Freelance Writing – Ten Characteristics of Successful “Working” Freelance Writers

Anyone can become a freelance writer. But thriving “effective” freelance writers all share ten characteristics. If your freelance prose career isn’t what you’d like for it to be, maybe you need to mend a few more of these characteristics.

1. A “effective” freelance writer writes on a regular basis. That should be no bolt from the blue. But it’s doubtless the number one alteration between people who dabble at freelance prose and those who make a living at it. “Effective” freelance writers write every day. Even if they aren’t effective on a particular prose assignment they’re usually prose something, even if it’s just updating their blog, posting to their website, or prose promotional materials for their prose and prose air force.

2. A “effective” freelance writer knows how to study the freelance markets. He takes the time to get to know the publications he wants to write for BEFORE he queries them. He studies each publication’s guidelines, reads numerous months’ worth of back issues, and digs around online to find the editorial calendars for publications so he knows the best times to “pitch” his condition thoughts.

3. A “effective” freelance writer knows how to write winning query letters and book proposals. He knows editors want to read a query that “hooks” them in the first paragraph and is written in the same style and tone as the proposed condition. He knows all the components of a winning book proposal and he also knows how to find an agent and/or a publisher to submit it to.

4. A “effective” freelance writer knows how to write for specific markets. He knows that an condition he writes for AARP Magazine should not have the same tone as an condition for TEEN magazine. Observably, the theme matter for these publications should be uncommon, also.

5. A “effective” freelance writer knows how to find many worthwhile prose assignments. He doesn’t sit around waiting for jobs to fall in his lap. He knows how to find jobs at online job boards. He subscribes to a variety of ezines that list freelance prose jobs. He also knows how to mend relationships with editors so they call him back for assignments over and over again.

6. A “effective” freelance writer always has a weekly marketing plot for his prose and prose air force. He knows that marketing his work, and rising a “platform” for himself, is just as vital as his actual prose assignments.

7. A “effective” freelance writer has a network of contacts that help him promote his prose and prose air force. He knows writers all across the country (and even across the globe) and networks effectively with these people.

8. A “effective” freelance writer has developed a focus for his prose career. That is, he knows where he wants to go with his prose. He doesn’t waste his time prose a slew of small articles each week that pay peanuts and eat up his time. He goes for larger, more worthwhile projects, and also develops presentations, courses and workshops that pay him well for his time and expertise.

9. A “effective” freelance writer knows how to stay focused so he lives the writer’s life of his dreams. He has a plot that keeps him focused. When he can’t stay focused alone he hires a coach to help him stay on course.

10. A “effective” freelance writer has developed his own informational products to market and has other people marketing them for him as well. Most top-notch freelance writers know a LOT about the theme of freelance prose. They use that knowledge to make articles about prose, tips booklets about prose, and books and courses about prose. They market many of these items themselves but also have affiliates who sell the items for them as well.

Mend all ten of these characteristics and it won’t be long before you’re a “effective” freelance writer, too.

For more helpful tips for writers, visit http://www.workingwriterscoach.com and sign up for the mailing list. When you do, you’ll receive a free ebook for writers, plus every weekday morning you’ll get The Morning Nudge, a few words to motivate and inspire you to get a small prose done.

Visit the National Prose for Children Center at http://www.writingforchildrencenter.com and find out how you can learn to write for kids. Suzanne Lieurance is a full time freelance writer, children’s author, and founder and director of the National Prose for Children Center.

Author: Suzanne Lieurance
Condition Source: EzineArticles.com
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