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I’m interested in contracting with a few freelance writers/editors to help me get work done more quickly. I’m interested in writers and editors who have a working knowledge of InDesign, Dreamweaver, Wordpress and/or Joomla. Get the details here if you are interested.
Many freelancers assume that writing for nonprofits means nothing but grantwriting. That’s a big myth. Here are ten other publications that most nonprofits need — which means they may need you as a freelance writer to produce them.
1. Case Statements. Before many funders will accept a grant application, they want to see a case statement. The document outlines the need for the nonprofit and its programs and makes the preliminary case for funding. Grant applications spell out all the details.
2. Newsletters. Nonprofits need to communicate with their supporters and most do that via print newsletters, email newsletters or both. Get more info here.
3. Brochures and Flyers. These short marketing pieces help nonprofits explain who they are and what they do.
4. Web Content. If you understand the difference between print and online communications, you can help a nonprofit produce a website that works.
5. Press Releases. Nonprofits rarely have advertising budgets. They need publicity to get the word out and well-written press releases go a long way in getting that coverage.
6. Event Marketing Materials. Most nonprofits host events, whether they are fundraisers, workshops, or celebrations.
7. Internal Management Guides. Nonprofits have policies and procedures just like any other organization. It’s important to get all those processes in writing so work can continue despite staff turn-over.
8. Funder and Board Reports. A nonprofits must report to its board of directors and to its funders (e.g. foundations, government agencies). You can help spice up these reports.
9. Speeches. Nonprofit leaders are often asked to speak before other community groups and to make presentations before funders and at conferences.
10. Annual Reports. Though not legally required, producing an annual report is considered a best practice in nonprofit management. Learn more here.
One definition of success is doing the right things frequently and the wrong things rarely. Here are ten mistakes that can sabotage the success of your freelance writing career.
1. Taking requests for changes personally. Your clients are the ultimate decisionmakers and it’s your job to rewrite drafts until you get it right. Don’t get offended or hurt when they ask for changes. Focus on understanding what the client wants.
2. Getting sloppy with style and grammar. Mistakes happen, but you are being paid for your professional services in these areas, so take the time to get it right.
3. Insisting on being a Grammar Nazi with clients. At the same time, don’t go nuts on clients who disagree with your style advice. If, after explaining your position, your client still insists on a questionable grammar decision or a style faux pas, accept it. Incorrectly capitalizing titles (e.g., He is the Director of the project) is one case where I often give in.
4. Treating your career like a hobby. If you think of freelance writing as a hobby, you will present yourself as an amateur. People pay professionals, so think of yourself that way.
5. Charging too little. You can always spot the newbies because they don’t charge enough.
6. Ignoring technology. I know a couple of writers who fought getting an email address and only did so a couple of years ago. Needless to say, they don’t make much money freelancing. Keeping up with various computer programs also expands your options for the kind of work you can get paid for.
7. Failing to describe what it is you actually do. When I first started freelancing, I told people I was a writer for nonprofits and I got a lot of blank stares, even from nonprofits. Now I say that I write newsletters, web content, annual reports and other marketing materials for nonprofits. If people don’t understand what you do, they can’t hire you or recommend you to others.
8. Spending too much time on a job. Time is money. At some point, you have to let go of your quest for the perfect lead and go with the one that’s really good instead.
9. Not caring why you were hired. Serving your client is about more than writing. If you understand why you were hired in the first place, you’ll provide better support to the client. Are they too busy to meet deadlines and need you to work quickly? Or do they simply hate writing the newsletter and want someone who likes to write to tackle it?
10. Thinking you’ll fail as a freelance writer. A little confidence in your decision to become a freelancer will go a long way. Trust your instincts and believe in yourself!
I’ll elaborate on many of these points in upcoming posts.This is also my reply to the meme sent to me by Laura at Writing Thoughts.
Yvonne at Grow Your Writing Business tagged me with a two-part meme: Who Do You Write For? and Are You Talking to Your Readers?
I am writing this blog for freelance writers, aspiring and professional, who want to work for nonprofit organizations. It’s a great niche and one I love. This blog lets me share my experiences and offer tips to others who want to break into this part of the business writing field. I also cover the business side of freelancing, self-employment, working at home, etc. Given this goal, I hope that I am talking to my readers and that they will talk back! This is a relatively young blog, but I do have some comments, so that is a good sign.
I’ve spent much more time and effort on my other blog, Nonprofit Communications. That blog is written for staff at nonprofit organizations to give them advice on how to produce their own print and online publications. It is also useful for freelancers who are serving nonprofit clients. While this blog talks about how to write for nonprofits as a freelancer, that blog talks more about what you write. Nonprofit Communications has really taken off in the last few months. The Technorati rank, which is one indicator of whether you are reaching people, is 72,013 today, and I hope to crack the 50,000 mark by summer. By comparison, this blog is only at 434,644! I’d like to get it closer to the 100,000 mark by fall.
I’m now tagging an old friend from college, Christine Sculati, with this meme. We haven’t seen each other in many years, but we’ve reconnected online and it turns out we are doing similar work.
I’ve found that 99% of my new clients come to me via either (1) word of mouth from other clients or friends or (2) through my websites or e-newsletters. They either find me through people we both know or through a web search that connects us online.
Early in my career, I listed my freelance writing business on several different directory sites. For example, many writing associations offer directories of members and some nonprofit associations offer directories of service providers. But as far as I could tell, these listings didn’t do much to generate work.
Have you found directories like these useful in bringing clients to you? If so, which directories or associations do you like best?