Sometimes, you just dont get second chances. Freelance writing works a little that way. If youve offended an editor, its quite unlikely that shes going to work with you again. If you dont muster up the courage and ask for a higher payment rate, you wont get that chance till the next acceptance. And if | | you sell all rights for less, you write away all future income from the sale of that piece.
These seemingly small mistakes can cost you big money when done repeatedly. Avoid these common pitfalls and youll not only earn more from each sale, but also ensure that youre developing working relationships with editors wholl look to you for regular work.
Mistake No. 1: Missing Deadlines
Ive often wondered why writers constantly miss deadlines. After all, if youve landed an assignmentbig or smallwouldnt you want to get it in before time instead of after, so that you could impress the editor and secure more work But many writers often fall short, and editors almost never work with these writers who do so repeatedly. So drop those waiting-till-the-last-minute habits and get into researching mode as soon as you get the assignment.
Mistake No. 2: Lack of Preliminary Research
When the editor of a technology magazine wrote in to ask exactly which Internet scams Id be covering in my Top Scams on the Internet article, I wrote back to her within minutes. Thats because Id done my initial research even before Id sent the query. You dont want to be on the phone with an editor, with no clue about the details of your piece. Be the writer who responds quickly and intelligently with the latest research, having the facts ready, exactly when theyre needed.
Mistake No. 3: Not Negotiating
Many freelance writers become so excited on receiving their first national or high-paying assignment that the thought of asking for a little more doesnt even strike them. Many of them move on to find out that other writers were paid better for less work by the same publication. Always try to negotiate for a better contractless rights, more pay, payment on acceptance, kill fees and even a short bio if you can get one. Most editors expect writers to ask for more, so dont worry about seeming greedy or money-minded.
Mistake No. 4: Not Moving On
Initially, youll need those low-paying, short deadline, payment-on-publication assignments. But take on too many of them and youll soon be working 90-hour weeks and still have no food on the table. Once youve gathered a couple of clips and some regular high-paying assignments, thank the editors at the small publications and move on. Go beyond your comfort zone and start targeting higher paying markets. You cant live on 30-cents-a-word publications forever.
Mistake No. 5: Getting Too Personal
Its great to get personal with an editor. In fact, I highly recommend it. But dont take it too far. Your editor |
| | publications and move on. Go beyond your comfort zone and start targeting higher paying markets. You cant live on 30-cents-a-word publications forever.
Mistake No. 5: Getting Too Personal
Its great to get personal with an editor. In fact, I highly recommend it. But dont take it too far. Your editor is not going to appreciate forwarded jokes, tales of your latest adventures in the Himalayas or the sob story of your dogs death. However friendly your editor might be getting, do remember that it is after all, a professional relationship. If you wouldnt say it to your boss, dont say it to your editor.
Mistake No. 6: Letting off the Steam
Your editors changed the meaning of your review so that it now sounds positive when you clearly intended it to be negative, modified your quotes or hasnt sent payment even after months of bugging her. Youd want to tell her exactly what you think of her, right Bad idea. While I wouldnt suggest being a doormat and accepting what happened, I wouldnt recommend a fist-session with her either. Go tell her you didnt like what she did, but do so politely. If youre still upset, you can always stop writing for the magazine, or let her know that your viewpoints dont match.
Mistake No. 7: Not Proposing Another Idea
Once youve written for an editor, your chances of writing for his publication again increase by a huge factor. Hes more likely to trust you with more assignments if you come through on the first one. So after the final acceptance, send off a thank you note and another query. Dont give the editor time to cool off and forget you. Strike when he knows exactly who you are, how brilliantly youve done your job and how youll make his life easier.
So next time youre tempted to accept an editors initial offer or scream at him for adding in spelling errors, remember that you only have one chance. To keep your clients happy and earn a living in the process, avoid making these errors of judgment. Youll soon be on your way to a very lucrative career.
About The Author
Mridu Khullar is the editor-in-chief of www.WritersCrossing.com, a free online magazine for writers. Sign up for the free weekly newsletter to get a complimentary e-book with 400+ paying markets. Also check out her e-book, "Knock Their Socks Off! A Freelance Writer's Guide to Query Letters That Sell," available at http://www.writerscrossing.com/queries.html
This article was posted on January 22, 2005 |
Other Articles..
1. Writing Sites: Why You Might Like to Give Them a Try 2. Writing Good Dialogue. 3. Format Each eBook Chapter Before you Write It 4. How to Multiply Your Freelance Writing Work 5. Readers: Are They Involved?
|
