It's a typical writing day. I was chugging right along, and about halfway through this list when the interruptions started. It's taken the rest of the time just to finish this list. :) I know that I'm not alone when it comes to trying to find a solid chunk of time to write. The only solution I've found is to stick with it. Anyway, here's today's job listings:
Bloggers for new women's network
Jewelry description writers
Conservative political content writer
Bloggers on all topics (ad share)
Newsletter writer
Web copywriter
Writers for indie music e-mag
Write about horse racing
Health/personal care SEO writers
Quick editor needed for one-time job
Write about poker
Writers for variety of topics
Writers for ongoing assignments
Newsletter writer
Grant writer (unpaid, but sounds like it may be interesting)
Writers for New York-based startup
Culinary site seeks writers
Writers for Christian publication
Mahalo.com seeking writers
Writers for South Asian mag
Writers sought to join ghostwriting team
Blog for Terrastories (I've written a few blog posts for this site and have always been paid very promptly.)
Auto writer
Financial writer
Newsletter editor
-- This post focuses on obtaining government records in the United States. For my readers outside of the states, I am unfamiliar with your public record laws, but would suggest that you contact a local school of journalism to find out what the laws are and how to find them. --
Even if you're not a journalist, at some point in your freelance career it's likely that you'll need to access government documents to complete a story. Whether you just need a few statistics, minutes of a meeting to verify someone's statement, or you're investigating wrong-doing, it's important to know how to obtain the documents you need.
Here's how:
First, understand that under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) most government documents are public record. Journalists don't have any special access to documents, they just know how to use the laws made for everyone to obtain those documents. Public records means just that, they are available to the public. Not every government document is a public record, but the law makes only specific exemptions. If you are denied a public record, note the reason for the denial, the person who made the denial and the date and time. Then contact your state attorney general's office for guidance. Remember that most court records are public record, and don't require a written request to be viewed. Court records are a great source of information that you might not be able to obtain anywhere else.
Second, fill out a written request form. Most government agencies require a written request. Some will supply their own forms, others will accept something as simple as, "I request (document requested) under the state and federal public record laws. Signed, (your name)." There is also a public record request letter generator available online at the Reporter's Committee for Freedom of the Press website. Click here to access it.
Third, be polite and patient. Try to ask for any public records as soon as you realize you might need them. Laws vary by state, but in general, government agencies are given anywhere from ten days to two weeks to respond to your request. Remember that the person you hand the form to is probably not the person who has control over granting your request. Many agencies have their legal counsel review all public information requests before fulfilling them, so it may take some time. Also, the staff responsible for researching your request is likely busy with many tasks, so try to remain patient and understanding. I can't stress enough how important it is to be polite. You will have much better luck obtaining the records you want if you build a positive relationship with the individuals responsible for handling your request. They may take the time to check just one more place, or fulfill your request before performing another task if they feel you are friendly and grateful for their help. Remember, even though you are dealing with a government agency, which can be frustrating, you are still dealing with people. Most of the time the people helping you have no control over the records request process and simply have to work within the guidelines, the same as you do.
Fourth, check your state's public record laws if you have any questions or run up against a brick wall. You can find them by either searching the internet, calling your state attorney general's office, or contacting a local chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Some states also have an office or person designated to assist citizens seeking public records, so check to see if such a position or office exists in your state.
Finally, be specific in your request. Determine exactly what you need before you ask for it. Do you really need a years' worth of records? Can you find what you want just by asking for a document from a specific month or day? Try to narrow your request down as much as you possibly can. This saves everyone time and money and reduces the chance that your request will be denied. Some courts have held that government agencies do not have to produce records for overly broad requests.
Good luck and have fun tracking down the information you need!
Just a quick follow-up to my post about Writers Who Are Also Photographers.
As I was processing my pictures this morning, I realized that I forgot to mention the importance of keeping some stock pictures on hand. If you're going to take the time to learn a little about photography and submit photos with your articles, you may as well start carrying the camera with you and take shots of different events, especially things that occur only occasionally or seasonally.
For example, I took a slew of fireworks photos last night. I really only need one, but I was already there, had the camera set up, and having a bunch to choose from may come in handy when I need a fireworks shot and there are no fireworks. I do the same for other events and activities. I always try and keep some seasonal photos on hand too, such as the leaves changing color in fall, and flowers poking through the snow in early spring.
Although I'm sure there are some that will remain unused, I've used many of these "stock" photos to supplement articles, and it's been worth the time to take them. Just remember if there are people in your photos who are recognizable to get them to sign a photo release so you can use the image commercially. (You can find a sample photo release form just by searching the term "photo release form".)
I'd encourage freelance writers to try and keep some photos on hand the same way they keep a notebook of story ideas on hand.
The pickings are very slim today, but here's the best that are out there:
Food bloggers
Blog about email
Freelance writer for medical software company
Writers for new online publication
DV8 mag call for content
Write articles showcasing companies
Since several days of posts are missing, here's an extra listing of ScriptLance jobs. In case you missed it earlier, ScriptLance is a bidding site similar to Elance or Guru, except that you don't pay a membership fee up front. You only pay a percentage of the total of a job after you have been awarded and completed it. Like other bidding sites, it does tend to have a lot of low-paying jobs, but there are some decent jobs there also. To me, the attractive thing about it is that you don't pay unless you get a gig, so you're not paying to compete for a bunch of low-paying jobs.
Write science articles
Rewrite web content
Weight loss/healthy living articles
Rewrite/touch-up web content
Write e-course on creating photo gallery website
Content for social networking site
Sports betting site content
Content for skiing site
10 articles for website
Internet marketing blog posts
I'm not sure how many of you are also photographers. If you're not, it's a great skill to supplement your writing. Many editors prefer writers who can also provide photos to accompany their articles.
For those who already are, Amazon is offering instant Canon rebates
Now if you haven't learned much about photography and feel intimidated by all there is to learn and the cost of equipment, stop right there. It's not as complicated or expensive as it seems. While a digital SLR is great, you can get great pictures perfectly suitable for online publications with a point and shoot
If you're not quite ready to learn how to use manual settings, here are a few very basic tips for taking pictures to go along with your articles.
- Keep the sun to your back. When you shoot into the sun, you lose detail, so unless you are trying to capture just an outline, keep the sun behind you.
- Fill the frame. Better a little too close to your subject than a little too far away. Things look farther away in pictures, so get up nice and close and make sure the whole frame is filled with what you're trying to capture.
- Avoid shooting under fluorescent lights if at all possible. Fluorescent lights create poor colors and lots of shadows. Sometimes they can't be avoided, but when you can, do so.
- Keep your elbows at your side. To get a nice clear, steady shot, keep your elbows against your body instead of away from it.
- Shoot from different angles. One wonderful thing about digital photography is that you can take a ton of pictures and just erase the ones that didn't turn out so good. So take advantage and shoot your subject from several different angles. One trick many photographers use to make a common object or scene look different is to shoot it from an unusual angle. Don't be afraid to lay down, get on a ladder or turn the camera sideways to get a great shot.
- Watch the details. Photography is about details. The way the light falls or how the objects in the picture balance or contrast with each other are important elements. Even if you don't know a thing about exposure or the rule of thirds, you can make sure your shots don't have distracting elements. Before you snap, look at the scene or object. Is there a piece of trash on the grass? What's behind the heads of the individuals in the picture? If you change angles will you eliminate something distracting like a street sign?
- Have fun, be creative and practice. Try new things, keep a note of what did and didn't work and study photos in newspapers and magazines to get new ideas.
While learning photography isn't a requirement for a freelance writer, if you have any interest in photography at all I would highly recommend learning the basics. I've landed several jobs that required photos, and earned more from others that didn't by being able to provide good photos to go with whatever I'm writing about. Consider a digital camera
I thought I was posting remotely, but apparently the posts haven't been showing up. I'm sorry about that and not sure what I did wrong that they didn't appear. I'll try and recover the posts, but in the meanwhile, here are some jobs for today and some of the best jobs of the last few days:
Examiner.com seeking freelance journalists (pays based on page views)
Business reporters for China Daily (English version; wants writers located near major cities)
NewsFactor.com seeks tech journalists
Photography/Imaging blogger
Translation service blogger
Blog about flight
Linux blogger
iPhone blogger
"Science Stuff" blogger
Employee communication company seeks freelance writers
Writers for datingbook
Alternative health writer
Financial writers
Real estate writing project
Online parenting mag contributors
Health/medical writer