How to market yourself positively when working as a freelance writer
Do you ever feel like you are full to the brim with dreams and ambitions, but you just can’t seem to figure out where to start? It can be stressful when it comes to breaking into the magazine industry and marketing yourself as a freelance writer. And the Internet is a black hole that can leave you even more paralysed about where to start. Amiright? There is much competition out there trying to get paid for your writing. Yes, it’s not always easy to make the jump from dreaming about a better career to actually making it as a freelance writer. As a result here are some suggestions on how you can market yourself correctly when finding your writing assignments.
1. Know What You Want:
It is important to know what kinds of writing jobs you are looking for. Determine what type of topics you like to write about and then develop a plan on how to find the editors that can assign you different opportunities. It’s vital you know what you are looking for before you even begin to market yourself.
2. Start Out Small:
When you are trying to market yourself as a journalist it’s always a good idea to pitch the smaller publications in your area first before going after the larger and more popular magazines. Starting out small will give you the experience and a sense of accomplishment in marketing yourself as a freelance writer. Over time, you can build yourself up and go after the more popular publications.
3. You Can’t Always Succeed:
When it comes to your writing career, you will experience some rejection. When you go for the job interview or ask somebody for help, you will get turned down eventually. There is no way to avoid getting turned down and you will have to get used to not getting everything you want. The key is to be patient.
4. Learn From Your Mistakes:
When you’re marketing yourself as a writer, make it a practice of learning from the process. Try learning from your mistakes so that when you try again you will not make the same mistakes. You will also increase your chances of getting that writing assignment you are looking for.
5. Be Persistent:
Keep on trying and do not give up! Reaching out to busy editors, it will take a lot of persistence to get work. A lot of times you will not make it the first or second time around. Being persistent is important if you want to be a successful writer.
6. Ask Questions:
If you are not sure why you didn’t get a particular writing assignment. Talk to the editor and find out why you didn’t get the job. If possible, get their advice on how you did in your marketing and then try to see if you can improve. There is nothing wrong in asking questions.
7. Learn To Take It One Day At A Time:
Instead of worrying about how you will get through the rest of the workweek or coming month, try to focus on the present, today and this very moment. Each day can provide us with different opportunities to learn new things and that includes learning how to deal with your problems.
8. Pace Yourself:
Sometimes we can get stressed out as a writer when everything suddenly happens all at once. When this happens, we encourage you to get excited of course, but don’t forget to take one step at the time and produce quality over quantity. Make sure you take time to unwind in between deadlines; take a deep breath and try to find something to do for a few minutes to get their mind off of the problem. You can read the newspaper, listen to some relaxing music or do an activity that will give them a fresh perspective on things.
9. Ask For Help:
Take advantage of the help that is available around you. If possible, get yourself a mentor in the industry or talk to a writing professional who can help you manage your stresses in finding work. They will be able to provide you with additional advice and insights on how to deal with your current problem. By talking to a writing professional, a person will be helping themselves in the long run because they will become better in marketing themselves.
