Q: I’d like to write articles for publications in a different country. Can you offer any tips?
A: With the internet and email, it’s never been easier for a freelance writer to access new markets and pick up good commissions in other countries. This is good news for all writers but, to be successful, you need to have the right approach. Consider the following:
1. Study your target publication. Be familiar with the magazine that you hope to write for. Research a copy or look for the publication’s articles that have been printed online.
2. Ask the editor for the Writer Guidelines and make sure you adhere to every point.
3. Write for your target audience and be aware of the different style / format. If you are writing for an American magazine, you need to write for an American readership.
4. Avoid using colloquial and slang terms in your work which international readers may not be familiar with.
5. Consider the terms of any contractual agreements.
6. Gain advice from your bank about issues such as exchange rates and charges for international payments.
If you are open to submitting your writing to publications in different countries, you increase your chances of success. With attention to detail and good research, you really can have a world-wide audience for your work.
Showing posts with label Freelance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Freelance. Show all posts
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Freelance Writing: Writers Beware!
Life can be tough for the freelance writer. It takes a lot of hard work to gain contracts to earn a decent living. So, the last thing you need is to fall victim to a company or publisher who fails to pay for the commissioned writing services you’ve provided.
When you become a self-employed writer, you need to be aware that there are companies out there, some unscrupulous, who commission writers then fail to pay. At the same time, there are publications (often new ones) that hire writers to undertake work before disappearing without explanation or apology, let alone payment. It’s a sad fact that magazines and publishing ventures do fold or experience financial difficulties and, if this happens, there appears to be little a writer can do except try selling any completed material elsewhere.
Failure to be paid for commissioned work is a problem affecting beginners and established writers alike. It seems to be rife in the creative world and yet wouldn’t be tolerated in other industries. The problem is that although you could pursue payment via the legal system, it’s not often cost or time effective for us writers nor practical if the company concerned has disappeared or gone bankrupt.
As an established writer, I’ve encountered three incidents of being commissioned for work by publishers who failed to honour payment in the past year. These were all genuine publishing companies too! One involved a newsletter publisher who decided to wind down the venture without notice and failed to pay the substantial amount owed. Another concerned a national magazine publisher who commissioned a feature then changed their editorial direction. The last one happened recently. The editor of a new green magazine commissioned me to write an article then promptly disappeared!
Where the national magazine was concerned, I managed to negotiate a kill fee (50% of the agreed fee paid for commissioned work). This was duly paid. The newsletter publishing company made a token fee but didn’t honour the payment arrangement. As to the green magazine, it must have recycled itself as I’ve not heard anything since! It’s obviously infuriating when commissions fail to pay but if no resolution can be found, the writer has no choice but to move on.
To reiterate, these were all genuine publishers – not unscrupulous companies deliberately out to deceive or treat writers unfairly but publishers who were experiencing financial difficulties or a change of situation which, unfortunately, created an adverse knock-on effect. What we writers find intolerable though is when such publishers / editors fail to communicate when they can’t pay. It’s far worse, in my opinion, when we are left wondering. I would certainly be more understanding if an editor / publisher explained a problem rather than having to endure the `not knowing’. This way, writers can move-on and decide whether to re-write the work or sell elsewhere.
Safeguarding your Writing Business
The incidences of writers being treated unfairly seems to be on the rise. As writers, we need to do all we can to protect ourselves from unscrupulous dealings and safeguard our work against theft and non-payment. You may already have procedures in place but, if not, here’s what you can do:
1. When you gain a commission do some research and establish who you are working for.
2. Make sure you have the company’s full contact details. If not provided, ask for names and postal address.
3. Keep copies of any communication that has taken place such as letters of commission and offers of payment.
4. Carefully read the terms of any contracts / writers agreements. Do not accept or sign such an agreement until you understand and agree to the terms. Read the small-print. Make sure you are not giving away `all rights’ to your work (unless you want to do so in lieu perhaps of a higher payment).
5. Don’t be afraid to discuss payment. Remember, you are offering a service as a writer. You are providing your time, expertise and skill. You are also using your equipment and utilities to produce the material. Even if you are writing for sheer joy and to be published, at least cover your expenses and make sure you are paid fairly for commissioned work. You are doing yourself and other writers a great disservice if you don’t!
6. If you are undertaking a substantial amount of work for an unknown publisher / company, ask for an advance payment.
7. If payment is late, submit a professional reminder (the Freelance Writers’ Business Kit has sample letter templates which you can use).
8. If the publisher / company admit to experiencing financial difficulties, don’t get angry! Try to negotiate a settlement fee or payment arrangement.
9. More difficult is if the company who has commissioned you to produce material disappears seemingly without trace. Try to follow up using the contact information you have. If you fail to resolve, move on! Record it as a loss / bad debt in your accounts (ask your accountant for advice). Revise the material, if possible…recycle it and look for a new market.
10. If you suspect a company has published or used your work without payment or permission, the company could be in breach of copyright. You can take legal action and will need to gain professional advice.
Sometimes, a commission can fall through for reasons beyond your control. Magazines fold, editors’ move on and companies can have unexpected financial problems … that’s part of the course and you should anticipate this can happen at any stage of your writing career. Although demoralising, don’t dwell on it. After over 20 years’ in the writing business, I’ve found that the best way to deal with such situations is to quickly move on and focus on turning a negative into a positive. There are always other opportunities and more successful outcomes!
When you become a self-employed writer, you need to be aware that there are companies out there, some unscrupulous, who commission writers then fail to pay. At the same time, there are publications (often new ones) that hire writers to undertake work before disappearing without explanation or apology, let alone payment. It’s a sad fact that magazines and publishing ventures do fold or experience financial difficulties and, if this happens, there appears to be little a writer can do except try selling any completed material elsewhere.
Failure to be paid for commissioned work is a problem affecting beginners and established writers alike. It seems to be rife in the creative world and yet wouldn’t be tolerated in other industries. The problem is that although you could pursue payment via the legal system, it’s not often cost or time effective for us writers nor practical if the company concerned has disappeared or gone bankrupt.
As an established writer, I’ve encountered three incidents of being commissioned for work by publishers who failed to honour payment in the past year. These were all genuine publishing companies too! One involved a newsletter publisher who decided to wind down the venture without notice and failed to pay the substantial amount owed. Another concerned a national magazine publisher who commissioned a feature then changed their editorial direction. The last one happened recently. The editor of a new green magazine commissioned me to write an article then promptly disappeared!
Where the national magazine was concerned, I managed to negotiate a kill fee (50% of the agreed fee paid for commissioned work). This was duly paid. The newsletter publishing company made a token fee but didn’t honour the payment arrangement. As to the green magazine, it must have recycled itself as I’ve not heard anything since! It’s obviously infuriating when commissions fail to pay but if no resolution can be found, the writer has no choice but to move on.
To reiterate, these were all genuine publishers – not unscrupulous companies deliberately out to deceive or treat writers unfairly but publishers who were experiencing financial difficulties or a change of situation which, unfortunately, created an adverse knock-on effect. What we writers find intolerable though is when such publishers / editors fail to communicate when they can’t pay. It’s far worse, in my opinion, when we are left wondering. I would certainly be more understanding if an editor / publisher explained a problem rather than having to endure the `not knowing’. This way, writers can move-on and decide whether to re-write the work or sell elsewhere.
Safeguarding your Writing Business
The incidences of writers being treated unfairly seems to be on the rise. As writers, we need to do all we can to protect ourselves from unscrupulous dealings and safeguard our work against theft and non-payment. You may already have procedures in place but, if not, here’s what you can do:
1. When you gain a commission do some research and establish who you are working for.
2. Make sure you have the company’s full contact details. If not provided, ask for names and postal address.
3. Keep copies of any communication that has taken place such as letters of commission and offers of payment.
4. Carefully read the terms of any contracts / writers agreements. Do not accept or sign such an agreement until you understand and agree to the terms. Read the small-print. Make sure you are not giving away `all rights’ to your work (unless you want to do so in lieu perhaps of a higher payment).
5. Don’t be afraid to discuss payment. Remember, you are offering a service as a writer. You are providing your time, expertise and skill. You are also using your equipment and utilities to produce the material. Even if you are writing for sheer joy and to be published, at least cover your expenses and make sure you are paid fairly for commissioned work. You are doing yourself and other writers a great disservice if you don’t!
6. If you are undertaking a substantial amount of work for an unknown publisher / company, ask for an advance payment.
7. If payment is late, submit a professional reminder (the Freelance Writers’ Business Kit has sample letter templates which you can use).
8. If the publisher / company admit to experiencing financial difficulties, don’t get angry! Try to negotiate a settlement fee or payment arrangement.
9. More difficult is if the company who has commissioned you to produce material disappears seemingly without trace. Try to follow up using the contact information you have. If you fail to resolve, move on! Record it as a loss / bad debt in your accounts (ask your accountant for advice). Revise the material, if possible…recycle it and look for a new market.
10. If you suspect a company has published or used your work without payment or permission, the company could be in breach of copyright. You can take legal action and will need to gain professional advice.
Sometimes, a commission can fall through for reasons beyond your control. Magazines fold, editors’ move on and companies can have unexpected financial problems … that’s part of the course and you should anticipate this can happen at any stage of your writing career. Although demoralising, don’t dwell on it. After over 20 years’ in the writing business, I’ve found that the best way to deal with such situations is to quickly move on and focus on turning a negative into a positive. There are always other opportunities and more successful outcomes!
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Writing for Magazines - Some Useful Info for Beginners
If you’re starting out as a freelance writer, the magazine market can seem daunting and full of uncertainties. Although there are plenty of opportunities to be published and paid, having a better understanding of the industry will enhance your chances of success. To help you on your way, here are a few pointers:
(1) Freelancing is all about numbers - the more projects you apply for, the better your chance of success.
(2) Gaining a commission depends on being able to offer material that will capture the editor’s attention.
(3) Your writing style needs to suit your publication’s requirements. This is why you should always study the magazine before you start writing the article.
(4) Editors prefer to commission material from writers who are familiar with the magazine and have followed the contributor guidelines.
(5) It doesn’t matter if you’re a new or firmly established writer; If you have the right material, the editor will buy!
(6) Good writing is crucial but you also need to pay attention to detail. Your copy should be free of typos and be well-presented.
(7) Do not expect a reply to every approach you make. Many editors will only respond if they are interested in taking things to the next stage.
(8) Instead of waiting for a response, move on to the next opportunity. Don’t waste time complaining about editors who never respond. Keep sending your work out!
(9) If you want a reply or the return of material submitted, send a stamped s.a.e. Bear in mind though that this is no guarantee that you’ll receive a response.
(10) Keep cover letters brief and professional in tone. Don’t forget to include your contact details.
(11) Submit your material for publication at the magazine’s usual rates. If you have an `exclusive’ however, you may command a higher fee. Make this known in your cover letter and mention that you’re happy to negotiate the fee.
(12) Keep a copy and a record of the material that you have submitted. Some articles do go astray.
(13) By all means, follow up on work submitted. Some magazines are inundated with material from freelance writers so expect to wait anything from between four to eight weeks on average to gain a response. After this time, send a polite email, letter or make a brief phone call to the magazine to follow-up.
(14) Some magazines may wish to hold-on to your work to consider for a future issue. Whether you wish to accept this arrangement is up to you. Most writers might agree to this realizing that it is a possible future commission.
(1) Freelancing is all about numbers - the more projects you apply for, the better your chance of success.
(2) Gaining a commission depends on being able to offer material that will capture the editor’s attention.
(3) Your writing style needs to suit your publication’s requirements. This is why you should always study the magazine before you start writing the article.
(4) Editors prefer to commission material from writers who are familiar with the magazine and have followed the contributor guidelines.
(5) It doesn’t matter if you’re a new or firmly established writer; If you have the right material, the editor will buy!
(6) Good writing is crucial but you also need to pay attention to detail. Your copy should be free of typos and be well-presented.
(7) Do not expect a reply to every approach you make. Many editors will only respond if they are interested in taking things to the next stage.
(8) Instead of waiting for a response, move on to the next opportunity. Don’t waste time complaining about editors who never respond. Keep sending your work out!
(9) If you want a reply or the return of material submitted, send a stamped s.a.e. Bear in mind though that this is no guarantee that you’ll receive a response.
(10) Keep cover letters brief and professional in tone. Don’t forget to include your contact details.
(11) Submit your material for publication at the magazine’s usual rates. If you have an `exclusive’ however, you may command a higher fee. Make this known in your cover letter and mention that you’re happy to negotiate the fee.
(12) Keep a copy and a record of the material that you have submitted. Some articles do go astray.
(13) By all means, follow up on work submitted. Some magazines are inundated with material from freelance writers so expect to wait anything from between four to eight weeks on average to gain a response. After this time, send a polite email, letter or make a brief phone call to the magazine to follow-up.
(14) Some magazines may wish to hold-on to your work to consider for a future issue. Whether you wish to accept this arrangement is up to you. Most writers might agree to this realizing that it is a possible future commission.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)