You may know that I took some down time this summer. Frankly, it was just too hard to juggle caring for the kids and writing, particularly when the money I was bringing in wasn't especially mind blowing. So I took some time off and enjoyed my summer. I'm back and refreshed. And I was totally scared out of my mind that I wouldn't be able to dig up any paying work. Sure, I've got enough to keep me busy with my three blogs and writing for Type-A Mom, but I also want to balance that writing with some regular paying gigs. And I was really afraid that I had jinxed myself by not keeping busy this summer.
To my delight, I was able to get back in touch with an editor whom I had worked with a while back, and she passed a couple new assignments my way. Whew! What a relief. Now I feel like I can get myself back in the swing of things. Those few paying jobs will really help to motivate me to move forward with my goals. And the paycheck will come in handy, too!
As I started thinking about the best way of going about getting more paying leads, I decided to take the approach that has worked best for me so far. I'd like to share that approach with you.
Introduce Yourself
I've already written about how I've used networking to find paid blogging jobs. I swear by networking, both in real life and online, to make the connections that may eventually lead to opportunities. But what happens when your networking leads have run dry? I've learned that it's often helpful to make new connections by introducing yourself. I've read about letters of introduction in the past. A letter of introduction is simply a letter to an editor of interest introducing yourself and informing them of your desire to write for their publication, as well as your qualifications to do so. I don't think writing a letter of introduction would work in all situations, but it has worked for me.
Target Your Letter
I've made connections that have led to paying work by finding publications that are in my target niche. I've found that if I can offer the editor some expertise on the topic, I feel more confident in approaching them, and I have a better chance of success. For example, when I come across websites for college students, I often look to see if they print articles or blogs. Since I have a degree in College Student Personnel and a professional background in academic advising, I already have the informational credentials. So I find the contact information on the website's home page and send off a nice email introducing myself, my professional qualifications, and some online clips. There are times I've gotten nothing back, but there are also times that I've received paying work.
Follow Up
Sometimes, rather than an offer to write for the website, I've gotten an invitation to send my resume or to come back later when they may be accepting freelancers. You can bet I put those emails in a folder for future reference and that I will indeed follow up with them later. You can even follow up with those you don't hear back from.
Have you ever tried this method for obtaining freelance writing jobs? Has it worked for you? Let me know! I'd love to hear about it. What do you think? Would you give it a try? What have you got to lose? Please come back and comment if you try it and find this method to be successful.
For me, for example, is difficult to write letters of recommendation, and it seems to me very complicated!