The WMF Archives: Use LinkedIn to Discover Freelance Writers Jobs

Friday, January 1, 2010

Use LinkedIn to Discover Freelance Writers Jobs

6:00 AM

By Rebecca Sebek

Freelance writers put on your "thinking cap" when it comes to looking for writing opportunities. Think outside of CareerBuilder, Yahoo! Jobs, Monster.com, Craigslist, and other websites. You can score a great opportunity by connecting with writers, publishers, and editors by joining LinkedIn.

On LinkedIn you can find freelance writers jobs. How do you find these opportunities? Create an account and become part of online writers groups within LinkedIn. This is a great place to meet people and ask questions. Some people will post discussions on topics such as "how to create a query letter that will get you noticed by an editor." These discussions are invaluable to your growth as a writer.

The online writers groups on LinkedIn post many freelance writers jobs. The key is to be an active participant within the group. You will "booted" from the group if you do not participate. This is why some groups evaluate your profile and activity on LinkedIn before they admit you to the group.

Create a LinkedIn Account

1. Visit and fill out the "Join LinkedIn Today" form.
2. Once you are accepted to LinkedIn, create your profile. You can upload your picture, enter a bio, include your websites, link your blog, upload your resume, upload presentations, and do so much more.
3. Join groups by clicking on Groups in the toolbar at the top; a search bar appears to the right. Search for groups by using keywords such as "freelance writers, freelance writing, creative professionals," or whatever terms you'd like to use. Test out a few groups to find the ones that work for you.

Often, members of groups will post freelance writers jobs. Some will post jobs from their organization. If you develop relationships with group members, you could possibly find employment within their company. This is why communication skills are imperative. Make sure you are clear about what you are looking for.

LinkedIn is an invaluable resource when you are looking for freelance writers jobs, especially if you'd like to move. Group members are from around the world. Do you want to work in Toronto, Canada? Reach out to Canadian members and find out what it will take for you to make the move. Not only will have a new writing job, but you'll connections within the country and city. You'll be privy to information such as the best places are to hang out on the weekend!

Sign up with LinkedIn today and search for freelance writers jobs within the online writers groups. You can receive daily prompts notifying you when a member has posted new jobs. Instead of scouring the internet for writing opportunities let them show up in your inbox!

Labels: Freelance writers jobs, Freelance writers markets, LinkedIn, Online writers groups, social media

8 comments:

Alyssa Ast said...: Thanks for this post Rebecca! I have had a LinkedIn account for sometime but never use it because I basically had the idea it was similar to that of Digg and Twitter. This is great to know. Thanks!; January 1, 2010 10:33 AM
Editor at The Omni Intelligencer said...: Hi. We would like to take the opportunity for anyone interested in writing for a new online publication to check out our writing venue at The Omni Intelligencer. www.omniintelligencer.com
Thanks so much and happy holidays!; January 1, 2010 1:16 PM
Penny Leisch said...: Keep in mind that you have to decide what you want from LinkedIn. I've been a member for a long time. You find industry/topic specific jobs by joining related groups, such as dog grooming or real estate, and answering questions to demonstrate your expertise. If you want to find publishers or network with writers, join those groups.

The downside is that there's a lot of junk and advertising disguised as discussions. There are marketers teaching people to do that. Don't follow them. LinkedIn is a supposed to be a professional networking website, and these tactics annoy everyone I know.; January 1, 2010 1:43 PM
Liza said...: By joining two writers groups on LinkedIn, my blog went from 13 readers to 45 and is still growing. Through those readers I am developing many more resources (like this one) to help me to improve in my writing and grow my budding freelance career.; January 1, 2010 4:21 PM
Swati Nitin Gupta said...: Hi I am a freelance writer from India and I have a linkedin profile. If anyone needs my services please feel free to contact me either on swati1012@gmail.com or through linkedin profile
linkedin.com/swati1012; January 1, 2010 10:29 PM
Carol Tice said...: I haven't found that many jobs listed in the group discussions, but there's a great way to use LinkedIn to look for jobs -- set up a Jobs application box on the right-hand column and then enter key words you want it to find jobs for -- I have "writer or copywriter or reporter or blogger" in mine. Then you can take a quick check each day and see jobs that are being posted by all employers on LinkedIn, whether they're in one of your groups or not.

It's killer because many employers are now posting their job listings EXCLUSIVELY on LinkedIn -- look for the big asterisk that indicates the job is a LinkedIn exclusive.

Better, the LinkedIn job will indicate if you have any connections to the poster, allowing you to try to get an introduction. That allows you to stand out from the pack with an inside connection, rather than just sending off a resume like everybody else.

Finally, you can use the listings creatively -- for instance, if you see a full-time writing job listed but you want freelance work, you can still reach out to the company and see if they also use freelancers.

LinkedIn is one of my go-to social media sites. I do also use the groups -- think the biggest and most active relevant one is LinkedIn Editors & Writers -- but mostly for learning and building my connections.; January 2, 2010 9:46 PM
Dancing Monkey Girl said...: I actually first heard about Carol Tice on LinkedIn--hence my excitement when you joined the family here on WM Freelance Connections. (I am so thankful to my sister for introducing me to LinkedIn...)

Participating in the LinkedIn Editors & Writers group discussions has been a wonderful learning experience, and I will definitely set up a job search like the one recommended.

Have a great day!

--Cheryl; January 3, 2010 3:37 PM
Rebecca said...: I've connected with other writers and publishers on LinkedIn and do my best to offer help wherever I can. The groups seem to be more active with discussions than the ones on Facebook (this is my experience).

I agree that you must be decisive when it comes to reading the discussions, especially job postings. Some of the jobs are laughable -- like the one for $1 per blog post!; January 7, 2010 4:54 PM