Freelance Writing 101

Notes from "Freelance Writing" workshop, lead by Kelly Boyer Sagert:

Steps to success:
1.) Define what topics you wish to publish, and be the expert
2.) Cast a wide marketing net; including manuals, encyclopedias, Readers Digest...
3.) Gather your profile and clips together as you build your platform

Freelance writing job sites:
1.) www.journalismjobs.com
2.) http://cleveland.craigslist.org/wri/
3.) www.freelancewriting.com Tues. am. "morning coffee"
4.) www.anthologiesonline.com
5.) http://h-net.org/announce/group.cgi?type=PUBLICATIONS
6.) www.poewar.com
7.) www.indeed.com ("freelance writer")
8.) www.simplyhired.com ("freelance writer")
9.) www.creativegroup.com (put in zip code)

Action plan:
1.) Start locally
2.) Study potential publications: Guidelines, articles, masthead, TOC, ads, editor's letter: These will all give tips on their focus
3.) Write a professional query letter
4.) Simultaneous submissions: Reuse your research by repackaging your idea

Making editors happy:
1.) Use their customary style (i.e. MLA)
2.) Use their customary length and formatting
3.) Meet deadlines
4.) Abide by fair use
5.) Fact-checking

Additional sources:
www.profnet.com
www.questia.com
www.writersonlineworkshops.com
www.kbsagert.com