Freelance Writing for the 'Newbie' Writer attempts to demystify the whole concept of creative freelance writing even while bringing out its pitfalls. The book highlights issues like importance of language, niche writing, querying an editor, reviewing a book, how to spot and avoid scams, plagiarism, and the requirements for publishing a book, etc.
It is essentially an introduction to the art of how to make your writing 'work' for you, as a newbie freelancer, needing to make a living out of it. The book does not tell you how to write. Instead, it tells you what to expect and what not to expect while you 'freelance' write.
I - What Every Newbie Must Be Aware Of
A ‘Freelance’ Writer
What Is Freelance Writing
The Pre-requisites Needed
Is Going Freelance Worth It
The Road Map
II - What Every Newbie Must Acquire
Language And Its Importance
What Are Writing Styles
Your Writing Style
Niche Writing
III - What Every Newbie Must Know
Querying The Right Way
Plagiarism
What Are ‘Rights’
Hazards of Freelance Writing
What Is A Scam
How To Review A Book
IV - What Every Newbie Must Master
The Internet And The WWW
Puzzling Web Terminologies – Simple Definitions
Web Content
A Freelance Writer’s Tools On The Internet
Workshops And Online Courses – Are They Useful
Contests And Competitions – Do They Help
From Amateur To Professional – What Needs To Be Done
Publishing Your Book – What Is Required
V - What Every Newbie Must Do
Tips To Market Yourself
The Ten-Fold Path To Success
VI - Where Every Newbie Must Go
50 plus Useful Website Links
A 100 Market Resource Links
Outsourcing – Why Are Indian Writers Being Called Shoddy Writers
Websites That Have Helped Indian Freelance Writing
VII - What Every Newbie Must Follow
Ten Easy Steps To Freelance Writing
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The Road Map
Today the demand for good writers is at an all-time high. Travel writers, Creative writers, Copywriters, Resume writers, Content writers, Technical writers, Essay writers, you name it, and there is a market for it. If you are slowly able to carve out a name for yourself as a good, dependable writer or by specialising in any one particular area, become an expert and get published or posted (usually without payment first!) often, you are almost there. And once you manage to sell your ideas, you are home and running.
How To Go About It
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All companies including the media have their presence on the Net, so you need to email/call up editors or constantly surf the Net and query!
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To make Search Engines (Google, Yahoo) your trusted lieutenants and use them to help you seek, search and finally write for advertised or possible opportunities.
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If they are direct websites, look for submission guidelines or send in your query. It is not a waste of time. On an average three out of every five will elicit some kind of a response that will take you forward.
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If they are general ‘writing’ sites or blogs, hit on probable ones.
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Subscribe to their newsletters. Most of them are free. It will give you a fair idea of their reliability.
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Generally avoid those that promise you the moon.
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Look for those that seem sincere. Then suss out their market database.
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But do not subscribe or pay for anything till you are sure of its bonafides.
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Also, remember to check out the various published lists of dishonest and fly-by-night operators often.
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Soon you will be able to sift the wheat from the chaff.
Take A Chance
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Once more or less sure, take a chance.
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Respond to the advertised opportunity.
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Though it is usual practice in established writing circles not to start writing till an understanding is reached, you, the newbie, can take no chances.
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So, till you have sufficient work, give them what they’ve asked for, quickly, whatever the subject, or send them something you have already written.
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Odds are that they will use it and pay you with a nice ‘Thank you for your submission’ letter or not at all, but if rejected or if you don’t hear from them ever again, which is highly likely, don’t lose heart.
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Move on. Just keep those articles as ready reckoner samples for later use.
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Stockpile them in a folder for the future, to be sent on to other editors who may seek samples of your written work.
Swallow Your Pride
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Develop a thick hide.
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Learn to take rejections in your stride.
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Despite rejections, build up relationships with editors.
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Cultivate them without rancour.
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Send them query letters or now and then gently remind them you exist!
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More often than not you may get no reply. But persist. Who knows, they might just remember to call on your services when the need arises sometime. And when they start calling, they start paying.
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Slowly but surely you will soon start finding more and more of your contributions in print/uploaded and along with it will come ‘recognition’.
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And this recognition will soon translate your output into bucks even if it is not instantly mega!
Sense Of Belonging
You could also pick up many a useful tip by becoming a member of various interesting writing communities and lists (Yahoo, Msn, Rediff) on the Net. And you will realise that you are not the only freelance writer out there ploughing a lonely furrow. It makes for a great sense of belonging and helps the creative juices no end!
Patience
But the need of the hour most certainly is patience. Disappointments and rejections notwithstanding, you need to keep your spirits up and patiently continue to write everyday, on anything! To persevere. Never stop. Never give up. Also don’t sell yourself short. It is only a matter of time before your articles start finding a market – eventually on your terms. And then, you the lowly work-from-home freelance writer would have arrived! Markets Yes, there are no guarantees that your article will find a home instantly or that all sites on the Net are legitimate, but there are many sites and publications that do accept and survive on freelance submissions. You need to sift through them for those that are genuine and choose those that will suit your purpose. And just as there are many sites which insist on a membership or subscription fee to check out their market database, there are also many that post interesting, paying offers – free! In other words work the markets constantly. It pays!
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