Comments on: Accidental freelancing http://www.advancingthestory.com/2009/02/12/accidental-freelancing/ Journalism in a Multimedia World Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:03:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Two bits of job advice from Deborah | News Videographer http://www.advancingthestory.com/2009/02/12/accidental-freelancing/comment-page-1/#comment-273 Two bits of job advice from Deborah | News Videographer Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:08:19 +0000 http://advancingthestory.wordpress.com/?p=948#comment-273 [...] advice from a freelance journalist. You can’t just sign up for a freelance job site, sit back and wait for the work to roll in.  [...] [...] advice from a freelance journalist. You can’t just sign up for a freelance job site, sit back and wait for the work to roll in.  [...]

]]> By: Kim Fatica http://www.advancingthestory.com/2009/02/12/accidental-freelancing/comment-page-1/#comment-274 Kim Fatica Thu, 12 Feb 2009 20:48:40 +0000 http://advancingthestory.wordpress.com/?p=948#comment-274 I would also offer up the use of social and professional networking websites like Facebook and LinkedIn to get the word out. You would be surprised at the number of people you know, especially those who haven't seen you in a while who may be unaware that you are now out on your own. LinkedIn allows you to place documents like CVs or resumes on your page. Sign up for free and make sure you post somewhere on the board-either in your profile or in a daily update-that you are freelancing, self-employed, or searching for contract work. The online networking strategy has been very helpful in that many of my friends will hear of something and send me emails to links for positions, or they will know someone seeking a multimedia professional and pass along contacts to me. Simple, but effective, and when you are freelancing you really need to have access to as many potential clients as possible. I also avoid using the word "unemployed". Remember that you are now "self-employed" and must project a positive image to potential clients. When you are labeled as self-employed you are seen as having motivation, a willingness to be a self-starter and resourceful individual. I would also offer up the use of social and professional networking websites like Facebook and LinkedIn to get the word out. You would be surprised at the number of people you know, especially those who haven’t seen you in a while who may be unaware that you are now out on your own. LinkedIn allows you to place documents like CVs or resumes on your page. Sign up for free and make sure you post somewhere on the board-either in your profile or in a daily update-that you are freelancing, self-employed, or searching for contract work.

The online networking strategy has been very helpful in that many of my friends will hear of something and send me emails to links for positions, or they will know someone seeking a multimedia professional and pass along contacts to me. Simple, but effective, and when you are freelancing you really need to have access to as many potential clients as possible.

I also avoid using the word “unemployed”. Remember that you are now “self-employed” and must project a positive image to potential clients. When you are labeled as self-employed you are seen as having motivation, a willingness to be a self-starter and resourceful individual.

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