I received an email from a reader who wanted to know if she could "pick my brain." She asked some good questions, so I thought I would share them on the Wordfeeder blog...
Elise Writes:
I have been slaving away as a marketing communications specialist in corporate America for several years and am thinking about making the leap into the exciting world of freelance copywriting. While researching "what's out there," your website really jumped out at me. I was especially impressed by your creativity, professionalism, and just sense of fun. If you have a moment and it's not an obnoxious invasion of your personal space, I'd love to pick your brain(s) about your personal road to Wordfeeder.
Hi Elise,
You caught me at the computer. :) I'm going to just
bang out some quickie answers for you.
In your bio, you touch on your own personal
history, but what background do you feel is needed to get into this line of
work? Any specific work experience, education essential to being fully
prepared?
Elise,
you basically must convince people that you're capable of delivering what they
need. If they can't write but want marketing presence, then they'll be relying
on you to provide that. So, what ways will you show them that you're capable of
this? I mean, it could be anything you want it to be. You will of course attract
different types and quality of clients depending on what you say. As far as
being "fully prepared," obviously the more experience you have, the better your
chance at succeeding. What you lack in experience now, you will eventually make
up for "in the trenches" of web freelancing.
What's a typical work day like for you?
Your daily duties, functions?
I'm a
freelancer. There is no "typical" day. :) I might spend one day responding to
six different requests for a copywriting and/or marketing quote, another day
working 12 hours to meet a deadline, and a third day playing hooky to go fishing.
You make the rules and you set the schedule, Elise. The harder you work and the
more talented you prove yourself to be, the more money you will
make.
What's the best part about your career?
The freedom and flexibility. Choosing which projects to take on
and which to politely pass over, for whatever reason. Maybe I'm just not feeling
like I can handle a tight deadline this week. Maybe the client and I are not a
good fit. Maybe the client calls me on a Friday afternoon, but it's a superb
opportunity and I get a good vibe so I jump on it.
The most frustrating?
The
frustrations you experience as a full time copywriting, communication and
marketing professional are the same exact ones you will experience as a
freelancer. It's essentially the same job, Elise.
What do you feel a person needs to be successful in this field? Any
particular skills that are "a must?"
I
can't believe you're asking me this. ;)
Do you read any particular publications
and/or are you a member of any associations to stay current in this
field?
Not
currently. I've been doing this since 2003. The last thing I want to do when I'm
finished with work is read. In the past I had memberships to various online
women's business organizations, a freelance writer's guild in my state, things
like that. When you're first starting out, these types of memberships can prove
beneficial. There was a great resource for freelance writers out there that was
run by Jenna Glatzer. She sold the site and basically the group disintegrated.
So that was disappointing. I'm still a member of EzineArticles.com but have not
been an active article poster for some time.
Pertaining to the steps you took to get to where you are now in your
career, if you could go back and have a "do over" what would it
be?
I'm
not the type to focus on "do overs". What's done is done... the question is,
what will I do NEXT?
What advice would you have for me as I
ruminate making the leap into this field?
Always
remember (and credit) those who have helped you along the way. My success is due
at least in part to valuable advice and information that was offered by some
highly specialized people who took time out of their busy day to advise me. I'm
forever grateful for their generosity and have sought to return the favor in the
form of client recommendations, testimonials, occasional free work and such.
Best
of luck and much success to you!
Warm
regards,
Dina
Giolitto
