[posts class=”series” id=”2887,2901,2907″]
The first step is always the hardest, which is exactly why most writers do not make it.
Yes, we know it is risky to leave everything to concentrate only on writing, but if you don’t actually make the leap, you will never know what it is like to be a successful freelance writer.
When talking about successful freelance writers, David Shrauger is definitely one of them.
Situated in Seattle, this writer/blogger/editor/SEO master has been through hell to become what he is today.
This prompted him to come up with many a tip on how to overcome all the difficulties every freelance writer is facing at the beginning of his or her career.
Targeting Publishers
According to David, if you have done everything we covered so far in this column, you are now ready to start looking for publishers.
“By this time you are no longer an aspiring writer. You are running a fully functioning writing business. You have your work published and earning residual income. You have an internet presence that may include your own author webpage. You have a list of paying clients that you are regularly writing for to pay your bills. This is the time to start writing those query letters to publishers and making connections with editors.”
He also emphasizes 3 things you need to point out during your search:
- You have become an authority in your field – your many previous articles speak for themselves, you don’t need a PhD to be “a big shot”
- You have been published already – even if it is only online, it counts nonetheless, so drop the names of the online publications that you have worked for
- You will make them money – it is crucial to all the potential profitability of your work and don’t be shy to acknowledge it.