Q: I’m a college senior who picked up TWFW at the bookstore one day and found it absolutely intriguing. Writing for me, is like wrapping myself up in my favorite soft-worn blanket, inside; it’s a place of comfort, warmth, reflection and adventure–a feeling of belonging that really can’t be described. Making this blanket a financial security blanket would be a dream. Your book has made me seriously rethink my future career path.
Though I noticed your little enticing blurb to recent college grads about making a living from something you love, I also realized that most of your advice directs those who are currently employed or who are looking for some change in the direction of their more experienced life. For me, as a soon-to-be college grad with little to no serious corporate experience, I am a little leery about jumping right in and rubbing shoulders with the big-boys. Can you give me more details on building a portfolio? How exactly did you start doing pro bono work? Phone calling? I volunteer regularly, but never thought to solicit my volunteer sites for copywriting opportunities. What is the exact procedure when doing so? At what point would I be ready to start “hunting” for opportunities? Will employers take me less seriously because I am so young and inexperienced?
A: There is no “right” way to get pro-bono jobs. Just ask. And re-read the section on the topic in the book (pp. 46-50). Don’t think there’s some mystical process to all this because there simply isn’t.
Obviously, make sure you’re a decent writer and get input on that point from people who are not emotionally attached to you or to protecting your feelings. Hunt up a few creative professionals in your community who’d be the kinds who’d hire commercial writers and who’d know what’s needed, and get their input on your skills.
And sure, someone with no experience (and pro bono work can address that) will not be as attractive to a prospective writing-buyer as someone with the background and experience, but again, use pro bono work to beef up a portfolio. What better time to do it than now, when you’re a student? Also, I have found that universities often hire freelancers to create materials in marketing and publications departments in different areas of a campus. Make some calls or drop by some departments and find out. What do you have to lose? Might just find some juicy opportunities.
Offer to write a piece or two for free (or even as a “parallel” project – your take on a work that’s already been assigned to a paying writer – that way, there’s no risk to them). And do it with the understanding that if they like your work that they may hire you for pay down the line.
Don’t expect to get the same rate as an experienced freelancer. But if you can negotiate, say $20-30 an hour, I’m guessing you’d be pretty happy. Beats slinging hash. And graduating with a respectable “starter portfolio” and a few bucks in the bank would be a pretty cool thing.
Again, I don’t know that it works this way everywhere, but if there’s one thing I want people to take away from my books, it’s that there are no rules on how to go about it. Try anything. Ask anywhere. Be curious. The worst someone can say is no, and it’ll give you some great real-world experience. This book should be one big thought-starter, NOT the last word in “how’s it done.”