{flickr photo by: CosmoPolitician}
A Boot Camp Success Story
This weekend drained me. Instead of biking or catching up on my reading, I did something insanely crazy.
I signed for a weekend boot camp.
And no this one did not consist of me dropping down and giving anyone 20.
I signed for a writer’s boot camp.
What I Learned from a Freelance Writing Boot Camp
On top of the fact that 5 hours a day learning about making money from freelance writing is tiring, but not as boring as you’d think, I learned something life changing.
The thing that I learned ended up paying for the class and then some.
Here’s the mind blogging info:
After you query a publication, wait 12 days and then call the editor.
This was shocking to me because me and my boot camp classmates were always told that editors were too busy and then an email should suffice.
Most of us believed that two weeks of a non-response meant a rejection.
So we didn’t even attempt it.
For me, it was all of the above and the added fear that calling an editor, after I had been warned repeatedly about how busy they were, was not an option.
But after I took the class, I wasn’t so sure.
I figured I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. If the editor was already passing on my pitch, then I would just get the answer I was expecting.
Guess what happened?
The editor was super nice, thanked me for taking the time to call and offered me the assignment.
I can’t help, but wonder what would have happened if I assumed a non-response was a rejection. And I wondered how many other queries might have been accepted had I faced my fears and contacted the editor.
It’s a lesson learned.
Are you already doing this? How has calling editors helped you get more assignments? Do you think that this only applies to some publications?
This is fantastic advice! And that’s so wonderful that making the call landed you the assignment. You go, girl!
Thanks Kristin! I wondered if I was the only one who didn’t know about it. It was so easy once I got over my fear of doing it.
Congrats, Brandi! You never know until you try.
Cathy Miller recently posted..Friday Lite Review
Thanks Cathy! It’s so scary thinking about doing something and I’m always reminded after I do them, that my fear was a lot worse than the outcome. Note for next time I attempt something seemingly scary. =)
Congratulations on getting your assignment. That is fantastic! This is a great lesson for all of us. It just goes to show there is always more than one way to look at a situation. Editors are busy. Some people would say that is a good reason to not bother them. Others would say that is a good reason to follow up with them. You took the proactive approach and came out the winner.
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Hi Vicki!
Thanks so much for hopping over here from Danielle’s blog and for the congrats!! I took a risk, albeit a small one, and it literally paid off. And your welcome for the comment I made there too. It touched me to read about how much you love your kids. Who your parents are sometimes feel like the luck of the draw and it definitely seems that they were fortunate to have you.
Brandi,
Thanks for sharing the advice you received at the boot camp for free lance writing which I am assuming in your case was for a magazine article. I am very excited for you. Hurray for you believing in yourself and taking that step forward out of your comfort zone.
I guess those don’t contact the editor notes are for publishers.
Good luck with your article for the magazine and good luck with publication of future articles that pay you great money for your expertise.
Do something good for yourself.
Never Give Up
Joan Y. Edwards
http://www.joanyedwards.com
Joan Y. Edwards recently posted..Margaret Fieland Won a Free Critique
Thanks for your comment Joan! I don’t know how you found me. But glad you did. Took a look at your website and looks like you’re doing good things and helping people with your positivity. =)