Q. For 10 years, I’ve written, edited and laid out newspaper “advertorial” features. It’s part of the growing “niche publications” as we like to call them. As I’m reading this, I’m thinking, I can keep my full-time job, but parlay these skills into a lucrative side business. However, I’m finding it hard to network and find the clientele. Any suggestions on ways to prospect? I am reading that portion of your book, but is there an email network, bulletin boards or online sources that you can offer up?
A. I wish I could help you out but your question is so broad and simply doesn’t lend itself to an easy bullet point answer. And if you’re reading my book (both TWFW and the companion volume, TWFW: Back for Seconds), you’ll find tons of stuff on “Where’s the Business?” It would take me forever to provide what’s already in the books. I don’t recommend online sources (IF you’re talking about online job boards): too many writings bidding on too few jobs, driving rates down to nothing. Just not a good strategy. And know that this is not a get-rich-quick proposition. It takes a lot of hard work, but you can make a lot more $ than the typical “freelance writer.”
If you think you want to pursue a certain type of work (say, advertorials), then just think logically. Look at the kinds of companies who do these pieces, contact them and find out what they’re looking for, if they hire from the outside, etc. You could find out more about it in one morning of calling than I ever could share with you here.