GYoG: Get Your own Gigz

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Disclaimer: We do not verify the credibility of the jobs posted here. This Web page is more a guide to let you know what possibilities exist out there. When applying for a job, please use your common sense.

From Craigslist.com:

http://burlington.craigslist.org/wri/948711609.html

The Commons, a nonprofit newspaper for Brattleboro and the small towns in Windham County, is looking to expand its news coverage and is seeking general assignment news reporters. This freelance opportunity could blossom into permanent employment.

Experienced preferred, but more important is your ability to write clearly and thoughtfully and with scrupulous accuracy and flair. We seek reporters who will be willing to go the extra mile to turn around a great story quickly and who are excited about experimenting with combining online breaking news with the paper's current monthly print publication.

Written reply only, please; send resume and clips to Jeff Potter, editor, The Commons, at editor@commonsnews.org.

From Craigslist.com:

http://burlington.craigslist.org/wri/943599309.html

We are looking for a part-time (10-20 hrs./week) editorial intern to start in January at The Countryman Press. Countryman is a division of W.W. Norton located in Woodstock, VT. Duties could include manuscript preparation, basic proofing, photo preparation, clerical responsibilities, design work, etc.

Familiarity with Word is required and knowledge of Quark XPress, Photoshop, Filemaker Pro, and Dreamweaver would be helpful.

As for compensation, we can only offer a small stipend, and office hours are
9am-5pm, so all work would need to be completed within this span. There is no
public transportation to Woodstock, but we might be able to arrange rides from
Hanover.

For more information, visit http://www.countrymanpress.com

Perennial Resources:

A Guide to Freelance Writing

by Christopher Valentine

When I began freelancing, I was discouraged by job listings demanding years of field experience, but I soon found out how and where to find useful employment.

I found my first job on Craiglist.com when a woman planned on making a website about dogs and needed a writer to create brief (50-100 word) biographies for each type of dog at $10 per dog. It wasn't the most exciting work, but it paid. Plus, I gained experience, a contact/reference, and a sample for my portfolio.

Much of the work I find comes from websites that post writing jobs daily. The sites I've found most useful are:

• Craigslist.com: Craigslist.com has a "Writing/Editing" section under the job category, and they post jobs in your town as well as telecommuting opportunities. This is a good place to find jobs that don't require as much experience. Also, it's free to post something about your availability to write.
• Freelancewriting.com: This is a very useful all-in-one website with jobs, contests, forums, and other valuable information. It is also a directory for other websites with freelance work.
• Getafreelancer.com: I've found several copywriting jobs here, but it has a tedious bidding process sometimes. However, it has detailed headings that allow you to focus on jobs that are perfectly fit for your strengths.
• Mediabistro.com: This site is a media-focused portal with the perk of being able to create a profile. If you are looking for a full-time job this is a good place to look, but it also has internships, part-time, and project-based work.
• Freelanceportfolios.com: This site also allows you to post a portfolio. I've found several projects here including: copywriting, transcribing, website proofing, and more.

Make sure you have your resume and at least 2-3 writing samples ready to submit immediately. The postings on these sites get responses very quickly, so a post that is only a few days old may be filled already. Depending on what type of work you are looking for, I would recommend having both an artistic and business resume package ready.

I have also noticed a trend lately of skipping the request for a resume and/or samples and simply asking for a blog address. A site like Blogger.com is free and you can put your resume on there with as many writing samples as you'd like. This is an opportunity to really show some versatility. Plus, I see more and more job listings for bloggers, so if that's something you'd consider doing, you'll need to blog samples.

If you are lacking writing samples, or unsatisfied with some of your samples, there are volunteer writing opportunities that allow you to bolster your portfolio. I wanted another sample and searched requests for volunteers. I found an animal shelter that needed a writer to make a brochure for an upcoming adoption campaign. I made no money, but I got a sample as well as a contact.

Often you'll be asked to bid or name a price which presents a classic trap. It really comes down to your circumstances and what you feel comfortable charging for your time, effort, and skill. However, books like Writer's Market and The Freelance Writer's Bible, both useful resources, offer guides for charging based on the type of project and time involved.

Networking in a field like freelance writing is crucial. A website like Linkedin.com is a nice asset in networking with professionals, and even a site such as Facebook.com can prove fruitful, allowing you to network with other writers that might be able to pass along work.

Recently, I was recommended to someone who wanted to write his biography. I was intrigued by the possible opportunity and a refreshing project. In the end, the meeting consisted largely of rants about suing people and elevators from a megalomaniac who wanted me to write his book, which he had already titled: The Man Who Saved Chicago, claiming economic responsibility for Chicago since 1965, but it was still a possible contact. I politely left my card, recommended a good psychiatrist, and went on my way. They don't all prove profitable, but there are opportunities out there.