Notes from Minnesota

Hey Freelancer,

Woah. Is it just me or is '09 already speeding by too fast?!? It's already the 8^th and I've still got two big deadlines breathing down my neck.

Ah, it's good to be busy. Guess that's the best part of freelancing; keeping charge of your own schedule. With the economy seemingly to flat line every time I turn on the news, I'm always so tickled at the freelancers I work with. Every one of 'em seems to have plenty of work.

Speaking of work, I've been fiddling with an interesting project. I hate to use the term “work” because I've been having such an interesting time of it, it sometimes feels more like play than “work.” Especially the research part of it.

I'll go into more details later, but suffice it to say my world has been turned up side down while researching. As soon as my schedule slows down, I'll start blogging about the experience. It's sure gonna be an interesting book!

But for now, I've gotta dash.

Happy '09!

P.S. Be sure to check out our best sellers. Here's the link

Mindset Moment

Hey Freelancer,

I know. Life's busy. You've got a ton of commitments. You run like a rat in some insane race.

Just remember to breathe.

For it is your breath that fuels your imagination. As long as you stop and breathe deep, you'll always have the incredible support system of your muse (and company).

Relax! Enjoy life. I'll wait 'til tomorrow.

As always,

Your Faithful Muse

P.S. Wanna make fun a permanent fixture of your life? It's easy. Just frame every single day with the proper mind set. Read all about it here: http://filbertpublishing.com/mindset.html

Beth's Hot Pick of the Week

Beth Ann Erickson

NOTE: Click here to read part one of this series, click here for part deux and click here for part trois. :) 

If you’ve been following along these past few weeks, you’ve probably got the most outstanding, wonderful, effective, stupendous (OK, I’ll quit with the adjectives) resume laying on the table in front of you.

It’s benefit oriented, targeted specifically to each employer, and every word carries its weight.

Now it’s time to get cracking on your cover letter.

Before you begin writing, you need to find out everything you can about your prospective employer. Visit their web site. Get their most recent brochures. See if they’ve received any press lately.

I know this takes time - something you may not have a lot of - but if you want to snag an interview, you need to know the strengths of their organization along with their weaknesses. You need to instinctively know where you’ll fit in the company - and how your strengths can strengthen their bottom line.

You need to understand that your resume is pretty generic - it’s your cover letter that will add personality, spark, and a sense of individual attention to your reader.

So, you begin by addressing your cover letter to an actual person in the organization. For example, never send a cover letter to “Filbert Publishing.” Heaven only knows who’ll open it. In fact, it just may land on Rudie’s (the little Doxie Cross) desk! (Just kidding.) Actually, if you did a little research, you’d find out the best person to receive your resume would be me so you’d add my name to the address.

The next thought you should verbalize is this: What can you do for this company? What skills do you have that they need? How will your working for them make their company stronger? After you’ve written your answer to this question, you’re ready to proceed to the next step.

Now you need to think about why you’re interested in this particular project. Why work for this company rather than its competitor? Write a short paragraph stating why you’re interested in working with these particular people.

Finally, never forget to include a “call to action.” Let them know if you’ll contact them or if you’d like them to contact you.

Now… let’s take a look at these steps in action:

Supposed you noticed an ad for a column writer for XYZ Magazine.

Before you write anything, you scan the ‘net to see if they have a website. You’re in luck. They do.

You read through the various articles they have available and you check out the tone of the other columnists. While you’re reading, you should be making a conscious effort to find out where - exactly - you’ll fit in this organization. You should also be aware of the strengths you’ll bring to the table.

While you’re reading through the various materials, be thinking of how you’ll begin your cover letter. Perhaps a good quote will jump out at you. Maybe you’ll find a statistic you’ll be able to use. Perhaps you read an article describes your work ethic. Make note of it - you may be able to quote it later.

Next you surf to a site like Google and place “XYZ Magazine” into the engine. If you have time, check them out in the Google Groups page as well.

Here, you’ll find another view of the publication. What kind of press has it been getting lately? What are people saying about them? What’s the scuttlebutt?

Finally, a quick trip to your local library may garner more information about XYZ Magazine.

Depending on what you find out, you may or may not want to apply for the job. If you decide to proceed, you can now start the cover letter.

Your first paragraph should briefly state how you heard about the position you’re applying for. You should draw in some of the information you’ve gleaned from your various sources and sound knowledgeable about XYZ Magazine. Maybe you can use one of the good quotes you found while reading one of their articles. This first paragraph should demonstrate that you’re acquainted with the company, you’ve taken time to get to know them, and that this position is important enough for you to spend TIME preparing this letter.

Next, you need to cover what YOU can do for them. Zero in on the aspects of your resume that will demonstrate that you’re a great columnist and would be an asset to XYZ Magazine. If you have extensive knowledge in the subject of the column, don’t be afraid to mention it. Maybe you’ve written for a similar magazine and know layout procedures. Maybe you’ve mastered a certain software program that will make training you a breeze. Mention it. As you write this paragraph ALWAYS try to answer the question, “What can I do for XYZ Magazine.”

Now you need to cover why you’re applying for this job. Maybe one of their articles sparked the realization that you’d be a good fit. Maybe their stand on a particular issue jived with what you believe. Maybe your qualifications fit their requirements very well.

Finally, be sure to add a call to action. “I look forward to hearing from you. Here’s my phone number” or “I’ll call you the week of September 15 to see if we can schedule a meeting.”

So there you have it: A polished resume and a good cover letter.

Now what?

Read the ad again and send the appropriate number of clips. Follow any additional instructions and then mail (or hand deliver) your package.

Hopefully you’ll get the interview. If you don’t, don’t despair. Just like every query you send out won’t hit pay dirt, every resume and cover letter won’t result in an interview (or writing assignment). But if your resume and cover letter are polished, you’ve increased your chances in landing that all-important interview.

Just keep at it. Eventually you’ll land the writing job of your dreams.

~~~

Beth Ann Erickson is the “Queen Bee” of Filbert Publishing. She’s also the author of numerous titles including “101 No Cost and Low Cost Secrets To Turbo Charge Your Freelance Income.” Pick up your copy today at http://filbertpublishing.com/101.html   She’s also a busy copywriter, speaker, and publisher of Writing Etc., the free e-mag for writers.

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I Recommend:

Writing For Dollars! The FREE ezine for writers featuring tips, tricks and ideas for selling what you write. Receive the FREE ebook, 83 WAYS TO MAKE MONEY WRITING when you subscribe. Email to subscribe@writingfordollars.com -*-

http://www.WritingForDollars.com 

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