Once, a freelance writer friend of mine asked me how I always seem to land long-term gigs, while she’s stuck trolling the job boards for one-time projects. This friend isn’t a bad writer. In fact, I would argue that she’s well above average when it comes to the pool of freelance writers on the Internet. In such a competitive field, though, that’s just not enough. You have to actually Overperform.

In other words, give the clients MORE than they expect. At the end of a project, you want your client to think, “I can’t possibly find a better freelance than this person. What else can I give them right now?” When you do a good job, clients won’t want to let you go.

So how do you makre sure you overperform, rather than just doing the job? Here are some tips:

• Send in the project before the due date, or at least on the morning of the due date, not at 11:59.
• Do revisions quickly and without argument (as long as they are within reason).
• Make sure that all of your articles are formatted the same way.
• For ebooks, send a pdf file along with the .doc file.
• Include a table of contents for free with any longer work.
• Be a one-stop shop. Offer other services, such as photography, web design, etc. Of course - you can charge more for these services, but it is important to offer them.
• Give clients multiple options for paying you.
• Send an invoice, rather than relying on them to track how much the owe you.
• For longer projects, check in regularly just to tell them that the project is going well.
• Respond to emails within 24 hours - sooner if possible.

Give the clients more than they want, and they’ll offer you more projects. Even if you don’t really like the project you’re doing, make sure you overperform. After all, you want to be able to pick and choose how you spend your workdays. The next project they have might be more interesting to you.

Want to know the easiest way to snag a freelance gig?

For starters, don’t look in the classified section or on the freelance job boards. If you answer an ad, you have to assume that you’re competing against hundreds of other eager freelancers for the same gig.

Now don’t get me wrong: I have had some success answering ads. But the bulk of my work is a direct result of my quest for those hidden opportunities that no one else knows about. Under normal circumstances, it really is possible to land some great gigs by visiting freelance job boards and answering ads.

But let’s face it: these are anything but normal times. With an unprecedented number of layoffs at newspapers, magazines, and other media outlets, you are now competing against a larger pool of freelancers. And due to dwindling advertising dollars, the editorial hole at many magazines and other publications is getting smaller and smaller. That means there are fewer pages, and fewer pages means there’s less work to go around. So to preserve staff jobs, some publishing companies are simply taking the traditional freelance work back in house and assigning it to staff writers and editors.

So the reality is this: there are more freelancers competing for fewer assignments these days.

To succeed in times like these, you have to think, act, and do things differently than your competition. It seems that the bulk of people tend to flock to freelance job boards, Craigslist, and other sites in search of freelance work. And in my opinion, I think people waste a lot of time looking for work this way.

The environment we’re in is kind of like a grown-up version of the Easter egg hunt. While everyone else is scouring the most obvious places for the golden eggs, you have to be willing to blaze some new trails and look for eggs in the less likely places. If you do this, I guarantee you will end up with more freelance eggs in your basket than your competition.

That said, my strategy may not work for everyone. The key is to find one that works for you. But here are some suggestions that have worked for me:

• Spend less time on the job boards. I don’t like to look for work where everyone else is digging around. My time and effort are much better spent when I venture beyond the well-worn paths. Devote more time to less traditional methods, and you’ll find more work.

• Think smaller. It seems that every writer wants to land an assignment with some of the big-name national publications. But if you want more money in your pocket while you’re trying to get in the big leagues, think smaller. Target smaller, lesser-known publications, trade magazines, and regional outlets for your bread-and-butter income while you pursue your dream publications.

• Pursue what you like. Do you like a certain company? Enjoy using certain products or services? Most companies have marketing and PR departments, and sometimes they hire freelancers to help produce marketing materials, Web content, and other communications. So if you’re a fan of a company’s products or services, try to parlay this into some work assignments. And pay attention to what’s landing in your inbox and regular mailbox. Are there any newsletters or companies that might be looking for a writer? What captures your attention and interest?

• Send more LOIs. I am a firm believer in sending LOIs to publications or clients you’re interest in working for. Compared to queries, I find that they often save a lot of time and effort. In some cases, trades and other publications don’t even accept story pitches—they assign stories to people in their available pool of freelancers. So by sending an LOI, you have a good chance of landing in that pool.

• Play up your strengths. If you have an area of expertise, now is a great time to capitalize on that. Look for publications and clients who could benefit from your background and expertise. Think about your hobbies too—if you’re a quilter, for example, you might be able to find work writing for quilting magazines and Web sites. Or if you buy your quilting supplies from a particular store, perhaps the store needs some marketing help. It never hurts to ask.

• Tap your network. It almost goes without saying, but your personal network is one of your most valuable tools when it comes to finding freelance work. Network like crazy. Stay in touch with people, nurture your relationships, and continue to grow your network. Let people know you’re looking for assignments and projects. And don’t forget to look beyond Facebook, LinkedIn, and some of the other social networking sites. Think about people you interact with in person every day—do they need any communications or marketing help? Make sure they know what you do for a living. The next time they need a writer, you just might be the first person who comes to mind.

• Market yourself. If you’re looking for freelance work, you need a Web presence. So if you don’t have an online profile or Web site, build one. While a Web site won’t necessarily land you assignments, it does give you more credibility when opportunities come along or when you need to highlight your experience in an LOI or query. Starting your own blog also can help you establish a platform and area of expertise that might be attractive to editors and potential clients.

• Create your own opportunities. Have you ever stumbled across a Web site and thought to yourself: “Boy, they could sure use a [fill in the blank]!” Why not take that thought, write to the company, and tell them how you can help them improve their content, product, or services? Or perhaps you see that while a company has a great Web site, it has no blog. So why not offer your services as a blogger? If you see a need, offer to fill it. Tell the company how your services could take their communications and marketing to the next level.

So what are some of your gig-hunting strategies beyond the job boards? What works for you? Drop me a line—I’d love to hear all about it!

Jenny

Photo credit: katrinket (Flickr)

A couple months ago, one of my friends and former newspaper editors told me that she might be facing a buyout decision at the end of the year. At the time, I had no advice to offer—I left the newspaper industry in 1999, and I never had to face such a gut-wrenching decision.

But after our e-mail exchange, I couldn’t stop thinking about my former editor and all the other friends of mine who are still working as full-time staffers in the newspaper and publishing industries. Every day, Newspaper Deathwatch and other sources continue to report more troubling news about layoffs, buyouts, declining ad revenues, and folding publications. And every day, I worry about my friends. I hope that they make the right career moves and decisions. And I hope they know that there is life and work beyond traditional newspaper and other media jobs.

As much as I’d like to, I can’t shield my friends and former colleagues from the sea changes that are happening in the newspaper and publishing industries right now. But after talking to my former editor, I decided to help in one of the only ways I know how: I wrote a story.

Today, my article, “Follow the Money: Evaluating a Buyout Offer,” is online at mediabistro.com. To read the piece, you’ll need full mediabistro.com membership status. (And if you don’t already have a membership, consider getting one. Mine has consistently paid for itself several times over.)

In the article, I talked to several people who have faced a buyout decision and have successfully moved on to other exciting opportunities. Of course, I couldn’t quote myself in the article. But the message that I really was trying to deliver in the article was a big dose of hope.

If you read the story, you’ll see that facing a media buyout offer or layoff is NOT the end of the world. For many, a layoff or buyout often is the springboard to something much bigger, better, and more lucrative. There will always be a need for people who know how to communicate and write well. And despite economic conditions, there are still many opportunities for people who continue to expand the definition of what they do, and refuse to get boxed in by current or former job titles and I’ve-always-done-it-this-way kind of thinking.

I also want people to know or remember that there is no shame in getting laid off or facing a buyout decision—if it happens to you, know that it is not a reflection on you or your talents. These events are simply a function of a struggling industry.

But if you have the luxury right now and you’re still in a full-time staff job, I do have some strong advice: Begin mapping out your Plan B, C, D, and even E. Creating options for yourself can help empower you at a time when you might feel powerless to change the state of the industry or the health of your employer.

Many people in the newspaper, magazine, and publishing industries are finding new freedom and opportunities as freelancers. With this blog, I hope to help existing freelancers find and maintain success. But I’m also hoping to help full-time staffers in the newspaper and magazine industries make the transition into full-time (or even part-time) freelancing if that’s what they want to pursue as a second act.

Sure, there are many things to be concerned about in the media industry right now. But I think it’s also a time of great opportunity with the right mindset, tools, and information. My hope is that I can help fill your toolbox and provide encouragement as you grow your career in new, exciting directions.

If any of you have questions that I can help answer about transitioning into full-time freelancing, please let me know, and I’ll do my best to address them here at The Golden Pencil. I’m always interested in hearing from my readers, so drop me a line and let me know what you’re thinking!

Best,

Jenny

Photo source: Vin Crosbie (Flickr)

We’ve got 49 Freelance Writing, Editing, Blogging, Translation and etc. jobs to day.

The link is to my old site which is becoming my new blog. Yes, today is my last day with The Golden Pencil, but it’s easy enough to find me at www.aboutfreelancewriting.com

Some of you will recognize that address as my old writing site - I’m converting it to a blog, and the transition has already gotten messy. But all the articles you’re relied on, everything, is backed up and over the next few weeks I’ll be getting it together there. I look forward to seeing you at the new site.

We’ve got 64 Writing, Editing, Blogging, etc. Jobs - not at all bad for a mid-week post.

I don’t seem to have much to say, and I’m running out of time… Wednesdays are my busy day.

If you’re new to applying for freelance writing jobs or need a refresher, How To Apply For A Freelance Writing Job may help.

Image from http://www.sxc.hu

Just posted 54 Freelance Writing, Editing, Blogging & Translation Jobs for you today.

That’s a good start for a week.

If you’re new to applying for freelance writing jobs or need a refresher, How To Apply For A Freelance Writing Job may help.

Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing - a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision - for those who want to get a book written.

Image licensed by http://www.sxc.hu

I just posted 62 Freelance Writing, Editing, Translating, Blogging, Etc. Jobs.

As usual, I haven’t a clue. When I started this list this morning it seemed like I might be lucky to surface half this number. Go figure.

Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing - a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision - for those who want to get a book written.

Image licensed by http://www.sxc.hu

I just posted some 63 freelance writing, editing and translation jobs. There are more, but one of the sites I count on was down. I’m sure it will be back up soon, but I’m going back to bed.

Apparently two or three hours at a time is all the last gasp of this flu will allow.

If you’re new to applying for freelance writing jobs or need a refresher, How To Apply For A Freelance Writing Job may help.

http://aboutfreelancewriting.com/store/books.htm

Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing - a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision - for those who want to get a book written.

Image licensed by http://www.sxc.hu

Sorry everyone, I got a flu shot last week and it put me down low… am better, but no way am I going to get jobs up today.

See you all Wednesday.

Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing - a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision - for those who want to get a book written.

Ugh! Some days it takes me longer to post freelance writing jobs than others… no real clue why.

Today, we end the week with 53 Freelance Writing, Editing and Translating Jobs.

That’s a total of 172 jobs you can do from home for you this week - not bad.

If you’re new to applying for freelance writing jobs or need a refresher, How To Apply For A Freelance Writing Job may help.

Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing - a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision - for those who want to get a book written.

Image licensed by http://www.sxc.hu