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[Beat Bandit]

I figure considering what I'm asking this may be more applicable to this thread, but WHATEVAS.

So, I want to start doing freelance writing to get some scratch, and, if possible, my name out there to maybe get a real job in journalism of some sort.

I know a lot of people here have done freelance, if not more in the field, so I was wondering if anyone had any tips past the basic "check craigslist and other such sites". Or like, examples of good things to include in a writing sample, stuff like that.

[Brentai]

I don't know about writing so much but I'll tell you the secret to success in any freelance job is a social network.  By which I mean both an ACTUAL social network and a website, yes.  Shake down all your friends to see who they know, and then shake down who they know to find out who THEY know.  And put yourself on LinkedIn and hump it like a fine wooden chair leg.

[Mothra]

I've gotten all my gigs through Craigslist, so, I don't know of much beyond that. I'm looking to keep at it, if for no other reason than to keep myself writing, so I'll let you know here if I find anything useful.

Having an online portfolio somewhere with samples of your stuff really seems to help out. I set up a tumblr blog with a really simple layout (and a SMARTPHOTO), with the first three sentences of each piece of writing segging into a link to the rest of it. After that I got more responses.

[Frocto]

People actually ask you to write things on Craigslist? Do they, actually, like, PAY you afterwards?

Feels good getting contracted for three separate writing jobs and not getting paid for any of them. I'm always looking for new and exciting ways to get screwed.

[Brentai]

Yeah that is basically the main reason I (theoreetically, because I'm still doing way more than I'd like) quit freelancing.  In terms of money owed I was doing really well for myself.

[Mothra]

I should clarify! I use craigslist to find companies that need writers for actual jobs. Like I now have a steady job doing social media, and I get a regular paycheck. I had to go in to the company to interview and meet everyone and explain how I had won several dozen awards from president Obama himself before I was given the position. I didn't just send things in and receive payment per piece - that always struck me as an unstable paycheck-to-paycheck sort of life.

I suppose I think of it as freelancing because I work from my apartment and I don't see a job like this necessarily going anywhere and am doing it on the side for money. I am, however, employed at a company, and I do set, weekly services for them.

[Frocto]

That is the LIFE, man.