Need Freelance Writing Gig!

[Greg Mayo]

Ok, my wife and I started talking the other night about my writing experience. I have written for eight publications over the past 20 years, been a sports and outdoor editor and even shot my own photo packages. So the question came, why can't I find even a freelance writing gig?
The internet is full of bunk "opportunities" and the local papers I have contacted either don't respond or don't seem interested. So what's a guy to do?
I own a remodeling company and love doing the work. However, I also love writing. With remodeling slow because of the economy I thought it best to start digging in on the writing. No luck.
Anyone that has a suggestion please let me know.
I have attached a published column scan for fun. I know I'm not Hemmingway but surely there's a better method to go about this than I have been using.

Thanks Brothers and Sisters,

[Debbie Clason]

Hi Greg -- have you thought about drafting a few columns on remodeling tips and trying to sell them to the paper? (it's the "write about what you know" rule). If people are trying to become do-it-yourselfers because money is tight, offering a how-to column might be a good way to get paid a bit for your writing and build some name recognition for your business at the same time. My daughter had success in selling her indie film columns locally. I'd try the larger papers first, but don't discount the smaller ones, either.

[Greg Mayo]

Thanks Debbie,
I have thought about writing a green building and remodeling column. That is the direction we are trying to go as a company. Hearing someone else say it helps.

Thanks,
Greg

[Debbie Clason]

I think you'll be incredibly successful with that. Good luck.

[Erik Deckers]

A few things to try:

1) Start a blog. Write about your passion, and become an expert. Once you build a following, and have some good, solid content, you can point magazine editors to it.

2) Your magazine gigs will come from contacting the editors directly. Follow steps 1 and 2 and contact the editors of your favorite sports/outdoor magazines.

3) Keep contacting the smaller papers in your area. Call the editor directly. If you can't get them on the phone, call back. A friend of mine is a freelancer for the Greenwood paper. I also know the editor of the Vype High School Sports Magazine. Email me directly and I'll get you in touch with both of them.

4) Never respond to Craigslist ads. They're usually bogus and/or they pay $20 for 10 hours of work.

[Erik Deckers]

Ask and you shall receive. I just found this online:

http://freelancewritinggigs.com/webandprint/sports-and-outdoors-fre...

[Greg Mayo]

You rock!

[Theresia Whitfield]

Greg - I've been a freelancer for more than 7 years. Many of the writing gigs you find out there are so tough to get because every other freelancer on the planet is doing the same thing. That said, you need to take the bull by the horns.

The suggestions by Debbie and Erik are spot on. I also recommend getting on Peter Shankman's email distribution list. There might be good opportunities there.

But the biggest thing you're going to need to do is go directly to the magazines. You will need to pitch story ideas in such a way that the editor has no choice but to hire you to write the article. If you're unpublished or not-often published, you'll have to start in smaller markets. It takes a while to build up a good flow of work, and it isn't easy. But it can be done. I'm happy to email you some links that will help you in this learning process. I think having a niche is a good start. Also, check out the Writer's Market Guide (online or in book form). You'll find every magazine (trade or consumer) you ever wanted to know about!

I hope this is helpful and I'm happy to answer more questions if you have them!
T

[Tia NIelsen]

Greg,

You received excellent advice from Debbie, Erik and Theresia. Like Debbie, when I read of your background, I immediately thought of how useful a 'how to' remodeling column would be for those econmically-squeezed folks. (That's most of us!) Incorporating the green aspect should make it a hit.

If you are still in search of regular writing work, I may have some useful contacts for you. My number is 317-882-3198.

As background: I have had nine (or ten?) dozen articles published (about half were cover articles) in the past two years for ten publications. I also proposed, and now write, a weekly column for a weekly niche newspaper. Because of that, I can predict what I will earn, at a minimum, and when I will get paid. Both of those alleviate two of the more persistent challenges when freelancing. From this simple base, I've begun to add more large-scale projects with other clients.

Find a way to get consistent clients. Smaller publications may not pay as much, but some of them are more financially stable because their lower ad rates have great appeal. I agree with Debbie that your topic of green remodeling tips would be very useful and saleable right now.

Final thought (really!): Keep the rights to your work too so you can put it on your blog. I didn't know enough when I started two years ago to keep the rights (after the initial printing). I'm just fixing that now.

All the best,
Tia N.

[Jonathan Simcosky]

The History Press is always looking for local writers, historians, and activists to author brief histories of ther communities.

If you're interested in doing something with a local focus check out our website (www.historypress.net) and/or shoot me an email ([e-mail]) and we can chat about the possibilities.

[Cindy Dunston Quirk]

When I contacted the Indianapolis Star regarding freelance work, it took them exactly one entire year to get back with me. I did quite a lot of writing for them (mostly fluff) last year but since they laid off several experienced writers, the work has totally dried up.
I have also tried Elance and a couple of additional sites without much success. And I really didn't want to buy a membership for the opportunity to bid on writing gigs. So I still search for these on my own.
I now publish a magazine titled Doctor of Dentistry for the state of Indiana and am always looking for writers. Could you send me a couple of examples of your work? Here is my email [e-mail].

Looking forward to talking with you.