What am I doing wrong?

[WorkingMom227]

I've been doing this whole freelancing thing for over a year now.. it has had its ups and downs. I used to rely heavily on content mills for my income, mainly Merchant Circle and TB. I still write for TB on occasion but the work is definitely scarce these days, even as a Level 4. Most of you already know what went down with MC. On the other hand, I've managed to find some private clients here and there but they were all from this forum or from a writing friend of mine. I have a website setup for myself (thank you Marcelina for your help) and have been posting craigslist ads religiously! I also apply for jobs on eLance and it seems as though the jobs "expire" or are removed shortly thereafter. I am feeling discouraged because it seems as everyone else I know is having such great success finding private clients and I am not. I'm not sure if I am doing something wrong or if my writing just really sucks or something. *sigh*

[writermomtomax]

I have been doing this for over 10 years. Did print, copywriting and content stuff. One thing I have learned is there is a TON of rejection, It is just part of the deal. It sucks, but I learned not to take it as a reflection of my ability. Not to say, I am a fantastic writer, but every rejection does not mean there is something wrong with your work. For instance, I landed a really good client that pays $65 for 600-70 word. Its pretty easy work and averages to 65 /hour. I also applied to Remilon, for $8/hour and was rejected. So who knows?

My point is, it’s normal to question your ability when you get rejection or don't land a job. It is also a good idea to determine how you can improve. But don’t let it ever cause you to give up, if this is what you really want to do. You never really know why you did not land a job.

I don’t have a ton of advice, except may be branch out. May be you can start sending queries to magazines or local newspapers to get assignments. Grant writing is also a pretty good type of writing, which there will always be a need for.

Apply to everything you see. Try to apply to places where there will be less competition. For example, say you are interested in animals. Google websites that have to deal with pets, pet health, pet adoption whatever (not personal blogs). Send a contact to ask if the site uses freelance writers. I landed a decent job this way.

If possible consider joining your local chamber of commerce. Many have luncheons where you mix and mingle. You can make contacts that way. Finding work is work in itself, but writing work will always be out there.

I had a writing teacher who said, to be a successful freelance writer it takes 10 percent luck, 80 percent perseverance and 10 percent talent. I don’t know if that is exactly true, but I do believe it takes a great deal of perseverance to stick with this. You can do it. Don’t forget that!! Good luck!!!

[beanandpumpkin]

Set up an account on LinkedIn, if you have not already. I just updated my account last week, and an old business acquaintance of mine called me this morning, asking me to edit an e-book, work on writing another e-book, and write some content for her site, just out of the blue! She said that she noticed my updates on my LinkedIn account. Well!

Also, put a phone number on your website and on your CL postings, if you don't already. I recently set up a Google Voice account. You can set your Google number to either ring at your home/cell phone or to go to voicemail. I chose the latter, beacuse clients always tend to call when the kids are trying to kill each other or the smoke detector is going off due to a burnt dinner, LOL! The free service transcribes any messages you get and sends them to your gmail addy! You can also listen to them on the computer or from your phone. It works because the client does not have your home phone number, but many feel more comfortable calling rather than emailing.

Finally, I'm reading Tmothy Ferriss's book, The 4-Hour Workweek, and he advises shooting high when it comes to setting rates (and lots of other things). I set my rates fairly high, and people don't typically balk (and if they do, then I politely say, "well, thanks for your interest!"). If they've gone through the trouble of calling, then they're not expecting to pay 2 cents per word, kwim? If you're setting your fees too low, then they might think that you're not worth paying well... IMO, keeping rates high helps stack the odds in your favor of finding quality clients. Once you get a couple of private clients at one pay rate, give new ones who call a higher rate and see what happens. You just might be surprised! I decided to raise my rates, so the two new clients who called this week both got my higher rate quoted, and guess what? They both said, "okay."

And I do agree with the post above stating that it's 80 percent perseverance. Keep on trying! If one thing doesn't work, try something else!

[WorkingMom227]

Thank you so much for your advice. Your words of wisdom have definitely helped me. I do want to do this for a while and I am not ready to give up. I will keep pushing Thanks again.

Originally Posted by writermomtomax

I have been doing this for over 10 years. Did print, copywriting and content stuff. One thing I have learned is there is a TON of rejection, It is just part of the deal. It sucks, but I learned not to take it as a reflection of my ability. Not to say, I am a fantastic writer, but every rejection does not mean there is something wrong with your work. For instance, I landed a really good client that pays $65 for 600-70 word. Its pretty easy work and averages to 65 /hour. I also applied to Remilon, for $8/hour and was rejected. So who knows?

My point is, it’s normal to question your ability when you get rejection or don't land a job. It is also a good idea to determine how you can improve. But don’t let it ever cause you to give up, if this is what you really want to do. You never really know why you did not land a job.

I don’t have a ton of advice, except may be branch out. May be you can start sending queries to magazines or local newspapers to get assignments. Grant writing is also a pretty good type of writing, which there will always be a need for.

Apply to everything you see. Try to apply to places where there will be less competition. For example, say you are interested in animals. Google websites that have to deal with pets, pet health, pet adoption whatever (not personal blogs). Send a contact to ask if the site uses freelance writers. I landed a decent job this way.

If possible consider joining your local chamber of commerce. Many have luncheons where you mix and mingle. You can make contacts that way. Finding work is work in itself, but writing work will always be out there.

I had a writing teacher who said, to be a successful freelance writer it takes 10 percent luck, 80 percent perseverance and 10 percent talent. I don’t know if that is exactly true, but I do believe it takes a great deal of perseverance to stick with this. You can do it. Don’t forget that!! Good luck!!!

[maryalene]

Hi Amy,

This is only worth two cents so you can take it or leave it. ;-)

I looked at your website, and I think you should downplay your experience with content mills. That may be seen as a negative by some private clients.

In my experience, it is also better to limit what you say about yourself (i.e. I enjoy writing type statements) and focus instead on what you offer your clients. The best advice I got when I started freelancing was to remember that clients don't care about my personal life, they just want to know what I can do for them professionally.

Best wishes!

Maryalene

[rjweaver10]

You are a fabulous writer. I have to agree that everyone has their luck and bad luck at times. I know there are times when you have all the work and I'm like...what's her secret! You gotta keep pushing. nothing is ever certain in this job or career. Tomorrow you could have it all and the next nothing.

Keep going girl!

[Angeegirl]

I can totally relate to your feelings right now. The only response I have had from my ads on Craigslist was a guy who wanted to meet in person, and I decided not to. He has not contacted me since. Maybe trying smaller cities to post ads in will be more successful. I read a post with that suggestion last week. It seems as though this work comes in waves. It is nice to get comfortable with consistent work, but it sucks when that work dries up.

[WorkingMom227]

Thanks for all your tips. I have a LinkedIn account but never used it. I think I will start using it right away. I think I will also be setting up a Google voice account as well. I want to make sure that I am doing the best I can and really putting forth that energy to reach clients.

Originally Posted by beanandpumpkin

Set up an account on LinkedIn, if you have not already. I just updated my account last week, and an old business acquaintance of mine called me this morning, asking me to edit an e-book, work on writing another e-book, and write some content for her site, just out of the blue! She said that she noticed my updates on my LinkedIn account. Well!

Also, put a phone number on your website and on your CL postings, if you don't already. I recently set up a Google Voice account. You can set your Google number to either ring at your home/cell phone or to go to voicemail. I chose the latter, beacuse clients always tend to call when the kids are trying to kill each other or the smoke detector is going off due to a burnt dinner, LOL! The free service transcribes any messages you get and sends them to your gmail addy! You can also listen to them on the computer or from your phone. It works because the client does not have your home phone number, but many feel more comfortable calling rather than emailing.

Finally, I'm reading Tmothy Ferriss's book, The 4-Hour Workweek, and he advises shooting high when it comes to setting rates (and lots of other things). I set my rates fairly high, and people don't typically balk (and if they do, then I politely say, "well, thanks for your interest!"). If they've gone through the trouble of calling, then they're not expecting to pay 2 cents per word, kwim? If you're setting your fees too low, then they might think that you're not worth paying well... IMO, keeping rates high helps stack the odds in your favor of finding quality clients. Once you get a couple of private clients at one pay rate, give new ones who call a higher rate and see what happens. You just might be surprised! I decided to raise my rates, so the two new clients who called this week both got my higher rate quoted, and guess what? They both said, "okay."

And I do agree with the post above stating that it's 80 percent perseverance. Keep on trying! If one thing doesn't work, try something else!

[WorkingMom227]

That's true. I'll have to go back and make some edits. This is my first website ever so I wasn't really sure what information should be included and what shouldn't.. but you could be right about the whole content mill thing.

Originally Posted by maryalene

Hi Amy,

This is only worth two cents so you can take it or leave it. ;-)

I looked at your website, and I think you should downplay your experience with content mills. That may be seen as a negative by some private clients.

In my experience, it is also better to limit what you say about yourself (i.e. I enjoy writing type statements) and focus instead on what you offer your clients. The best advice I got when I started freelancing was to remember that clients don't care about my personal life, they just want to know what I can do for them professionally.

Best wishes!

Maryalene

[WorkingMom227]

Originally Posted by rjweaver10

You are a fabulous writer. I have to agree that everyone has their luck and bad luck at times. I know there are times when you have all the work and I'm like...what's her secret! You gotta keep pushing. nothing is ever certain in this job or career. Tomorrow you could have it all and the next nothing.

Keep going girl!

Thanks Jess xoxo