Surrey 2003
On Friday I attended Make the leap to Full-Time Freelancing by Kelly James-Enger. The italics in () are my notes. The rest is from her outline.
Having what it takes:
- Time Management and prioritization skills (must work on more than one project at a time. Pick biggest fire to put out first.)
- Self-direction (no boss)
- Businesslike approach to your career
- Interest in the world around you (Be observant�what�s hot and now. Read outside your interests)
- Ability to develop relationships with editors and other clients
- Self-confidence (Act like it whether you are or not. Never admit you don�t know the answer.)
- Positive attitude
- Resilience (Rejection is just part of the job description.)
Before you leap: ask yourself the tough questions like�
- Are you self-motivated
- Will you be able to set your own hours and work when no one is around?
- Does the idea of giving up a regulare paycheck/human interaction of a �real� job scare you?
- Personal pros: (Own boss, creative outlet�)
- Personal cons: (No $ consistency, own secretary, own personal asst. doing all fax, copy, etc�grunt work)
Making a go of it:
A. Professionalism (perception of it at least)
1. Letterhead, business cards, telephone messages, etc.
2. Attitude is important: take yourself seriously! (No apologies!)(�I�m a part-time freelance writer.�) (She believes that charging by the hour is best for beginner.)
3. Your office
B. How will you charge? (by the word or by the hour/project?)
1. Separate room? (helps mentally with organization)
2. Second phone line (usually tax deductable)
3. Email/Internet access, fax capability (look into Efax, free service. Efax.com)
C. Record-keeping
1. Tracking queries/submissions/current work (date/idea/market where sent)
2. Two calendar system! (write it in 2 places/double diary or assignment calendar. NEVER miss a deadline.)
3. Invoices and how to bill (The sooner you invoice the better. Don�t sit on $ that is owed to you.)
D. Business expenses: making them deductible
1. Hobby vs. business (do you have a profit motive?) (Must have probability of income. 5 years to start making $. NOT hobby WANT to make $$.)
2. �Ordinary and necessary expenses� (percentage of your mortgage. Computer, software, postage, mileage, travel, internet access, library fees, UPS, meals�etc. Check into this and use it all!!)
3. Tracking expenses-keep your receipts!!!
E. The least you need to know about contracts and rights
1. Copyright-what is it? (Inherent right)
2. Do you have to register your work?
3. The fewer rights you sell, the better (and why!) (You need to retain rights for yourself! Rights = $$ in resale market.)
4. All-rights contracts/work-for-hires: should you or shouldn�t you? (Maybe in the beginning if work is scarce. But, when you get into it, be picky about what rights you give up. Remember rights - $$ always.)
5. Negotiating contracts � some tips (Be nice! Don�t burn your bridge over one deal. But, don�t sell yourself short. �A few things I�d like to go over with you�.� Know what you�re walk away point is before you go in.)
F. Writing as a business, not a hobby
1. Starting out: worry about assignments, clips and contacts first
2. Set financial goals for yourself (even if they�re modest)
3. Break those goals down into monthly, weekly, daily ones (easier to know what is expected of yourself.)
4. $/hour factor: how long will the job take> (!!!! What�s the PIA. pain in the ass, factor?!)
5. �Maxing your mileage� The power of reslanting!!!!!!!!!
6. Developing reprint markets (selling your article on weight loss to a Parent�s mag, a health mag, a fitness mag�etc) (Do �evergreen� topics = never go out of style, like weight loss)
7. Raising your rates/refusing lower-paying assignments
8. Developing regular clients
9. Creating a specialty/platform- and using it to crack better-paying markets.
10. Asking for more money (Give reasons why. Prove yourself first if the know they can count on you ask for more or better contract. But don�t damage client relationship over it. When they call to tell you that you did a good job is the best time to pitch another idea.)
G. Before you make the leap�
1. Do you have the right mindset/personality?
2. What do you need to make?
3. Develop your portfolio/regular clients!!!
4. Reduce your expenses!!
5. Save your money for a bumper (at least six months�expenses if you are on your own)
6. Marry a wealthy spouse (kidding!)
7. Develop a network of writer friends, coffee buddies, etc.
8. Protect your work time
9. Have a healthy coping mechanism
10. Have fun and enjoy your JOB
Other Notes that I took:
For freelance you have to be a good competent writer but not great.
Make sure you are aware of the reality of freelance vs. the fantasy of it, and be sure it is the reality that you want.
Businesses pay quicker than magazines.
Always have a new pitch or two ready just in case the clients ask for it.
Join local Chamber of Commerce. Always great contacts to have and often throw work your way.
Develop niche for yourself. Hers is Fitness, Weight Loss, Gardening.
Reslant/Multiple angles-same topics/Reprint = $$ Always try to retain your reprint rights.
Most important thing in freelance is relationships with editors, experts, writers, etc. Networking!!
*Kelly James-Enger is the author of Ready, Aim Specialize! Create your own Writing Specialty and Make More Money and the new Chick Lit novel, Did you Get the Vibe?
She says she does the freelance for the cash and writes her novels for the art/fun of it. She was able to do the novels because she�d established herself as a writer in the freelance nonfiction world and had those editor/publisher contacts. She writes for Family Circle and McCalls among many other magazines, and is one of the primary writers for the Pampered Chef literature and catalogs.