In
coming years, productive publishers will find it necessary to
adapt to an ever-savvy online writing force if they are to remain
competitive. This trend will push the number of online-employed
writers ever higher. Even in a soft employment market the demands
for online writing talent remains high, as needy employers turn
to an expanding pool of independent freelance talent to fulfill
the responsibilities once completed by laid-off or down-and-out-sized
employees (one of my previous employers called it corporate
restructuring :-( ).
A poor work economy should not hamper your chances of finding
successful writing work on the Net. When asked what he found
most beneficial about using freelance writers, Jay Heinrichs,
deputy editor of Outside Magazine once stated: "We get
a variety of the best writing; the writers we go after generally
don't have full-time jobs on a magazine staff, and they have
the time to write exceptional stories." Because freelance
writers are independent contractors, they are often more motivated.
In a competitive work environment, independent writers must
work hard to please their contracting employers and turn in
quality work. The best way for competitive companies to maintain
productivity while keeping expenses low is to retain freelance
talent online.
The
new millennium means good contract work for serious writers
and lots of it. But it's a new work world, and you would be
well served to learn it. Regular jobs are becoming project
work and the outsourcing and contracting of writers and other
freelancers online is becoming a standard practice. Indeed,
today's writing careers are quickly becoming portable, paid-by-the-job
professions. Take-it-with-you jobs driven by the need for
independent free agents, and there's an endless line of buyers
and publishers waiting to contract their services. That's
opportunity clicking at your mouse, my friend. As a writer,
you will find it necessary to get familiar with these new
organizational, online work models and to acquire the tools
and skills needed to maintain your competitive.
Gold
on them thar connections
In 1842 they said: "Go west young man." It's "go
online" in 2002, especially for writers. There are thousands
of outstanding online resources today to help you as an online
writer, free agent, or, as we say, 'e-lance' professional.
Increasing numbers of writers and literary artists are discovering
the ease and convenience of landing virtual work, managing
projects, and meeting deadlines over the Internet. Wired into
the Web, a growing number of sites such as Freelance.com,
Guru.com, and eLance.com offer openly posted professional
marketplaces to meet your working needs. Plugged in, you can
find it profitable to work on projects, collaborations, and
proposals made possible through high-speed computer connectivity.
Sites like eLance.com offer you an opportunity to auction
off your professional services to the highest bidder in an
electronic public sale. By posting your resume and pertinent
information on your expertise and skills online, you can attract
potential clients in need of your services in exchange for
top-notch (and sometimes not so top-notch) professional fees.
You can find the writing jobs you like, place bids on the
work and get paid all in a one-stop online marketplace.
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Robert Anthony is author of the book Job Surfing for Freelance
(Random House, 2002). He is the Editor of Michigan Parks and
Recreation Magazine and communications chair for the Public
Relations Society of America, Central Michigan Chapter. He
can be reached any time at editor@profilesonline.com.
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