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So, you unexpectedly found yourself freelancing when you have never freelanced before! Media layoffs got you, or you were "asked to move on," or whatever. Here’s what I wish I had known when I began, or have figured out out during ~two years doing this (a thread)
1. TAKE A MINUTE. Any kind of professional transition can be anxiety-inducing. Some people like to jump right into Seriously Doing Freelance immediately; but taking time to relax and process what’s happening is completely okay.
2. TAKE STOCK. What do you need to make things work, whether it’s short-term until you find a full-time position, or for the foreseeable future? Do you have health insurance options?
3. MAKE A WEBSITE. You should have an easy-to-find site (SEO: your name) where you can list your experience and work you’re proud of. I used @weebly for my site, other people like @squarespace. Keep it simple and PLEASE include your contact email.
4. GET ORGANIZED. Figure out a system that works to organize pitches, project deadlines, invoices, and editor contact info. I use @googledocs, a lot of people swear by @Trello or other programs. Color-coordinating everything helps me.
5. WORK YOUR NETWORK. Colleagues from previous jobs are likely spread out at a variety of publications. Touch base, say hi, let them know you are freelancing. They might connect you to other editors, offer tips on pitching their pub, or just keep you in mind for the next project.
6. RESEARCH. Let me say it again! RESEARCH. If a pub has pitch guidelines, read them. If an editor did an interview about their site, read it. Constantly read the pubs you plan to pitch. Find real humans to pitch, not a submissions@whatever email address (use @LinkedIn)
7. PITCH WELL, PITCH OFTEN. Constantly brainstorm, refine pitches, and send them out. Tons of freelancers are inspired by this @lithub piece, which urges you to aim for 100 rejections a year lithub.com/why-you-should…
8. KEEP IMMACULATE RECORDS. You always want to be on top of: who owes you what and for what work, which pitches are where, and deadlines. Read every contract you sign. Pay quarterly taxes!!!!!!!!
9. ANY TYPE OF WRITING OR WRITING-ADJACENT WORK IS YOUR FRIEND. Copywriting? Ghost writing? Proofreading? Media consulting? Social media work? You got it. Do it!
10. SIGNAL BOOST YOUR FELLOW FREELANCERS. Freelance writers are genuinely the most helpful, communicative, supportive group of people. It’s crucial to support each other's work and pass along any opportunities you can’t take on.
11. USE EVERY RESOURCE YOU CAN FIND. Twitter is the ultimate resource—follow editors and fellow writers. There are some other, really excellent resources out there as well:
Sonia Weiser @weischoice runs a newsletter called “Opportunities of the Week”, where she shares calls for pitches from all sorts of editors. There’s a $3/month fee (but there’s wiggle room on that if you need it, you can contact her directly).
Who Pays Writers @whopayswriters is a crowdsourced, anonymous database of freelance rates. It also includes how long it took a writer to get paid: whopayswriters.com/#/results
Study Hall @studyhallxyz has a newsletter and a kind of online support group for media people studyhall.xyz
And twitter threads from editors and freelancers about (you guessed it) editing and freelancing are unbelievably helpful.
I RTed this great @GrayHChapman doc yesterday which includes really good tools for invoicing and transcribing as well as excellent tips from her experiences
This @Beejoli thread is fantastic:
Another thorough doc from @deenashanker, with some very specific tips on pitching:
You can subscribe to @Tati_WM's good newsletter, which has pitch callouts and information on the industry @Freelance_Beat
I'll keep adding to this thread as new resources and tips come up. I'm aware I have massive privilege in being able to do this full-time and I hope to make use of that. If you need freelance kick-off advice, message me and I will always respond (it might take me a minute)
And let me stress that, if you were just laid off, these tips and resources and offers of help from other freelancers will still be here when you are ready. There is no expiration date. Take your time. We're here for you!
More tips from freelancers, prompted by this tweet from @lillydancyger
