My Freelance Writing
Career
Q: When did
you launch your writing business?
ME: I launched my
professional writing career in 1992 under the business name BSK Communications
& Associates (BSK being my initials). In fact, you can still find articles
penned by me (and later adapted for the Internet) under my former business name
by doing a search on Google. While I had a few articles published in trade
publications, small newsstand magazines, and local newspapers, my primary
interest was freelance writing for businesses. This work was more challenging
and tested my creative abilities a lot more than writing for magazines. I
became more like a project developer than just a writer. I offered “copy
to completion” services: writing, designing, proofreading, editing, and
publishing the finished product. The type of writing I did is commonly known as
copywriting. Many copywriters don't offer "copy to completion" work, but I did
and it resulted in getting more loyal clients and charging more for
projects.
Q: How did you get your first paying gig?
ME: My first paying gig was with a non-profit organization.
The organization helped adults develop or improve work-related skills (such as
computer skills) so they could get a job promotion or land a better paying job.
For a couple of months I had volunteered my time to help this organization
generate publicity for its tutoring services. They had an ad in the volunteer
section of my local community newspaper asking for volunteers. I responded
right away and met with the director. I already had a giant portfolio of
samples from previous staff jobs. I think that’s what convinced the
director to outsource work to me right away. She knew I could exceed her
expectations. During that time of volunteering my writing services, I proved
how valuable I was as a writer, so the director began paying me for my time and
giving me more projects. I got to work on creating press releases, brochures,
catalogs, newsletters, and business correspondence. As a result of doing a
great job, I also generated referrals from the director (who was well-known in
the business community). This led to other paying freelance projects with other
businesses and entrepreneurs.
Q: Who did you write
for?
ME: I didn’t specialize in a specific area. I
accepted whatever work came my way. I was contracted as a freelance copywriter
by local (human and vet) hospitals, construction companies, ad agencies,
printers (who needed a copywriter for their clients’ jobs), and local
newspapers for graphic design and layout work. For a year I partnered with
three local public relations firms and worked on publicity projects for
national game and toy companies, wildlife organizations, local doctors (who
hosted their own talk radio programs in the NY/NJ area), and architectural
companies. I also advertised my writing services in my state newspaper and
generated freelance work from ad agencies; a jewelry company to assist with
their mail-order catalogs; non-profit organizations for grant writing; and
laid-off CEOs who needed help with writing their resumes.
Q: How did
you market yourself?
ME: I advertised my services in my local
newspaper. I pitched myself to many local businesses with a proposal on how to
increase their profit and productivity. I volunteered my time with the right
non-profit organizations which later referred clients my way. I was a member of
S.W.A.N. (now known as NJ
Creatives Network), a NJ-based professional freelance organization that
referred work to its members. I received plenty of work from my local printer
because I had used them in the past for my own clients' projects.
Q:
Is your writing business still around today?
ME: I ended my
career as a freelance copywriter in late 1996 so I could branch out into more
challenging fields, such as publishing and mail-order. I continue to do
freelance writing and freelance copywriting work for my own business and
occasionally with other freelancers who ask me to collaborate on a project. I
am way too busy these days to offer my services to clients. Besides, I earn
much more money creating my own projects, rather than working on other clients'
projects.
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