Zapbasket Posted January 7, 2009 Posted January 7, 2009 I decided in recent months to start my own freelance writing business. Numerous articles of mine have been published in the past, but I wasn't aiming at the time to be a career writer. So now here I am, in a new city, and I'm very unsure of how to get started or even if it will be truly feasible to pull a good living. I have a part-time job to pay the bills for now, but I want to get to a point where I can derive my full living from freelance writing. Since I visit this site so frequently and the majority of people here sound lovely and thoughtful, I thought I'd see if there were other freelance writers out there whose brains I could pick. How did you get started? How successful are you? What advice would you give to someone in my position? Thanks in advance!
Quinch Posted January 7, 2009 Posted January 7, 2009 Since you're in a new city, I would suggest approaching the local papers/magazines with a view to submitting occasional articles and pieces they might be interested in. Where have you been published so far?
Author Zapbasket Posted January 8, 2009 Author Posted January 8, 2009 Thanks for the response, Quinch. What's the best way to approach a local paper, etc.? I've had a couple of articles published on websites, created the copy for a few pharmaceutical websites, and for several years was a monthly columnist for a special interest magazine.
kizik Posted January 8, 2009 Posted January 8, 2009 I've had a couple of articles published on websites, created the copy for a few pharmaceutical websites, and for several years was a monthly columnist for a special interest magazine. None of this surprises me, considering your natural talent with words.
Storyrider Posted January 8, 2009 Posted January 8, 2009 Believe it or not, Craigslist is a decent place to find freelance writing gigs. You can advertise your services there as well.
Author Zapbasket Posted January 8, 2009 Author Posted January 8, 2009 None of this surprises me, considering your natural talent with words. Gosh, thanks, Kizik! That make me feel really good; I'm grinning as I type this.
Author Zapbasket Posted January 8, 2009 Author Posted January 8, 2009 Believe it or not, Craigslist is a decent place to find freelance writing gigs. You can advertise your services there as well. I haven't had much luck yet with Craigslist. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place? Where do you look? PS--Does being "Storyrider" mean you're a "Story Writer"?
Author Zapbasket Posted January 8, 2009 Author Posted January 8, 2009 Believe it or not, Craigslist is a decent place to find freelance writing gigs. You can advertise your services there as well. Oh, one more question: where do you think is the best place/way to advertise on Craigslist? Do you really actually get hit up for work that way? Okay, that was two questions....
Storyrider Posted January 8, 2009 Posted January 8, 2009 Well, there is a section for writing and editing... I have never posted an ad on Craigslist as a writer, but I have found writing jobs there, one that was about 20 hours per week for six months. I had my resume up on Monster and Dice and got some business writing jobs that way. I have a full time job now, and since the downturn I don't know how the market is. Good luck!
kizik Posted January 8, 2009 Posted January 8, 2009 Oh, one more question: where do you think is the best place/way to advertise on Craigslist? Do you really actually get hit up for work that way? Okay, that was two questions.... http://portland.craigslist.org/wri/ [insert your city there of course]
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