Four Tough-Love, Common Sense Rules in Freelancing

Four Tough-Love, Common Sense Rules in Freelancing When a new writer asks me how to start making money freelancing, they usually ask What are the rules? You can buy many books and take classes on freelancing, but there are some pieces of advice that are pure common sense. 1) Do not pitch pieces until you already write well.   You dont start writing 2) Know that market well.   Sounds almost like a cliche, but believe it or not, most of the queries I receive have nothing to do with FundsforWriters. Same goes for most blogs, magazines, and periodicals. Many writers sling articles out hoping they fit somewhere. Editors get more than enough good articles to select from without sorting through those that dont. And yes, word count matters. Pitch smart and accurately. Clean and intelligently. 3) Do not ask for the guidelines. Editors do not have time to teach you how to write for them. Its your job to read the publication, hunt for guidelines, and pitch correctly. When you write and ask what an editor needs and how they want it, expect rejection. The exception to this rule is if you are well-established as a freelancer, can tout a serious string of credentials with superb publications, and want to write a letter of introduction instead. 4) Do not argue with the editor. Arguing with an editor is asking for rejection. They dont have time for that. They also know better than you what best fits the publication. Tough love indeed. A newbie or hob

10 Career Lessons You Need to Learn Before its Too Late

10 Career Lessons You Need to Learn Before its Too Late We’re all told to put our noses to the grindstone and keep them there. But too often, we just keep following the path in front of us and working hard and, before we know it, years have flown by and we aren’t where we wanted to end up. Here are the 10 best career lessons everyone should take to heart earlier in their lives and careers, before it’s too late to take the good advice.1. Life is shortBad bosses, unsatisfying jobs, soulless companies, demeaning positions, toxic coworkers. All of these things are easy to overlook in service of â€Å"keeping your head down,† but the truth is life is just too short. Instead of spending your time putting up with all that nonsense and convincing yourself it’s worth it, why not put your energy into finding a better situation while you still have the option.2. Networking mattersYou may hate networking events, but they are going to be invaluable to you one day. The most successful people have the widest and broade st social networks. So get in amongst it around the water cooler, attend the mixer, mingle. Make connections. Your success may depend on the people you get to know.3. Choose health over  wealthWork life balance can be incredibly difficult to achieve. And sometimes it just seems easier to tunnel deeper into work, constantly driving yourself towards success. Don’t let yourself be one of them or you’ll end up burning out- or developing serious health problems from stress. Take care of yourself. Stay healthy and you’ll end up being more successful.4. Get offscreenAt the end of your life, the best and most memorable moments will not be ones you spent staring at a screen. Put the phone down. Walk away from the monitor. Go live your life and make some real memories and change in the world.5. Keep learningThey day you decide you have nothing left to learn is the day you become truly ignorant. Old dogs can learn new tricks. In fact, you should seek them out. Constantly stretch yourself to learn new skills and information. Don’t get left behind.6. DiversifyWhile you’re learning new things, make a point of expanding your comfort zone and your wheelhouse of skills. The more you can do, the more successful you will be. And the more versatile with dealing with life and career challenges. Make sure you’re not just good at only one thing.7. Stick togetherYou may think you can get farther faster if you just go it alone, but the truth is you’ll get farther by working as a team and building something bigger than yourself. Also, teamwork is more and more important in the current economy. Learn to share and multiply success.8. Worry does not equal achievementYou cannot worry your way to success. If you’re anxious, the antidote is simple: action. Hustle your way out of the stress spiral. Push through the fear to find the proactive things that you can do to make a difference in the state of your career (or the world).9. Failu re is productiveThink of every failure not as an end, but as an opportunity for a new beginning. Start a new journey with each failure and you’ll be guaranteed to get more out of life.10. It’s a journey, not a destinationHappiness is not just something you arrive at, magically, after doing what you think you’re supposed to do. Make mindful choices and decide you’re going to be happy with where you are and what you’re working towards, regardless of how far in the future those rewards may be. Approach everything with an attitude of positivity and happiness, and you will find success.