Highlights from Previous Seminars: Freelance Writing 101

Digging through the archive of handouts and seminar presentations, I thought I’d post the notes from one of the roundtables I participated in.

What is a freelance writer?

  • An independent contractor “for hire”
  • A savvy business owner
  • Has great “time-management” skills
  • Knows what they are worth
  • Has realistic expectations and goals
  • A qualified individual performing a service
  • An “expert” in their field

How do I promote myself?

    Online

  • Establish your identity
  • Follow-up emails and thank yous
  • Be professional
  • Avoid “flame wars”
  • Distinguish yourself from fans
  • Network through social media
  • Use proper “grammar” (avoid L33t or LOL-speak)
  • Referrals

    Offline

  • Non-Gaming Seminars
  • Business groups
  • Community organizations
  • Conventions
  • “Best” Time to talk to publishers
  • Dos and Donts of what to say
  • Portfolio/Resume or not to Portfolio

How do I find work?

  • Develop your Own criteria
  • What will you accept as payment?
  • What do you want to write?
  • Who do you want to work for?
  • Be realistic based on experience

The Renegade Writer

A Totally Unconventional Guide to Freelance Writing Success

Written by two freelancers who broke the rules to win the game, this handbook contains a wealth of information for writers who are frustrated by the seemingly limited ways to operate in the freelance market. It explains that freelancers can negotiate for more money and better terms without risking their careers, shows that editors are not the writer-gobbling monsters many freelancers fear, and explains how to establish and foster work relationships.

In this updated second edition there are more ideas, more rules to break, and more resources to get started, including a suite of appendixes covering topics such as contract procedures, getting paid, services for freelancers, generating ideas, and doing research. As inspiration, the book includes examples of real writers who have gone against “expert” advice and flourished. Being shy doesn’t pay, and following the rules puts a writer in a long line of other sheep; with this text as a guide, writers can step out of the herd and build a successful business in a crowded market.

Available at Amazon.com

About Me: Appearance at GenCon-Indy

In about two weeks I will be attending the 40th anniversary of GenCon Indy as a panelist with W.H. Horner from Fantasist Enterprises, and veteran freelance author, editor, and panelist James Lowder who has worked with Wizards of the Coast, Green Ronin, Eden Studios, and White Wolf to name a few. My portion of the seminar will cover self-promotion. Here are some of the highlights I intend to cover:

  • Conventions & Seminars
  • Building Contacts Online
  • Asking for Work
  • The Follow-up
  • Difficult Personalities
  • Air of Neutrality

I will be presenting for about a half-an-hour, after which we’ll open up the panel for Q&A. Handouts and other info will be provided on my end, so bring your questions if you’re in town or post here for more information.

Blog Announcement: New Features

As I work to bring you relevant, new content, just wanted to let you know that I’ve been approached to review non-fiction materials related to freelance writing. Be sure to stop back and read my reviews for some potentially, powerful books that can help you grow your career.

In addition to book reviews, I will be adding commentary for new sites and forums that I come across, in an effort to give you my opinion of places where you might want to post (or avoid).

In the meantime, stay tuned, and happy writing!

Freelance Writing Tip #35: Be Inspired by Others’ Success

Sometimes its easy to work in a tunnel, where you gauge how “good” you are as a writer by the milestones you reach in your personal career. The nature of our work, as I’ve mentioned several times, encourages us to put blinders on, only looking at what’s in front of our monitor instead of reaching out to a larger community of writers.

One way to motivate yourself, is to be inspired by another author’s success story. Successful authors can give unpublished writers hope. Whenever an author surpasses a goal or financial sales figure, it means that people are still reading, and it is possible to achieve that level of success.

So the next time you hear an author’s success story, smile and dream. Remember that that author could be you, but you’ll never get there if you don’t write. So turn their success into personal motivation, and keep your words flowing freely.

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