My
advice on freelancing would vary depending on whether or not you are
looking for magazine/feature article type work or whether you are
willing to do commercial work (newsletters, advertisements, marketing
etc).
If
concentrating on Features, I'd say work on your query letter skills, and
start with something you can claim to be something of an expert in
(something you've been doing as a hobby, perhaps).
I
think the query letter is the most important skill a feature article
writer can learn, to get one's foot in the door. It should grab them
with the opening line (just like your articles should), then it should
tell them in bullet points the three main points your article should
make. Next tell them why you are qualified to write it (I err on the
side of formality rather than jocularity or humility here). Sum up by
reiterating why it's a good idea and why THEIR readers will want to read
it. Say you're looking forward to hearing from them, and enclose a
self-addressed envelope.
Then
rinse and repeat. And repeat. The more queries you send out, the more
likely one will hit.
Don't
take rejection on these approaches personally. There may be a million
and one reasons why your article doesn't fit that market that month.
If
you receive any positive feedback whatsoever, keep sending ideas to that
editor. Try to find out what they ARE looking for and then propose an
article on that.
Lisa
Collier Cool has written a lot of good stuff on the query letter.
If
looking for commercial work, I'd say invest in a copy of Peter
Bowerman's "The Well-Fed Writer".
He makes it all sound a little easier than I have found it but then I am
not quite as persistent as he. Also, I'm a little less good at the sales
thing, in person. (That's why I'm a writer, I suppose. I prefer the
written word).
He
advocates cold-calling lots of business in the hope that someone will
remember you when they need a writer. I did get one client this way, but
have had more success with face to face networking (despite my earlier
comment...). I have joined the local Chamber of Commerce and another
group that exists solely for the purpose of networking. So far I've had
a couple of clients and a couple of leads from that. It's much more
comfortable for me, to chat to someone and let them know I exist, in
that setting than to make a true sales call. It's much easier to find
out what they really need and if, therefore, they are a potential
client.
I
gave a talk at the Chamber about what I do, and handed out a tip sheet
(6 Tips for Better Business Writing) at the end. Got a couple of clients
and a couple of potential clients that day. I'm hoping to line up more
talking engagements at similar groups.
My
last comment would be not to fall into the usual writer's trap of
spending too much time reading about writing and not enough time
actually pursuing it. In many ways the Web has been a gift for writers,
but it can be a bit of a curse too, with all those good writers' sites
out there.
Having
said that, I have a list of good resources here.
Oh yes, and if you're thinking of self-publishing a book, buy
my book ;-)
