in, and I don’t follow up on the letters I’ve sent.

By: Chanelle Carver

Chanelle Carver — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 05:49:02 +0000

Great tips. Glad I found your site!

Happy holidays!
Chanelle

By: Angela

Angela — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 17:47:36 +0000

Hi Jenny! Great post and very useful tips. I’m trying to do as much as I can, along with my day (hopefully temporary) job, to market myself and spot the right markets for me.
In your post, when you say “Devote more time to less traditional methods” so to spend less time on job boards, I agree, just I don’t really know where to turn. Any suggestions?
Thanks for your tips, always helpful.
Have a lovely Christmas!
Angela

By: Jenny Cromie

Jenny Cromie — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 17:08:20 +0000

Alisa, these are some great tips and strategies—thank you! The theme I see throughout is building relationships—always important, but especially important now.

By: Alisa Bowman

Alisa Bowman — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 14:02:52 +0000

This is great advice. My main job getting strategies center on that network you mentioned. I focus on building relationships. Rather than writing for many different magazines, for instance, I focus on a few and develop relationships with just a few editors. That way, even when I don’t pitch or I pitch stupidly (stuff they don’t want), they are more likely to give me an assignment they come up with. A few other related relationship builders:

* Other freelancers. When a book author comes to me and I can’t do the book (I’m too busy, they can’t afford me, I don’t like that topic, whatever), I will always refer to another writer. I have other writers refer to me–which means that relationships with other freelancers is important for getting more work.
* People I’ve worked with in the past. This mostly applies to authors, agents and book editors–because they are all more likely to remember me and tell someone about me if I keep the relationship alive (ex: by sending an occasional “how are you?” email)

By: Jenny Cromie

Jenny Cromie — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:02:43 +0000

Thanks Natalia and Judy! I’m glad the tips were helpful. :-)

By: Judy Gruen

Judy Gruen — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:18:15 +0000

All great tips, and from personal experience I know how true it is to play to your strengths. I avoided this for years, not wanting to be pigeon-holed, but frankly, I’ve developed a name in a very small, but distinct, genre of writing, and it works!

By: Natalia

Natalia — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:12:48 +0000

Great, thanks!!