Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Good morning! Here is the first half of the job list for the day. I'll be posting another great group of job listings this afternoon, so be sure and check back!

Know More Media is looking for bloggers for several topics

Create content about arthritis

SEO writer to re-write website

Beginner fly fishing tips articles requested at Constant Content

eHow advertising on several job sites for more writers (revenue share)

Write educational materials (requires four-year college degree)

Motley Fool looking for more writers

Writers for Native American Journal

Bloggers for many different topics

eHow is offering writers a way to make a few extra bucks in July. They've introduced a temporary referral program in which they will pay you to refer other writers, up to a total of $20.

It's not big bucks, but it is a simple and quick way to add to your eHow earnings.

If you aren't already writing for eHow, you should check it out. It is a revenue-sharing based site, but the articles are simple and easy to submit and there are always requests if you run out of ideas. I use eHow whenever I'm in between gigs. It's not a living, but it is a nice little supplement to my income and I really like the idea that the articles will continue to earn revenue over the long-term.

You can check it out here.

Don't forget to also check out the daily list of freelance writing job leads!

SearlesMedia is starting a new blog on travel bargains. In addition to posting on great travel deals, the bloggers will assist readers in making their travel plans. For example, a reader may email that they are traveling to Los Angeles for a week in July, and the blogger would research the trip, based on the reader's requirements, to find the best deals for that trip.

Blogging experience is a big plus, but really I am looking for someone with great writing and research skills who can not only find great travel deals, but write about them with flair.

There will be a maximum number of posts assigned each week, and as the blog readership grows that number will increase.

Starting pay is $7 per post, and will increase as the blog grows.

The chosen blogger will also assist in promoting the blog by posting on various forums, classifieds and websites. Compensation for this will vary, depending on the promotion required.

Send a brief writing sample and a short, friendly note about why you would be the best blogger for the job, along with links to any blogs or blog posts, to writersresources.blogspot at gmail.com
Do not include any attachments. They will not be opened.

Here are some terrific freelance writing job leads for Tuesday, June 24, 2008.

Digital Music Blogger

Writer for healthcare newsletter

Automotive blogger

Bloggers for "link-baiting" campaigns

Write a press release

Pop culture blogger

OSHA compliance article(s)

Creative writer with Mac experience

Technology blogger

Recently posted ScriptLance projects:

Content for real estate site

Rewrite articles

Blog on assigned topics

Copy for dog product site

Boxing articles

Web copy

Electric vehicle blogger

A reader recently asked for advice on writing a successful query letter. It's almost impossible to b e a successful freelance writer without learning how to write an outstanding query letter. Although query letters are traditionally associated with print publications, more and more online publishers are requiring query letters. As profits from web publishing continue to increase, freelance writers should expect most serious employers to ask for query letters, whether they publish online or in print.

Writing a query letter isn't difficult. The format is simple, and you already have the information you need for the content. The hard part of writing a good query letter is finding the balance between being attention-getting and ridiculous.

Most editors receive hundreds, if not thousands, of query letters each month. Most will give each query only two or three seconds of attention before the first decision is made. The majority of query letters are almost immediately rejected, but a few will get further consideration. How do you make sure your query letter gets serious consideration? There are a few things you can do.

1. Match your topic closely to the publisher you are querying.

It doesn't matter if you have the most compelling, hottest story on the planet if you query it to the wrong publisher. All publications have a defined audience, style and series of topics. Before you even begin your query letter, research the publications thoroughly.

In your research, go to the publication's website and look at the writer's guidelines as well as the areas of the site designed for readers. If they publish complete stories online, read a few to get a feel for what they publish. Order a sample copy, or go to the store and browse through a few recent issues. Large used book stores and libraries are a great place to find back issues of magazines, newspapers and other publications you might be considering querying. Browsing through several issues will give you a better understanding of what a particular publisher prints, and also help you avoid querying about topics they have recently covered.

2. Give your topic a unique spin.

General topics have been covered over and over and over. How many "Save Money on Gas" articles have you seen lately that all offer the same information. Whatever your idea, try to give it a unique twist. This will not only help your query letter stand out, but greatly increases the chances of getting the green light to produce the article you've queried.

For example, instead of "How to Save Money on Gas," go a little deeper and consider a topic like, "How to Protect Yourself From Con Artists Promising Better Gas Mileage," or "Going To The Extreme for Better Gas Mileage."

3. Open your query letter with a hook.

The first line of your query letter should be so enticing and intriguing that the editor wants to learn more. One simple method is to use the most interesting fact you plan to include in your article. If the most interesting fact is not intriguing, then you should probably revise your topic. Another method is to say something shocking or surprising. It's important to remain professional and not cross the line into the ridiculous, but this is also your best chance to grab the editor's attention, so don't be afraid to push boundaries.

4. Follow the hook with a brief summary of your idea.

Limit this portion of your query letter to one paragraph. Include some basic facts or information, the angle from which you will approach the topic and the names of any individuals or sources you will be using.

5. Explain why you are the best writer for the project.

Mention your experience, your contacts, previous publications, anything that shows an editor that you are qualified, professional and capable of completing the work, and that you are the best person to do the work. Limit this portion to one paragraph as well.

Even if you haven't completed similar projects, mention any experience you have working with an editor. It is important for an editor to know that you can meet deadlines, accept constructive criticism, and work closely with the publication to complete requested revisions.

If you don't have any professional experience, don't say so. This is an opportunity to show off your strengths, so don't point out your weaknesses. Don't lie or stretch the truth, but use any experience you have that is relevant to the project you're proposing. Don't talk mention the opinion of friends and relatives, but do include any positive professional reviews of your work.

End your query letter as you would any other business letter, by signing it "Sincerely, Your Name, Your Contact Information."

Here's a few additional things to keep in mind for writing a great query letter:

* Query letters should be brief and never longer than one page. Give the editor all the information they need to make a decision, but no more than that. Don't include your resume, personal history or interests or references in a query letter. If an editor wants that information, they'll ask.

* Be polite. This should be obvious, but some writers make the mistake of being pretentious, overly confident and rude. A query letter is the equivalent of a cover letter for a resume. While you might tell a prospective employer that you could make a positive impact on the organization, you would not tell them that their IT department is a disaster, and only you can fix it. The same goes for query letters. Let the editor know you'll deliver quality writing, on time, that will interest readers and increase revenue, but don't bash their other writers or previous articles.

* Wait for the editor to respond. Don't tell them, "I'm sending you an article." In the first place, you shouldn't write the article until the query is accepted, because the editor is likely to have specific suggestions or requirements and assuming that they will want your article as-is, without being tailored to their publication, is obnoxious. In the second place, most editors don't want your article unless they ask for it.

* Be creative. Have fun writing your query letter. Keep it professional, but not dry. Follow the rules of grammar and punctuation, but don't worry too much about keeping the query letter in a business format. An interesting query letter will let an editor know that you can also write an interesting article.

* Don't call. Editors and their staff don't have time to answer questions about whether or not they received your query letter, or whether or not they're interested. If an editor wants to talk to you, they'll call you.


I hope these suggestions help. My favorite resource, as I've mentioned before, for learning more about query letters is Writer's Market. The beginning of each book includes an entire section on query letters, including examples of actual query letters that show what to do, what not to do, and notes from actual editors explaining why they did or didn't respond to a query letter.

Now get out there and write a successful query letter!

I hope everyone had a great weekend! There's lots of great jobs today!

Investor relations blogger

Corporate recruitment blogger

Video game reviewers

Review beauty products

Write a bio

Movie blogger

Technical writer

Content for web development site

Theatre writer

Write vocabulary questions

Writer for niche magazine

Writers for Haitian / Antilles lifestyle mag

Personal injury blogger

Automotive writer

Edit attorney newsletter

Editorial assistant for online mag

Green parenting bloggers

Design blog editor

Write about high-end cars

Car enthusiast writer and photographer