navigating a career in freelance writing: ten keys to success melissa shultz

Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success

Melissa Shultz

Navigating a Career In Freelance Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Writing:

Ten Keys to SuccessTen Keys to Success



# 1 Establish A Plan# 1 Establish A Plan..

• All good plans are inspired by a goal. What is yours?

• Plant a seed.

• Generate a concept



# 1 Establish A Plan# 1 Establish A Plan..

• Determine the types of writing you will focus on and the minimum income you can survive on.

• Save money before you begin.



# 1 Establish A Plan# 1 Establish A Plan. .

• Set up an office.

• Open a business checking account.

• Get a business credit card.




• Print business cards.

• Get insurance.

• Dance around the new office.



#2 Get #2 Get Help.Help. • Employ the help of

groups that represent writers

• National Writer’s Union www.nwu.org

• American Society of Journalists and Authors http://www.asja.org

• www.authorlink.com• www.writersgarret.org



#2 Get #2 Get Help.Help.

• Trade Associations

• www.asaecenter.org

• www.consumeraction.gov/trade.shtml



#2 Get #2 Get Help.Help.

• Careerbuilder.com• JOBcentral.com• Monster.com• FederalGovernmentJobs.us• Jobs.com• Flipdog.com• Indeed.com



#3 Be #3 Be Prepared.Prepared. • Offer different rate

options. 22 Hours Total

Creative Director - 8 hours @ $100 / hour Copywriter - 14 hours @ $ 50 / hour _____________________________

$1,500

30 Hours Total

$1,500 / month

for 3 months



#3 Be #3 Be Prepared.Prepared. • Offer different rate

options.

• Determine payment stages.• Review types of rights.

• Include a cancellation clause.

• Keep track of your hours.



#3 Be #3 Be Prepared.Prepared. • Be prepared to

make quarterly payments to Uncle Sam.

• Get an accountant for at least one round of taxes.

• Stay on top of what the IRS permits and doesn’t.



#3 Be #3 Be Prepared.Prepared.

• Set up an accounting system.

• Save for a rainy day.

• Get health and disability insurance.



#3 Be #3 Be Prepared.Prepared.

• Hire your own freelancers.

• Send out written agreements.

• Send out 1099’s.



#4 Learn How to Market #4 Learn How to Market Yourself.Yourself.

• Check out other writer’s websites.

• Create your own website?




• Experiment with queries.

• Create a business card.




• Consider your appearance




• Create a bio

• Get a photo of yourself




Network




• Create a list of editors and executives and their contact info.

• Check out mastheads and websites.




• Don’t flaunt your degrees




• List your services.

• www.MediaBistro.com

• www.FreelanceWriting.com

• www.ASJA.org



#5 Be an #5 Be an Armadillo.Armadillo.



#6 Be #6 Be Curious.Curious.



#7 #7 Read.Read.

• Focus on your area of expertise.



#8 Be #8 Be Flexible.Flexible. • Be willing to take jobs that

help pay the bills or get you published.

• Check out local publishing houses that hire ghostwriters.

• www.brownbooks.com

• www.benbellabooks.com

• Use your client’s voice.


Ten Keys to SuccessTen Keys to Success#9 Create a “Projects-In-The-Making” #9 Create a “Projects-In-The-Making”

File.File. • Write your ideas as they

occur to you.

• Have more than one project going.

• Always have at least one pitch ready to go out.



#10 Get #10 Get Published.Published.

• Show only relevant material.• Start small and work your way up.


Ten Keys to SuccessTen Keys to Success#1 Establish A Plan#1 Establish A Plan.. #2 Get Help.#2 Get Help. #3 Be Prepared.#3 Be Prepared.

#5 Be an Armadillo.#5 Be an Armadillo. #6 Be Curious.#6 Be Curious. #7 Read.#7 Read. #8 Be Flexible.#8 Be Flexible. #9 Create a “Projects-In-The-Making” #9 Create a “Projects-In-The-Making”

File.File.

#4 #4 Learn How to Market Yourself.Learn How to Market Yourself.



#10 Get #10 Get Published.Published.

#1 Establish A Plan#1 Establish A Plan.. #2 Get Help.#2 Get Help. #3 Be Prepared.#3 Be Prepared. #4 #4 Learn How to Market Yourself.Learn How to Market Yourself.

#5 Be an Armadillo.#5 Be an Armadillo. #6 Be Curious.#6 Be Curious. #7 Read.#7 Read. #8 Be Flexible.#8 Be Flexible. #9 Create a “Projects-In-The-Making” #9 Create a “Projects-In-The-Making”

File.File.

navigating a career in freelance writing: ten keys to success melissa shultz

Documents

freelance writing

success slide

success melissa shultz

concept slide

appearance slide

help of groups

business credit card

hours total creative