Anyone who makes a living as a freelance writer needs to master two skills: writing and following instructions. That also goes for writers who submit their work to literary agents and publishers. This means knowing basic terms.
- Byline. This is the author's name, the name of the person who wrote the content. The byline typically goes beneath the document's title (and subtitle) and above the "meat" of the content. This does not refer to your username, social media link, or platform handle.
- Pitch.When a potential client asks for a pitch or posts a call for pitches, that means the writer is responsible for coming up with ideas. Coming up with ideas may involve asking some questions for clarification and doing a little exploratory research. The editor or client reviews the proposed ideas and, if one (or more) appeals, selecting it (or them). A pitch is brief, often a sentence or two identifying the topic and summarizing the article to show its direction and relevance. Pitches that don't interest the editor or the client won't be selected.
- Plagiarism. Referenced or quoted material should always be cited. Avail youself of the multiple referencing styles by picking one and following it. Sometimes your client will specify a particular referencing convention. If so, use that. But don't plagiarize.
- End notes and footnotes. This does not refer to a specific program, but to a means of citing quoted and referenced material. Again, there are multiple, standard conventions for end notes and footnotes. Pick one use the convention your client specifies.
- Stock images. This refers to high-resolution (and, one hopes, high quality) images to accompany your content. Stock images should always be credited (e.g., Photo courtey of [contributor's name] on [source]). Many sites offer royalty-free stock images. These are graphics made available for use at no charge. These images may or may not be restricted for personal use. Stock image sites generally require you establish a user account with them, which may or may not require payment. If you want their images, then you play by their rules. Do not swipe images from just any website: that's stealing.
- Captions. Your client may request that you include a caption for the image. That means to identify or explain briefly the image's relevance to the content. Remember to cite the image's creator and source in the caption.
- Attach vs. embed. When a client asks you to attach image or other files separately from the document, that means the client wants the file(s) submitted separately, not embedded within the document. Embedded images are the "memories" of images, not the image files themselves, and are both low-resolution and unsuitable for print. Therefore, when you submit via upload to a platform or directly through email, upload or attach the image file(s) individually, not as part of the content.
- Research. Unless you're already an expert on a subject, then do your research. First, make sure the content suppots the topic and intent. Always keep the audience in mind. If the client wants a B2B article, then don't assume the audience who will read that article are customers or uninformed or lacking at least a basic knowledge of the topic. If you do not understand the target audience, then ask your client for clarification. An experienced contractor will not appreciate a basic how-to article for beginners.
- Deadlines. If a client specifies a deadline for submissions or to respond to a request for bids, then do whatever it takes to meet those deadlines. If you already have an agreement in place to provide content and circumstances beyond your control prevent you from meeting a deadline, then notify the client/editor and explain why you'll be tardy. Be courteous and don't wait until after the deadline passes. Chances are your client/editor will be gracious about the delay and extend your deadline.
When writing for a client or submitting a manucript, follow the client's or publisher's formatting guidelines. Do not deviate, do not pass GO, do not collect $200. If you didn't understand that cultural reference, then don't presume to use your cultural references for an audience that probably won't understand it.
Especially if you are submitting content in a language that is not your native language, then use editing software to check your grammar, phrasing, syntax, punctuation, and spelling. Nothing shouts "amateur!" and "unprofessional!" like poorly phased content, sloppy sentence construction, and punctuation and spelling errors. If you want to write for that client again, then submit work that needs little or no editing.
Writers who accept entry level rates for content production are not exempt from knowing the basics. It doesn't matter where you're from or what you're writing. Understand the terms a client (or potential client) uses; if you don't understand, then ask questions for clarification. The client (or editor) would prefer that you understand the requirements before you submit the document than afterward, initiating multiple, time-consuming rounds of review and revision that could have been avoided if you'd just understood and provided what was required in the first place.
Making a living in any trade or profession requires competence, courtesy, and professionalism.
#freelancing #gigrequirements #customerservice #professionalism #henhousepublishing
