How To Evolve A Freelance Cover Letter With Experience

How To Evolve A Freelance Cover Letter With Experience 65 As you get better at your job, so should your cover letter. This is a guest post by Rebecca Haden. When I first started freelancing, a more experienced freelance told me, “There’s always plenty of work.” I didn’t believe him, but it’s true. Freelance workers, unlike other business owners, can apply for jobs when things get slow. Things don’t get slow for me very often any more, but I still apply for jobs â€" often when I’m invited, and sometimes when it’s an extremely cool gig that I would love to have but I know I won’t be getting an invite. The fact that I apply for things hasn’t changed, but my application cover letters sure have.eval Freelancers and small business owners Join 4 million freelancers who use Payoneer’s payment solutions: Lower fees Faster payment Greater flexibility eval Sign up and get $25* The new freelancer’s cover letter When I first started I had little experience, obviously. I had written some stuff for the web as part of previous salaried jobs, I had a personal blog, and I had done a guest blog post at a PR8 site, but my portfolio was very small. So I focused on facts about me â€" specifically, on the things that gave me an edge over the other writers who were my competition at the time: I’m a native speaker of English. I teach writing at a college in the United States, so you know I’m solid on punctuation. I have a Master’s degree in Linguistics, so you know I’m hot stuff when it comes to grammar. Your list of facts will be different from mine, but if you’re creative (and you are, or you wouldn’t be here), you can come up with facts about yourself that support your claims about your work ethic, design skills, or whatever you’re peddling. I made myself a writing samples site over at Weebly, one of the free website communities, and linked to it in my cover letters so prospective clients would have a good variety of examples to read. My cover letters had a formal, professional air to show that I would be professional and reliable as a worker. The experienced freelance cover letter Once I had some experience, I changed the facts I emphasized. I quoted testimonials from my clients, I linked to examples of my work online, and linked also to the client list at my professional website. I kept my portfolio updated, but I dropped the writing samples page unless someone asked for it. Of course, I spoke directly to the things the job posting mentioned, but I also focused on the things clients often mentioned as my strengths. If my happy clients liked the way I got their jobs done fast, then it was likely that prospective clients would want that, too. My letters were still formal and professional, but I gave up the underlying message of “Please sir, let me prove myself to you.” The point was not that I thought I’d do a good job, but that I had shown I could do a good job. The expert freelance cover letter By now, I have a large and fairly impressive client list. My blog is PR5, I often write for PR8 sites, I’ve been featured in the Wall Street Journal and the WordPress Showcase, and â€" just between you and me â€" I don’t write for everyone who asks me. Now in my application letters, I describe work that I’ve done that is specifically relevant to the company I’m applying to. I link to examples of my work that have characteristics the prospective client wants and needs, and I line out the specific points I want them to notice. I still link to my client list, and I also link to blog posts at my own website which cover concerns expressed in the job posting. The tone of the letter is more about exploring whether the prospective client and I will be a good fit. I’ll never write letters that say, “Listen, I’m great. Hire me.” A cover letter is your chance to strut your stuff in a courteous, professional way, and arrogance is never courteous or professional. If your letters sound timid and deferential, though, your prospective client will have a hard time seeing you as an expert. The wrap up Wherever you are in your freelance journey, go with these basic principles in your cover letters: Don’t make claims about your abilities; let the facts speak for themselves. Link to examples of your work, even if you have to publish it yourself. Focus on the needs of your prospective client as specifically as you can. Then make sure that your letter is as highly evolved as possible. As your qualifications increase, reflect the change in your application letters. The payoff will be higher rates and more jobs. About the Author Rebecca Haden is a full time web content writer and the owner of Haden Interactive, a content-focused web firm. This article is part of the Over $5000 in Prizes: The 5th Annual JobMob Guest Blogging Contest, which was made possible thanks in large part to our sponsors: Marcus Tandler’s JOBlog is Germany’s oldest blog about job search careers. Rabbi Issamar Ginzberg is an internationally acclaimed advisor to successful business owners, known for his small business ideas. WebHostingBuzz is a reliable web hosting company based in MA, USA. If you want Rebecca Haden to win, share this article with your friends. If you liked this article, you'll also enjoy 10 Sure-Fire Ways to Make Your Resume Scream “I’m an Amateur!”.

Could A Career In Journalism Be For You

Could A Career In Journalism Be For You You’ve been looking for that perfect career for a while, and finally, you’ve stumbled across one that could be for you. The only thing is, you’re not sure about it. As with any career, there’s a lot more to journalism than meets the eye and it’s important to realize that. If the idea of working in the media appeals to you, then journalism could be your ideal career path. The great thing about it being that it’s a vast and varied industry, meaning that whatever your passions, there’s a way to make them fit your career. From music to sport, there are various fields of journalism that you can choose to work in. Of course, there’s a lot of hard work behind a successful journalism career, and it’s crucial to realize that. However, if it’s a career that you excel in, it’s worth the time and effort. To help you determine whether a career in journalism is right for you, we’ve put together this handy guide. There are many areas of journalism to choose from There are four main types of media; TV, radio, print and online journalism. Each of these areas of journalism can then be split again into different fields. From sport and business to music and beauty, journalists are expected to cover every topic under the sun. If there’s a topic that you’re passionate about, the chances are you could specialize in it. However, it’s worth noting that most journalists work in a couple of areas to maximize their opportunities. If you’re not willing to work in a few different areas, especially at first, then journalism probably isn’t the right career for you. Training is crucial To have any chance of success in the media industry, undertaking a degree or course is crucial. This is where things get a little complicated, as there are so many courses to choose from. As well as general journalism courses that offer lessons in each area of journalism, there are also specialist courses. For example, if your passion lies in music, you could opt to study music journalism. While this can be a good career move, it’s crucial to think it through carefully. Only choose a niche degree if you’re sure that you only want to work in the one area journalism. If you’re happy to undergo training, then a career in journalism could be perfect for you. However, if you’re not willing to undertake training, it’s worth looking at other options. Perhaps blogging could be a better option for you? Experience is a must As well as undertaking the correct training, it’s also crucial to gain lots of experience. As with any career in the media industry, it’s not just about what you know but who you know. Arrange to shadow industry professionals in your chosen field, apply for internships, work freelance. Do whatever you can to build up your experience. The best way to get your name out and network with other industry professionals is by building up a varied portfolio. Take every opportunity that you’re offered by the horns and make the most of every chance. The key to success in the media industry is experience, so the more experience you can get, the better. So there you have it, all the ins and outs to a career in journalism.

Copywriting as a career Making words pay!

Copywriting as a career Making words pay! Do you fancy yourself as a bit of a wordsmith? Can you make words jump off the page?  Find out how to turn a creative passion into a commercial reality with a career in copywriting.  Thanks to Kate Naylor for sharing her experience and insights as a freelance copywriter By the time you graduate you’ve been writing for years. You’ve been generating intelligent comment, proposing solutions, reasoning your way nimbly through complex arguments, justifying opinions, being the devil’s advocate and communicating the results of research and analysis clearly and elegantly. You’re a master of written communication. Which is an excellent foundation for a career as a copywriter. Why is today’s climate perfect for budding copywriters? Commercial writing is a boom industry. It dovetails neatly with digital marketing, another sector that’s growing fast. And it’s mostly down to search engines. Google and co use sophisticated algorithms to ‘decide’ which websites deserve a place on page one of the search results. The only way they can tell what a web page is about is through words. They can’t recognise images, although they’re working on it. Unless you get the word bit right, Google can’t classify, rate and rank a web page properly. Which means words are absolutely vital for online businesses… and good writers are very busy! Then there’s the human side of things. Words have to appeal to people too. And we’re a picky lot. Most of us appreciate well-written, intelligent, informative, exciting, inspiring and entertaining stuff. And most of us dislike badly-constructed, badly written communications that don’t give us what we’re looking for. Another reason why copywriters are in such high demand, with no signs of slowing. All businesses need great words. Which means they need great writers. So copywriters like me get plenty of fascinating writing projects to choose from. And it pays well. If you can write up a storm, you can do very nicely have a look at some marketing-specific job boards for trainee salaries. An acute shortage of people who can write well As a freelance copywriter, my finger is on the digital marketing pulse. About three people a month complain they can’t find a decent writer. I hear it all the time. There are plenty of copywriters out there, but not so many good ones. You’re lucky. Your head start in further education means you can write in proper English, creatively and rigorously, with flair and attention to detail. And you’re disciplined. You can do deadlines and you’ve learned the fine art of being reliable. Which is half the business battle. Where’s the work? This is the internet. You can work anywhere you like. My clients come from all over Britain and Ireland, mainland Europe, India, the USA and the Middle East. Many marketing agencies employ remote staff and there are even more operating without premises, small digital-only communities offering the full range of marketing services. Otherwise there are bricks and mortar marketing agencies in most cities and a few hot spots, London and Brighton included. What do you need to learn? You appreciate the importance of structuring a proposition clearly and logically. It’s exactly what you do when you build an essay or dissertation. And you’ve been taught to express yourself creatively and eloquently. What else do you need to learn? Direct marketing is the bunny. You need to know how to write commercially and direct marketing covers everything you need to know. It’s been around for decades, first used by superstar ad agencies in 1950s New York think Mad Men and you get the picture â€" and translates perfectly into the digital landscape. You can’t beat Drayton Bird for no-nonsense, practical, clear and entertaining advice about direct marketing. He’s written a load of respected and much-loved books on the subject. If you’re broke, pick them up second hand on Amazon Marketplace. You’ll pick the basics up in no time you’re already in the learning groove. What about business acumen? You can’t book-learn it but you’ll experience everything you need to know as your career unfolds. The people who employ you won’t expect you to know all the ins and outs and nitty-gritty at this stage in your life. How to prepare for a career in copywriting Set up a blog and write in it regularly â€" it’ll be your online portfolio, your shop window Set yourself projects â€" get ideas from client briefs on freelancer websites Ask marketing agencies to give you briefs and get their feedback â€" they might be able to anonymise a few client briefs for you to experiment with Ask a friendly freelance copywriter to critique your work from a marketing perspective Freelance and employed copywriting careers Freelance is great if you can’t find a junior or trainee copywriting job. But it’s best to get a job in the early stages because you learn so much when you’re immersed in the commercial and business side of writing. Agency life is huge fun, full of strange, weird and wonderful people, little powerhouses of creativity. Client side copywriting is equally good career experience because of the fine business detail it involves. Test drive both for a solid start to an exciting writing career. When you’ve got enough experience to let yourself loose on the freelance market, it’s a matter of temperament. If you like your own company freelancing is a great way to control your destiny and earn as much as you like. Sociable people find it tough going, but social networks soften the blow! About the author By Kate Naylor, a freelance copywriter based in Brighton, UK. Kate, a Graphic Design graduate, has twenty years’ experience in the direct marketing industry, twelve in digital marketing, and has been  writing freelance for seven years.

Not sure what to do when you graduate Try TEFL

Not sure what to do when you graduate Try TEFL Todays guest post is from Helen Hargreave of leading TEFL provider, i-to-i. Helen talks through the benefits of teaching abroad how it can boost your CV, broaden your horizons and help you stand out in a crowded job market. Thinking about what to do after University? Job climate got you in a panic? Look no further than TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) your ticket to instant employability. This is your chance to get ahead of the rat race, boost your CV, gain valuable working experience and travel the people you meet, cultural immersion and the fun you have are a nice added bonus! If you can speak English you can teach English with no experience necessary, sound tempting? Why TEFL? There are over 1 billion English language learners = the world needs TEFL teachers! If there was an opportunity for the taking, this is the one. You’ve got a degree, so why do you need a TEFL certificate too? In most countries a degree is needed for visa purposes but a TEFL qualification will provide you with all of the necessary training to make you a confident teacher. As the demand for English teachers has increased (especially in Asia) employers are also demanding the level of teaching experience and training that comes with a TEFL Certificate. Which TEFL course is for me? When choosing your TEFL course and destination, here are a few things to consider: What age group do you want to teach? What kind of hours do you want to work? What kind of environment do you want to work in? How much teaching experience do you have? Asking yourself these questions will help you find that dream TEFL job! What happens when I am qualified? Armed with a degree and a TEFL certificate the world is your oyster! As soon as you’re qualified you can start applying for TEFL jobs all over the world and get paid. Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Italy, Nicaraguawherever takes your fancy! Explore  typical TEFL jobs  to discover where you could be and how much you could be earning! What do most TEFLers do? At  i-to-i  we find the most popular TEFL hotspot is China. Home to the Great Wall and Peking duck, China has an extremely high demand for TEFL teachers as many parents are now sending their children to learn English as young as two! With many employers offering free accommodation, airfare and food it’s no wonder that China is top of the destination charts. Many TEFLers use their new skills to make the most of learning about another culture. Most TEFL contracts are one year long and this might seem like a daunting prospect but there are endless positives to teaching for one year. It is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in another culture, perfect your teaching and get paid for it, get to know your students and more importantly see how YOU’VE impacted their lives not only this but it demonstrates to future employers your dedication to a worthwhile cause. Working hours will vary from contract to contract/place to place etc. but on weekends and evenings TEFLers tend to make the most of their new surroundings! How can I take TEFL further? TEFL doesn’t have to end after a year. The beauty of TEFL is that it can act as your passport, allowing you to pick up teaching contracts in whichever country takes your fancy and turn TEFL into a long-term career. Where will TEFL take you? Download our free title: Teach abroad Top 10 Destinations to find out more Helen Hargreave is one of the TEFL Experts at  i-to-i  the leading course provider. See more articles by Helen on the  The TEFL Blog

Carpeting to Chronicling LifeStories - Career Story - Career Pivot

Carpeting to Chronicling LifeStories - Career Story - Career Pivot Mike O’Krent and LifeStories Alive I want to tell you the story of my dear friend, Mike O’Krent. Several months ago, I wrote the post, Share Your Story and Inspire Otherswith this hope that some of my readers would step forward and share their own Career Pivot stories. Here is the first of the series! Carpeting to LifeStories Alive Mike grew up in San Antonio when his family owned a carpeting business. It was in his grandfather’s carpeting business that Mike started his work life as a teenager. After graduating from SMU with a Bachelors inBusiness Administration and Management, he rose through the ranks to eventually run this business. He would later leave it to run his own carpeting business. As we will later see, this was a valuable experience that would pay off years later. Survivors of theShoah Visual History Foundation Mike volunteered at the Jewish Federation of San Antonio teaching kids about the Holocaust. Hisinterest in the Holocaust was pivotal in what happened next. Mike was given the opportunity to interview Holocaust survivors as part of Stephen Spielberg’s Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation. He was given special training to interview Holocaust survivors. He learned to listen in a very specialized way in order to capture the purpose of life. From 1996-2000, he interviewed 30+ Holocaust survivors. He listened in a way to be able to retell their stories. This was a “pivot” moment in his life. He learned many valuable skills during this process. Mike had a passion for the project but, at that time, he had not even considered that he could interview people and tell their life stories for a living. Exiting the Carpeting Business In 1998, Mike moved to Austin and bought a new carpeting business. However, the carpeting industry was changing dramatically. He decided to sell and exit this business in 2004. Next came his second pivot moment. Mike spent the next couple of years as a corporate employee. He then sought the advice of a career coach who put him through a battery of exercises. Every time Mike talked about interviewing Holocaust survivors, he lit up. The decision to create his new business, Life Stories Alive, was born. Listen to the most recent episode In January 2006, he founded LifeStories Alive, a company that specializes in making personal history videosâ€"digitally mastered records of life stories with personal accounts, photos, and mementos of family history. Mike was able to bootstrap the business very quickly. He had very little overhead and he quickly had a family friend as his first client. From this first client, he received much referral business. Mike was able to survive the first few years because he and his wife lived a modest lifestyle. They lived within their means. The skills Mike learned from working in the carpeting business proved invaluable while getting his business launched successfully. He understood sales, marketing, accounting, and many other business disciplines. He still needed to be able to adapt. Ever Adapting I remember talking with Mike in 2008. He had plans to franchise the business, but then the great recession came along. What Mike has since realized that he is not the “guy” to develop a franchise model. He loves interviewing all kinds of people and is now focusing corporate leaders. What he creates is special. Besides interviewing fathers, mothers, grandparents, and other family members to capture their stories, he is now interviewing corporate and non-profit leaders to capture the organizational stories so that they are not lost. Did the business turn out exactly the way he expected? NO. He adapted as he went along. Common Themes I have found a common theme in the stories told by those of us who have made acareer pivot in the 2nd half of life. There was a pivot moment that gave us the idea but not the impetus to get started. There was a 2nd pivot moment that gave us the kick in the butt needed to get started. The ability to adapt was key, as what was created did not look exactly like what was expected. I hope Mike’s story will inspire you. If you have a story you would like to share, please reach out to meand let’s connect. Marc Miller Like what you just read? Share it with your friends using the buttons above. Like What You Read? Get Career Pivot Insights! Check out the Repurpose Your Career Podcast Do You Need Help With ...

Is your workplace unhappy Get my book for free! - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Is your workplace unhappy Get my book for free! - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Its time to give away 50 100 more copies of my book about happiness at work. Last time it was a simple Christmas blogger give-away, this time Im giving it to the people who need it the most: Those stuck in unhappy workplaces. Here are the rules: If you work in an unhappy workplace, youre eligible. It doesnt need to be hell on earth, but it has to be fairly unpleasant :o) You must write a comment on this post and tell me what you think makes your workplace unhappy. You dont have to name the company if you dont want to, but remember to leave a real email-address or I wont be able to send you a book. The first 50 100 commenters get a free pdf-copy of my book Happy Hour is 9 to 5 AND MAY GIVE IT TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS THEY WANT TO, INSIDE THEIR COMPANY. Who knows, it might even help :o) Just this once, it pays to work in a place that sucks :o) UPDATE: Whoa, that was fast in less than a day, 50 people from unhappy workplaces signed up for a book. You leave me no choice but to up the ante and give away 100 books. I wont be extending it beyond that, so hurry up and sign up!! UPDATE 2: Thats it folks. 100 people signed up for the book and Ive closed comments on the post. Ill mail out the books this weekend. UPDATE 3: The books have now been emailed. If you signed up and didnt get your copy send me an email and well fix it. Happy reading I hope this will help some unhappy workplaces :o) Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

How to use LinkedIns tools to get a promotion -

How to use LinkedIns tools to get a promotion - One great feature of LinkedIn is that you can follow companies and keep on top of when people update their profiles indicating they changed jobs. Just follow the Companies tab from LinkedIns top toolbar (see below): Then, select a company of interest (you may choose a location a certain distance away from where you live or want to live): Search companies or browse industries, and LinkedIn will show if you have anyone in your network working in those organizations. When you follow companies, youll receive regular updates when someone working for that company updates his or her profile indicating a change in position maybe suggesting an opening to pursue via your network! In fact, LinkedIn just released information suggesting the best months (statistically, per their network) to get a promotion. Their press release noted a Buck Consultants survey, Compensation Planning for 2011,saying workers in the U.S. can expect only modest pay raises this year, although salary increases for 2011 will average 2.8 percent, an increase from the two previous years. According to LinkedIns data, the top three months for professionals in the U.S. to get promoted within their company are: January June July Interestingly, their data show professionals in accounting, defense space, education management, higher education, military, non-profit organization management and research tend to see a spike in promotions over the summer months more than other industries. The data indicate a generational link to the timing of promotions. Their study notes that Millennials (born in the 1980s) are the most likely to be promoted throughout the year (rather than just in January which is the case for most professionals). Job seekers (and anyone driving their own career bus should take advantage of LinkedIns tools. The amount of data they access regarding professional trends and the services they provide are extremely useful beyond simply sharing a profile. DJ Patil, LinkedIns chief scientist explains, LinkedIn was launched in 2003, but our data allow us to identify professional trends that span decadesBy shedding light on professional patterns, we hope to help our members achieve their career goals by using LinkedIn in the most effective and productive way possible. One of the best ways to get promoted is by promoting yourself, said Lindsey Pollak, a career and workplace expert. LinkedIn is the perfect place for professionals to get clients, vendors and other third parties to post recommendations on their profile. By encouraging other professionals to champion the work you do in your current role, youll be more likely to advance to the next level. Take a look at how LinkedIn suggests you leverage their social network to land a promotion: Shine the Spotlight on New Skills Impress your manager by learning new skills that go above and beyond your current role. Make sure your LinkedIn Profile is complete and includes all the skills youve acquired. Expanding your horizons while working full time is a commendable endeavor thats worth calling attention to. If your company offers an education reimbursement program, take advantage of it. If you have industry certifications or went back to school for a higher degree, mention them in your profile and during your review. Get Connections in High Places LinkedIn Advanced People Search lets you search by title so you can find professionals that have the position you want to be promoted to. Reaching out to mentors and peers is one way to prep for that 2011 promotion. After the promotion, a strong relationship with a peer will give you a friendly ear you can rely on for advice if things get tough. Toot Your Horn Remind your manager of your accomplishments. Even if they were monumental, he or she may have forgotten about them. Document milestones in your career by requesting quality recommendations on LinkedIn. If a customer sends you an email thanking you for the amazing event you put together for them in record time, gently suggest that they provide you with a recommendation (if they feel comfortable doing so) and also forward the email to your manager so theyre aware of the praise youre receiving. photo by nan palmero