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January 07, 2009
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Author Topic: What to start with?  (Read 1085 times)
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Columbus218
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« on: April 12, 2007 »

Hi there,

I’m a student now and plan to become a freelancer after finishing university. I’m aware of the fact that freelance writing is highly competitive market. So I decided to start collecting information and contacting right people before I actually start as a freelancer.  I’m good in writing but I don’t really know what to start with. In other words what may be the first steps when you start your career as a freelance writer?

Thanks and have fun  Smiley
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Simon
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« Reply #1 on: April 13, 2007 »

Hi,

Getting into freelance is like being a fishing ship’s captain in a rough see. You need to fish as many fish as you can handle and return to your port safely. Too many things depend on you like choosing the right route, giving right orders to your crew, avoiding reefs and shoal etc. You can control only your vessel but you cannot influence the see. And remember there are other ships next to you and they are fishing too.  Are you ready for such voyage?  Smiley

I used this comparison for you to understand better what I'm talking about.

I think you need to start with expanding your knowledge about freelancing. You write you have already started collecting information and that naturally counts in your favor. I don’t know what kind of information you already have but there’s not bad beginner’s guide for freelance writers. I remember I read similar materials when started my freelance career. But at that time the information was very limited and web resources were not so widely used as today.
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Jennygma
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« Reply #2 on: April 16, 2007 »

Hi there,

I’m a student now and plan to become a freelancer after finishing university. I’m aware of the fact that freelance writing is highly competitive market. So I decided to start collecting information and contacting right people before I actually start as a freelancer.  I’m good in writing but I don’t really know what to start with. In other words what may be the first steps when you start your career as a freelance writer?

Thanks and have fun  Smiley


It's great that you try to set useful contacts and search information on freelance writing. But before doing that you should definitely read forums threads of this kind, which are indeed thousands. I mean your post is quite typical and so many freelance beginners ask the same question, "What to start with?". Don't be lazy and read answers to their posts Wink
There's already topic about information for freelance beginners at writersclub - http://www.writersclub.net/nuts_and_bolts_of_writing/info_for_freelance_beginners-t6.0.html. Didn't you find it relevant?
It's always better to come up with some specific question on forums.
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Two roads diverged in a wood and I - I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.
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Columbus218
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« Reply #3 on: April 17, 2007 »

Hey it is a forum....  I’m free to ask questions and post information that is interesting for me. I just would like to talk to someone more experienced. And don’t say I’m asking the same questions.  Tongue
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Jennygma
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« Reply #4 on: April 17, 2007 »

Hey it is a forum....  I’m free to ask questions and post information that is interesting for me. I just would like to talk to someone more experienced. And don’t say I’m asking the same questions.  Tongue

Columbus, don't take it too personal Wink
Sure you are allowed to ask whatever you consider relevant. But for the future, don't ingore others' experience. Sometimes answers to your questions are already provided and you just have to pick them up.
Good luck
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Two roads diverged in a wood and I - I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.
Robert Frost
Kat_from_heavens
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« Reply #5 on: April 18, 2007 »

Hi there,

I’m a student now and plan to become a freelancer after finishing university. I’m aware of the fact that freelance writing is highly competitive market. So I decided to start collecting information and contacting right people before I actually start as a freelancer.  I’m good in writing but I don’t really know what to start with. In other words what may be the first steps when you start your career as a freelance writer?

Thanks and have fun  Smiley


Forums for freelance writers are indeed good places to gather information on the issue you are interested in. In freelance writing you have to be patient, because it takes time to get to know people who can provide you with some job or to learn efficient writing techniques.
I just wonder what your specialization in university is. Are you sure you want to start freelance writing instead of searching a suitable job of your university specialization? Roll Eyes
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Sandy
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« Reply #6 on: April 18, 2007 »

I don’t know what kind of information you already have but there’s not bad beginner’s guide for freelance writers.

Suggested guide by Jenna Glatzer is a very good resource and it's written in a really readable manner. So you will definitely enjoy it even if you eventually give up the idea of becoming a freelance writer  Wink
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Hold fast to dreams
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Angela Porter
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« Reply #7 on: June 01, 2007 »

I agree.  Jenna's guide is great.  Plus, it's free.  If you're into books, two that really helped me are The Well-Fed Writer and The Freelance Writer's Bible.  Both are books I've referred to over and over in my short two years of freelance writing.  You can probably get a used copy on Amazon pretty cheap, or maybe even find them in the library.
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