How I landed, juggled and completed a baker's dozen of projects
and how you can, too.
How I landed, juggled and completed a baker's dozen of projects
and how you can too!
By David Geer
During April - May (2003) I completed 13 simultaneous projects.
I pitched an antiques magazine on a tip from a gallery about the
recovery of North Carolina's Bill of Rights. The publication
assigned the news item. The story suited their readership; I had
also sent a previous query, which though rejected was well
written. The news release gave me contacts. I developed solid
interview questions in order to cover the topic thoroughly. It
wasn't hard to turn around in a few hours, spread out over some
days. They paid $1/word.
I landed an assignment about a new technology by approaching a
magazine's news editor with my availability. They needed someone
experienced and he assigned me the topic. This editor provided a
detailed template. This article paid $1,000.
I received an article published in an engineering publication
(randomly, by e-mail). There was mention that the author had
gone on leave. On the chance that they might need someone, I
looked them up. They needed someone in Ohio to pitch ongoing
stories. I pitched an idea that was perfect for a grouping of
pieces about to be published. If I could complete it in a few
days, the assignment was mine. After looking up a local source
that was a big part of the story, it wasn't hard to find the
other participants.
The editor of a legal publication called upon getting wind of my
research for another project. He wondered if I had ideas for a
spin-off. I pitched a spin-off that looked at the topic from
multiple angles and he liked it immediately. The assignment paid
$1,500. Prior research eased the process.
I am a contributing writer for a wireless publication. I pitched
a three-part series on space shuttle wireless, coincidentally
just after the Columbia tragedy. They were looking for pieces
about wireless that works and liked the idea. I used the same
research for all three pieces.
A real estate appraiser contacted me. He needed marketing
letters and other work (three projects to start). He provided
samples, which saved research time. More work is coming, at
$75/hour.
I have been working for a consultant. I take IT interviews and
write them up. The consultant approached me about two new topics
and with a "can do" attitude I assured him I could handle it. He
originally found me through someone he hired especially to find
people just like me. The only deadline was ASAP; I was fortunate
to turn them in at a good clip.
I submit poetry. Finally, a publisher in NY accepted a poem. I
had been following their guidelines faithfully for a while.
Because they were responsive, I believed they would eventually
publish my work. They advised a rewrite; once I understood what
was needed, I completed it in an hour or so, to everyone's
liking.
Here are some additional lessons from this experience. Take in
news releases about topics you even MIGHT like to write about.
Pitch stories that FASCINATE you. KNOW the markets for your
ideas ahead of time. Write great queries about great ideas EVERY
time. Persevere. Follow up on leads that seem to come from out
of NOWHERE and from EVERYWHERE. Make SACRIFICES to take on
assignments that are worthwhile. Try to get more work out of
people who are already assigning you projects. Market yourself.
Be available. Say, "Yes, I can!" and then make sure you do.
Build relationships. Pitch and submit to the same people over
and over until they use you.