Advice on becoming a freelance writer (Full Version)

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rgod -> Advice on becoming a freelance writer (7/30/2008 8:45:14 PM)

I'm in the midst of trying to launch a freelance writing career. I was a technical writer for about 12 years and did a lot of corporate business writing (brochures, marketing materials) in addition to computer/technology writing. I didn't really think of myself as a writer though until a few years ago - interestingly enough. I left the corporate world to go back to school and am currently working on a graduate degree in digital media. I believe that the Lord has really put it on my heart to start writing and to get this business set up now - before I leave school. I don't think that I'll be heading back to private industry (although I'd be willing if the Lord leads me).

I have a part-time job that will basically keep me afloat (rent, utilities, food, gas -- well maybe not much gas :) - there won't be much to spare, but I'll have enough to keep me going). The job is really draining right now because I'm in non-stop rehearsals all day - and I come home to practice even more. (I'm a working actor/musician believe it or not. Only God could have provided a job like this for me.) However, within a few weeks, things will slow down dramatically and I'll have more energy to focus.

I feel kind of lost to be honest with you - I don't quite know where to start. While I really want to write novels (christian romantic fiction, drama, sci fi, thrillers) and plays/screenplays, I think that providing business writing services as well as freelance magazine/online articles will provide a good base for me. I've always wanted to go to seminary - and don't know if God will lead me to a school where I can get a better biblical grounding while also developing as a writer. I really need to be somewhere where I can develop as a writer and get good feedback.

I don't know much about running a business. I have found a company that offers accounting services to small businesses and also will help with incorporation, etc. However, this is an area I need to learn a lot more about before I chose another business to help me in this area (and I will need help). I also know how to set up web sites -- so I can market myself - I have the software that I need to get started. I also have a little bit of a technical background - so I can do some simple flash and other types of multimedia work if needed.

Sorry for the long post! I'm still researching, but I would love any advice that you could provide. I feel like this is the direction that the Lord has for me - and I'm not taking this responsibility lightly. I feel so new at this, that I don't even really know what questions to ask myself. I would really appreciate any kind of advice, tips, or pointers on things to think about as I embark on this.

All advice is appreciated!!!

rgod



RyansWife -> RE: Advice on becoming a freelance writer (8/3/2008 3:15:28 AM)

RGOD, There are lots of places on the web that can give you a good start. Write, write, write away and query like crazy. It pays off. I would also suggest setting up an account with ELance or Guru. Guru has a niche for technical writers and you can build clientele there. After two days of bidding I was able to secure two nice projects, enough to pay my rent for the month. lol Search Amazon for the highest rated books on Freelance writing. Remember, you are only limited by your own creativity and vision. Good luck and God bless!



rgod -> RE: Advice on becoming a freelance writer (8/10/2008 3:03:15 PM)

Ryanswife,

Thank you very much for your input and particularly for the two sites that you mentioned. I checked them out a bit earlier this week and am finding them to be good solid sources of information. I'm a bit intimidated by the business side - I'm curious, did you already have business training (or know how to run a business) before you started, or was this your first venture? I've been looking at different books and am working my way through them. I'm thinking that I'm going to have to jump out there pretty soon as my part-time job only pays enough to take care of about 90% of my living expenses. I have additional money to keep me going - but I don't want to fall behind.

Also, are there any books that you found to be particularly helpful? I'm looking at the "Well Fed Writer" "Too Lazy to Work, Too Nervous to Steal" - of course the "Writer's Market" and the "Christian Writer's Market" as well as online sites. Jenkins wrote a good book called "Writing For the Soul" which is pretty good. And there is a good "Idiots guide" book for writing Christian Novels that I'm also reading.

Thanks again for your advice.

rgod



CherishedbyGod -> RE: Advice on becoming a freelance writer (8/13/2008 8:24:43 PM)

rgod,

Please don't give up your idea of going to Seminary! Write, write, write as the other poster told you. That is the best way to improve.

And, when you get brave, get yourself critiqued professionally but, beware! Mine was so bad that I would have quit if a dear soul had not encouraged me on.

I am certain there must be schools out there, i.e. Seminary or Biblical colleges that could help you with your writing.

I used to submit alot of my work to:

http://www.faithwriters.com I actually had a number of people try to recruit me from this site....

Just a thought...It might not be for you....

Blessings to you, (((rgod))),

From another writer

P.S. Lately, I have been linking my devotionals to youtubevideos...

Here is an example. Please see my post #33 as I think it is my favorite so far....

http://christianforums.com/showthread.php?t=7258360&page=4



rgod -> RE: Advice on becoming a freelance writer (8/20/2008 4:21:29 PM)

CherishedbyGod - thank you for the encouragement and for the link to faithwriters. I think that I'm going to give it a try. Also I saw your devotional - I love what you did with them, particularly with post #24. I look forward to reading more ...



durlance -> RE: Advice on becoming a freelance writer (8/21/2008 5:21:47 PM)

Hi rgod,

I am a freelancer and I use many freelance job boards on the net. It is the best way to find freelance jobs. Here are a few of the best freelance job boards available:

GetAFreelancer http://www.getafreelancer.com
Remote Gurus http://www.remotegurus.com
Elance http://www.elance.com
WritingBids http://www.writingbids.com

Best of luck to you! Just keep in there and it will all work out.



rgod -> RE: Advice on becoming a freelance writer (8/22/2008 12:10:51 PM)

Thanks durlance. I love all of the sites that everyone is giving me - keep 'em coming :)

I've been really dragging my feet concerning this because I don't have a business/entrepreneurial background. However ... today I found free online training classes that are offered by the small business administration. Here's the link:

http://www.sba.gov/services/training/onlinecourses/index.html

I am so glad - I think it will help me a lot. I want to have a business plan written out so that I can make sure that I've thought through a lot of the issues associated with starting a business. I found an accounting company that can help me with my finances - I need to check prices, but I believe that they are competitive. I want to keep uncle sam happy - because if "he ain't happy - no one's happy" to borrow a phrase that is usually applied to mothers.

I have a question. I am in the process of setting up a website that will showcase the work that I've done thus far. I'm going to set up a content management system (I'll probably use Joomla) because I want to start setting up things so that I can work with people remotely - and I know that Joomla will provide the tools that will allow me to do that. Can anyone recommend web hosting companies that you are happy with? I used to use viux, but I'm not sure if I want to use them anymore. Thanks!



CherishedbyGod -> RE: Advice on becoming a freelance writer (8/22/2008 12:31:01 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: rgod

CherishedbyGod - thank you for the encouragement and for the link to faithwriters. I think that I'm going to give it a try. Also I saw your devotional - I love what you did with them, particularly with post #24. I look forward to reading more ...


Thank you for checking it out! I was having too much fun working on linking my devotions to worship songs! Could not get any of my other work done, lol. I had to back off a little.

Now I am writing a Bible Study and that is work. Ah, yi, yi...don't know what I have gotten myself into[:D]

If you find a good web host place can you post it for us? I need to have my website redone and get all my works out there or I am going to lose them. I have them floating all over the internet now, lol.

Blessings to you!!!



rgod -> RE: Advice on becoming a freelance writer (8/22/2008 12:59:46 PM)

I certainly will. In fact, I can compile a list of what I get from here and other sources if you wish - hopefully I'll be able to compile a listing within a couple of weeks or so. If you don't hear from me by then, feel free to PM me!

By the way Cherished, what software did you use to create your videos? Did you use iMovie or something else?

And cool that you are doing a bible study. I'm doing one that is meaty but has such a neat format - it is called "bite-sized bible studies" - have you ever heard of it? Are you going to add a multimedia component to your bible study as well?



CherishedbyGod -> RE: Advice on becoming a freelance writer (8/22/2008 8:35:16 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: rgod

I certainly will. In fact, I can compile a list of what I get from here and other sources if you wish - hopefully I'll be able to compile a listing within a couple of weeks or so. If you don't hear from me by then, feel free to PM me!

By the way Cherished, what software did you use to create your videos? Did you use iMovie or something else?

And cool that you are doing a bible study. I'm doing one that is meaty but has such a neat format - it is called "bite-sized bible studies" - have you ever heard of it? Are you going to add a multimedia component to your bible study as well?


Hey, thanks!

Oh, I did not create those Video's! Other people created them. I think of a song that might go along with my message, and then I do a google search for the song + artist + youtube. Google is much better than Yahoo. Then when I find it, I just link to it.

Yes, I think I am going to add multimedia component to the Bible Study but not every day. Just as the Holy Spirit leads. I would like to see an example of bite-sized Bible Studies.

Here is an example of my linking to youtube from my Bible Study. It is amazing...I am finding some of the current "hits" on youtube. It is post # 2. I chose this song because it goes with the title of my Bible Study.

I think I am going to move this Bible Study over here as I get alot more traffic on this website[;)] I don't know if I can directly link from here to the picture tho....


http://bibleforums.org/forum/showthread.php?t=136181



lexie -> RE: Advice on becoming a freelance writer (8/29/2008 11:35:44 AM)

Some advice I give on becoming a freelance writer is to look at magazines which have reader columns.

For example, one parenting magazine I read asks parents to write an article about a challenge in their life, and another magazine I read asks readers to write about where they live.

Often the pay for the article is not a lot but it is a good way of getting published in the magazine industry and building up your portfolio.



rgod -> RE: Advice on becoming a freelance writer (8/29/2008 1:41:25 PM)

Thanks lexie - good advice!



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