How To Shut Down Your Laptop and Land New Freelance Assignments
by Steph Auteri on Aug 3 2011
I’m often asked by beginning writers which job boards are the best for finding work. I tell all of them the same thing: Skip the job boards. Go on the offensive. Pitch your way into the publications you’ve been eyeing.
After all, it’s what I’ve been doing for years. I regularly hole up in my condo, flipping through back issues of magazines, brainstorming story ideas, agonizing over query letters, and tracking my efforts with spreadsheets. And — slowly but surely — I’ve continued to break into new and bigger publications.
But here’s the thing. It’s not where I get the bulk of my work.
No. The bulk of my work comes to me. How? Every day, new and amazing opportunities pop up because of the people I’ve worked with in the past, or met either in person or online.
How can you build similar, mutually beneficial relationships? You’re not gonna like this, but it requires stepping away from your computer.
1. Stay connected with former colleagues, editors, clients, sources, etc. Meet up now and then for coffee or happy hour. Swing by their office for a chat, or schedule a Skype call. One of these days, they may see a call for writers that makes them think of you, or hear from a colleague who’s looking for someone with your level of expertise. One of my biggest clients today is someone I once-upon-a-time interviewed for a magazine story. How cool is that!? So before seeking out new connections, put in the effort required to maintain the relationships you already have.
2. Attend networking events, media parties, happy hours, etc. As someone within the publishing industry, I’ve always been a fan of mediabistro’s events, and also attend launch parties within my writing niche as they pop up. But you don’t have to go industry-specific. Groups such as NetParty and Networking for Professionals regularly throw more general business networking events, in locations throughout the country. And learning more about other industries might do more than build your network — it could also help you generate fresh story ideas.
3. Become involved with a professional organization. Those like the ASJA and the EFA hold regular events and conferences for their members. Offer help in planning these events and you may improve your chances of meeting even more of your fellow members.
4. Attend industry conferences. And go prepared to do more than just socialize. Conferences can be a great environment for exploring new ideas within an industry, and panels, workshops, and exhibits are de rigueur.
5. Attend (or perhaps even organize) a meetup, tweetup, or other small gathering. Sites such as Meetup, GoogleGroups, and Yahoo Groups allow users to create interest-based groups from scratch. But do a search first to see if a group specific to your interests already exists. In addition to making valuable contacts at these get-togethers, you can also trade battle stories, seek out advice, and get opinions on any new ideas you’ve had percolating.
6. Take a class. Not only will you have the opportunity to learn some valuable tricks of the trade, but you’ll get the chance to workshop your active projects and network with both your professor and your fellow students. Check out the continuing education opportunities at the schools near you.
7. Start a writing group. There are a number of valid reasons for forming a writing group. Aside from the sense of community, you’ll have fresh, objective eyes on your writing, someone you’re accountable to, someone to bounce ideas off of, and a group of people who love you so much, they’re willing to share contacts and opportunities with you.
8. Try coworking. As I’ve mentioned in a previous post, coworking can do more than just improve your levels of productivity. It can also provide you with some much-needed human contact, an expanded professional network, and opportunities for collaboration.
This list can go on. But basically, anytime you’re among new people, you have the opportunity to build fantastic connections and develop new ideas. So volunteer. Attend lit events. Try a new exercise class. Tag along to a party with one of your friends.
Remain open to possibility.
Steph Auteri
Steph Auteri is a freelance writer/editor who has been published in Inside Jersey, Playgirl, Time Out NY, New York Press, and other publications. She writes primarily about love and sex, and also careers, freelancing, and entrepreneurship. She also founded Career Coaching for Word Nerds, through which she offer one-on-one coaching to freelancers and host Word Nerd Networking events. She recently became a member of the YEC, and regularly sound in as an expert on AOL jobs, Huffington Post, and other sites.
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