Respond to Freelance Writing Ads
It is not uncommon to come across freelance writing ads on sites such as Craigslist. That being said, many writers never apply for these jobs because they do not know what to say. Of course, this is silly. You should never pass up an opportunity to apply for a freelance writing job because you are at a loss for words. Sure, it may take some time to put together a good response, but it is well worth it.
The number one thing to remember when responding to a freelance writing ad is that you should do what you are told. Simply put, do whatever the ad tells you to do. If you are asked to send a cover letter, resume, and samples, make sure that you follow this down to every last detail. Remember, if you cannot follow simple directions you are going to put yourself behind the eight ball from the get-go.
If you are asked to include samples, make sure that you use ones that will give you the best chance of obtaining the job. For instance, if you are applying for a position as a “sports blogger†you will want to send samples that are associated with this topic. This will work out much better than samples on health, real estate, or another unrelated subject.
Do I really need a freelance writing resume? I get asked this question all the time. The answer is yes! Some buyers are going to ask for your resume before they hire you. If you do not have one, they are going to cross your name off their list. Creating a freelance writing resume is not a difficult task. For those of you who need help with this, send me a quick email; I would be glad to give you feedback on your resume, etc.
Responding to freelance writing ads is all about following directions. Send what you are asked for, and then leave well enough alone. From there, you will either receive a follow-up email or nothing at all. While there is nothing wrong with following up if you do not hear back, make sure that you give the recipient enough time to go through all of the applications that they receive. Believe it or not, a single posting on Craigslist for a freelance writing opening can bring in hundreds of replies.
Hopefully you now have the confidence needed to respond to any freelance writing ad that you come across.Â
