If you are a consultant or a freelancer, do you have steady, regular income sources (clients), or do you really just flit from one assignment or client to another?

As far as some of my friends who are freelance writers are concerned, they think of ideas for articles, and then they send query after query letter to publication editors, trying to sell their stories. This takes a tremendous amount of time and energy.

I am a chicken, so I think that as far as I am concerned, some type of regular arrangement is ideal. But somehow, I think the ones who are out there querying are probably the real writers. What do you think?

I did the query-sending thing for a few years. It's exhausting and you always feel as if you're sending them into a vacuum. Regardless of whether you follow the magazine's themes, inevitably, they come back to you to say a) it's already been done, or b) it's planned for the near future and one of their in-house writers will be covering it. I'd love to get a regular gig, but I have no idea how to get there. Any advice?

There has got to be a way to become an in-house writer, you're right. I don't know, but this makes me want to find out! And I will report back here about it.

If you find out how to become and in-house writer and don't share with me I will buy up all of GM and keep you from it ;)

Okay - not really, but I've been trying to figure out how to break into writing and getting nowhere. It may be my google technique.

Hahahahahaha. I am pretty sure that you need an "in" to become one, but I am pretty good at beating my head against a door. It's because I'm a Taurus.

You surely wouldn't keep me from GM, would you? I'll come and pluck your eyebrows for you!



Kidding.

I'm not in the writing field but I know I rely on my regular gigs heavily. It's hard to solicit new work and too time consuming for me right now. Not to say I don't try, but I really have to rely on what I've got and keep them coming back for more. I keep hoping for that huge gig that will keep me steadily employed for the next couple of years. But it would have to be huge. Just auditioned for one last night. Fingers crossed. Funny that, though, I've really learned to just be 'me' for auditions and accept what I can and can't do. They will either like me or they won't and I can't let it bother me. Takes a lot of the pressure off!

I'm a flitterer. I prefer it that way.

If you query someone with an awesome letter, they might email back and say "already done or doing but please try again."

You want to hear that part about trying again-- they don't say that to everyone. Keep banging on that door and, eventually, they'll throw you a bone.

SimpleFamily, I was hoping you would jump into this discussion!

Hey, all! Very interesting discussion. I'm a freelance writer, but I just started a few months ago. I was lucky enough to find a fairly regular gig with a company writing website content. BUT, the work is not as steady as I need to survive, so I'm looking for other things as well.

I've never sent out queries to magazines, though I'd like to give that a try. (I'm chicken, too!) Mostly I apply for writing jobs I find online. So far I haven't found much, but I'm hanging in there!

Keep sharing your experiences - I love hearing how other writers do it!

SimpleFamily, thanks for the tip about trying again. I always thought it was just a platitude, but I'll keep it in mind next time.

Hi all,

I think the regular writing gigs can come up from networking more than the traditional query. I have a colleague who is a Registered Dietitian who had the ability to write without sounding overly scientific or with too much jargon. Someone in her network referred her to a person at Allure magazine and that was it. She has had a regular column in Allure for 5 years or so that also pays very well.

Another dietitian I know was just well known in her community and because of her network and being well-respected she got a job as a food editor for a major diabetes magazine with no writing experience at all!

It seems like no matter what business you are in, your network is where the gold is.

There is also an organization called Writers Weekly (www.writersweekly.com). You pay a yearly subscription and they send all kinds of jobs for writers. Keep in mind you have competition going in but the good thing is there are often longer term gigs available.

Hi all. Just had to tell you that I took Meri's advice to heart recently and landed a commissioned article. I was attending a parenting course and I knew that the editor of a well-known women's web site here in SA would be there. I took the opportunity to introduce myself, tell her what I was good at and offer my services and the very next day, she emailed me a brief. I've just sent the completed article off. Network, network, network!
Thanks, Meri!

Neen, that's FANTASTIC! I took advantage of networking in person recently, too, and believe I'll have a new client this week. Fingers crosssed but even if it doesn't happen, it felt great to just get out and do it. Congrats on putting yourself out there and getting results!

Congratulations Neen- How great!