Jump Start Your Writing Career — Week 2

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Article by Wendy McCance

I hope that if you are participating in this month’s series, Jump Start Your Writing Career that you were able to complete last week’s tasks.

If you are just joining in, or want to review last week’s schedule, I am putting up a page specifically for this topic.  Each week, I will add the latest writing career information and by the end of the month, all of the material will be available to view at any time.

Week Two List

How to Promote Your Work and Get Writing Assignments

  • Add a signature to your email.  The signature should have :
    Name
    Title
    Phone number
    Email
    Blog link or other relevant link such as your Facebook page
  • Go through your email, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter contacts and make a list of people to write to.
  • Write up and send out an email to prospects you would like to work for.  To get a template of what to write and how to send out your information on LinkedIn, go to this link: Using LinkedIn To Find Writing Assignments
  • Create a Word document to keep up on who you have contacted and their reply.  The document should have the following information:
    Name
    Company
    Title
    How you connected to them
    Email
    Phone number
    Date
    Response to your email
    Should you contact them in a few weeks/months ( put a date in if applicable)
  • Put together clips of your work and make a price list.  You will want these ready to go when a potential client asks for more information.  To get an idea of what to charge and how to set up your list, go to: Pricing Chart

Please note that your clips can be more than what was published.  You can use posts from your blog, assignments from a writing class or even pick a topic and write about it.

Make sure that the clip is error free and truly reflects your best work.  Make sure that if your paper came from a school assignment that any indication that it was a school paper is not on the clip you pass along.

Don’t stress about having professional writing samples.  Most of my clients have never asked for samples of my work. You can also submit a resume or send them to your LinkedIn profile if your profile is completely filled out and has recommendations on it.  Most have asked for a price list though.

If you have any questions or comments about this week’s tasks, please comment below and I will help with any questions you may have about getting your writing career off the ground.

Have a great weekend!

Wendy McCance

Wendy McCance is a Michigan based freelance writer and social media consultant. Wendy has gained attention as the founder of the popular blog Searching for the Happiness which can be viewed in 6 local papers online, including the Oakland Press.The combination of writing skills and social media knowledge is what makes Wendy such a powerhouse to work with. Stay tuned for opportunities to advertise, guest post and as always, have your questions answered.

To contact Wendy McCance about a writing assignment, interview or speaking engagement, please email her at: [email protected]

8 thoughts on “Jump Start Your Writing Career — Week 2

    • Hi Mary, this is a great question. I use the free version. I have never signed up for the premium service. I have asked around to see what benefits the premium service would have for me, and the only people who seem to benefit are large companies who are scouting for talent.

    • Hi Jackie, you will need to set up the hosting site first. The hosting site should be able to take you step by step through the process. I think WordPress has an area where you can get help too. To make it easier, you might want to use WPEngine for your self-hosting. They only work with WordPress and are experts in what they do.

  1. Wendy, Happy Friday. You always seem to be there when I am writing. & doing things. I am missing a blog I have to go some of the things that I have had e-mailed to me but strongly believe that Word Press is the way to go as AWAI suggested. I am confused about Gavitar? or something like that.
    I have a fer of there programs. I really trust you since you gave me that final gentle nudge & start with last week’s assignment along with doing one of there’s that I have. So would now be the time to do the walk through with Word Press & get Host Gator as it is past time for me to start really sharing my writing. How does that sound. I just know with the things that I have worked been working on for the better good helping other’s my favorite thing. It is also so awesome for me such a fantastic challenge & I do love a good challenge & is well past time for me to finally start writing it as I have been researching & documenting long enough.
    Any suggestions?
    Peace & be well.

    • Hi Jackie, Happy Friday to you too!! Gravitar is the icon box that pops up next to your comment. If someone hits on the icon, they can read a bio about you. Wishing you all the best with your blog. :)

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