Finding Freelance Writing Jobs: Interview with Jodee Redmond

Freelance Writing Jobs was started by Deb Ng in May 2005 as a way to help writers, especially work at home moms, find good paying online job opportunities. Since then, the site has continued to grow and now receives several thousand visitors per day from all over the world. Although Deb has since moved from freelancing into a full-time work at home position, Jodee Redmond continues to keep the blog updated on a regular basis.

Finding Freelance Writing Jobs: Interview with Jodee Redmond

Recently, Jodee took time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions about freelance writing and finding freelance writing jobs.

Can you briefly describe what made you decide to pursue a career as a freelance writer?

I knew I enjoyed writing and I wanted something with flexible hours that I could do from home. I have children and I wanted to be able to care for them myself, rather than have to put them in daycare.

I had other kinds of jobs in the past, but none of them felt like they were a really good fit for me. Working as a freelance writer feels "right" to me.

What is your typical day like?

On weekdays, my day starts early; I generally get up before 5 a.m. to check the job boards for leads for FWJ first thing and get them posted. I have certain days of the week where I am responsible for doing a blog post for FWJ, so I may have to write one of those, too. I also write for a celebrity gossip blog and so I need to look for news stories and pictures to post for that client on weekdays.

Next, I take a look at my list of projects to see what else I need to write. I keep track of things on a calendar so I have an idea of how much I need to do each day to keep my projects moving forward and on track. Part of my day is spent conducting research for articles and blog postings. I also visit other blogs and news sites to get ideas for upcoming posts and to keep up with current events.

Part of my job at FWJ is to answer e-mails and moderate the comments section, so I'm over at the site a fair bit of the time, as well.

What first attracted you to working on the FWJ blog?

I answered an ad from Deb Ng, the owner of FWJ, who was looking for someone to help find job leads on an occasional basis. I really enjoy the research component of my work and I thought the job would be a good fit for me.

Over the last year or so since I've been there, both the job and the community have grown. I'm very proud to be a part of such a wonderful site.

How long does it take you to find the jobs listed in each day's post?

I have certain sites that I visit regularly and it depends on how many leads I find. We have policy of not posting anything that pays in revenue only or that pays less than $10. Usually, it takes between 1.5 and 2 hours each day.

What are some of the sites you visit when searching for jobs?

I visit Journalism Jobs and Media Bistro every morning. I also like Indeed, since it shows results from other sites.

When you're looking for jobs for yourself, what are some of the factors you consider when deciding if an opportunity is worth your time? Are you ever tempted to "hide" the good leads for yourself when you write a post for the blog?

I look for a decent rate of pay, but it's not just about the money. I want to build a business made up of loyal, repeat clients. It's about building trust and relationships, and that takes time. I don't have any problem with taking on a small project for a new client to make sure that our working together is a good fit for both of us. I find that if a client is pleased with your work, then they are more likely to come back for future (and more lucrative) projects rather than start advertising for someone new.

I'm never tempted to hold back on the "good" leads when I'm doing my morning troll through the job boards. If I see something that interests me that I feel that I can do, I apply for it. Just like our readers at FWJ, sometimes I get hired, and sometimes someone else gets the job. That's just the way it is.

In your opinion, what is the most common mistake new writers make when looking for freelance writing assignments?

The biggest mistake new writers make is that they don't treat their application like they are applying for a "real" job. It's important to follow instructions carefully. If the prospective employer asks for a resume, send one. If they want three writing samples, send three samples - not two and not five.

Cover letters are important, since this is the applicant's chance to explain why they would be a good fit for the job. Tell the employer something about your background and what kind of writing you have done in the past. You also want to let them know that you are reliable and take deadlines you are given seriously. No one wants to hire a writer who agrees to do a project and then disappears without completing it.