Writer Jobs

How to get writer jobs in all areas

How do I get a writer job?

Why do most writers struggle in their careers to bring in jobs?

The answer is because they fail to develop a system that works for them.

Whether you would like to write full time or are considering writing as a second career, the most important rule of thumb is to develop a system.

Working within a structure will help you to land writer jobs more easily. Michael Gerber writes in 'The E Myth Revisited' that, in order to be successful in any business enterprise, you need a model to make your business work. Therefore, if you learn to work the system outlined below, it will become the foundation for your writer job success.

Explore the writer jobs market

Deborah Ng offers an informative review of a variety of writing jobs in her web article '30 Types of Freelancing Jobs and How to Get Them'. Also, Yuwanda Black has published an in-depth manual, the '2008-2009 Freelance Writing Jobs Report'. This outlines the different jobs that writers can take advantage of in the current recession. Make sure you fully understand the wide range of writing job opportunities that are out there before you choose one that's right for you.

Target your market

Narrow your focus by identifying a target market. Select a few niche areas within your general market category. By choosing a few areas within your speciality, you are effectively increasing your job opportunities.

Why should you write as a specialist? Because being a specialist helps to define who are. It gives you credibility as being an authority in your field. Your clientele will find it much easier to validate spending money on someone who they perceive to be an expert.

On the other hand they may find it difficult to justify paying for the services of writers who adopt a generic approach. By doing writer jobs on several unrelated lines of business, they are seen as a ‘jack of all trades and master of none’.

Increase your visibility

Even though some writers pay to have a website designed, you can also find free websites such as Webs.com. You can use your website as a platform to increase your visibility and promote your unique selling points as a writer.

Include your profile, clips and your biography.

Add a picture to your site to give it a personal touch. This lets your customers feel that they are meeting you in person. They are more likely to do business with you. If you are a new writer you may create a writing portfolio by:

  • Submitting content to article directories
  • Writing reviews for consumer sites such as Epinions and Dooyoo
  • Providing quality information by setting up a blog using Blogger or Word Press
  • Contributing to your local parish newsletter
  • Writing reviews in your local paper

Getting testimonials

Visit relevant discussion boards and market your service for free, on a first-come first-served basis to a few clients. In exchange, each client could write you a testimonial. Three testimonials will guarantee you further writer jobs. This is because they confirm who you are and that you are good at writing what you say you can write.

Finding potential clients

Once you have decided which writing services you will provide, you then need to determine who your prospects are. If you are aiming for individuals, you have to find where they regularly hang out. To locate potential sites, type in your topic description in your search engine, followed by “discussion forums”. It may also be worth your while signing up for the following internet forums:

  • MSN Groups (http://groups.msn.com)
  • Yahoo! Groups (http://groups.yahoo.com)
  • Google Groups (http://groups.google.com)

Contribute to discussion forums. This will enable you to display your expertise as a writer, whilst directing traffic to your website. Many individuals also advertise on job boards such as Craigslist and Elance. Monika Mundell provides a useful review of various job boards in her blog, the ‘13 Best Freelance Writing Job Websites’.

How to target companies

If you are prospecting companies, you will have to do so directly. Send introduction packs to promote your writing service. Prepare each application individually, and send clips that best match what the company is looking for.

Remember to include a covering letter and a CV/resume.

How to post your resume on job boards

When you post your resume on job boards, it is important to keep the information simple and straightforward. Your profile is more likely to be read by potential clients.
According to Jack Nielson:

"Reading from computer screens is 25% slower than reading from paper."

Therefore web users will often skim read through text picking out keywords and sentences. Lisa Nicols provides an example of a suitable resume in her article ‘Freelance Writing Resume Tips’.
If you are interested in completing freelance writing work at home and would like to earn a competitive rate of pay, with flexible hours to suit, apply now for our writer jobs.