Grandy’s comment on yesterday’s post got me thinking about something more than one experienced freelance writer told me when I expressed my own newbie fears:
“If you’re too much of a chicken to deal with rejection, freelance writing probably isn’t for you.”
Well, I might be a chicken, but I’m a stubborn bird. I wasn’t going to let my fear stop me, and neither should you. The fact is, any career change is scary. The thought of being self-employed (which the bulk of us freelance writers are) is even scarier. But how can a chicken break into freelance writing?
1. Think big, but start small.
I have no desire to write for national magazines or fancy newspapers, but many folks do. If your goal is to write for big parenting magazines, start with an online magazine, or break into print with your local parenting magazine. If you want to freelance for newspapers, break in with your local paper. Yes, these venues pay less, but your chances of being accepted are greater. Small clips can lead to bigger clips. Just don’t waste your time writing for free for unknown pubs or start-ups.
2. Write what you know.
I know, it’s cliche. And no, you don’t have to ‘write what you know’ forever. If you did, you’d likely dry up after a few years. But it’s much easier to get those first few clips tackling subject material you know well. Need some ideas? See C. Hope Clark’s article I’m New… What Can I Write About?
3. Do some research.
To get published, you’ve got to find a place for your ideas. I’d love to write articles from the perspective of my pet rabbits, but I’ve yet to find anyone who agrees that this would make a great column. Research the markets you want to write for. Learn the types of articles they like, the style and tone of voice. Once you feel like you know the publication well, then query. Don’t just aimlessly write articles and send them to editors. Editors want articles geared specifically to their audiences.
4. Learn to write a query letter.
If I told you how many really bad query letters I get from experienced freelance writers every day, you’d probably pass out. A great article with good query letter tips (including a sample) is Jenna Glatzer’s The Beginner’s Guide To Freelance Writing.
5. Don’t let rejection break you.
Experienced writers get rejection letters, too. It’s really not personal. It may feel personal, but there can be many reasons why you receive a rejection letter. Your idea may not be a good fit. Maybe the editor already has someone else covering a similar topic. It could be a space issue — maybe the editor’s got to be really choosy. Perhaps the publication doesn’t like to take the chance on new writers. Whatever the reason for the rejection, don’t let it stop you from trying again someplace else.
Some recommended reading (these books are on Amazon, so you can probably get them used):
The Shy Writer: An Introvert’s Guide to Writing Success by C. Hope Clark
Jenna Glatzer’s Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer.
For more on how to become a freelance writer, see my previous post: Tips for New Freelance Writers
A few questions for all of you: How did you break into freelance writing? How did you overcome your own fear of rejection?
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
This is a great post, Amy. Boy, whoever said freelance writing may not be for you surely can’t think you’re a chicken now! You go girl!
I was horrified to submit and be rejected when I first started out. My college Instructor had told me (years ago) I should major in English and that I’d make a great English Professor someday, but after my ‘dance with domestic violence’ that left me with neurological damage and not the greatest memory, my English wasn’t as good anymore. But like Amy, I wasn’t going to let fear stop me.
Hmm… let’s see. My first sale was to True Real Estate Stories (an anthology of horror/humor/good stories from both sides of realty) and my story was rejected many times before it sold. I was persistent. You have to be with freelance writing.
The Quickie I recently sold to Common Ties was rejected even more before I finally found the right market (and the right timing) for it.
I first started writing for my local newspaper when the opportunity presented itself with last year’s Progress Edition.
I continually dig deep, submit, query, accept the rejections (that only make me stronger and more persistent) and keep writing.
I’ve made many other sales, some of which won’t be published for a while yet and some others still yet that I won’t be sharing because I’ve used a pseudonym. Some of the sales are with:
FATE magazine
PURE INSPIRATION magazine
MEDHUNTERS magazine
publications that bought my experience with domestic violence (using a pseudonym)
websites
e-zines
anthologies
a professional blogging job lined up for 2008
I feel like I’ve had enough success to make me happy and keep me going. The thing I’ve learned is that it takes time and determination. If you don’t have either of those, it’s going to take a lot longer to get published.
I think another reason I’m having “success” is because I’m kind in my emails to Editors. Why not be? I’m horrified that writers would be rude in their emails to Editors! Why tick off the very person you’re trying to impress, make a sale to, and want to become a potential regular source of income? That makes NO sense to me whatsoever…
Hope my “mini novel” helps someone
Be encouraged new writers and keep coming back to this blog and the Write-from-Home e-zine. Amy knows what she’s doing and will always nudge you in the right direction! She’s helped me tremendously and is a continual source of information, inspiration, and friendship.
Smiles,
Michele
Amy,
This is excellent advice for beginners - and even writers past the beginning stage. Everyone has a rough time with rejection. I just wrote a post about what I learned from rejection. Using rejection as a learning experience can make it easier to deal with and reduce future rejections.
Michele,
Thanks for your “mini novel” - haha. I’m sure it will help someone!
Lillie,
Thanks for stopping by and for adding your input. I’ll stop by your blog and read your post about rejection also.
I recommend The Shy Writer also. Excellent book for the writing ‘chicken’ as you say.
Amy,
Thanks so much for the (as always) valuable input. It’s so nice to be a part of your community because when a question is asked, you go that much farther to help make sure the answer is understood. I give you all credit, and will keep you posted on my adventures.
Grandy,
Thanks for the very kind compliment. I do try to answer any questions I get (although I sometimes get behind). One of my pet peeves while visiting blogs is people who write a huge post, then they don’t bother responding to someone’s question.
Do keep me posted on your adventures.
Amy,
This post is excellent–very comprehensive–providing the real “meat” for both aspiring and experienced freelancers to dig into!
I started out writing for Associated Content and Helium in late 2006/early 2007 and launched my Writer’s Notes blog shortly thereafter.
Since that time, I’ve sold quite a few articles in a number of different venues, both online and off–interestingly enough, including two articles purchased for the True Real Estate Stories anthology mentioned by Michele. These two articles, as well as quite a few others, were sold through Constant Content. Others, I’ve sold myself.
A number of my articles have been ghostwritten pieces, commissioned through CC, though quite a few also carry my byline. Aside from True Real Estate Stories, I’ve sold pieces to
ValleyX.com (a restaurant review written from the viewpoint of the site’s president, though it carries my byline);
AdorableGiftBaskets.com (one piece about grief and one about serving God in San Luis Obispo);
BlessedLady.com (a devotional piece);
MarylandWomenofWorship.com (3 devotionals for their print devotional study guides);
A footwear magazine (4 ghostwritten editor’s letters and a revision of an article by a foreign writer);
A very unique bedding website (sitewide review);
Other CC buyers (pieces on innovative companies, jewelry, and other topics);
The Absolute Write Newsletter and of course, your Write-from-home e-zine.
I also write on a regular basis for Writer’s Research Group, though the pay for this keyword article gig is low.
I really appreciate the opportunity to sell my work through Constant Content but hope to sell more of it on my own in the future, since I only receive 65% of the purchase price of my work at CC. It is helpful, though, to be introduced to buyers through the site and also to be able to “park” my work there until someone sees something they need or like and decides to purchase it.
Sorry to get so lengthy!
Jeanne
Hi Jeanne,
Thanks for sharing your experience. It’s always interesting to know how a writer started out. I’d have never guessed you started out writing for sites like Helium or AC. Just goes to show, you can never judge a book by it’s cover (or however that old cliche goes).
It’s also nice to know you have had positive experience with Constant Content — another avenue for writers that I get lots of questions about. I’d never thought of it as a good way to make connections, so thanks for pointing that out.
Have a good evening.
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