Earlier this week, I told you that I am scheduled to speak to a group of freelance writers in Sacramento soon. I asked what you would want to hear from me if you were in that audience. Yesterday, I responded to someone who said that markets were always an issue for her\u2014where to find new markets for your writing.<\/p>\n
Another freelance writer told me in an email this morning that she has \u201czillions\u201d of ideas and different slants on subjects and has no problem finding people to interview on the topics. But then she is sometimes unsure where to send the article. <\/p>\n
I can see where that would be an issue for writers and I\u2019ll be sure to cover that topic, too. Basically, that\u2019s why I generally choose the market before I come up with the topic. Not always\u2014sometimes a topic just begs to be explored. But if you know which publication you are going to approach with the idea before you write the article, you are free to slant the piece or your query letter to fit their particular requirements. <\/p>\n
This writer says she is confused by the question, \u201cWhat is your rate?\u201d Don\u2019t you hate when the editor of a magazine asks you that? If you quote a large amount, they may not even consider you. If you give them a lowball figure in order to get the work, you may be cheating yourself. It\u2019s a problem! When I get that question, I begin researching that magazine\u2019s typical pay scale. I have to admit it is not always easy to find this information. But if you can get an idea of what they generally pay\u2014between 25 cents and 50 cents\/word or $250 for a 1,200-word article or $125 to $500 for an article of between 1,000 and 5,000 words, for example\u2014you have a starting place to work from. If you can\u2019t locate that information anywhere\u2014their listing in Writer\u2019s Market<\/em> or another magazine directory, at their website in their submission guidelines, etc.\u2014ask them. Ask, \u201cWhat is your typical pay scale for a 2,000-word piece on a trendy topic like this from an experienced freelancer?\u201d <\/p>\n If you are left to wing it, consider what your goal with this magazine and this article is. Do you want to establish a relationship with this magazine? Do you need a certain amount for this particular piece in order to cover your time commitment and expenses? Look at the magazine\u2014does it have a lot of advertisements, is it for an upscale or unique audience, or does it appear to be a home-grown magazine for a small readership? Do they look like they can afford to pay well or not? All of this could play into your decision on what to charge for your article.<\/p>\n Another issue for many, many freelance writers is how to organize our time. There\u2019s a lot going on in a prolific freelancer\u2019s office. That\u2019s for sure. We\u2019re juggling several ideas, magazines\/ezines, interviews, invoicing, articles-in-progress, what to have for dinner, whether the piece we just finished will be accepted or rejected, when we\u2019ll receive payment, keeping supplies on hand, etc. And many of you have an outside job, as well. So how does one keep it all organized? I\u2019d like to hear from some of you on this subject.<\/p>\n I put it all in writing. I keep good records\u2014I record everything. If there\u2019s one thing I\u2019ve learned over the years it is, if you forget to log something, that\u2019s the one that will be in question eventually. It\u2019s a Murphy\u2019s Law thing.<\/p>\n I also work from a written schedule every day. In the evening, I go over that day\u2019s schedule. Those things that I didn\u2019t get to, I roll over into the next day\u2019s schedule. It has worked for me for years and years. If circumstances are such that I don\u2019t get a schedule written (it happens but very, very rarely), I feel a little lost. <\/p>\n I appreciate those of you who have sent me your questions and shared with me the issues you face in your freelance writing businesses. I should be able to finish up an editing job I\u2019m working on today and start outlining my speech. You have helped a lot. <\/p>\n There\u2019s still time to chime in\u2014what questions would you ask of a speaker on the topic of freelance article-writing. And what tips would you share with this group?<\/p>\n On a Personal Note<\/strong> Earlier this week, I told you that I am scheduled to speak to a group of freelance writers in Sacramento soon. I asked what you would want to hear from me if you were in that audience. Yesterday, I responded to someone who said that markets were always an issue for her\u2014where to find new […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[13],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t
\nDid you notice the new review for Publish Your Book <\/em>at Amazon.com? Thank you, Sandy. Did you see that one of my articles appeared in the IBPA Independent this month? <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"