Writing Coach Podcast 145: Don’t pay your dues

WCP145 Don’t pay your dues

Some freelancers say they’re writing for low paying, low circulating, low quality, or otherwise low satisfaction publications because they need to pay their dues. If working this way was a sure route to high paying, high circulating, high quality, highly meaningful work, I’d be all for it. But it’s not.

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MENTIONED ON THIS EPISODE

Some freelancers say they’re writing for low paying, low circulating, low quality, or otherwise low satisfaction publications because they need to pay their dues.

If working this way was a sure route to high paying, high circulating, high quality, highly meaningful work, I’d be all for it. But it’s not.

Those publications aren’t suddenly going to become lucrative and prestigious. And editors at their dream pubs aren’t going to make assignments because they’ve taken low paying gigs somewhere else.

The freelancer thinks: “I’ve got to do these stories somewhere that doesn’t pay much because I won’t get the assignment otherwise.”

Unfortunately, this kind of thinking leads to more of the same after the articles are published. Instead of being proud of the new clips, the freelancer thinks: “I only got the assignment because I did it for free.”

We all have limited time and energy. Don’t spend yours on pitching places you don’t really want to write for because of some imaginary dues that nobody is collecting.

Look out for where you’re holding yourself back instead of growing forward. Don’t argue for why you should play small or for why you can’t do the things you really want to do.

In this episode we look at the reality that you do know your potential. Recognize it, remind yourself of it, argue for it. Develop and pitch stories that matter to the publications you want to write for.

 

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Break into your dream publications and get paid well while covering stories that matter. Alumni of my small group coaching program, Freelance Writer Bootcamp, have used these proven pitching processes to break into the New York Times, the Guardian, Bustle, Fodor’s, Condé Nast Traveler, Al Jazeera, the BBC, and many more.

We cover all the external skills to improve your pitch acceptance rate, and the internal mindset work to keep you from getting in your own way.

Writers on the waitlist will be the first to hear when Bootcamp applications open up for early bird enrollment in the next session.

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What should you include in a pitch to an editor?  

Check out my blueprint for writing queries that editors find irresistible. Click here to download a copy of the free eguide, “5 Proven Steps to Writing Queries that Sell.”