How do I begin as a freelance writer?

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I begin as a freelancer?
The first thing to do is to create a good résumé. This is your interface with the world of freelancing and it needs to be both concise and fully representative of your talents and abilities. Make sure that you start your résumé with a very brief, but engaging, overview of yourself and your main skills and achievements.

A résumé should not exceed two size A-4 pages. People on the Internet simply do not have the time to read more than this. Prepare your résumé in different formats. One for e-mail, which should be in rich text format or even plain text and one for the Internet in html-format. The reason for this is that you can quickly attach the e-mail résumé when applying directly for a job/assignment, but your résumé should also be posted online so that prospective employers and clients can find it.

You can post your résumé on newsgroups, classified and cv sites and search engines. e-cottage can create a home page for you that features your résumé and writing clips. Contact the Webmaster. You must develop a set of writing clips, preferably category-specific to outline your diversity or specific forté as a freelance writer.

Clips are extracts taken from original articles you've written or short pieces of writing on various topics to demonstrate your writing style and knowledge of the specific subject. Keep these clips in a special directory on your hard drive and attach as examples of your work when submitting an application to online publishers and companies. You may also want to display some of the clips on the web to support your résumé. Make sure that the work you use as a reference is without typing and grammatical errors, and that each piece is professionally presented and laid out. A comprehensive yet focused résumé and excellent writing samples are vital when offering you services to prospective publishers and clients because they evaluate your ability and suitability to undertake the assignment purely on the information you provide.

How do I find freelance writing jobs?
Once you have created your résumé and have a set of good writing clips you are ready to begin the real task of finding work. There are numerous avenues that you can take. For the novice freelance writer we suggest joining the members' restricted site of the South African Writers' Network (SAWN) This site provides numerous employment companies and boards where you can search for local and overseas writing-related prospects.

Alternatively, begin with the employment companies on the public site of the South African Writers' Network. There are numerous ways to find work such as newsgroups, e-mail lists, search engines, and most importantly, networking contacts. We have established mainly overseas contacts, with writing groups like Pegasus who share work that falls outside their writer's portfolio.

Remember that the rules of the employment-game have changed; while we as freelancers find ourselves vying for paid work in the highly competitive virtual marketplace, we now have wider access to a viable networking-consciousness. This means that freelancers are willing to either alert fellow writers to assignments or form a collaboration to complete assignments.

What should I charge for my writing?
Firstly, you need to be very clear on the normal rates for freelance and other work. Do not undercharge for work as this creates a poor impression, but overcharging will make your offer of services less attractive. As an estimate with writing work use the average of US$.30 - US$.50 cents per word. In the beginning it is often wiser to accept a lower rate of US$.10 cents, as you will still have to prove yourself. Some successful writers have even begun their freelance writing careers working for free so as to build up a working résumé. In reality one should evaluate any project in terms of the estimated time it will take to complete and use this time scale when drawing up a price.

How do I advertise my services?
This is a question that many freelancers inquire about. There are numerous ways of advertising your services but the most effective way is to have your own web page that promotes your specialties and writing interests as well as your résumé and writing clips. Once you have established a home page, you can advertise in newsgroups, search engines, classifieds, etc. e-cottage provides a full service in this regard, which includes web design, web content, and hosting. Contact the Webmaster for details.

What if I submit the work but don't get paid?
The importance of a formal contract in freelance work cannot be overestimated. It is preferable to work for a company or client based on a contractual agreement. However, if your client does not have a formal contract it is to your benefit to draw one up yourself. Get a lawyer to draw up a general services contract.

What are bidding sites?
Bidding sites like Ants and Elance are virtual markets where the client can offer a job and choose from a host of freelancer's bids. Usually you would first register at these sites. All that this means is that you fill in your personal details and establish an online profile (uploading your résumé, writing clips and a cover letter stating why you believe you are a suitable candidate for the job). These aspects are usually explained at the sites. Once you have established your profile you can begin placing bids on various projects. Always remember to bid for those projects within your field of expertise. Do not try to bid for design work if you are not good at design.

Why should we pay to join the restricted site?
One of the reasons for the minimal annual fee charged by the SA Writers' Network is that the subscription area is a place where people who are serious about freelancing can share work and ideas. Unfortunately there are still individuals on the net who continue to work according to the old selfish attitude based on greed and distrust. We spend a large amount of time deleting spam mail and miscellaneous ads from the open discussion group. We therefore decided that charging a minimal fee is the best way to keep unscrupulous elements out. The network, which is constantly maintained and upgraded, has over the years gained valuable knowledge and contacts, resulting in an extensive list of job markets.

Where do I go from here?
Once you have your first few working assignments, you can begin to build your portfolio. This immediately makes you a better proposition for further work.

What is the aim of the South African Writer's Network?
To act as a platform for local writers to source job opportunities, to gain access to worldwide information relevant to their craft, and to exchange ideas with other writers.

Does the network have any relationship, even an informal one, with the local magazines? What kind of relationship?
Several local magazines are listed on our public and restricted member sites. The SA Writers' Network builds on a cooperative relationship with local editors who are most obliging in contributing relevant information to pass on to our viewers. Submissions and ideas for features are best communicated directly to the relevant magazine and not via the SA Writers' Network.

What is unique about the South African magazine freelance market?
Print magazines in general prescribe specific criteria (writing guidelines) such as style, topic, and word count. Freelance writers are wise to forward an outline for a proposed article rather than submit the complete manuscript for consideraton. A similar article may already be in the pipeline. A writer should give an editor some background information about the type of topics he or she favors. This may lead to a commission to research and write a specific story for that publication.

What do you believe magazine editors are looking for from freelance writers? (Specifically, women's magazines)
Since their aim is to meet the needs of their target audience, magazine editors are always on the lookout for stories that are currently in vogue, but also consider "anticipated" features that will interest their readers. While it may be a personal challenge to research and write an article on a topic that is completely new to you, it is better to stick to topics that you are acquainted with (and that you enjoy). Women's interests are continually expanding, which gives freelance writers tremendous scope. Look at some back copies of the particular magazine you want to write for. Look at the content categories (e.g. food and entertaining, knitting, crafts, sewing, lifestyles and features, parenting, etc.) and do some brainstorming. What would you like to read in the magazine that isn't there but still falls within their editorial content?

Do you do a lot of writing for the local market? Which magazines or newspapers or companies do you write for?
Assignments for the local market include writing presentations, company profiles, press releases, product sheets and web pages, as well as feature articles for select magazines. Some of the companies we write for need to re-launch their "mature" businesses; their micro and macro markets have expanded; their "marketing mix" has evolved; "relationship marketing" is enforced; etc.

Tell me how you broke into freelance writing?
My special interest is self-employment and small business. I've published four books on entrepreneurial development and numerous articles on self-employment opportunities. To keep abreast of change and developments in the global business markets, I read local newspapers and business magazines, and spend many hours surfing the Net; a favorite is Fast Company, which publishes dynamic articles relevant to modern business. I'm passionate about Marketing and study techniques such as Kaizen. Keeping up to date in your particular industry is essential. Make it a habit to analyze each prospect (magazine, newspaper, company) by "auditing" their company profile: history, objectives, target audience, culture, etc. This informal research will provide you with basic information to create "the big picture" of where they've been, where they are now and where they're going. It's the "anticipated future" area where freelancers have the greatest potential of making a constructive contribution. The fact that I'm a published author gave me some credibility, however, the "proof in the pudding lies in the eating" - editors still need to review examples of your writing and you need to competently market your ability in the cover letter to the prospective employer.

Does the SA Writers' Network have information on what the pay scale is in South Africa?
While some e-zines and print publications offer freelance writers a standard rate per word; others offer a fixed price and prescribe length of article. Others base their payment criteria on topic, length of article, inclusion of visual material, etc. All advertised writing assignments indicate payment structure.

What is good about freelancing in South Africa?
In order to gain (and maintain) a strong position in the S.A. business sector, freelancers know that they must aspire to continually improve their field of expertise, provide work and service that exceeds customer expectation, be trustworthy and deliver faster than their competition. The fledgling freelancer needs to build a portfolio of past assignments and projects to build credibility.

What challenges do South African freelancers face?
Freelancers are independent to explore innovative opportunities and marketing these ideas to prospective customers. With so much information available on the Internet, freelancers are able to broaden their knowledge base on a continual basis, as the assignment demands. Local companies benefit from global research and expertise.

Do you believe that our industry is enough to accommodate International writers?
An objective interpretation of a local story is often seen in a new light if written by an outsider. There exists an abundance of information that we have taken for granted and may assume as "common knowledge", which nonetheless needs to be unearthed. Just as many South Africans find foreign cultures fascinating, our local people are also a point of interest internationally.