Advice From Successful Freelancers: Starting and Maintaining A Freelancer Career <\/p>\n
For the e-book, Advice from Successful Freelancers: How They Built Their Careers & How You Can Too!, I asked ten questions of freelancers who were living their dream life. Following are some of their answers. They cover successful marketing techniques, how to get clients and more! <\/p>\n
1. Why did you start freelancing? Yuwanda Black, Writer, Editor, Small Business Columnist <\/p>\n
My sister and I worked at the same company. We were freelancing on the side. Once we realized that we were making more as freelancers than as full-time employees, she quit and started Inkwell Editorial. Once the business was able to support two salaries, I joined her, which was one year later (1997). <\/p>\n
2. How long have you been a full-time freelancer? Eileen Coale: Marketing & Corporate Communications Writer <\/p>\n
I don’t work full time. On average, I work about 15 hours a week, sometimes a bit more. I work mornings until my youngest gets home from kindergarten, and sometimes I’ll put in evenings and Saturdays as well. Sixty to 70% of my work hours are spent networking and marketing to get assignments. The remainder is spent writing. In another year or two, I expect that ratio to flip. <\/p>\n
3. How many years of experience do you have? Marcy L. Brown: Cataloging, Indexing & Information Management <\/p>\n
I have five part-time years of indexing, but 10 years of library employment including cataloging, some indexing, and information management. <\/p>\n
4. Do you specialize in a certain area, e.g., legal, medical, production? If so, what? Cathy Moore: Writer, Instructional & Marketing Copy <\/p>\n
Instructional writing and marketing copy. I write appealing text for any readability level, including kids. <\/p>\n
5. What specific marketing tips have you personally tried that worked? Jennifer Lawler: Writer, Editor <\/p>\n
I tried a direct mail letter to editors that included the type of editing I could do, a few companies I had worked for, and my business card printed in such a way that it could be popped right onto someone’s rolodex. This letter generated so much business for me that I never had to do another direct mail package. <\/p>\n
6. How do you get most of your clients? Katharine O’Moore-Klopf: Editor, Copy Editor, Factchecker <\/p>\n
When I first started freelancing, I got them mostly by word of mouth, and some were former employers. Now, I get them mostly by word of mouth and via my Web site. <\/p>\n
7. Under what circumstances would you turn down work? Jennifer Dirks: Journalist, Editor, Writer, Speaker <\/p>\n
I’ve turned down work if the pay (or potential payoff) won’t compensate me for the work I’d put into it. I also once turned down work from a magazine publisher who in the past has asked for several rewrites without explanation and I was unsure if anything new I did for her would ever please her. <\/p>\n
8. Approximately how many hours a week would you estimate you work? Nan Yielding: Copywriter <\/p>\n
Anywhere from 50-60. I pretty much work a 9-hour day … weekends included. However, I do allow myself some time off every so often to just ‘play,’ so it averages out. <\/p>\n
9. If offered a well-paying, full-time position, would you accept? Please explain why you would accept\/refuse. Richard Adin: Desktop Publishing & Copyediting Services <\/p>\n
This cannot be answered yes or no; there are too many factors that I would have to consider. “Well-paying” is important but also important, perhaps more so, are matters of responsibility and challenge. <\/p>\n
10. What is the number one piece of advice you would offer to freelance newbies? Rachel Goldstein: Web Developer, Graphic Designer, Muralist <\/p>\n
In order to assure your chances for the greatest success, you should do some self-evaluation before you leap into freelancing. Not only does it take a special temperament to run a successful business, but it also takes talent and expertise in your field. This includes some or all of the following personality features: self-confidence, common sense, innovation, and ambition. <\/p>\n
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