• Today's Verse

  • Some time ago, I received an e-mail from a reader who asked:

    I would love any advice that you could give me, or someone like me, for getting started on a career in writing after many years of doing other things.

    Recently, a mutual acquaintance referred a lady who wants to start a freelance writing business to me.

    I responded to the first person in e-mail and spoke to the second on the phone. However, other readers may be trying to start a writing career and others are new to freelancing so I’m sharing my advice in this series.

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    First, learn something about the world of freelancing. You shouldn’t wait until you know everything - that will never happen. But it’s a good idea to read what other freelancers have to say as well as to look into options for finding work.

    In this first installment in the series, I will list a number of resources for freelancers. If you have other recommendations, please let me know in comments so I can add them to the list. Note that these are resources that offer a significant amount of advice and information on freelancing as a business, not those primarily offering wrting and publishing advice. Freelance job sites will be listed in a future post.

    In future installments, I’ll talk about deciding what kind of freelancing you will do, using a blog to build your business, and finding freelance jobs. If you have questions you would like covered or suggestions of ideas and sites to include, please comment.

    To read posts on my blog that relate to freelancing, go to the Series and Related Posts page and read posts in the following categories depending on the kind of writing or editing you would like to do:

    • Client Relationships
    • Editing
    • Freelance Writing and Editing Rates
    • News Releases
    • Resources for Writers
    • Sources of Freelance Business
    • Writing and Self-Editing

    Blogs and Web sites by and for Freelancers:

    In the next installment, we’ll look at your freelance options.

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    35 Comments »

    Comment by Michael Kwan
    2008-05-12 18:30:30

    Thanks for the link!

    Michael Kwans last blog post..How to Make Passive Income as a Freelancer

    Comment by Lillie
    2008-05-12 18:52:16

    You’re welcome, Michael. Thanks for providing such a great resource for freelancers.

     
     
    Comment by Sharon Hurley Hall
    2008-05-12 19:43:38

    Thanks for the link, Lillie. I’m looking forward to reading your series. I’m always interested in the viewpoints of other freelancers.

    Sharon Hurley Halls last blog post..Promotion Tip: RSSHugger

    Comment by Lillie
    2008-05-12 21:29:15

    You’re welcome, Sharon. Your blog is an excellent resource for freelancers.

     
     
    Comment by Monika Mundell Subscribed to comments via email
    2008-05-12 23:11:55

    Hi Lillie,

    Thank you for the link Lillie, as you already know I’m in the middle of my own series right now so comparing our notes will be interesting. I look forward to it and will subscribe to your feed before I leave.

    Monika Mundells last blog post..Invoicing Clients - Freelance Writing Guide

    Comment by Lillie
    2008-05-13 00:14:43

    Monika,
    I think my series will be more of a broad overview, and you are giving more detailed advice. So hopefully they will complement each other.

    Comment by Monika Mundell Subscribed to comments via email
    2008-05-13 08:27:39

    I’m sure they will. :-) There great thing about freelancing is that we can all compliment each other forming one huge picture.

    Monika Mundells last blog post..That Magical Number 8

    Comment by Lillie
    2008-05-13 08:43:57

    You’re right, Monika. It’s great to be in a business where “competitors” are so supportive and helpful.

     
     
     
     
    2008-05-13 05:18:29

    Thanks for the link, Lillie! I’ll look forward to reading more.

    James Chartrand - Men with Penss last blog post..Questions to Ask Buyers about Their Website Content

    Comment by Lillie
    2008-05-13 07:19:11

    You’re welcome, James. Thanks for posting content worth linking to.

     
     
    2008-05-13 07:29:22

    Thanks for the link, Lillie. I look forward to reading the series. Like Sharon, I enjoy seeing other points of view and it was through the generous advice given in blogs like this that I got my start in freelancing.

    Cheers,
    Dana

    Dana - The Writer’s Blogs last blog post..Keeping The Ideas Flowing

    Comment by Lillie
    2008-05-13 08:00:51

    Dana,
    You’re welcome. Yours is one of the blogs that I think will be very helpful to beginning freelancers so I’m glad to include you in the list.

     
     
    2008-05-13 09:05:18

    Hi Lillie,

    Thank you for linking to my blog. I appreciate it! This was a great post and I certainly look forward to the next one. ;-)

    *smiles*
    Michele

    Comment by Lillie
    2008-05-13 09:27:05

    Thank you, Michele, for having a blog worth linking to.

     
     
    Comment by Chad
    2008-05-13 12:51:55

    Hey Lillie,

    Thanks for the link and great list of resources. I had most of them in my RSS Feed, but found a few more gems. Great blog!

    -Chad

    Chads last blog post..5 Secret Habits for Success

    Comment by Lillie
    2008-05-13 14:06:41

    Chad,
    You’re welcome. Although I provided the list for the benefit of new freelancers, yours and the others are excellent resources for all freelancers, regardless of experience level.

     
     
    Comment by Laura Spencer
    2008-05-13 22:18:03

    Thanks Lillie for including me on your list of resources. I’m honored to be in such good company.

    Laura Spencers last blog post..Of Note: Words For Hire

    Comment by Lillie
    2008-05-14 08:13:10

    Laura,
    You are in good company - deservedly so.

     
     
    Comment by Yvonne Russell
    2008-05-14 00:35:05

    Hi Lillie
    You never fail to impress. This is a great resource, and I’m honored that you’ve included Grow Your Writing Business.

    I look forward to the others in this series.

    Yvonne Russells last blog post..Writers Cafe - Do You Need A Second Brain? And Win A Free Macbook Air

    Comment by Lillie
    2008-05-14 08:13:51

    Yvonne,
    There are many great resources for freelance writers, including your blog.

     
     
    Comment by wuyi tea
    2008-05-14 13:48:02

    thanks for providing all those links, the resources available are very helpful!

    Now, I just need to figure out what I want to write about haha

    Comment by Lillie
    2008-05-14 15:28:14

    In the next installment, I’ll talk about deciding what you want to do.

     
     
    Comment by Renae
    2008-05-14 14:18:06

    Lillie, I’m really looking forward to this series. I have been asked to do a lot of editing lately. I’ve been doing it for free, for most of the people are friends and I don’t mind doing it. But the truth is, I have no idea what to charge!

    Also, editing some things just gives me a headache. Do you charge more for the pieces that are filled with errors than you do for the ones that are already pretty well-written? :-)
    Renaes last blog post..The Well-dressed Warrior: The Helmet

    Comment by Lillie
    2008-05-14 15:30:28

    Renae,
    I’ll be sure to write about pricing in a future installment.

    In answer to your question, I base my price on an hourly rate, so work with a lot of errors is priced higher because I figure it will take more time. I do a sample edit for free that I use to estimate my time.

     
     
    Comment by A1 Medical Supplies
    2008-05-15 11:10:53

    This is a great resources. I am planning on doing some free lance writing and have been trying to find some information about what to expect. Thanks!

    Comment by Lillie
    2008-05-15 19:46:13

    I’m glad you found the resources useful, and I hope the rest of the series is helpful to you as well.

     
     
    2008-05-16 06:42:17

    [...] talk more about setting rates in a future installment of my series-in-progress on starting a freelance writing business. This post is just a reminder that freelance writing is a business, even if you’re doing it [...]

     
    Comment by Top Rated
    2008-05-22 21:22:33

    Freelancing writing has crossed my mind a few times in the past, as something I would enjoy doing. I’ve always hesitated because I was never sure where to look for clients. The web always seems to have so much cut rate competition. I’ll be scanning some of your suggestions above for tips.

    Top Rateds last blog post..My Six Word Memoir

    Comment by Lillie
    2008-05-23 03:42:28

    I will include tips and places to find job in a later post in the series.

     
     
    Comment by Diane Brunner
    2008-05-28 21:54:40

    This is a wonderful list for people to prepare to try freelance writing.

    Diane Brunners last blog post..Who’s Who in the SCA Hierarchy

    Comment by Lillie
    2008-05-29 03:42:42

    Diane,
    I’m glad you found it useful.

    What is SCA?

     
     
    Comment by Chad
    2008-05-30 12:35:21

    What a great list! Thank you so much for including me! I’ve put together a recent list of my own (in the CommentLuv)

    Chads last blog post..Top 60 Blogs for Freelance Writers

    Comment by Lillie
    2008-05-30 13:18:16

    Chad,
    I already have your great list in the draft of another post in this series.

     
     
    Comment by Jeanne Dininni Subscribed to comments via email
    2008-06-05 22:30:38

    Lillie,

    While I’m certainly late with this comment(been so, so busy lately!), wanted to say thanks for the link to Writer’s Notes!

    You’ve definitely provided many helpful resources for freelance writers in this post!

    Great start to the series!
    Jeanne

    Comment by Lillie
    2008-06-05 23:07:53

    You’re welcome, Jeanne. Every blog I listed is helpful.

     
     
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