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Freelancing booklet for colleagues

This detail-packed booklet is an invaluable guide for aspiring freelance writers who need help with getting those first few assignments, and for published freelancers seeking to do better at this exciting career. I put it together based on my seminars and presentations of the same title, to provide more detail and as a resource that would be more accessible to colleagues who can't attend those presentations. A new element in this edition is a short section on getting started in editorial freelancing in general - proofreading, copyediting, indexing, etc., as well as writing.

Here's what colleagues say about this publication:

“I thought this booklet was great! It was really nice to see all this good advice put down in writing in one place”;

“If you’re interested in or new to freelancing, Ruth is a great source of information and experience”;

“Ruth does such a lovely job of presenting the material — it was truly a pleasure to read this booklet”;

“... all newbies: get, read and believe ... Get Paid to Write! Getting Started as a Freelance Writer, which is an invaluable and amazing distillation of the essentials of making writing and editing a ‘doable’ occupation”;

“Ruth has been there and done that. She knows everything there is to know about being a freelance writer, and she’s very generous with insights, humor and much-appreciated nuts-and-bolts advice for freelancers of all stripes.”

"Get Paid to Write! Getting Started as a Freelance Writer"

The (Freelance) Writing Life

© Ruth E. Thaler-Carter

If you were happily employed with no thought of leaving your workplace nest, you probably wouldn’t be reading this booklet. Even if your job seems secure, though, it might be smart to think about doing some freelance work now as a hedge against disaster later.

Being a freelance writer is a constant adventure — and a constant challenge. The adventure is in the potential for freedom, variety and profit in your work life; the challenge is in making a living.

This booklet is oriented to freelance writing and assumes you plan to freelance fulltime, but much of it can apply to other “editorial” work, as well as to part-time freelancing. While some suggestions assume that most readers have current jobs, whether as writers or something else, they also should be useful for those who are not working as writers now.

Why freelance?

Being a freelancer appeals to many writers because it offers freedom from routine, office politics and rush-hour traffic, along with the prospect of constant variety in assignments, opportunities to make more money than at a “regular job,” and the odd bit of glamour here and there.

All these things are possible, but there are likely to be a few bumps in the road. These perspectives on “the good, the bad and the ugly” of getting started as a freelance writer should help you maximize the first and minimize the latter two.

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"Get Paid to Write! Getting Started as a Freelance Writer" Table of Contents:

Introduction

About this booklet

About the author

Why freelance

An appealing lifestyle

A day in the freelance life

Why leave your job?

No one is safe

Internal competition

Personality pitfalls

Burnout

Fired!

Potential rewards

Variety

Freedom

Flexibility

Family time

Fun

Personality fit

Income/security

Why not to freelance

Discipline

Personality

Stability

Competition

True ability!

How to prepare

Start now!

Make contacts

Build skills

Save money

Build up resources/equipment

Structures (one-person vs. company, incorporating)

First steps

Professional details

Looking good

Self-protection

Visibility/Promotions

Queries

Advertising

Marketing

The Internet

Networking

Getting into print

Early projects

Volunteering

Letters

Internet

Speaking

Finding writing work

Current employer

Former employers

Friends and family

Professional groups & lists

Volunteering

Local publications

Getting paid

Contracts and agreements

Rates and fees

Invoices

Follow up

Last resorts

Danger zones

Copyright concerns

Tax planning

Benefits

Time management

Family/work

Just say no!

Resources

General

Publications

Lists and sites

Organizations

Bonus section

Getting Started in Proofreading and Editing

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To order your copy, send check or money order for $20 to Ruth E. Thaler-Carter, 2500 East Avenue, #7K, Rochester, NY 14610 (please note new address; page sidebar will be updated shortly). For credit-card orders, just go to PayPal.com and send to Ruth@writerruth.com. Price includes first-class postage.