Wondering if there are still careers to be made in freelancing and, if so, how to get your foot in the (overcrowded) doorway?
Don’t fret. According to freelance writer Shivani Vora, who taught Ed’s Intro to Freelancing Class in May, “It’s [still] very possible to get freelancing gigs whether you’re an established writer or new, no matter what anyone says.”
Shivani, a veteran freelancer whose extensive portfolio includes clips from reputable publications like The New York Times, Forbes, and National Geographic, admits the economic downturn did leave its mark on the publishing world, but still firmly believes there are still opportunities to get paid for your writing. She recently sat down with an intimate group of established and newbie freelancers to offer an insider’s guide to how, and here’s what the attendees had to say:
“I was surprised to learn that specializing in just one area, so early in your career, can be a major turn off to editors. Shivani said that we need to be open to writing about anything and everything because being branded as only a health writer or a fashion writer could be a major career setback.” — Miranda Agee
“It definitely prepared me to better understand the business side of things, including pitching protocols (like how to package your ideas and what editors on the masthead to pitch to) all the way to pay scales. I always found that I could come up with various ideas, but I never knew the proper way to execute them.” — Katie Amey
“The course ultimately gave me the confidence to start freelancing. There’s certainly a lot to it, but getting a bird’s-eye view of the career from a pro made it seem less impossible and less intimidating.” — Kathleen Hynes
“It was definitely an awesome class, and I took away a lot of great information. This was my first Ed2010 class, and I would definitely take another one again.” –Connie Cho
From getting work to getting paid, Shivani’s latest course got down to the nitty gritty of freelancing (sample spreadsheets included), offering not only tips from Shivani herself, but feedback directly from her editors. Eager to learn more about her step-by-step approach to freelancing, (including the “5/5 Rule”)? Keep an eye out for more of Shivani’s seminars down the road and, in the meantime, “Don’t miss any of your deadlines.”
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