Here’s a few often overlooked areas you might want to try for yourself:

1. I network with other nonwriterly people. This means that I often attend networking events or meetups. I don’t just check out groups for writers, but events for professional women and small business owners. Although my intention isn’t to talk shop at these events, I often find that once someone gets to know you, they’re more likely to offer you a job. The best part? Once you make a connection with someone, there lies potential for a future position. Several months later, that person you met may contact you for a position or refer you to a friend who’s looking for a writer. I’ve found a few jobs this way and I’m sure you can too!
2. Trying again. Have you ever received that obligatory email saying, “Thank you for your application, but we’ve found someone more experienced/better fit than you?” Do you delete that email and say good-bye to that job and that client forever? Big mistake! The single most important secret I have is to give it another go. Just because you didn’t get that position, doesn’t mean you’ve lost your chance for good. I’ve won articles that way and clients. How? Be kind, courteous and ask them if there’s anything else you can do for them. You may be surprised by the answer.
3. Tell everyone you know you’re a writer. I’ve found in the past that by spreading the word about my business, business comes back to me. Even if the person you tell doesn’t need your services, they might know someone, who knows someone else that does. Believe me. It works!

What about you? How do you find those plum jobs? Willing to share them here? Would love to hear them!

And here’s what happened:

No, I didn’t get into Glamour or O magazines. A prayer wasn’t answered. A miracle was yet to be seen.

Instead, last year’s queries were answered by this year’s, “I’m sorry your idea doesn’t fit with the current needs of the magazine.”

After listening to my heart shatter for a few minutes, I put myself back together like Humpty Dumpty. I realized that one rejecting letter, did not a failure make.

So this is what I did:

I contacted the publication again. I shared my gratitude for the reply. After all, most times I never hear from a company again. At least I knew one way or another that they were not interested. Then, I took action.

For the magazine that I submitted a completed manuscript, I tried again. Three times total in fact. And by the third submission, I instead of striking out, I made a home run. The result was an article published in the February issue of Animal Wellness magazine.

For the company that emailed me to let me know that I didn’t have the “right” qualifications for their freelance writing position, I asked them if they could let me know exactly what these qualifications were so I could try again in the future. The CEO not only wrote back a nice email but gave me the name of the managing editor who could help me.

For the publication who sent me a rejection letter for an idea I had, I emailed them saying that I would still love to one day be in their magazine and would work hard to get there. The editor sent me an immediate email saying that she would love to get more ideas from me and let me know what section of the magazine she needed to fill.

Here’s what I learned:

A rejection letter is not necessarily a closed door. Sometimes it is a gateway to other opportunities. If you are courteous, passionate, courageous and determined, it could be your opening to publish your best writing yet.