Terry, I couldn’t agree more. A low-paying gig can be invaluable if your name is seen consistently in print. I nearly had a gig a few months back; horrible pay, but I would have had a byline on ten articles or more each week.
That is how I feel about writing for an education publication. The pay isn't great, but my name is on at least two bylines month. I think that counts for something.
This is good information if you are pitching to publications but I am not. I'm pitching to businesses all across the U.S., to jobs on Upwork, and to other places. And no one seems to want to respond to me. That is what makes it frustrating.
I'm afraid I don't have any experience of pitching to Upwork, but I know that pitching to publications can be very frustrating: mostly no response, or a belated 'no thank you'. But in my experience you just have to keep on keeping on, perhaps doing other work in the meantime. I don't think there's an alternative.
Matthew, I feel your pain. I have been trying since February to land a gig, job, or any stepping stone. I have no professional experience and nothing published, which makes it even harder. I recently put together a portfolio, most of which were articles I wrote to create the portfolio. The third proposal on Upwork that I bid on using the portfolio, I landed an interview and was offered a contract. It is my first time being paid to write, a big milestone for me.
Upwork is a struggle, and it has some features that harm many freelancers' chances of getting a reply, let alone an offer. Have you been on there long?
Hey Corey, Congrats on getting the first paid writing job. It took me to #8 before I landed mine. I have been on Upwork since October 1. I've bid on 22 jobs and only received 1 job. After Upwork took their piece, it left me with only $20. That certainly doesn't pay the bills.
I can't tell from your reply if you're looking for anything outside of writing but if you need a job ASAP, I would look into the fast food industry. I know it probably sounds not to good but I've had to take the plunge and do just that. I have bills to pay and no way to pay them. Depending on what job you are doing, it can get hectic and I like to describe it as mass chaos at times. I'm on grill and I have to make multiple items of food at the same time. And now I'll be doing that and making the sandwiches at the same time. I've only been there coming up on two weeks. They are always short-handed. Depending on your availability, they move your hours around. If you want more info, I can always email you.
I do have a job, sort of—but I appreciate your consideration for my well-being. My situation is an odd one. Without going into much detail, it has to do with a back injury suffered last fall at work. I recently returned to the same job, light-duty, part-time: mopping and sweeping and whatnot. I've been trying to acquire a job where I sit since February. Changing careers in middle age without experience is challenging. I hope this client, which is a long-term contract, leads to better things. However, I'm aware of the reality I live in.
Thanks but I already want out! It's too much stuff to list here but they want me to take over the head cook's job and do about 55 different things at the same time. I'm already applying for other jobs. What I have been put through already in just about 2 weeks has taken a toll on me.
I think there’s a lot of scope for writers to add value by incorporating design (to clients, to readers, our brand/reputation and ultimately our pay check). A lot of writers I know are lousy designers, and a lot of designers I know are even worse writers.
But design and language are lovers, and they’re two the things that shape and create our reality the most.
Thomas Sharpe (I wish there were a way to tag substack on the comments...) is a great example of this. Not that I know his pay check, but if I were an agency or client, I wouldn’t be low-balling him.
Terry, I couldn’t agree more. A low-paying gig can be invaluable if your name is seen consistently in print. I nearly had a gig a few months back; horrible pay, but I would have had a byline on ten articles or more each week.
That is how I feel about writing for an education publication. The pay isn't great, but my name is on at least two bylines month. I think that counts for something.
Exactly, Sarah. I always think of it as free advertising in a sense.
This is good information if you are pitching to publications but I am not. I'm pitching to businesses all across the U.S., to jobs on Upwork, and to other places. And no one seems to want to respond to me. That is what makes it frustrating.
I'm afraid I don't have any experience of pitching to Upwork, but I know that pitching to publications can be very frustrating: mostly no response, or a belated 'no thank you'. But in my experience you just have to keep on keeping on, perhaps doing other work in the meantime. I don't think there's an alternative.
Matthew, I feel your pain. I have been trying since February to land a gig, job, or any stepping stone. I have no professional experience and nothing published, which makes it even harder. I recently put together a portfolio, most of which were articles I wrote to create the portfolio. The third proposal on Upwork that I bid on using the portfolio, I landed an interview and was offered a contract. It is my first time being paid to write, a big milestone for me.
Upwork is a struggle, and it has some features that harm many freelancers' chances of getting a reply, let alone an offer. Have you been on there long?
Thanks, Corey, for sharing your experience.
Hey Corey, Congrats on getting the first paid writing job. It took me to #8 before I landed mine. I have been on Upwork since October 1. I've bid on 22 jobs and only received 1 job. After Upwork took their piece, it left me with only $20. That certainly doesn't pay the bills.
I can't tell from your reply if you're looking for anything outside of writing but if you need a job ASAP, I would look into the fast food industry. I know it probably sounds not to good but I've had to take the plunge and do just that. I have bills to pay and no way to pay them. Depending on what job you are doing, it can get hectic and I like to describe it as mass chaos at times. I'm on grill and I have to make multiple items of food at the same time. And now I'll be doing that and making the sandwiches at the same time. I've only been there coming up on two weeks. They are always short-handed. Depending on your availability, they move your hours around. If you want more info, I can always email you.
I do have a job, sort of—but I appreciate your consideration for my well-being. My situation is an odd one. Without going into much detail, it has to do with a back injury suffered last fall at work. I recently returned to the same job, light-duty, part-time: mopping and sweeping and whatnot. I've been trying to acquire a job where I sit since February. Changing careers in middle age without experience is challenging. I hope this client, which is a long-term contract, leads to better things. However, I'm aware of the reality I live in.
Well done for getting that job, Matthew, and thanks for sharing your experience.
Thanks but I already want out! It's too much stuff to list here but they want me to take over the head cook's job and do about 55 different things at the same time. I'm already applying for other jobs. What I have been put through already in just about 2 weeks has taken a toll on me.
Great point about collaboration, design + writing. Thanks
I think there’s a lot of scope for writers to add value by incorporating design (to clients, to readers, our brand/reputation and ultimately our pay check). A lot of writers I know are lousy designers, and a lot of designers I know are even worse writers.
But design and language are lovers, and they’re two the things that shape and create our reality the most.
Thomas Sharpe (I wish there were a way to tag substack on the comments...) is a great example of this. Not that I know his pay check, but if I were an agency or client, I wouldn’t be low-balling him.