Teahon-Freelance writer For all writing services and advice.

19Jun/100

Freelance writing tips on winning the job

Olivetti TypewriterMaking a good pitch when applying for a job is fundamental to freelance writing success. Often a freelance writer can be in competition with dozens, sometimes hundreds of freelance writers, all eager to win the work. Your pitch must stand tall in among this competition and be well supported by good, relevant examples of your previous work.

When I pitch for a job I have a template in my mind of points I need to include. They are:

Who I am and where I'm from. Sounds obvious, but many jobs specify someone from the English speaking world, and this shows that I am.

My experience. I normally state the number of projects I have been involved with.  the more work I complete the better this looks.

My approach to the work, including gauging tone, keeping the copy interesting and informative, and to engage the reader.

My CV/Resume. This contains a cross decision of my previous work, along with testimonials. Both of these are significant.

A link to my website. The writers website provides a means of displaying their talents together with an opportunity to showcase what they can do.  This recently won me a job and has done so in the past.

Depending on what the ad has asked for, depends on how I construct my pitch, and I mention any previous experience that I feel is relevant to the job.

Your bid is also an important factor in winning the work. Often, there is a budget specified for the job, and to stand a realistic chance of winning the work, it is best to put forward a bid that is within it.  I have found that bidding slightly lower than the maximum, tends to give you a fighting chance.

Good luck!

Creative Commons License photo credit: plindberg

19Sep/090

Freelance spam, sex, and nastiness.

Though I love writing this blog, and I love WordPress, I'd be lying if I said the spam element was not getting to me.  Not only is it largely unimaginative crap, it is also, in the main, Russian.  Though to be fair to our former communist friends, I have received American and Italian spam too.  The most horrible spam was one where the URL would have hacked into my computer had I clicked on it.  Not that there is anything valuable on this computer, as sadly I do not have need for a Swiss bank account, but it is truly despicable nonetheless.

Most of the URL's however, point to various forms of porn.  Cartoon, teenage, the full plethora of sex seems to be coming my way.  I find this strange for two reasons, one, sex is like beer, you do not need to advertise it as people seek it out, and two, why target a freelance writing blog?  Surely a blog on sexual dysfunction would be a better bet, or even a dating site.  I wonder who they think is reading this blog?  Maybe freelance writers look at porn all the time, maybe it's just hit and hope, maybe I'm thinking about this too much.

There seems to be few measures to stop it other than to use a captcha, but they are real pain to genuine readers.  All ideas welcome.

Needless to say I delete the spam as it appears.

8May/090

Welcome to the new part of the site…

My blog is finally launched, and thanks for reading it!  A bit presumptuous perhaps, considering so far I am little known in the writing world, but as I type these words, I feel that is about to change. 

Over the rest of my life, I am planning to update you on my progress to becoming a full time writer, as well as showcasing my work, which currently includes SEO, blogs, article writing, and short stories.  As well as these exciting instalments, I will also keep you updated on other projects I am working on, including my novel, which has the working title, "The sun at the bottom of the ocean". 

"The sun at the bottom of the ocean", is a childrens' story set beneath the waves where a clash of cultures, a girl named Sharon, and the lost city of Atlantis, combine to bring a little story to life.  Watch this space.

My web work will also be displayed here, and I will also include a brief description in what context they have been used in.

I hope that I can bring to you a little bit of discussion to liven up our days as we dwell on the woes and joys of writing, so feel free to contribute to the blog.  All posts are welcome, as long as they are genuine.

Well that about winds up my first post, I feel it was a success, and I'll no doubt be raising my glass to many more...

   
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