CHANGING OF THE GUARD

Whether it's in front of Buckingham Palace or at a publishing company, the changing of the guard brings new personalities and a different guy you to deal with if you want to get in the front door.

Your editors are going to change if you write for a paper or magazine for longer than a year. It's a fact of the pbulishing world. The good news is that means an editor, who you have trouble working with, could be swapped out for an editor whom you love. And vice-versa.

The key is to introduce yourself properly to each new editor, find out about their background and what makes them happy.

After that, it should be smooth sailing, no matter whom you turn your copy in to....

INCREASE THE DEMAND FOR YOU



Pride goes before the fall. But pride can also infuse your work with new energy and a commitment to getting better.

Start refusing work. Explain that you're too busy or you need to be paid a higher rate. It just might be the answer to getting more work and making more money. This may sound counter-intuitive, but it's true.

For the first time in my freelance career, I've been turning down work on a regular basis. It's led to better opportunities and clients offering to bump up my per-word rate. You should only think about this strategy if you have other opportunities lined up or believe that your time would be better spent doing something else. In other words, don't threaten to walk unless you're ready to walk.

Sometimes the best way to get work is to create artificial demand. So, pretend you're the Nintendo Wii and keep your supply artifically low.

WRITE WHAT YOU LOVE


Everybody has pet projects. Lawyers have pro bono cases, chefs dabble with outlandish food combinations, and don't get your friend started on her golden doodle.

You should have a few things that are close to your heart, if not associated with huge paychecks. So, pick some topics you care about and pitch one such topic a week. It's how you can end up writing about your favorite food, volunteering time for a non-profit, or profiling a bizarre dating trend.

Also, often times your best writing comes from the things you feel most passionate about...I for one, can't get enough of marshmallow fluff. I'll work an angle into a pitch this week. What's your passion? What can you write about?

YOU'RE NOT A MACHINE



If you divide your day up into time-blocks, you'll notice that you're more productive at certain hours. You might be a morning person, who is cheery without the aid of coffee. Or you're a night owl, still used to college hours and the glowing blue screen of a computer in the dark.

Either way, you've got a time that you can dash out work and operate at peak efficiency. Figure out when that is and schedule you're more important work at that time. Save organizing tasks and bill-paying for times when you'd rather be watching television. After lunch is a particularly sluggish time for me.

You're not a machine and neither is Ivan Drago. Rocky beat him because he chopped him down with a series of punishing hooks and punches. It's apparently devastating to a 6'1'' guy when a 5'2'' man lands an uppercut. You don't need to hit people. Just make a spreadsheet or something. Either that or train in the Siberian wilderness.

PAYING IT FORWARD



Bring It On was better than Pay It Forward; but ultimately it's the message of the second movie that's going to get you ahead in the world of freelancing.

Whether you're just starting out or you're an experienced freelancer, you'll have colleagues. Fellow writers that you respect and know are working just as hard to put food in the mini-fridge. Therefore, you should recommend them whenver it's appropriate. If you can't take a job or you're not qualified, mention someone who is capable of getting it done.

You'd be amazed how often a simple recommendation comes back to you in the same manner on a different project. Regardless of your motivations, it's a chance for positive karma and a way to level the playing field a bit with editors and publications.

While there's nothing wrong with being feisty and sticking up for your rights, a la Bring it On, please avoid dancing to You're So Fine (Hey Mickey!).

A GREAT REFERENCE COLLECTION



A great reference is the best way for anyone to start out in the freelancing world. In fact, you might as well start your own reference collection like your local library.

The key is to help people refer you. That means you have a writer's website and you let people know on a regular basis about what you're currently working on...

Whether you send out e-mails or post snarky blog entries (seriously, who would blog about a freelance writing career, anyway?), just find what suits your voice and lets potential references remember to recommend you.

THE FLAVOR OF WRITING



Freelance writing is more like reality television than you think. There's twenty bachelors, thirteen hoochies, or fifty other writers vying for the attention of a single suitor. Just remember, drama gets you kicked off the show.

So, stay the course and be yourself. If it's a good fit, you'll advance to the next round and be a bit closer to that big payday. Don't say outlandish things or anything that's a racial slur. Feel free to dress a bit provocatively however. Ultimately, freelance writing is just a series of reality show challenges. Therefore, you can have a bit of humor about it.

In the interim, just know your life isn't as ridiculous as this.

NET LOSS OR NET GAIN?



Ever feel like Sandra Bullock in The Net?

You're holed up in your home office and everything is available via the Interweb. Just like her, you can even order a pizza online! But seriously, there's a real easy trap as a freelancer of letting your online existence, checking e-mail and scouring sites, take over your regular existence.

Simple answer. Schedule meetings at client's locations or with interviewees. While your time is precious, your mental health is more important. Get out there and network in person. You'd be suprised how talking to people about anything other than work can bring you a lot more work.

So, get out of the house this week- but don't start rocking denim on denim. The world isn't quite ready to bring back that fashion movement.