More evidence that the recession is winding down: writers and editors are on the move.
Last year was all about hunkering down, sticking with what you were doing, or taking the gigs you were offered even though they might not be your long-term dream assignments.
But in the past few weeks, I’m hearing from writers, editors and publishers who’re making major moves, all of them positive:
- An editor friend got the offer of a lifetime to run a new nonprofit news daily covering a major metropolitan area.
- An author, blogger and ex-newspaper editor got an offer to run a start up being launched by a major magazine company.
- A former daily newspaper business reporter and editor who’d gone to work for a college communication department after being downsized landed a job at the same start up.
- A West Coast media company is looking to full a junior-level website editor and production position on the East Coast as work for their clients there grows.
- A Rocky Mountain area freelance writer and editor reports being crazy busy with assignments, including a series she pitched to a national business publication.
- A Midwest freelance writer is beginning a publicity project for a well-known media training company
I know it’s only anecdotal, but it’s good news all the same.
One more thing: although I don’t know the particulars of every situation, I do know that for the most part, this work didn’t just fall out of the sky for these people. It happened because even while opportunities were frozen solid they were preparing for the day things would start to thaw. How? By staying in touch with their contacts, present and past. By working their virtual and real-word networks. By tinkering with side projects to learn new skills, even if those endeavors didn’t bring in any income.
What’s your good news? Is your business picking up? Are you seeing cracks in the ice? And if so, what did you do to make them happen?
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I agree the economy is picking up a bit, yet I am afraid to be too hopeful. I also do freelance writing on occasion and have found a few gigs here and there and hoping to see more. Everyone still seems somewhat cautious yet optimistic which is a nice change from last year.
I agree that people are still cautious, but in 2009 more were cautious and worried. Today they’re cautious and hopeful.
Michelle
I think you’re right, Michelle. Something’s in the air, and I think it’s optimism. Check out this blog post from former Oregonian editor Michele McLellan: “Promising online news organizations – The hunt is on.”
Also, The Oregonian’s new publisher, Chris Anderson, apparently presided over a stirring town-hall meeting for employees recently. One longtime editor posted this on his Facebook page: “For the first time in a long time, The Oregonian feels alive and vibrant and poised to do great things. Innovative, and very inspiring…”
Let’s hope for the best in 2010.
Thanks Steve. What you’re doing at NozzlMedia is of course part and parcel of this trend – hope it’s going well!
Michelle
This is exactly what happened for me … 2008 was strong as I started my freelance biz, after leaving a trade magazine managing editor post. But 2009 was a different story. There were a few months around summer/fall when I was wondering if I was going to make it. But I was convinced that with staff cutbacks, “they” (magazines, websites, etc) would only be able to survive just so long before they needed “staff,” albeit freelance. I hung in for 3 or 4 months of making less then my expenses and then, wham, October brought in a major ongoing freelance gig with a former contact. I work ongoing 60 percent of my time for them for a “salary,” but I maintain my remote office (1,000 miles away). I also just got another gig that hits on both the magazine and online worlds, which will be regular, and ongoing income as well. Plus I have my freelance articles and podcasts from my former employer … Really, almost more work than I can handle.
What I did during my “downtime” over those 3-4 lean months of scant work was beef up my online skills including social media: Twitter, FB, blogging etc. Then, once the economy started to thaw, I was able to sell those skills in addition to the magazine and online experience I already had.
My advice to others is to hang in there. As Michelle says, learn new skills and then offer them to those who don’t have the staff resources to produce that kind of content.
Thanks for sharing the details of your 2009 experiences, and best of luck this year, sounds like you’re off to a great start.
Michelle
Things are insanely busy for me right now. I love it. I have three ongoing weekly deadlines, one daily deadline, and various projects due this month/next month. I keep looking to April 15th and thinking this is all money in the tax bank….