This document provides an overview of a workshop for freelance writers. It includes an agenda with topics such as developing freelance goals, writing for different genres, business setup, pitching articles, negotiating contracts and payments. Key points emphasized are having clear goals and an escape plan before going freelance, understanding an outlet's needs when pitching, getting agreements in writing, and knowing standard word rates and how to negotiate pay. The workshop aims to equip writers with practical skills for working successfully as freelancers.

1. How to Get Work as a
Freelance Writer
Tutor: Fran Molloy
Saturday 20 September, 2014
1

2. INTRODUCTION
GOING FREELANCE:
Questions to ask yourself:
•What are your Freelancing goals?
•What skills do you have?
•How much do you need to earn to survive?
•How long can you work without pay?
•Can you work part-time / freelance part-time?
2

3. INTRODUCTION
ESCAPE PLAN:
Set a goal and a date
Think about:
What if you hate it?
What if you love it but you can’t make it pay?
3

4. “If you have any young friends who
aspire to become writers, the second
greatest favour you can do them is to
present them with copies of The
Elements of Style.
The first greatest, of course, is to shoot
them now, while they’re happy.”
- Dorothy Parker
4

5. http://www.crockford.com/wrrrld/style.html*
The Elements of Style
by
William Strunk, Jr.
Copyright
1918
By William Strunk, Jr.
*The Software shall be used for Good, not Evil – Douglas Crockford
5

6. Today’s Schedule: [1/4]
10:00 : Welcome and intro
10:15 : Introduction activity: Interviews for news
10:30 : Write-up exercise
10:45 : Present your profile
11:00 : Writing to a genre – identify your niche
11:15 : Types of features, WHO buys them
11:30 : BREAK
6

7. Today’s Schedule [2/4]:
11:45 : Freelance – Business setup
11:45 : Setting up – ABN, Tax, accounts
12:00 : Essential tools & your workspace
12:15 : Freelance – the system
Identifying, pitching, things I wish I’d known
12:30 : Rights
contracts, copyright, liability and indemnity
12:45 : Getting paid
word rates / flat fee, quoting, chasing
1:00 : LUNCH
7

8. Today’s Schedule [3/4]:
1:30 : BUILDING A PROFILE
Portfolio sites, social media, getting online
About.me – quick & easy website
2:00 : Networks & groups
NSWWC, MEAA, ASA, The Loop, CAL, Freeline,
Rachel’s List, genre groups: travel, gardens, medical
2:15 : Research Resources
Nat / NSW library, Sourcebottle, HARO, expertguide
2:30 : BREAK
8

9. Today’s Schedule [4/4]:
2:45 : Writing Samples – where they can go
Workshop examples?? & general feedback
3:00 : Getting your PITCH on – finding your place
Pitch exercise: Select an outlet, write a pitch
3:45 : Q & A
Time for student questions / feedback
4:00 : CLOSE
9

10. freelance writer:
A man who is paid per piece
or per word
or perhaps.
- Robert Benchley
10

11. Introduction Activity
10:15 : Introduction activity: Interviews for news
(7 minutes each)
10:30 : Write-up exercise
10:45 : Present your profile
(90 seconds each)
11

12. Writing to Genre
12

13. Writing to Genre
40 BEATS:
Activism / Agriculture / Alternative /
Architecture / Arts / Books / Business / Celebrity /
Childrens / Consumer / Culture / Education /
Environment / Fashion / Film / Finance / Food /
Gaming / Gardening / Health / Lifestyle / Marine /
Media / Medical / Military / Motoring / Music /
Parenting / Photography / Political / Profiles /
Property / Reviewing / Science / Sports/ Technology /
Trade / Travel / Wedding / Womens /
13

14. Writing to Genre
•News
•Features
•Profiles
•Lists
•Blogs / opinion
14

15. NEWS
http://bit.ly/nFWfm002 - eHealthspace.org
http://bit.ly/nFWfm003 - Telstra Smarter Business
15

16. FEATURES
•Newspapers, magazines, trade magz, online
•Freelance : sponsored editorial
•Use several voices
and cases to tell a story
•http://bit.ly/nFWfm001
16

17. PROFILES
•Easy to write – often just one interview
•Make sure they have
a good story to tell
•Needs to be relevant
•http://bit.ly/nFWfm004
17

18. INFO / LISTICLES / fillers
•Content – rarely interviews
•Big demand on web
•Think ‘Buzzfeed’
•Good place to start writing for $
•http://bit.ly/nFWfm005
18

19. BLOGS / OPINION / WHIMSY
•It’s NOT about you, sorry!
•Paid spots are rare / low $
•Blog to the site theme
•http://bit.ly/nFWfm006
19

20. 20

21. Caller: “How many people
work on the Business desk?”
Editor: “About half of them.”
- Overheard in the Newsroom
21

22. Business Setup
22

23. The Business of Freelance
•Accounting advice: worth what you pay for it
•1. Decide your Business structure:
– Sole trader / partnership
– Company
– GST? (compulsory - $75K+ turnover)
•2. Apply for your ABN - https://abr.gov.au
23

24. Accounting systems
• Start with spreadsheets / Word docs – no cost
• Cloud accounting is seriously AWESOME
• Cheap, low-end : Freshbooks
• XERO - $25 / $50 / month
• Pocketbook - https://getpocketbook.com/ - personal
24

25. Essential Tools
• ‘Office’ – physical location
• Get a desk / space at home
• Co-working - Fishburners, HubSydney etc
• wifi Café / State Library / City Library
• Computer / Internet / Phone (VOIP) / headset
• Recorder for interviews (smartphone)
25

26. Other “Tools of the Trade”
• Stationery
• Doc wallets to keep work together
• Planner / Whiteboard – stay organised
• Work out your own systems
• Business documents : binders / folders
• Business cards
26

27. Software & Services
• Google – gmail, tasks, Docs, Drive etc
• DropBox
• Dragon Naturally Speaking (use a good headset)
• Skype + Callburner + Audacity (sound editing)
• REV transcription / TimeAndDate.com / Trello
27

28. Freelancing:
The System
28

29. Never, ever write it
until you’ve
got the job
29

30. PITCH -- before you write (except travel)
If they don’t consign, don’t write a line
• Research your story; line up your sources
• Get the background ; know your angle
• Have a back-up angle
• Research the outlet ; compare this to other stories
30

31. WHAT EDITORS WANT
• More of what they already have
• On time, to brief, right voice, needs no work
• Solve their problems
31

32. FINDING AN OUTLET
• Newsagent
• What you read / your friends read / your boss reads
• Sign up: Journalist alert / editor alert
www.careerone.com.au / www.seek.com.au /
www.mycareer.com.au
• Australian Writers Marketplace -
https://www.awmonline.com.au/
32

33. THE PITCH
• Always by email
• SUBJECT: Freelance pitch topic in five catchy words
• Short (2-3 pars) - Catchy - relevant
• Show them you KNOW their publication
• Convince them you are the RIGHT PERSON to write it
33

34. PITCHING INTO THE VOID
or what if they don’t respond?
• Pitching to a void is the MOST COMMON experience
– Christopher Wink: cold email pitches – 15% open rate
• Pitching to a NO THANKS is the second most common
• Add the DEADLINE line
34

35. PITCHING INTO THE VOID
THE DEADLINE LINE
“I’d love to see this story published in XYZ Mag.
However I understand you may have more stories than
you can use, so if I don’t hear from you by (give at least a
week, two is better), I’ll approach another publication.”
35

36. THE PITCH – who to contact?
• Newspaper: Look for EDITOR / SECTION EDITOR
• Magazine: Ditto – look for DEPUTY EDITOR or the
FEATURES EDITOR
• Web: Go to ABOUT – look for giveaway job title
• Margaret Gees Media Guide – reference section of
libraries
• Ring – ask them – “Hi I’m a freelance writer, what’s
the editor’s email address?”
36

37. THE PITCH
• Get their name right
• Get their name right
• Get their name right
37

38. CORPORATES
• Who you know TOPS what you know
• Let everyone know you are writing for money
• Deliver – and get a testimonial
• You may need insurance – prof liability / public
liability
38

39. SME BUSINESS
• Bigger market – less demanding overall
• Great place to start – great place to stay
• All about relationships
• Must be managed very well – or crisis happens
• Get formal – get it in writing – be fair – be clear
39

40. Rights,
Contracts,
Copyright
Liability
Indemnity
40

41. CONTRACT FOR WORK -
http://writerscontracts.com/
• a CONTRACT is as simple as an offer and acceptance
• Make it formal – get it in writing – confirm in writing
• “Hi Joe, confirming as discussed I will deliver 800
words on the growing fish finger shortage crisis at 70c a
word to you by Monday October 3, payment on
publication plus 7 days.”
41

42. WRITING CONTRACT
• UNDERSTAND what rights you are agreeing to
• DEFAULT: you own copyright and LICENSE the use
of your work to a publication
• Once published – all copyright reverts to you
• Rights are complex – FRAN’S RIGHTS GLOSSARY
42

43. WRITING CONTRACT
• UNDERSTAND what rights you are agreeing to
• DEFAULT: you own copyright and LICENSE the use
of your work to a publication
• Once published – all copyright reverts to you
• Rights are complex – FRAN’S RIGHTS GLOSSARY
43

44. INDEMNITIES AND WARRANTIES
• INDEMNITY: The writer indemnifies the publisher:
• NO NO NO – cross it out! This could cost you a
fortune if they are sued
•Publisher should indemnify you
•WARRANTY – similar – you make a legally-bound
guarantee
44

45. RIGHTS & CONTRACT HELP
• Better get a lawyer, son ..
You better get a real good one ..
• MEAA - Alliance.org.au
• CAL – copyright.com.au
• ASA – Australian Society of Authors
45

46. Money
Money
Money
46

47. HOW MUCH CAN WRITERS EARN?
• MEAA / Australian Journalists Association:
Freelance rates are 93c /word / $1000 minimum
• Reality: Very different. Rachel’s List:
http://www.rachelslist.com.au/?p=988
•Most freelancers earn between $30-$50 K per year
• Who Pays What:
http://heypayup.tumblr.com/archive
47

48. Hey pay up:
48

49. RACHEL’S LIST
– 2013 SURVEY [1/6]
49

50. RACHEL’S LIST
– 2013 SURVEY [2/6]
50

51. RACHEL’S LIST
– 2013 SURVEY [3/6]
51

52. RACHEL’S LIST
– 2013 SURVEY [4/6]
52

53. RACHEL’S LIST
– 2013 SURVEY [5/6]
53

54. RACHEL’S LIST
– 2013 SURVEY [6/6]
54

55. HOW MUCH DO I CHARGE?
• Billable time: Know how long the job will take you
• Extras : Phone, travel, transcription
• Margin for error: Build in revision rates or time
• (annual salary + annual expenses + annual profit) ÷ annual
billable work hours = your basic hourly rate
55

56. HOW DO YOU ASK FOR MONEY?
•EVERYBODY hates this conversation – even editors
•Email: ‘My usual word rate is 70c but I’m negotiable.’
•Ask. Preferably by phone. “What do you pay?”
Then confirm in writing by email
•If money is low – “Will that increase after 2nd story?”
56

57. BILLABLE TIME and ANNUAL SALARY
• Billable time:
• 52 WEEKS PER YEAR
• - 4 weeks leave / 2 weeks sick / 4 weeks PD = 42 weeks
• 5 days x 40 hours minus 1 day admin = 32 hours
• 32 hours x 42 weeks = 1344 hours
• $52,000 pa / 1344 hours = $38.69 per hour
•https://www.freelancersunion.org/blog/2014/02/03/how-get-paid-57

58. WORK OUT WHAT YOU NEED TO EARN
• Set a budget – weekly or monthly goal
• Have a plan to cover shortfall
• Look at ‘back up’ work – in your field
58

59. 59

60. WHAT PEOPLE THINK
FREELANCING LOOKS LIKE
60

61. WHAT FREELANCING REALLY
LOOKS LIKE
61

62. BUILDING A PROFILE
• Portfolio sites
• Social media: twitter, LinkedIn, FB
• About.me
62

63. Portfolio sites :
•PRESSFOLIOS
• http://pressfolios.com
63

64. Portfolio sites :
•MUCKRACK
• http://muckrack.com
64

65. Portfolio sites :
•contently
• http://contently.com
65

66. Portfolio sites :
•clippings.me
• http://clippings.me
66

67. BUILDING A PROFILE
• Portfolio sites
• Social media: twitter, LinkedIn, FB
• About.me
67

68. BUILDING A PROFILE
• Set up your online freelancer profile
•Your own website? Use free tools eg wordpress
•Linked-In – [professional resume / network]
•Facebook – create a ‘page’
•Twitter – engage; follow media
68

69. OUR TWEETERS
• @franmolloy
•@crawshaw_1
• @MomentinArt
• @sandyfussell
69

70. NETWORKS & GROUPS
• NSWWC
• MEAA
• ASA
• The Loop
• CAL
• Freeline
• Rachel’s List
70

71. NETWORKS & GROUPS
•http://www.journalistdirectory.com
•Mumbrella [media / marketing site]
http://mumbrella.com.au/freelancer
71

72. FREELANCE WRITING JOB SITES
• NewsModo [journalists]
www.newsmodo.com
•NewZulu [news]
www.newzulu.com.au
• Rachel’s List [journalists]
www.newsmodo.com
•ProBlogger [bloggers]
•http://jobs.problogger.net 72

73. Job Boards / Content Mills
• Freelance Job Boards: cheap labour for small jobs
• Freelancer.com / ozlance.com.au / Elance / Guru
• Textbroker, MediaPiston, Constant Content, Writers
Access, Interact Media and Daily Article.
•Writing ‘Content Mills’ - pay a joke – eg $5 =300 words
•The point: ‘SEO’ – Search Engine Optimised – but 2011
changed Google algorithm has reduced demand
73

74. GENRE GROUPS
(keep searching!)
• Health writer hub www.healthwriterhub.com/
• Boating writers: www.bwi.org
• Horticultural Media Association www.hmaaustralia.com.au
• Farm Writers Association of NSW www.nswfarmwriters.org.au
• Aust Council of Agricultural Journos www.acaj.org.au
• Australian Society of Travel Writers www.astw.org.au
• Aust Medical Writers Ass’n www.medicalwriters.org
74

75. RESEARCH RESOURCES
• NSW State Library
•National Library
•Alumni Library Access – often less than $100 a year
• Factiva / Library Press Display
• Margaret Gees Media Guide
75

76. SOURCES RESOURCES
• Sourcebottle
• HARO
• expertguide.com.au
76

77. 77

78. “It’s a great story. I would
delete the first eight
paragraphs and write a lead.”
- Overheard in the Newsroom
78

79. WRITING SAMPLE WORKSHOP
• two samples to be pitched
• share your work ?
•Help find an outlet
79

80. PITCH WORKSHOP
• Details in Pitch Handout
• Work in pairs if you like
• Select a publication / outlet
• Practice your pitch
80

81. PITCH WORKSHOP
• Details in Pitch Handout
• Work in pairs if you like
• Select a publication / outlet
• PITCH TIME: 30 SECONDS EACH !!!
81

82. Q & A
• Questions from your emails
• Other questions
THE END!!!
http://www.slideshare.net/franmolloy/2014-nsw-writers-centre-course-freelancing
82

83. “A professional writer is an
amateur who didn’t quit.”
- Richard Bach
83