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Before we get into the important message below on a WordCount survey aimed at understanding what type of content you’d like to see in this newsletter; I wanted to touch on the importance of networking in this week’s newsletter.
Late last month I was contacted by a company that needed a freelance content writer. They contacted me through my website, but I was fairly certain they didn’t come across my services via a Google search, so I did a bit of digging and found out the company’s CEO and I both have one person in our Twitter network in common.
And, here’s the biggest link; our mutual connection recently put a request for writers for her own project on her feed, to which I had responded. I’m fairly certain the company’s CEO had seen my comment on her thread in his feed and got in touch. Perhaps this is ignorance on my part, but I never thought of companies using other people’s call for writers to find their own. If this isn’t a super clear example of why connecting with people is important, I don’t know what is!
I think it’s fair to say we all use Twitter mostly as a networking tool, and that’s what I find most useful about it. But make sure you also comment on people’s posts now and again out of genuine interest, not always with a sales pitch. I have some work to do in that area as I don’t use the platform for personal stuff. But, even when you’re just there to network, it’s important to form a genuine (though often only virtual) connection with people.
Survey
It’s been amazing to get your feedback on WordCount in the last survey I did about your professional careers and why you read this newsletter. I never imagined WordCount to grow at the rate it has when I started three months ago. Thank you all so, so much for joining along - it’s really great to have you here.
To tailor the content of WordCount to your needs better, I’ve created a short survey, which I hope you will fill in. The survey has questions about the type of content you’d like to see (range of topics, written content or videos etc), how often you’d like to receive the newsletter and if there’s anything else you’d like me to cover.
I promise it’ll be the last survey for a while! Your answers will help me hugely to make this newsletter even more valuable to you. Thank you so much for taking the time to fill it in!!
Like what you’re reading?
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This week’s great reads
I think it’s important to read widely, so you can expect to find a broad range of topics in this list every week:
Find freelance writing work through these 5 platforms (it’s my personal take on using freelance writing platforms to find work - spoiler alert: I’m not a fan)
Photo by Jan Kahánek on Unsplash
Freelance/contracting jobs opportunities
Cold pitching companies and publications you’d love to write for is a great way to grow your confidence and your network, but if you’re keen on “warmer” leads - here are a few opportunities I found.
Apply for a freelance part-time commerce writer position at Fast Company
Apply for a freelance photo editor gig for architectural projects
A Ph.D. student is looking for a paid language editor for scientific articles
Pitch your proposal for a museum-related book to the American Alliance of Museums
Note: I try to only include opportunities that are decent and well-paid. However, more often than not rates, unfortunately, aren’t discussed in the call for pitches/writers. You can check Who Pays Writers? or Contently’s freelance rates database to see if the publication or organisation is listed and what they tend to pay.
That’s it for this week’s WordCount! If you’ve enjoyed reading this edition, please feel free to share it with fellow freelance writers. Or have a look at last week’s newsletter.