You are still among those ‘I-am-lucky-to-be’ published writers. And you are wondering why you are not a ‘regular-always’ published one? If so, you might perhaps need to rearrange your priorities and to re-think your likely responses. It’s not easy to go from amateur to professional in a jiffy but nor is it impossibly difficult! Like it has been said before, perseverance and persity are the keys to a freelance writer’s continued success.
To graduate from amateur status to a professional one, a writer needs:
Bio/Blog – A polished Bio. Or your own Blog. It is a must. It is like a business man’s visiting card. Professional outfits who want to hire you, need to be convinced they are dealing with another professional. And how best can you do that? By putting up your skills/wares on an easily available website or by sending them a professionally well written bio. They need to contact you to give you work. You need to show you are a serious contender and are available for that work.
Projects – If projects don’t come to you which is very likely you need to go after them. Set aside your ego, go after projects, ask for details, and offer suggestions. Tell them what you do, what you can do. Email, mail, call or set up a meeting. Do whatever is needed to create an impression.
Guidelines – Once the project’s in the bag follow instructions. Take time out to understand their requirements-the brief- before you start writing. Avoid ambiguity. Revert for clarifications if any. Ask for mandates and try to keep to them. Adhere to guide lines faithfully
Criticism – Accept criticism in the right spirit. It is not personal. Change a ‘what you think is right’ to what the editor or the brief suggests you do. After all they should know what they want. They are in it to make money and now-so are you. Remember you are no longer writing just to please yourself. Your thoughts really don’t matter unless asked for. They have commissioned you for your writing skills -your inputs/outputs should be limited to just that.
Mindset – Incorporate changes and suggestions selflessly. Change your mindset if need be. Also don’t make money the sole priority for choice-at least- till you are inundated with regular work. This will help you evolve as a writer and grow professionally too.
Attitude – Be professional in attitude and deadlines. Be polite and brief when querying. Always keep to deadlines and do what you promise in the timeframe agreed upon. If unable, ask for a rescheduling and most certainly do not ignore mails. Nothing is more annoying, rude or unprofessional than unanswered mails.
Varied Sites – Send queries and write articles to/for perse markets. Write on different genres. Use sites that offer access to clients or network with others to get professional tips. Learn from their experiences, share your own. Build yourself a presence. Let people get to know what you do. And once they do, you are well on your way to becoming an expert and yes a busy over-worked money making professional!
- Sreelata Menon
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