https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 07 Apr 2026 20:45:21 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-freelance-writing-bees#post-1435764 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 08:55:58 +0000 mfa_lady 1435764@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@fancyfunction: This is awesome! Thank you for sharing. I need to get networking, ASAP! :)</p> <p>@Mrs. Yoyo: So glad you mentioned this. It's one that I always wonder about, and good to know that it's been worth it for you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-freelance-writing-bees#post-1435451 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 06:29:35 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 1435451@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, another website I'd recommend is flexjobs. You do have to pay but it has quality listings unlike a lot of others. FWIW, I landed my biggest client after they placed an ad at journalismjobs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-freelance-writing-bees#post-1435312 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 23:46:40 +0000 fancyfunction 1435312@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've done a lot of networking and also some cold reaching out to potential clients. I also have a lot of luck using freelancewritinggigs.com. I currently have 4 steady jobs- I write blogs for several businesses and also do some editorial work. There's also a lot of one-off jobs like press releases and things of that nature that I do. I agree a lot of it is about who you know and how they can lead to other jobs. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-freelance-writing-bees#post-1435289 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 23:21:44 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 1435289@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: Good to hear people are wising up! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-freelance-writing-bees#post-1435279 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 23:11:42 +0000 yoursilverlining 1435279@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@IRunForFun: I've never run into any issue with not receiving payment or anything, and have gained some very reputable clients (established, medium-large sized businesses) via Elance. </p> <p>@Mrs. Yoyo: I really believe in "you get what you pay for", so there definitely are a lot of cheap bids on Elance, but a lot of businesses are getting wise to the fact that if they pay someone in India $2/hr to write content; they get what they pay for. </p> <p>I do both creative and technical writing, but I've had good luck there. It certainly helps that I don't rely on that for income; and just take the jobs I want to take. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-freelance-writing-bees#post-1435245 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 22:23:06 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 1435245@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travelgirl1: I've taken on two assignments for my primary client since having my second LO. It's pretty hairy. I don't have to do interviews for these projects -- if I did it would be next to impossible. Just research and writing. But even that has been really, really tough. With just one (who was a good sleeper) I could count on long naps and after bedtime, but now ... no. Basically, every spare moment is spent working if I have an assignment. I actually may go back to work FT. If I don't (and decide to continue to freelance) I will have to get some PT childcare -- the current situation is not sustainable!</p> <p>@yoursilverlining: Glad to hear a positive story about eLance ... all I've ever heard is that it's really hard to get a foothold and that people are always undercutting you with crazy cheap bids.</p> <p>@mfa_lady: Yup, just keep plugging away. Once you find someone willing to see what you can offer (and do an awesome job for them) the subsequent doors are much easier to open. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-freelance-writing-bees#post-1435237 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 22:20:02 +0000 travelgirl1 1435237@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mfa_lady: Glad I could help :grin: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-freelance-writing-bees#post-1435233 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 22:13:58 +0000 mfa_lady 1435233@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travelgirl1: This is great feedback. Thank you! Just asking to meet with editors is a great idea. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-freelance-writing-bees#post-1435230 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 22:09:31 +0000 IRunForFun 1435230@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: I've considered trying Elance, but was never sure how "legit" it was. I work FT for a newspaper, but I really want to get into freelancing on the side. I'm glad you mentioned Elance, I'm definitely going to check it out! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-freelance-writing-bees#post-1435228 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 22:08:29 +0000 travelgirl1 1435228@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sorry to thread jack but, @Mrs. Yoyo: are you still writing now you have two LOs? The last time I freelanced was literally the night before I had A - I had every intention of continuing after but can't imagine being able to arrange interviews because I have no idea if she'll be melting down in the background! I'd love to get back into it though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-freelance-writing-bees#post-1435224 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 22:06:28 +0000 travelgirl1 1435224@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I freelanced for about a year before having LO and for me it was all about the contacts. I was starting again in another country though, so I did a few shifts for free to build up trust. From that I managed to get a regular entertainment column in a newspaper and good relationships with editors on a few websites/newspapers that led to regular feature opportunities. I found that my six years journalism experience in England didn't help at all - it was literally all about the contacts I could make here. The problem was that the writing world is very volatile right now and editors are constantly moving around so their replacements will bring their own set of freelancers with them and it can be tough constantly starting again sweet talking editors.<br /> My advice would be to contact the publications you really want to write for and ask if you can go in and meet them, or take an editor for coffee. Once they know and like you they will be much more likely to properly consider your pitch or offer you assignments. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-freelance-writing-bees#post-1435223 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 22:06:17 +0000 mfa_lady 1435223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: Ooooh, cool! Thank you for sharing. I will look into this! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-freelance-writing-bees#post-1435219 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 22:05:18 +0000 yoursilverlining 1435219@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've had very good luck on Elance. You really need to build a complete portfolio there; but once I did and built up some positive feedback, a lot of job listers started contacting me, asking me to bid on their projects. I was also able to turn a few one-off jobs into more steady work, with reliable partners.</p> <p>I work FT, but take on freelance jobs as I like, which is nice! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-freelance-writing-bees#post-1435208 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 21:54:27 +0000 mfa_lady 1435208@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Yoyo: Ack, yes, that's what I'm afraid of. It sounds like maybe I should keep putting feelers out until I can find a couple of good partners. More than anything, I'd just like to write--to have a reason to pick up the pen (or the laptop!), you know? It's sometimes so hard to do without a purpose. Thank you for responding!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-freelance-writing-bees#post-1435205 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 21:52:04 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 1435205@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well, the most helpful thing is to find a niche -- if you can present yourself as somewhat of an expert in one particular area, it can be a *bit* easier to find work. I built on my newspaper experience + Hellobee experience + real-life experience to write/edit a lot of kid/baby-centric stuff. </p> <p>Freelancing can be great, but getting started can be really frustrating. Basically, unless you have awesome contacts, you will probably have to work for peanuts for awhile to build a portfolio. Even then, pursuing potential opportunities can be a full-time job in itself. I've mainly worked for 1-2 clients, and while I'd love to diversify, I simply can't devote the time/energy to finding new work right now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-freelance-writing-bees#post-1435190 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 21:44:31 +0000 mfa_lady 1435190@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjazz: Yes! It's so hard to make the time for the process, isn't it?! Although it sounds like you're a little ahead of me as far as process goes. You're a writer at your day job, right? (If I'm totally making that up, I'm sorry. I thought I remembered seeing it on a thread!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-freelance-writing-bees#post-1435056 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 21:02:05 +0000 mrsjazz 1435056@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Following. This is one of my goals for the future. I would like to do grant writing, feature articles, brochures, marketing materials and more. I just honestly haven't dedicated the time to putting together a description of rates and services, though I do have a network I could reach out to build a clientele. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-freelance-writing-bees#post-1434990 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 20:32:16 +0000 mfa_lady 1434990@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Freelance Writing Bees--how did you get started with freelance projects? I just finished an MFA in writing. While I don't have the means to quit my day job, I'd really like to take on some freelance projects in my "spare" (ha!) time. I am interested in just about any and all types of projects, ranging from local magazines/websites to more niche publications. </p> <p>Would love to hear your experiences...and if I'm not even asking the right questions, feel free to steer me in the right direction! :) </p>