Nicholas Lemann, dean of the Columbia Journalism School gave the commencement address at the college’s 2008 graduation ceremony on May 21. It’s interesting reading for freelance writers contemplating where they fit into the increasingly digital world of news gathering and writing. As Lemann’s address makes clear, this year’s crop of journalism graduates is leaving school […]
Picture this – Use an avatar or illustration to promote your freelance writing blog
They say a picture’s worth a thousand words, but what about an avatar? If you’re using a blog or Website to advertise your freelance writing business, including an avatar, illustration or cartoon version of yourself can say a whole lot more than a photograph about you, your business and your attitude about what you do. […]
25 tips for better freelance writing
A novice freelancer recently posted a question on a writing and editing message board that I frequent. He asked other writers to share their special secrets for better writing. His question elicited all kinds of answers, which you can see here. It also got me thinking about what I’ve learned in the course of 20-plus […]
Tofani proves freelancers can have an impact
Who says freelance writers can’t make a difference? Loretta Tofani has. On May 8, Tofani received the $25,000 Michael Kelly Award for a series investigating unsafe working conditions in China that she wrote as a freelancer for the Salt Lake Tribune. She was one of four journalists nominated for the prize and the only freelancer. […]
WordCount Blogathon: A Post a Day for the Month of May
Starting tomorrow, May 1, I’ll be embarking on a month-long blogathon that I’m calling A Post A Day for the Month of May. I have a big birthday in May, and to celebrate I’ll be writing a post every day of the month. I’m also trying to write much shorter, more spontaneous blog posts and […]
10 Ways to Promote Your Freelance Writing
Long-time freelancers approach writing as a business, and they market it that way too. Not all freelancers do the same kind of marketing. Some have Websites. Some have blogs. Some belong to writers’ groups and regularly attend conferences to meet with other writers and editors. There are so many ways to promote yourself it’d be […]