Pro-writers get most of their jobs from sites like Media Bistro. It’s really important to establish a presence there, where you can put up your CV, link to stories or upload PDFs of stories. Travelwriters.com also has editors posting work, although nowhere near as much work as they used to. It’s really drying up everywhere. But I’ve found these are the two best sources for writing jobs.

Cold calling is a good idea, but writers need to keep in mind how busy editors are these days, now more than ever. Also, with more established publications like travel magazines, people shouldn’t cold call about themselves – these kind of publications already have thousands of writers who do this – but they should definitely cold call with great ideas (pitches). And I’m sure you covered this elsewhere, but make sure they work really hard on those pitches – they should read beautifully, almost like the intro to the story, really grab their attention and make them want to read more.

LaraDunston’s last blog post..Travel by postcards: A Little Beijing

Excellent, excellent advice, Lara! Thanks

Although you had me worried when I read “cold call”. But no, you meant letters.

For job adverts, I can recommend two other places. 18 months ago when I started doing paid freelancing, I used:

http://www.online-writing-jobs.com/

I found a few low-paying, but *paying*, gigs through adverts in there. Good for getting off the ground and getting a first paycheck, although some of the jobs pay less than peanuts for too much work, and it’s important to avoid those.

And I can also thoroughly recommend the “Writing” job boards on the various versions of Craigslist (as Michele suggests above) – especially the American markets since they seem to be the best-paying, so SF Craiglist, Chicago Craigslist, New York Craiglist mainly.

Now I tend to keep an eye on all of these and Problogger, and I get the Morning Coffee newsletter every week. But now my feet are a little way under the door in the freelancinf community, I schmooze a lot, on Digg, on Twitter, on Stumbleupon and all the other ways to get in contact with important people in a powerfully informal way…..

Mikeachim’s last blog post..One Thing Done

All *very* wonderful suggestions, Mike; thanks so much for taking the time to share them

I shall do my best, Gil! You too

*smiles*
Michele

Michele’s last blog post..Writing the Cyber Highway–Literally!

Great tips Michele, thanks! I’m not a phone talker either, not for work anyway

nyc/caribbean ragazza’s last blog post..Flashback Friday – Eddie Murphy/Rick James – “Party All The Time”

Glad to hear it! Thank you

Lola’s last blog post..E’s flowers

Hah, the pasture date was definitely fun Thanks for sticking around, Lola!

joanne at frutto della passione’s last blog post..Ultimate Blog Party 2009

Not that I know of, but I think just one or two shouldn’t be a problem?

milanese masala’s last blog post..Big Mac, Filet-O-Fish, Quarter Pounder, French Fries, Icy Coke, Milkshakes, Sundaes and Apple Pie!

Thank you for reading! And wow, now you have me craving McDonald’s….