Freelance Gigs – Tuesday, April 3rd
And a Vent
Funny how my vent days seem to be coming on a somewhat regular schedule. This one is justified – again today I read an article by a completely clueless person (too strong? Too bad – it’s true) as to how we freelancers spend our days. This article pointed first off to freelancers sitting at cafes sipping lattes. If you want to present yourself as someone who knows what the hell a freelancer does all day, never start like that. That’s a myth spread by those who haven’t any idea what it’s like to really work at freelancing. As I stated in my last entry regarding “the latte life”, these are not real writers. These are, to quote Kendra from Girls Next Door, posers. None of these so-called professionals have ever spent the eleventh hour delivering copy that’s been rewritten numerous times thanks to a committee of clients who cannot decide. These same “writers” have never chased down deliquent bills, never had to pay quarterly taxes, never had to dig to work to survive. These are the ones who ask “How do I start freelancing?” They’re too lazy to do even the most basic footwork in order to chase the dream. That leads me to wonder just how strong or real that dream is.
The article did make a few good points, like we can set our own schedules, meet neat people and learn things, but the author makes the assumption that we are free birds left to fly where we want. Alas, even a bird has to land. Those schedules we keep resemble more a 9-to-5 than a “Gee, I feel like writing today” schedule. We can work wherever we want, but we’d better have a wireless connection and a phone that accepts forwarded messages. We are also painted as being our own bosses. That’s only partially true. We are at the beck-and-call of not one, but several “bosses” who pay us to do their dirty work. And that’s fine. But we cannot, as the article states, say “take this job and shove it!” to anyone we please. If we did, we’d soon be out of people who are willing to work with us.
In response to the recent incidents of folks touting us as latte-sipping, laptop toting stereotypes, I’m going to present an interview with a real writer this week. The latte crowd has had its say. It’s our turn. Stay tuned.
Meanwhile, here are a few gigs I found that may fit. Good luck!
Magazine Writer
Freelancer for Website
Freelance Reviewer/Writer
Freelance Researcher/Writer
Freelance Copywriter
Freelance Content Author
Freelance Copywriter
Copywriter – Catalog
Freelance Online Associate Editor
Freelance Sports Writer
Proofreaders
Freelance Writer
Reporter/Freelance Writer
Freelance Blogger
Freelance Copywriter
Let’s not forget those of us freelancers who can’t afford the latte to begin with! I spend more time feeling unemployed than I do employed! Maybe the author should write about that!
Amen, nikki! It’s a huge disservice to those of us who have struggled to survive (and are still struggling to some extent). If this kind of stereotype gains momentum, we’re going to have to work three times as hard to overcome it. It’s just irresponsible of those who insist life is all rosy from the freelance perspective. Bite me, I say! LOL
Thanks for the great resource Lori! I have yet to land one, but I’m going to keep applying to the jobs you post.
When I announced to a couple of acquaintances that I was beginning a new Freelance Writing business, they sort of snorkled. I was a little insulted.
The only latte I can afford is a La Te Da.
You know what might be fun? If we got like 50 freelancers to do a ‘sit in’ in a cafe with their laptops and cell phones.
I just wonder how long it would take til we all got thrown out.
As long as it takes you to purchase one latte and drink it, Mike. 😉 Starbucks sells atmosphere, but I think if a bunch of writers are hogging tables all day, the company might want a change in atmospheric conditions… 😉
http://www.benmartin.co.uk