The Simplest Way Ever to Get Writing Jobs (Editorial)

Do you need writing jobs?

Ideally, your reply would be: “Angela, you’re kidding, right? I’ve got so many people hounding me to write for them that I’ve stopped posting to my blog, I never ever answer the phone, and I’m too scared to open my email because it’s full of groveling requests — I’m booked solid for the next six months!”

If that’s your answer, you deserve a virtual hug, and a pat on the back from me, and you’ve got them. Now go away and get on with your writing dear friend, you’ve cracked the code.

On the other hand, if that’s not your answer, I’ll fix that for you in this article. In fact, I’ll fix that for you in ONE simple sentence. Getting all the writing jobs you want is simple… Brain-numbingly simple.

I’ve been writing since the late 1970s. Yes, I started young. In those long ago days, if you wanted to write for money you figured it would take you years. You had to pay your dues. You collected rejection slips: you were proud of them. Each little “not for us at this time” slip meant that you were on your way to success. You weren’t dreaming about writing, you were writing. And success would follow. (Sooner or later, it did.)

Nowadays anyone with a computer can get a sudden rush of blood to the head, decide that writing for money sounds like a great gig, and can get cash in his PayPal account several hours (sometimes several minutes) later.

Yes, times have changed.

Unfortunately, for many writers, writing for money is still a mystery. It seems so complex. There’s so much to do.

No so.

Here’s all you have to do… Yes, it’s one simple sentence.

Here it is.

Go to where the buyers are, lay out your wares in front of them, and ASK THEM to hire you.

Please read that sentence again. It’s all you need to do. I encourage you to write that sentence onto a sticky note, and stick it where you’ll see it every day.

Simple, right?

Let’s break down that sentence into a step by step process.

1. Go to where the buyers are

Where are the buyers? They’re everywhere. I can walk down the street in my local town and can get writing jobs to fill up the next month in a few minutes. People know what I do. They know people who need someone to write for them.

This is true for you, too.

How many locals know you’re a writer — or aspire to write? If you’ve been keeping it a secret, get some cards printed (you can print them straight off your computer), and while you’re at it, print out some flyers.

If you’re feeling daring, pick up the phone and talk to local business people. Writing is a skill. People need that skill in their businesses.

2. Lay out your wares in front of them

This is simple too. Your “wares” are whatever you write. What do you write? Create some samples, and have them ready to show to potential buyers.

Ideally, you’ll display your wares on your website, but even that’s not necessary if you’re just starting out. Write something, so that you’ve got something to show.

3. ASK THEM to hire you

Yes, you have to ask. People can’t read your mind. Just telling them you’re a writer is not enough.

You have to tell your potential hirers that you can fix stuff. And that they can hire you to fix things for them.

Let’s look at how this works. Imagine you’re at a party, drink in hand. You wander the room, and meet someone new. You ask: “What do you do?” He says: “I’m a plumbing contractor.”

Your eyes glaze over. “Plumbing contractor” doesn’t compute for you.

Your new acquaintance notices this, and says: “We’ve been putting in rainwater tanks — 150 in this past month alone. We’ve got more business than we can handle. People love their gardens, and they’re worried that the water restrictions will get even tighter.”

You cheer up. Rainwater tanks? This computes. You love your garden too, and you and your new friend get into a long conversation about the best plants to grow to attract honey eating and seed eating birds. You accept his card, and give him yours.

Can you see what happened here? Will I remember my new plumbing contractor friend?

You bet. I’ll remember him because we had a conversation. He told me he fixes stuff — he helps people to keep their garden growing. I have his card, and when another friend complains to me about the sad state of her garden, I’ll tell her all about rainwater tanks, and will give her his number to call.

So telling people that you’re a writer isn’t enough (although it’s a start.) You need to ask them to hire you, and that’s easier when you relate writing to something they care about.

Now you have the simplest way to get writing jobs. Here’s the sentence again. “Go to where the buyers are, lay out your wares in front of them, and ASK THEM to hire you.”

A tip: write for the Web

Writing for the Web is where the jobs are. If you haven’t yet subscribed to Sell Your Writing Online NOW (SYWON), you’re missing out on making best use of the wonders of the Web.

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