Find a freelance writing job

While talent is a must if you want to succeed as a writer, a knack for business won’t hurt, either. Here are three areas to take into consideration when trying to launch a successful freelance writing business:

* The basics: In the world of writing, certain practices follow a standard format which you need to adhere to in order to survive the so-called slush pile, the mound of submissions an editor has on his or her desk that will never make it to print. For instance, always query an editor with an idea first unless the editor's guidelines clearly recommend writers submit complete manuscripts. Always address your correspondence to a specific person. Call the magazine’s editorial department for correct names of submission editors. There might be more than one if the publication is a large one with several departments. Only address an editor by e-mail if you’ve been told that’s acceptable. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your query or manuscript. If you’re not clear about how to write a query letter, consult books for sample letters. Basically, a query should include your idea presented from an unique angle, why it fits the publication you are addressing, and what qualifies you to write the article.

* The tools: Typewriters are out. If you were in the business of writing before computers were as prevalent as they are now, you might be able to get away with a typewritten submission to an editor with whom you have an established relationship. But if you’re starting now, you need a computer with a word-processing program, a laser printer, an Internet connection, and an e-mail account to be competitive as a writer. These tools can actually make your job much easier than in the days before personal computers. The simplest word-processing program will allow you to edit your work and correct mistakes before the text is printed. A laser printer ensures a clean manuscript and the ability to reprint it as many times as needed. The Internet connection and e-mail account will link you to a number of markets much larger than pre-Internet writers had ever access to, not to mention the amount of postage, print toner and paper you can save by conducting business electronically. What I like the most about submitting manuscripts by e-mail is the fact that it stretches my deadlines to the last minute. When I use the post office, I usually have to mail a manuscript about a week before it’s due to guarantee the editor will have it by the deadline. By using e-mail, I have up to the day the story is due at the editor’s desk to click the “send” button. As you get busier as a writer you’ll learn to appreciate any extra minute you can find to get all your assignments done.

* The record-keeping: Your computer will also come in handy here. Learn to create databases as soon as possible to keep all your editorial contacts, submissions, potential markets, earnings and expenses neatly organized so you don’t have to rely on your memory to recall every single editor’s name you’ve contacted as well as every business-related check you’ve received or written. The first time you file your taxes, you’ll be grateful for your diligent record-keeping throughout the year.

Now, set up your freelance writing business and go find a quiet place to start turning your ideas into profit.

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How to make money with a market research job

Have you ever been wandering the shopping mall and had someone stop and ask you if you would like to take part in a market research survey? Market research and advertising is big business today. There are people asking questions in election polls over the phone, stopping viewers outside movie theatres and even giving away free products on commercial TV, if you simply call their 800 number and tell them what you liked or didn't like about their candidate, food product or commericial advertising - and these people will pay some serious money for your responses!

Pinecone research, formerly Acorn, does market research surveys on-line. You can make money and receive free products for doing 10 minute surveys on everything from cereal to furniture polish. I found out about this through Consumer Opinion Services (the market researchers at malls and grocery stores). If you go to Pinecone's home page, you will find a toll free 800 number to call to get started. Your first on-line survey, about you, will pay five dollars in cash. Once you are in the system as a surveyor, they pay you $5 by check for each survey. You also may receive free products, anything from shampoo to cereal to try out at home. These researchers are serious about the questions. Based upon your answers, they will change the product, the packaging, the price, or even the advertising campaign.

Pinecone's web site is specifically formatted to your computer equipment at sign-up even if you are a WEBTV user, so the product displays and questions are easy to read and respond to in a hurry. One note of caution however, you must have a working telephone and email in case of additional follow-up questions, but they almost never call unless a question has been skipped. Also, personal information such as income, race, and ages of family members are asked to determine demographics or target audience of sales.

Sometimes these little surveys will put you on a major list if you are a registered voter for a "focus group" - if you are asked to go to one of these, usually for political candidates and issues, they can pay over $50 and feed you dinner or lunch! So the next time you are stopped at the mall, remember the market researchers are asking you to make a difference in their advertising.

Often a researcher will ask your age or source of income. Anyone who works for a grocery store, advertising or market research are excluded. This is because many of the products have not yet been introduced to the market and they do not want a professional in the field to give away their secrets. This makes many of the surveys fun and adventurous since some of the products are SO new they appear bold or even funny at first presentation to the public.

Radio and TV stations often do "listener" or "viewer" surveys. After an initial phone call, they send you a packet to keep track of what stations you hear or watch often and they also pay a small stipend for your trouble or send demo records/videos for your review. In order to find out more, go to FREE STUFF in your search engine or look for Pinecone Research, Greenfield, or observe closely those 800 numbers on the products that you buy. Even a short letter to a company whose products you appreciate can produce a coupon or free sample from the company.

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How to write a post-interview letter

Upon leaving a successful job interview, you may feel a sense of closure at having done everything possible to clinch an offer of employment. But don't overlook the post-interview letter of thanks. This will be your last opportunity to remind the company's interviewer of your credentials and to bring your name forward one last time as a candidate for the available position.

Use professional-looking, personalized stationery. Off-white twenty-pound bond paper with a matching envelope is your best bet. Check your computer's printer cartridge to be sure the letter will be printed in clear, crisp text. Center the letter on the page, and use the full block or modified block style of letter format. Keep a copy for your file before mailing.

Following the salutation, begin by thanking the interviewer for an opportunity of meeting and touring the company, assuming you were able to walk through the place or were guided from office to office, meeting employees as you went along. In this section, mention one or two company strengths that impressed you, such as the factory’s production capacity or the staff’s communication style. This will tell the reader that you were paying attention during your visit and have noted positive things about the organization rather than focusing exclusively on your own goals for the interview.

In the next paragraph, explain why your credentials and background make you a good fit for the company. For example, mention that your copywriting experience will be helpful in enhancing the department's marketing materials in reaching some of the readers indicated during your interview. In effect, you are using resale value to remind the interviewer that your skills will benefit the company in a specific way. Include a few adjectives like your college background or work experience if you think the reader needs to be reminded of these assets.

Then offer a vision for the future with respect to your possible job within the company. This might be something along the lines of "My newsletter experience may be helpful in developing a client e-zine that will keep your customers aware of our company's evolving product line." Most managers value forward-looking individuals who develop good ideas for helping the company to grow. In effect, you are taking initiative even before your hiring date!

Finally, close your letter with a positive look to the future:

"I look forward to the possibility of working with you to help Benchmark Enterprises reach an all-time sales record."

A team mindset is very important for many administrators, so demonstrating your willingness to come on board and do your part should make a great final impression.

Mail the letter a few days after your interview, preferably within a week. Even if the interviewer decides not to hire you, the letter will close your interaction with the company on a pleasant note, and he or she may keep you in mind for future openings.

A few well-chosen words can convey a powerful final image of the person who may join the company team. So don't forget to write!

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How to find a part-time job

You may get to a point in your life when you want to work part-time rather than full-time. This may be due to many reasons, such as the desire to balance housework with a job outside the home. Or you may still have young children at home that need your attention before and after school. Perhaps you want to keep a couple of weekdays open for errands or luncheons with friends. Or your household income and tax bracket may be adversely affected if you take a full-time job.

Whatever the reason, when looking for part-time employment, you can check with companies that will make suitable employers or for whom your skills make a qualified fit. Here are some job search ideas:

1. Inquire with a former employer. If you had a good job before and wouldn't mind working there part-time again, get in touch with an acquaintance or past supervisor to ask about possible openings. If you have developed new skills since that time from computer use, for example, then be sure and mention that in your conversation. If a part-time opening exists for which you are qualified, ask to submit a resume or application.

2. Contact companies that might provide the kind of work you are interested in doing. For example, if you used to be a copywriter, get in touch with local advertising agencies to find out whether you can work a few hours or a couple of days each week. To get your foot in the door, you even may want to work just a few days a month, and after proving yourself, earn longer or more frequent assignments.

3. Look for organizations that might benefit from your skills. Many companies, institutions, or foundations cannot afford to hire all the employees they need to get the entire amount of work done when they want it. Instead, some hire part-time staff to fill in as needed or to work a few days each week as long as they don't put in more than forty hours so the company doesn't have to pay benefits or overtime. Whatever new or past job skills you can offer, telephone companies in the yellow pages or the newspaper classifieds to ask if they can use your talents on a part-time basis.

4. Check with job search organizations. Temporary job services, online job boards, and national organizations in your field of job experience can provide access to job lists that keep you informed about part-time job openings in your area of expertise. Some may require free registration, so be sure to update your vita and line up a couple of qualified references, such as supervisors at agencies where you've volunteered or teachers at your child's school where you've helped out as a room mother.

5. Take new skill classes to become better qualified. If you lack computer training, enroll in a course that will provide training, since many companies are looking for part-time and full-time employees who know how to use computers and software. Then, if you have a specific job goal in mind such as teacher's aide, find out what you need to do to get certified or hired to assist in the classroom. A few weeks of invested effort can prepare you to get a part-time job that will match your skills and interests.

Getting a part-time job is probably easier than finding full-time employment. Prepare a solid resume or vita first and line up references and training you may need to make a good impression on the company executives for whom you wish to work.

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How to Conduct an Interview

1. 
   
   Step 1
   Write down everything you possibly can think of that you want or need to ask your interviewee. It's best to take at least two days to write down all the questions you need to ask because sometimes another question may come to mind the next day that you didn't think of the day before.
   
2. 
   
   Step 2
   Write your questions in order starting from the easiest question to the toughest. You want your interviewee to feel comfortable at first. If you begin the interview asking tough questions the person may think is too challenging or unfair they could walk out before the interview gets going.
   
3. 
   
   Step 3
   If you plan to use a tape recorder, please ask the interviewee can you use one before you turn it on. Some people are uncomfortable with tape recorders, and you want to make the interviewee as comfortable as possible.
   
4. 
   
   Step 4
   If your interviewee says something you don't understand, ask them to repeat it. You want to get your info as right as possible, and the interviewee doesn't want to have his or her words taken out of context or misconstrued.
   
5. 
   
   Step 5
   Come to the interview early. You want your interviewee to know that you're serious about your work.
   

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How to Make a Money as an Internet Writer

1. Step 1
   Step 1) With unemployment so high, many people are turning to internet writing as their sole source of income or as another source of income. I make about $500 a month writing on the internet for various sources--Here's how I do it. The first step in making money on the internet is WRITING AN ARTICLE A DAY FOR VARIOUS ONLINE JOURNALISM SITES. Make sure it's something somebody cares to read about. Write one article a day, 7 days a week for the following sites: ehow, firehow, bukisa, triond, and associated content. Before long, you will be making some money from the internet.
   
2. Step 2
   Step 2) The second step in making money from internet writing is WRITING AND SELLING AN EBOOK. Choose a topic that people want to read--how to start a small business in the recession, how to make ends meet, etc.--and write a 100 page ebook about it. Then promote it in various places including online journalism sites, craigslist.com, backpage.com, and ezine.com. Have links to your ebook on everything you write. Promote your ebook everyday 7 days a week for an hour at a time and before long you will be making money from the sell of your ebook online.
   
3. Step 3
   Step 3) The third step in making a living as an internet writer is CREATING A BLOG. Create your own blog with something that you are interested in and something that others are interested in and write one article daily for your blog. Have as many people as possible join your blog and have google ads placed on it. Hence, everytime somebody clicks on a blog link, you'll be paid a commission. This is a really good way to make a living as an internet writer that I am just now getting into.
   
4. Step 4
   Step 4) I hope this has been a helpful article on how to make money as an internet writer. Good luck!
   

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How to Be a Writer

Practice, Practice, Practice

1. Step 1
   Become a blog writer. Blog writing has quickly become a great way for new and experienced writers to keep doing what they love--writing! Also, some bloggers get sponsored and turn their hobby into a paid job.
   
2. Step 2
   Be a journal writer. Journal writing is a great way to practice organizing your thoughts without the added stress of trying to make up characters and events.
   
3. Step 3
   Be a email writer. Emails are opportunities to practice writing. Think about how your writing in emails expresses your personality. You can use similar styles when your write dialogue between characters.
   

Find Your Market

4. Step 1
   Decide what kind of writing you want to do.
   
5. Step 2
   Learn about what sells in your market. The best way to do this is by reading. If you are interested in mystery, pick up a couple of the most popular, recent mysteries. Figure out what makes a good mystery.
   
6. Step 3
   Figure out what kind of places would hire you and what kind of publishers would publish your work. The Writer's Market lists all of the publishers in America. It also gives tips on how to approach different publishers. If you want an office job, you can learn about different companies by looking on internet job boards.
   

Get in Through the Door

7. Step 1
   Introduce yourself to a couple publishers or companies. You can do this by asking someone you know to introduce you to an editor or by sending an email or letter.
   
8. Step 2
   Convince an editor that you and their company have the same goals. This only means that if a children's book publisher wants manuscripts that teach children right from wrong, you propose a book that discusses exactly what the publisher wants. This also means that you do not propose books or ideas the publisher does not want.
   
9. Step 3
   Consider getting an agent. This could help save you time on finding and courting the right market.
   

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