 As always, my blog posts are designed to explore and share many resources that will help writers and editors create their own business; and for today’s post, I want to give my readers a testament of my experience in landing my first major writing contract. So, enjoy!
It wasn’t until the end of December 2014 when I began to realize just how much I was able to accomplish as a freelance writer while working from home. Whenever I heard the phrase “full-time work,” my assumption was that I would be required to perform traditional work. But 2014 taught me otherwise. For many people, $18,000 does not seem like very much money. But it was significant for me because it alleviated financial strains within my current situation; and because I was able to work from home, I could save thousands on child care, but that’s another story in another blog. To begin, let me highlight that having a full-time writing and editing business is more than possible; and the times are changing dramatically that companies are willing to outsource these types of opportunities to cut costs internally. This is great news for anyone who has the skills necessary to complete such tasks. One of the things I want to highlight in this blog was that this contract agreement was for 6-7 months, which required a great deal of flexibility on my part and that of the company’s. So, how was I able to land this single writing contract? Simply put: Indeed.com. This job site is not only perfect for people looking for legitimate work in the traditional sense; it is also perfect if you want to find work as a freelancer. Back in December 2014, I stumbled across a job announcement, calling for a curriculum writer to complete a semester-long assignment that included lesson plans, assessments, and other activities. When I first applied, I did not expect anything from it. After all, I had never done full-time freelance work of this magnitude; but I was willing to step out on a limb and try it. To my surprise, I received a reply from the Human Resource department. The company, Spider Learning, Inc., had me complete a sample assignment, which I passed. Within a couple of days, I was presented with the five-figure contract. The work was intense. Although I had experience creating content for my former ELA (English Language Arts) classes, I did not have much experience in writing Social Science curriculum for middle-school students, which was what they needed. The challenge for me was trying to create content for a new audience (middle-school students). But I mastered that after a while. Another challenge to working with the company was the virtual environment. At times, it was difficult to communicate some of the technical trouble I was experiencing; but eventually that all worked out as well. It was such a new experience for me, and one that I will continue to cherish. And it would not have been possible had I not tried something different in my job search. So, if you’re considering the possibilities of working with a company on a long-term contractual basis, consider using Indeed.com or another job search board to help you land that deal. Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself with a new opportunity. You will find that the skills you acquire in that experience will be valuable and applicable to your thriving writing business. Can you think of any other places to land long-term contracts? Leave a comment below and share. Let’s grow together! - Felecia
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