| Here we discuss five (six with our bonus tip) | | | | editorial firm, if you purchase the appropriate |
| more ways freelance writers can make money -- | | | | software, you can market to a certain group and |
| fast! | | | | establish yourself as a go-to service for that |
| 6. Call Graphic Designers & Advertising Firms: | | | | industry. |
| Don't tune out! Don't cringe! This is easier than | | | | I did this for those who wrote screenplays. I |
| you think - and I'll prove it by telling you exactly | | | | purchased the software FinalDraft and took out |
| what to say. So you don't think I'd tell you to do | | | | an ad in BackStage, an industry newspaper for |
| something I wouldn't do myself, I picked up the | | | | artists (actors, dancers, musicians, etc.). My first |
| phone and called 8 companies. | | | | client paid for the software. |
| I hadn't had to do this in years -- and when I did | | | | This was in 1997 and I think I paid about $230 for |
| it was rare and I hated it. BUT, after being in | | | | the software. But, the first job I did for this type |
| business so long (over 19 years in the publishing | | | | of client netted me $375 (that I definitely |
| industry) and getting bolder with age, there's not | | | | remember!). The great thing about soliciting this |
| much I won't try to bring in the business. | | | | type of client is that they always need revisions, |
| To digress a moment, when you're 25 or 30, | | | | updates, extra copies, etc. I charged for all of |
| stuff like this seems kinda scary if it's not part of | | | | this, of course. |
| your nature -- and selling was NEVER my strong | | | | NOTE: I always told clients that I would store the |
| suit. Once I hit 40, I have to tell ya, my inhibitions | | | | most recent version of their work for them for |
| went out the window! Things that used to scare | | | | free. This made them feel really secure and |
| the bejeezus out of me don't even warrant a fly | | | | grateful. Why? I found many artists to be |
| swat now. This is a double-edged sword, but I | | | | forgetful and a bit unorganized. By offering this |
| have to say, it is liberating. I guess I'm becoming | | | | "FREE" service, they knew that if ever they |
| my crotchety old aunt -- and that's just dandy | | | | couldn't find the most recent version or their |
| with me. Okay, enough about my aging. | | | | computer crashed, that all they had to do was call |
| This is what I said when called those 8 graphic | | | | me. |
| design firms. NOTE: Not ONE refused to give me | | | | This built customer loyalty -- and led to |
| the information I asked for, were rude, or hung | | | | immeasureable amounts of business over the |
| up on me -- NOT ONE! | | | | years. The fun part about working with artists is |
| "Good afternoon, my name is Yuwanda Black and | | | | that you get to see the creative process in |
| I am a freelance writer. I'd like to send you some | | | | motion. |
| of my marketing materials for your files. Who is | | | | I had two clients who worked on the same |
| the appropriate party to address it to?" | | | | screenplay for over five years. They must have |
| Usually at this point, they will give you a name and | | | | paid me a few thousand dollars over this time as |
| they may go on to inquire about the type of | | | | they made changes, sent copies to different |
| services you provide. Of course, this is what you | | | | agencies, etc. |
| want. Tell them, succintly and professionally, what | | | | *Treatments: Treatments are one-page |
| you do and THEN ask if they have any projects | | | | summaries of scripts submitted to studios for |
| that they need help with RIGHT NOW. | | | | consideration. Most often, an artist will submit a |
| If they say no, ask if they can refer you to | | | | treatment. If the studio likes the treatment, they |
| some of their colleagues and/or clients who might. | | | | will request the full (or a partial) script. |
| If they hesitate, tell them to go to your website | | | | The reason for treatments? Simple time. Studios |
| (which, of course, you have, right?) to view | | | | are bombarded and they simply can't read |
| samples of your work. | | | | through everything submitted. This method gives |
| The reason this method works is I didn't give | | | | them an idea of what a script is about without |
| them a chance to say no and I wasn't asking, at | | | | having to slog through the whole thing. So, in |
| least initially, for work right now. I assumed that | | | | essence, what studios buy is an "idea", not a |
| they use/have a need for freelance writers, and I | | | | full-fledged script. This is also why what the |
| assumed that they would be happy to have my | | | | author envisioned is often not what it turns out to |
| info on file for future use. Most will. | | | | be. |
| Eventually, you are going to run across one firm | | | | Ah, Hollywood -- gotta love it! |
| that needs your help like -- YESTERDAY! I had | | | | 10. Write on a Timely Topic & Sell It: Daily |
| one firm tell me that they just got a new | | | | news sources (eg, newspapers, news websites, |
| account and were going to be hiring some | | | | etc. are always looking for timely, well-written |
| freelance writers. Ask me how quickly I got my | | | | articles) -- and, they will usually pay for them -- if |
| stuff to him (I always keep a snail mail and an | | | | they are thoroughly researched and you give |
| email package ready to go)? | | | | them exclusives to the piece. |
| Most clients will prefer email and most will assume | | | | This will fly in the face of conventional wisdom, |
| that you have a website. So, make sure you | | | | but it has worked beautifully for me over the |
| have this before you call because you don't want | | | | years. Instead of sending a query, write a piece |
| to lose a potential client before you even get | | | | (eg, mortgage fraud and its effect on the |
| your foot in the door. | | | | economy, "white collar prostitution", etc.), research |
| 7. Write Resumes: Okay, it' s not glamorous. BUT, | | | | it well and offer it to daily news outlets. |
| it can be lucrative and it is an evergreen need. | | | | I would send the piece to no more than one |
| The wonderful thing about writing resumes is that | | | | outlet at a time and give them a deadline by |
| it is an easy part of your business to build up and | | | | which to respond. Let them know that as it is a |
| outsource if you don't like to do it, or don't have | | | | time-sensitive piece, you will give them "x" |
| the time to devote to it. | | | | amount of time to respond (I usually offered 2-3 |
| At a super low price of $50 (I've been quoted | | | | days) before offering it to another outlet. |
| rates of $250 just for a resume), doing only a | | | | Eventually, someone will pick the piece up if you |
| couple a day can add up to a really nice full-time | | | | follow the formula below. |
| income. When I had an office in New York and | | | | How to Know What to Write & How to Sell |
| clients could walk right in, this was one of the | | | | Ita. Select a timely topic: Watch the news and |
| most frequent requests. And, you know what, it | | | | see what stories are making every headline. Eg, |
| was usually a quick turnaround time and clients | | | | hurricane season is here and the anniversary of |
| almost always paid in cash. | | | | Katrina just passed. Think of a topic around |
| Upselling a package (eg, cover letter and | | | | hurricanes and/or hurricane season and give it a |
| reference sheet) was usually super easy, and | | | | different slant (the effects of hurricanes on kids |
| clients were so grateful that this feeling alone was | | | | under 12, is hurricane insurance for the masses or |
| enough to make it worthwhile. | | | | the elite?, etc.).b. Research thoroughly: Whatever |
| 8. Proofread/Edit Student Papers: Ahhh, lovely, | | | | topic you select, make sure you reference 2-4 |
| broke, DESPERATE students. Many of them don't | | | | well-known sources. For example, if you were |
| have the time or, quite frankly, the skill level, to | | | | going to write about hurricanes, call the National |
| edit their own work. And, they will gladly pay | | | | Weather Service and get a quote from an official |
| someone to do it. | | | | there. Official news sources don't like to use |
| This is one of the easiest markets to target | | | | unreferenced material; they want to say, |
| because all you have to do is contact the Student | | | | "According to Bill Smith, the chief meteorologist at |
| Affairs office and ask to put up a notice on the | | | | the National Weather Service, . . ."c. Target daily |
| student bulletin board. Or, you could take out an | | | | outlets: Daily news sources are the ones who are |
| ad in the college paper. Also, flyers posted around | | | | most likely to pick up this type of article because |
| the campus works well. | | | | they are constantly under the gun to keep the |
| Usually, if a student uses you once, they will | | | | news fresh. |
| always come back if they are satisfied with your | | | | BONUS TIP THAT WORKS ALMOST 100% OF |
| services. The best part about this group? They | | | | THE TIME! Call old clients. It is an old business |
| have big mouths and they use them -- to tell | | | | axiom that 80% of your business will come from |
| other students about your services. | | | | 20% of your clients. So, call your old steadies. |
| Students also need resumes, bibliographies and | | | | Ask them if they have anything or if they can |
| grad school essays. There are a plethora of | | | | refer you to someone who might need your |
| services you can offer them successfully. I can | | | | services. |
| tell you from personal experience that they are a | | | | I've found that the best way to go about this is |
| great paying lot and are extremely nice to work | | | | to upsell something. For example, if you just |
| with -- because they're usually desperate and are | | | | finished a sales letter for a client, ask them if |
| just happy to find someone who can work within | | | | they need a brochure, postcard or newsletter to |
| their deadlines (think, "I needed this yesterday!"). | | | | supplement that. Professionals realize that |
| NOTE: I DO NOT advise outright writing papers | | | | advertising and marketing is not a one-hit wonder. |
| for students. I think it is unethical. However, | | | | So, many are open to using more than one |
| proofreading, editing, suggestive rewrites -- these | | | | method to reach clients. |
| are all services that I have provided quite | | | | In fact, many use one method to reach clients |
| successfully in the past. | | | | (eg, a sales letter), and another to stay in touch |
| 9. Format Screenplays: Another starving lot -- the | | | | (eg, a weekly newsletter). However, it may not |
| playwright, author, writer, etc. When these artists | | | | occur to them to implement these procedures via |
| submit their work to official agencies, producers, | | | | one provider (you!). |
| guilds, etc., they must be formatted a certain | | | | So, it's up to you to make them realize the value |
| way. Screenplays have one format, treatments* | | | | you provide. And, by thinking proactively, you look |
| another, manuscripts another. | | | | super sharp, professional and forward-thinking - |
| There is software for all of this. As a full-service | | | | which only means more work for you! |