Editing, Copyediting, Etc.: When Going Overboard Can Cost You a Client

As editorial professionals, our jobs are to make documents as perfect as possible when it comes to editing, copyediting, writing, etc. However, going overboard can cost you a client, even if your changes are absolutely correct.

How? An example: One project that comes to mind is an annual report for a large communications design firm. For two years, I edited this report, written by the company CEO.

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The writing was not as polished as it could have been. The first year I did it, I sent it back rife with changes and suggestions. Although my changes were appreciated, when I was presented with the report the second year, I was told not to focus so much on the writing style (eg, sentence structure, word usage, etc.), and to simply focus on glaring errors, leaving the style, sentence structure, etc. alone.

As somewhat of a perfectionist, this was extremely hard for me. But, over the years, I learned that doing what the client requested was as much a part of my job as the actual editing, writing, etc.

When I stopped taking on outsource projects and turned my client list over to a colleague, I briefed her on the idiosyncrasies, if you will, of each client. Eg, this one is very particular (catch EVERYTHING); this one only requires changes of glaring errors (eg, don't go overboard), etc.

After doing a project one or two times, you can usually get a "feel" for what the client wants. Then, your job is to deliver. Oftentimes, retaining a client is as much about your listening skills, as your editorial skills.
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Looking for freelance writing work, but don't know where to start or have the time to actively seek assignments? Coming in April: List of 1,000 Paying Markets to begin your search!
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Sample Listing: Home/Lifestyle Magazine. Seeks articles on interior design, shopping, entertaining, recipes, art and more. Pays $100-$500/article. The majority of our leads are little-known, industry-specific publications/firms that many freelancers don't target because they rarely advertise. We will only sell a limited number per year and the list will be updated/added to annually. Backed by a 100% money-back guarantee!
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May be reprinted with inclusion of the following in full: © 2005 InkwellEditorial.com: THE job and information portal for and about the editorial industry. Visit our informative, up-to-date editorial blog at http://inkwelleditorial.blogspot.com/ for first-hand information on how to start, grow and/or maintain a successful freelance career.

Editorial Freelancing: When to Work WITHOUT a Contract

Contracts are a necessary part of any business. However, there comes a time when you can "safely" do away with them. Safely is in quotation marks because nothing in business is safe -- even with a contract.

Outlined below are two rules I followed when I was freelancing:

1. Steady clients: If you've been doing work for clients on a consistent basis for a period of time (I used 6 months as a marker), then you can probably get away without a contract.

For example, one of my clients was a legal publishing firm and they sent projects in rapid succession -- sometimes two or three a week for three months straight. As the parameters of the projects didn't change (hence, the need for a different fee structure), it got to be cumbersome to print up a contract with every job. So, I created a "one-time contract."

It covered all projects for as long as they used Inkwell Editorial for outsource work. Parameters were placed on the projects, but again, since the work was the same, one contract was all that was necessary.

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2. Pre-paid projects: Many of these types of projects came from individuals who usually wanted the work within a short period of time and were willing to pay up front.

In that case, I usually just wrote some type of rider at then end of the invoice saying that the project was "Paid in Advance based on the standard industry rate ($x) agreed upon in the initial consultation." This way, you don't have to write up a contract, but still have something in writing to which you and the recipient can refer.

Contracts Checklist. Make sure any contract you use has at least the following:

Fee structure (word count, hourly rate, page rate, etc.)
Project Due Date
Payment Due Date
Date Submitted from Client
Parameters of work to be performed
Number of rewrites/do-overs/reviews/corrections without charge
Charge for "extras" (rewrites, research fees, gas, telephone, messenger fees, etc.)

Helpful Links:
http://freelancebank.com/resource.asp?id=14114 (sample freelance contract)
http://www.itssimple.biz/biz_tools/text/P05_0088.html (FYI, the real definition of an Independent Contractor)
http://freelancewrite.about.com/od/samples/l/blsampleinvice.htm (sample freelance writer's invoice)

Remember, contracts are to protect you AND the client. When I write contracts, I always pretend that I will have to go in front of Judge Judy and "explain myself". What would she want to know? As her show highlights (brilliantly, I think), the law is basically common sense.

A contract can be as complex or simple as you make it. No matter what kind you use though, make sure the basics are covered. That way you don't risk the wrath of Judge Judy calling you "dumb" (one of her favorite adjectives).
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Looking for freelance writing work, but don't know where to start or have the time to actively seek assignments? Coming in April: List of 1,000 Paying Markets to begin your search!
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Sample Listing: Home/Lifestyle Magazine. Seeks articles on interior design, shopping, entertaining, recipes, art and more. Pays $100-$500/article. The majority of our leads are little-known, industry-specific publications/firms that many freelancers don't target because they rarely advertise. We will only sell a limited number per year and the list will be updated/added to annually. Backed by a 100% money-back guarantee!****************************************************************************
May be reprinted with inclusion of the following in full: © 2005 InkwellEditorial.com: THE job and information portal for and about the editorial industry. Visit our informative, up-to-date editorial blog at http://inkwelleditorial.blogspot.com/ for first-hand information on how to start, grow and/or maintain a successful freelance career.

Editorial Freelancing: Should You Advertise Your Fees/Rates Up Front?

When I was freelancing, I tried both methods (advertising my fees and not advertising them) and to be quite honest, I can't tell you which method worked best because I never took the time to track my ads and come to a conclusive answer.

BUT, what I can tell you is that I spend a lot of time online and purchase goods and services frequently via the Web. I like to know the prices of things. Quite honestly, when a price/rate isn't listed, I get kinda peeved. Why?

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Quite frankly, I feel like I've been "forced" into calling when a key piece of product/service information isn't listed. This is just my personal feeling. But, with time at a premium, when I'm seriously considering purchasing, I almost always choose vendors who give me all the critical information I need up front to make a purchasing decision -- and price is usually right at the top of this list.

My reasoning is, either I can afford you or not, and talking to me over the phone is not going to change my mind (a small biz owner for many years, I don't buy sales pitches). People use the internet to gather information on which to make a sound purchasing decision. For most of us, that means knowing "how much" going in.

Now, I understand that some projects require more detail to give a definitive rate, but I think that having some guideline regarding your fees listed weeds out the tire-kickers from the serious purchasers. Listing fees somewhat pre-qualifies customers, leaving you more free time -- to service those who can afford you and to spend with family and friends.

And isn't that, after all, what freelancing is all about?
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What's your opinion, experience, comment, feedback? Click on "comments" to leave a reply, or the envelope graphic to email this article to a friend. You DO NOT need to be a subscriber to reply; you can also post anonymously. ****************************************************************************
Looking for freelance writing work, but don't know where to start or have the time to actively seek assignments? Coming in April: List of 1,000 Paying Markets to begin your search!
**********************************************************************************
Sample Listing: Home/Lifestyle Magazine. Seeks articles on interior design, shopping, entertaining, recipes, art and more. Pays $100-$500/article. The majority of our leads are little-known, industry-specific publications/firms that many freelancers don't target because they rarely advertise. We will only sell a limited number per year and the list will be updated/added to annually. Backed by a 100% money-back guarantee!****************************************************************************
May be reprinted with inclusion of the following in full: ©2005 InkwellEditorial.com: THE job and information portal for and about the editorial industry. Visit our informative, up-to-date editorial blog at http://inkwelleditorial.blogspot.com/ for first-hand information on how to start, grow and/or maintain a successful freelance career.

Microsites: Good Way to Increase Freelance Income, or Not?

Ads like the following are becoming more and more popular:

Contributing Editors: Have Fun Writing About Your Hobby or Passion & Make Money Too! If you have always wanted to start your own website but didn't know where to begin, Garden and Hearth is now offering micro-sites to enthusiastic individuals who are willing to give it their all. Full details at http://www.gardenandhearth.com/media_kit/writers_guidelines.htm.

Content is king on the Internet because most people who use the net are searching for information. And, niche sites often provide the most informative, detailed content. As more and more website owners realize this, the push to provide detailed, up-to-date information on various topics can be more lucrative than ever. Proof?

The highly popular site, About.com. is built on this model. And, more and more Internet businesses are taking advantage of its popularity.

So, the question is: Are these types of opportunities good for aspiring writers/Internet entrepreneurs, or a waste of time? The advantages to editorial workers are numerous, namely:

a) more outlets to pitch skills: after all, the more sites that exist, the more opportunity for work (editing, writing, copyediting, graphic design, etc.);

b) additional outlets in which to showcase expertise: what better way to showcase your knowledge than a site full of your content on a particular subject; and

c) generate income from a passion: get paid for what you would do for free -- well, alright!

As an editorial worker, the following guidelines will help you to maximize your return if you decide to take advantage of this type of opportunity:

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1) Site Traffic: Make sure the site you "partner" with gets a lot of traffic. Just because you build it (ie, add content) does not mean they will come. No matter how good or interesting your portion of the site is, if the site as a whole does not already get a healthy flow of traffic, you will see minimal return on your investment.

After all, the whole idea behind a microsite is for you to go in with a little bit of a leg up already; otherwise, you might as well build your own website from scratch and drive traffic to it.

2) Content Rights: Before you contribute one bit of content, be very sure of who owns the rights to it. If you spend time building a highly successful microsite, you want to make sure that you own the rights to the content. Why?

What if the site is sold or the owner of the site decides to hire someone else to take over your channel (your microsite), or YOU decide that you would rather go it alone? Will you be able to take your content with you (if not, you'll have to start over)? Will you have the right to, at minimum, republish it? Or, does the site owner retain all rights to the material.

Durant and Chery Imboden, the writers/entrepreneurs behind the highly successful EuropeforVisitors.com, among other travel-related sites, are perfect examples of how retaining copyright to all material is critical to your success if you decide -- for whatever reason -- to move on. He states:

"Our relationship with About.com ended in fall, 2001, when we acquired our own domains and placed our copyrighted material on four tightly integrated sites: Europe for Visitors, Venice for Visitors, Switzerland for Visitors, and Austria for Visitors." See the following link for complete article and links to other sites surrounding this issue: http://europeforvisitors.com/europe/articles/info/about_us.htm

This link clearly outlines what the suit is all about: http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,53140,00.html

3) Employment Status: As the links above clearly illustrate, defining your status (independent contractor or employee) is critical.

4) Severance Terms: Be sure this is clearly outlined in case you -- or the site owner -- decides to terminate your arrangement. What happens to the content already delivered? How long can it be used? Will you be paid for it? How much? How often?

5) Non-complete Clause: If you can take your content with you but you signed an agreement with a non-complete clause, owning your content could be useless in the short run -- if ever. Read the fine print.

These are but a few issues to be aware of when considering entering into a microsite partnership. As with any business arrangement, consult a qualified attorney before signing any agreement. The bottom line is that this can be a profitable arrangement for all involved if certain guidelines are followed.

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What's your opinion, experience, comment, feedback? Click on "comments" to leave a reply, or the envelope graphic to email this article to a friend. You DO NOT need to be a subscriber to reply; you can also post anonymously. ****************************************************************************
Looking for freelance writing work, but don't know where to start or have the time to actively seek assignments? Coming in April: List of 1,000 Paying Markets to begin your search!
**********************************************************************************
Sample Listing: Home/Lifestyle Magazine. Seeks articles on interior design, shopping, entertaining, recipes, art and more. Pays $100-$500/article. The majority of our leads are little-known, industry-specific publications/firms that many freelancers don't target because they rarely advertise. We will only sell a limited number per year and the list will be updated/added to annually. Backed by a 100% money-back guarantee!****************************************************************************
May be reprinted with inclusion of the following in full: © 2005 InkwellEditorial.com: THE job and information portal for and about the editorial industry. Visit our informative, up-to-date editorial blog at http://inkwelleditorial.blogspot.com/ for first-hand information on how to start, grow and/or maintain a successful freelance career.

Why Writing is EASIER Than Other Types of Editorial Freelancing

Editorial freelancing can run the gamut from copyediting, writing and proofreading to graphic design, illustration and word processing.

However, breaking into the writing sector is the easiest way to go, in my opinion. Why? Simply put, the Internet has brought a need for content like no other medium. There are newsletters, e-mags and niche-specific content needs that don't require the journalistic background of traditional media forums (ie, magazines and newspapers).

Content is king, especially on the Internet. All many web publishers look for is fresh content with a different angle to it (humor, sarcastic bite, informative edge, etc.). So, if you know the subject matter, or are adept at doing the research required to put together a cohesive article, 9 times out of 10, you can find a market for it.

As it's much easier to put up a website than publish a magazine, there are literally hundreds of thousands of venues to market yourself as a content provider. Further, mainstream companies are paying more attention to their web presence. So, in addition to offline content needs, they have a need for fresh material for their online presence.

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Visit the InkwellEditorial.com job boards today!
http://www.InkwellEditorial.com/postjob.htm: Full-time listings. http://www.InkwellEditorial.com/freelance-jobs.htm: Freelance listings.

List of Prestigious Internships (Paid & Unpaid) in NYC
http://journalism.nyu.edu/alumni/careerservices/internships/recentintern.html

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Now, will you make a hefty living starting out in this manner as an editorial freelancer? Like almost everything in life -- it depends. If you target a high-paying niche market like tech writing, a few good steady clients can easily replace a full-time day job.

However, if you are more of a generalist and target various markets (greeting card writing, book reviews, niche e-zines), you will have to churn out more pieces to replace your salary. However, it can be done.

The ways to make money as a freelance writer are innumerable. And, you don't have to sit on your hands and wait for an assignment like, for example, a copy editor or proofreader. If things get slow, you can always do the writing first and then spend your time pitching it to various outlets instead of waiting for the phone to ring.

The Variety of Content Needed is Staggering -- Capitalize on It!

Following are some writing jobs advertised on Elance.com. From poker to press releases -- you're sure to find something within your range. These opportunities were pulled at random to show you the variety of writing that companies and individuals alike are willing to pay for. Notice that the rates are none to shabby.

1. I need emails written in story form promoting the use of various products we sell. These emails will be used on an autoresponder. Stories to show how the products can be used. Will provide links to information on the products and an example email. Pay: Between $250 and $500.

2. We require 30 keyword optimized web articles of around 250-300 words, plus compelling headline. Articles are to be based on 1 optimized keyword per page. Writer to research and write an original and informative article. Pay: Less than $250.

3. In need of a fluent English content writer to write adult content pages for dating related site. Must be highly creative! Love, fantasy and erotic content writing experience a must! Goal is to create thousands of content pages. Pay: Between $500 and $750.

4. I want to launch an internet guide to online poker, offline poker and poker in general. I need a complete, well-structured guide delivered in HTML format. Pay: Between $1,000 and $1,500.

5. Business - we are looking for a writer who can provide us with 2 - 4 press releases that we can distribute to the media - especially contacts we have at The New York Times, Arch Digest and various trade publications. Pay: Between $1,000 and $1,500.
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What's your opinion, experience, comment, feedback? Click on "comments" to leave a reply, or the envelope graphic to email this article to a friend. You DO NOT need to be a subscriber to reply; you can also post anonymously. ****************************************************************************
Looking for freelance writing work, but don't know where to start or have the time to actively seek assignments? Coming in April: List of 1,000 Paying Markets to begin your search!
**********************************************************************************
Sample Listing: Home/Lifestyle Magazine. Seeks articles on interior design, shopping, entertaining, recipes, art and more. Pays $100-$500/article. The majority of our leads are little-known, industry-specific publications/firms that many freelancers don't target because they rarely advertise. We will only sell a limited number per year and the list will be updated/added to annually. Backed by a 100% money-back guarantee!****************************************************************************
May be reprinted with inclusion of the following in full: © 2005 InkwellEditorial.com: THE job and information portal for and about the editorial industry. Visit our informative, up-to-date editorial blog at http://inkwelleditorial.blogspot.com/ for first-hand information on how to start, grow and/or maintain a successful freelance career.

Why Writing is EASIER Than Other Types of Editorial Freelancing

This topic will be covered in Thursday's blog.

NEW Blog Schedule: As of 3/15/05, entries will be twice weekly instead of thrice weekly. Once the redesign has been completed in May, I will go back to posting three times a week.

5/20/05: UPDATE: With the growth of the site, the twice weekly posting schedule has worked out nicely. Hence, I'm going to stick with it indefinitely.

FYI, 4 new jobs were posted to Inkwell Editorial's job board today.

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Visit the InkwellEditorial.com job boards today!
http://www.InkwellEditorial.com/postjob.htm: Full-time listings. http://www.InkwellEditorial.com/freelance-jobs.htm: Freelance listings.

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Looking for freelance writing work, but don't know where to start or have the time to actively seek assignments? Coming Soon: List of 1,000 Paying Markets to begin your search!
**********************************************************************************
Sample Listing: Home/Lifestyle Magazine. Seeks articles on interior design, shopping, entertaining, recipes, art and more. Pays $100-$500/article. The majority of our leads are little-known, industry-specific publications/firms that many freelancers don't target because they rarely advertise. We will only sell a limited number per year and the list will be updated/added to annually. Backed by a 100% money-back guarantee!****************************************************************************

Kottke Kudos; Writing for Free (When & When Not to Do It)

Publisher's Note: I wrote the following article about 2 years ago. I was inspired to post it here because of blogger Jason Kottke, the writer behind Kottke.org who recently quit his full-time job as a web designer in New York City to blog for a living full-time.

WRITING FOR FREE: When & When Not to Do It

Right off the bat, I want to say that there is no right or wrong answer here. A lot depends on your end goal — to get a job, garner publicity, build a portfolio, etc. However, I believe there comes a time when every writer should say no to writing for free.

Below are some issues that I've been pondering about freelance writing.

Issue 1: Content for websites. Content is king on the Internet and everyone wants something fresh and unique on a regular basis. If you are promoting a product/service and write articles to generate publicity, then by all means, give the content away. However, if what you are selling is your writing skill and are not promoting anything, then don't give it away.

You'd be better off doing a direct mail campaign and spending your time creating pieces for your portfolio — even if they are only make-believe companies. One could argue that the reason good writing is taken for granted is so many give it away. I give a lot of content away, but only within the framework of WIIFM (what's in it for me).

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Issue 2: Writing on spec: For those of you who don't know what this is, see this excellent primer article at http://inkwelleditorial.com/beginnersguideglatzer.htm This established freelance writer explains spec writing brilliantly. The bottom line, once your portfolio is complete with good samples, stop this practice.

The exception would be if it's a credit from a noted source that you really want. After all, who's going to turn down Fortune? However, I believe there's a big enough need for good writers that you don't have to sell your soul for one credit, even if it is a "biggie."

How many samples should you have? I advise between five and ten. Try to get them from different sources — eg, two newspaper, three websites, two brochure, one sales letter, etc. This will give your portfolio a range. Nonprofits, friends with small businesses, neighborhood shops — all are possible non-paid sources to build your writing credits.

A tip: Choose a small business and do the brochure, sales letter, etc. first. Then, send it to your target and ask if they would mind if you included it in your portfolio. I don't know any small business that would refuse a well-written promotional piece that doesn't cost them a dime. Bang, a legitimate credit!

Issue 3: Original Content & Rights: I don't believe in giving away original content — again, unless you are promoting a product/service or are just starting out. I am constantly amazed at the number of publications that want original content but don't want to pay for it.

An example: I write a small business column. An editor saw it and approached me to be a regular contributor to their publication, which is quite noted in business circles. The kicker? They didn't want my column but wanted me to contribute original content with no pay. I had to turn them down. I offered the column at no charge (since I already write it), but explained that original content outside of this without payment was not possible.

If you write, then you know it's not easy coming up with original content on a regular basis. Some subjects are so covered that nine times out of ten, new ground is never being broken. We are usually just putting a new spin on it. This costs brain cells! And, trust me, not everybody can do it.

The next time you put finger to keyboard, think about your objective. If we all stopped giving away our pearls of wisdom, then the pay level across the board would be raised.

That being said, read article at link below for more opinions (for and against) on this subject: http://nanopublishing.weblogsinc.com/entry/5855275640673728/

Kudos, Mr. Kottke for bringing some validity to this issue. Here's to your success!
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What's your opinion, experience, comment, feedback? Click on "comments" to leave a reply, or the envelope graphic to email this article to a friend. You DO NOT need to be a subscriber to reply; you can also post anonymously. ****************************************************************************
Looking for freelance writing work, but don't know where to start or have the time to actively seek assignments? Coming in April: List of 1,000 Paying Markets to begin your search!
**********************************************************************************
Sample Listing: Home/Lifestyle Magazine. Seeks articles on interior design, shopping, entertaining, recipes, art and more. Pays $100-$500/article. The majority of our leads are little-known, industry-specific publications/firms that many freelancers don't target because they rarely advertise. We will only sell a limited number per year and the list will be updated/added to annually. Backed by a 100% money-back guarantee!****************************************************************************
May be reprinted with inclusion of the following in full: © 2005 InkwellEditorial.com: THE job and information portal for and about the editorial industry. Visit our informative, up-to-date editorial blog at http://inkwelleditorial.blogspot.com/ for first-hand information on how to start, grow and/or maintain a successful freelance career.

The Worst Time to Send Your Marketing Materials/Resume

Before we get to today's post, here is an excellent intern opportunity from O Magazine (Oprah's Magazine). NOTE: We do not post unpaid opportunities on our job boards at InkwellEditorial.com, but will post them here if they are at high-profile publications.

The Oprah Magazine is looking to hire fall interns in the Fashion and Style Departments. Candidates must be highly organized, detail-oriented and be able to juggle multiple tasks at once. Prior internship experience preferred, but not required. This opportunity is available for college students in need of credit hours and recent graduates who are available to start immediately, full-time from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., 5 days a week. Send resumes with a cover letter to: Cindy M. del Rosario, Associate Editor O, The Oprah Magazine 1700 Broadway, 38th floor NY, NY or call 212-903-5149.
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TODAY’S POST

Did you know that the day of the week that you send your marketing materials/resume can have an impact on whether or not they get opened?

It's true. When applying for jobs/freelance assignments, something as simple as when your materials are received can mean the difference between being tossed or opened. This is true whether your materials are sent electronically or via snail mail.

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So, when is the best time to lick, click and send? Try to time your delivery so that it hits your target's desk on Tuesday, Wednesday or early Thursday. Why?

Monday is usually a busy day. Most of us are cleaning out our in-boxes or sorting through mail that has come in over the weekend. And, really, who is receptive to sales pitches (ie, your marketing material) on Monday mornings?

We are much more likely to toss things that are not extremely important if they are received on Monday or Friday because we want to start fresh. If it's Friday, we may toss things because we "just want to be done with it already" so that we can get on with our weekends.

Tuesdays, Wednesdays and early Thursdays are much better days because we have weeded through the piles on Mondays and are in a much more receptive mood. Therefore, material received on these days, especially unsolicited materials, are much more likely to be opened.

So, while everyone else is thinking weekend, spend Thursdays and Fridays addressing envelopes and getting your materials out the door. Depending on how far they have to go, they are likely to land on your target's desk midweek.

Wednesdays are good days to schedule e-mail campaigns. I like mid-mornings and mid-afternoons because emails are much more likely to be tossed first thing in the mornings and near the end of the day.

Good luck!

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What's your opinion, experience, comment, feedback? Click on "comments" to leave a reply, or the envelope graphic to email this article to a friend. You DO NOT need to be a subscriber to reply; you can also post anonymously. ****************************************************************************
Looking for freelance writing work, but don't know where to start or have the time to actively seek assignments? Coming in April: 1,000 Paying Markets to begin your search!
_________________________________________________________
Sample Listing: Home/Lifestyle Magazine. Seeks articles on interior design, shopping, entertaining, recipes, art and more. Pays $100-$500/article. The majority of our leads are little-known, industry-specific publications/firms that many freelancers don't target because they rarely advertise. We will only sell a limited number per year and the list will be updated/added to annually. Backed by a 100% money-back guarantee!****************************************************************************
May be reprinted with inclusion of the following in full: © 2005 InkwellEditorial.com: THE job and information portal for and about the editorial industry. Visit our informative, up-to-date editorial blog at http://inkwelleditorial.blogspot.com/ for first-hand information on how to start, grow and/or maintain a successful freelance career.

When is the Best Time to Start a Freelance Career?

Now! Now! Now!

In short, the best time to start a freelance career is when you are ready. Procedures will change depending on the time of year you start, though.

To explain, editorial is a cyclical industry. Not much happens during the summer months and late November through early January. So, if you find yourself starting during these times, you can use this time to fully prepare marketing materials, gather contact information, target your strongest industries, etc.

Post Continued Below ****************************************************************************
Visit the InkwellEditorial.com job boards today!
http://www.InkwellEditorial.com/postjob.htm: Full-time listings.
http://www.InkwellEditorial.com/freelance-jobs.htm: Freelance listings. ***************************************************************************

If you're starting during a full-throttle season, ie, early February through May and September through mid-November, you'd do well to work overtime and get your marketing material out the door as quickly as possible. So, instead of designing an intricate brochure and/or complete sales kit, you might want to go with a hard-hitting postcard campaign.

Postcards are inexpensive to mail, can be designed quickly and force you to pare down your marketing message to the bare bones (ie, your most powerful, succint message). Sites like http://www.vistaprint.com allow you to design your own postcard right from their site. You can use their images or upload your own and have your order delivered in 3-5 days.

Whenever you start freelancing, as long as you are willing to put in the muscle to market and get your name out there, you can be successful at it. Good luck!
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May be reprinted with inclusion of the following in full: ©2005 InkwellEditorial.com: THE job and information portal for and about the editorial industry. Visit our informative, up-to-date editorial blog at http://inkwelleditorial.blogspot.com/ for first-hand information on how to start, grow and/or maintain a successful freelance career.

How to make freelancing a successful career -- not just a way of scratching out a living

If you want to succeed to the point where you make freelancing a successful career, not just a way of scratching out a living, sacrifices have to be made along the way.

This may mean a combination of turning down assignments, risk losing old clients and expanding your skill set – at least for a while. This is why freelancing should be a well-thought out career move, not a hastily made decision.

So, how do you increase your income year after year? Three tips:

1. At the end of every year, examine your fee structure. While it is notoriously difficult to raise fees yearly, you can change how you charge so that you maximize your time to bring in more dollars. For example, instead of charging by the hour, charge by the project.

If you’re a fast worker, you could increase your income on a project by 10, 15, 25 percent or more simply by implementing this method. This works particularly well for projects you are comfortable with (eg, an annual report you’ve written for the same client for the last three years).

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2. At the end of every year, examine your client list. Determine who is “worth it” to keep. Some clients cost you – in time, effort and sheer frustration. Ask yourself if the dollars you bring in from a pesky client is worth it in the time it takes away from other clients.

Even if other clients pay less, but are relatively easy to deal with, it may be worth it to cut loose a time-consuming client and spend the hours you free up to market for more low-maintenance, high-paying clients.

3. At the end of every year, examine your skill set. Sometimes, updating your skill set can position you to take on more lucrative projects.

For example, medical and technical editing and writing generally pays more than general editing and writing. So, taking a class on the dynamics of medical and/or technical editing can add a skill set to your professional profile.

NOTE: It takes a while to move into a new discipline. So, initially you will probably have to take on lower-paying projects to get some experience under your belt. But, if you’re freelancing for the long haul, it will pay off over time.

In order to get something (more money), you often have to sacrifice something (dry spells, returning to the classroom, letting go of old clients, etc.).

In my opinion, freelancers who work for a pittance not only cheat themselves, they lower the bar on the industry as a whole. While moving into the upper echelon of assignments may mean tough times in the short run, it will make you work that much harder to succeed over the long haul.

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May be reprinted with inclusion of the following in full: © 2005 InkwellEditorial.com: THE job and information portal for and about the editorial industry. Visit our informative, up-to-date editorial blog at http://inkwelleditorial.blogspot.com/ for first-hand information on how to start, grow and/or maintain a successful freelance career.

When You Should REFUSE to Test for a Job

Many freelancers are asked to test for jobs, particularly those involving proofreading, copyediting, editing and certain software skills (Quark, etc.). However, there are certain instances when you should refuse to do so.

1. If a company asks you to completely edit, copyedit, proofread, for example, a complete chapter of material. This is a red flag because the company could be farming out chapters to many different freelancers and getting work done for free.

While testing is standard, many companies who test give the same test, or a slightly different version, to all freelancers. At Inkwell Editorial, we tested, but the same test was given to all freelancers. Every year or so, we would change the test, but the same test was given to all. AND, it was usually only a few pages.

If a company is requesting that you complete a whole chapter, be wary.

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2. If a company asks for a testing fee (or any fee) OF ANY KIND: Legitimate employers do not ask you for money for anything -- ever. Do not pay testing fees, application fees, shipping and handling fees, contract fees, etc. Again, legitimate companies bear all costs.

As a recruiter, I was always amazed when applicants would ask how much we charged for our recruiting services. I would get this question at least once a week. Again, legitimate employers never charge you, the applicant, for anything. We collect all fees from employers who hire you. Further, stay away from companies that guarantee employment -- this simply does not exist -- in any form, anywhere -- ever.

3. When you are obviously qualified for a job: Although many companies have set policies and will not accept freelancers who don't test, if you have been freelancing for a while and can provide qualified references, I would not waste my time testing -- especially if the job didn't pay that well.

As freelancers, many applicants don't want to rock the boat. And, this is understandable. BUT, if you are ever going to move your career beyond a certain level, you have to start thinking of yourself in a certain light and acting accordingly.

Testing for a job that pays $15/hour may be fine for a newbie; but if you've been a freelancer for a while (and this varies, but 5+ years is a good benchmark), you have to raise your standards on the types of jobs you are willing to accept, or even apply for.

********************************************************************************** What's your opinion, experience, comment, feedback? Click on "comments" to leave a reply, or the envelope graphic to email this article to a friend. You DO NOT need to be a subscriber to reply; you can also post anonymously. ********************************************************************************** Looking for freelance work, but don't know where to start? Coming Soon: Mailing list of 1,000 Companies to begin your search! (Magazines Publishers, Printing Houses, Graphic Design Firms, Advertising Agencies, Public Relations Firms, etc.) ********************************************************************************** May be reprinted with inclusion of the following in full: © 2005 InkwellEditorial.com: THE job and information portal for and about the editorial industry. Visit our informative, up-to-date editorial blog at http://inkwelleditorial.blogspot.com/ for first-hand information on how to start, grow and/or maintain a successful freelance career.

Why Can't I Get a Response to My Resume/Freelance Inquiry

Many applicants/freelancers feel as if their credentials disappear into the black hole of e-mail space once they hit the send button because they never hear back from companies.

"Is anyone on the other end of the send button? Is a live person actually reviewing my credentials?" You may legitimately be wondering this and the answer is an unqualified, "Yes!"

Then why don't you ever hear anything? The cold reality is that it has become commonplace for companies not to respond UNLESS an applicant/freelancer has been selected for an interview.

The advent of e-mail has made it possible for many more applicants to fire off a resume/portfolio. So, many hiring managers are inundated with resumes/inquiries from the minute a job is posted. This makes the screening process that much longer.

An Inside Look at How the Recruiting/Screening Process Works

Once a job/assignment is posted, it is not unusual for the hiring manager to receive 3-5 extremely qualified applicants the first day. Depending on the size of the company, these candidates are then referred directly to the editor/manager/director in charge of hiring. They usually consult with a team of 3-4 people to decide who bring in for an interview.

Say they select 2 out of the 3-5 submitted. If these 2 applicants are brought in for 2-3 interviews, this can take several weeks because schedules have to be arranged so that the applicant can be interviewed by all concerned parties.

If by chance neither of the submitted applicants are offered the job, then the process starts all over again.

Recruiters/hiring managers will continue to accept resumes until a position is filled. BUT, they usually select those they will refer for an interview from qualified apps received within the first 24-48 hours a job is posted. The reason is expediency. While you may send in your credentials within the first 2-3 days, if the employer already has 5 or 6 extremely qualified applicants, there is simply no need to look further.

So, try to be among the first batch of applicants to apply. Bookmark job boards you frequent and check them daily. This can be the difference between your credentials being reviewed, or not.

Tip: Many recruiters and human resources managers often check e-mail on the weekends or in the evenings when there is less going on. And, many will email you right then, asking that you contact them the next (business) day to set up a phone/in-person interview, request more material, etc. I worked this way when I was recruiting. This put the onus upon the applicant to call.

I reasoned that if an applicant was really interested in a position, they would get back to me. If an applicant didn't call when I'd asked them to, I might follow up with a call or email, depending on if other applicants I'd contacted for the same position responded.

Putting the onus upon an applicant to contact me at a certain time also saved me time. How? Email makes the process of applying for jobs so easy that many times applicants who are not "that interested" in a position will fire off a resume b/c the position "looks interesting." I called these "lookey-loos." These were less likely to get back to me than someone who was really interested in a position.

During the normal workday day, there were simply too many fires to put out to actively contact new applicants. This was because I was busy trying to complete other business during the day.

I knew that I could contact applicants almost any time (simply because they were the ones seeking jobs). But, if I needed to check a reference, follow up on a contract or set up a second interview, the person I needed to speak with could most likely only be called during the 9-5 workday.

Parting Tips: Check job boards you frequent DAILY; send in your credentials IMMEDIATELY; and follow up with a thank you card if selected for an interview. I know this last bit may seem trite, but I can count the number of thank you cards I received on one hand during the 7+ years I recruited.

I ALWAYS remembered applicants who did this and went out of my way to recommend them for positions because it spoke volumes about their professional character.

How to send thank yous -- email or regular mail? Both, unless you are instructed to do otherwise. Don't forget to ask for business cards at the end of every interview. Send a quick thank you via email and drop a thank you card in the mail no later than 24 hours after the interview. Trust me, interviewers always remember this because so few do it.
********************************************************************************** What's your opinion, experience, comment, feedback? Click on "comments" to leave a reply, or the envelope graphic to email this article to a friend. You DO NOT need to be a subscriber to reply; you can also post anonymously. ********************************************************************************** Looking for freelance work, but don't know where to start? Coming Soon: Mailing list of 1,000 Companies to begin your search! (Magazines Publishers, Printing Houses, Graphic Design Firms, Advertising Agencies, Public Relations Firms, etc.) ********************************************************************************** May be reprinted with inclusion of the following in full: © 2005 InkwellEditorial.com: THE job and information portal for and about the editorial industry. Visit our informative, up-to-date editorial blog at http://inkwelleditorial.blogspot.com/ for first-hand information on how to start, grow and/or maintain a successful freelance career.