journalism – Kaitlyn Arford

Find Your Next Client: 10 Best Job Boards with Freelance and Full-Time Opportunities

June 21, 2023October 14, 2023by kaitlynarfordLeave a Comment

As someone who compiles a long list of freelance opportunities weekly, I know just how time-consuming it is to search for your next client. But what’s more overwhelming is figuring out where to start. How do you look for freelance opportunities? What job boards are really worth your time?

I’m sharing a few of my favorite job boards for freelancers. You don’t have to sign up for their platforms to use them, and they may help you find what you need.

1. Qwoted

You may know Qwoted for its phenomenal source connections, but did you know that Qwoted also offers a free job board? Sort through publication and location or search for the type of job you want! You’ll find a lot of remote roles, editorial opportunities, and journalism jobs.

2. Freelancing Females

Don’t overlook the Freelancing Females job board! It is a small but mighty list of freelance opportunities that you can sort through by industry, type of work, rate, job type, and experience level. I see a lot of freelance opportunities listed here that I don’t see elsewhere! If you’re a virtual assistant, marketer, graphic designer, or writer, I’d definitely bookmark this page!

3. Best Writing Jobs

Since Best Writing Jobs launched in 2020, it’s become a haven for full-time and contract opportunities for professional writers. In addition to its job board, Best Writing Jobs offers a free newsletter and a feed of freelance writing jobs.

4. Peak Freelance

Peak Freelance is ideal for looking for freelance writing and editing opportunities. The job board tends to be updated throughout the week. If you’re another kind of freelance professional, I’d look elsewhere.

5. Superpath

Superpath’s job board is very similar to Peak Freelance’s. However, Superpath posts more than writing opportunities. You’ll find opportunities for virtual assistants, marketers, managers, strategists, video editors, and social media professionals here.

6. Freelance Writing Jobs

Freelance Writing Jobs has been around for a long time. True to the name, FWJ only includes opportunities for writers. FWJ updates its list every weekday, so check it frequently.

7. Journalism Jobs

Journalism Jobs offers a combination of freelance and full-time jobs in print, digital media, and broadcasting. Filter the jobs to show freelance opportunities and start scrolling!

8. Mediabistro

Mediabistro mostly promotes full-time jobs, but they’ll have freelance opportunities available too. I’ve found it to be a helpful resource when looking for publishing opportunities.

9. LinkedIn Jobs

There are many amazing freelance opportunities posted on LinkedIn. They’re pretty easy to find but keep in mind that many of these won’t include pay transparency upfront. Be wary of unpaid volunteer positions that pop up in the feed.

Optimize your LinkedIn profile so you attract the types of opportunities you want.

10. LinkedIn and Twitter posts

You’ll never see many freelance opportunities (from small and big brands alike) on a job board. That’s because recruiters, hiring managers, editors, and creators will post on social media and quickly fill those positions.

It takes a little elbow grease to find these opportunities. I break down how you can find these freelance opportunities on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Slack on Pollen. I also share my best advice on how to create your own opportunities.

Of course, you can save yourself some time and headaches by subscribing to newsletters that do the work for you.

Save time searching through job boards

Aren’t you tired of the countless hours that go into job searching? The hours spent searching for freelance opportunities are daunting. When you add in the time it takes to contact potential clients, apply for jobs, and update your online presence, it’s overwhelming.

Signing up for newsletters that take care of the search for you is worth every penny. Every Friday, I share 100 freelance opportunities with my subscribers. For as little as $3 a month, you can kickstart your career.

Do you have a job board you’d like to recommend? Comment below.

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20+ Free Diverse Stock Photo Sites for Your Site

January 28, 2022July 30, 2024by kaitlynarford2 Comments

These websites make selecting quality stock photography easy.

Unfortunately, finding free stock images that show people from underrepresented backgrounds can be a pain. These databases and websites showcase a solid collection of inclusive stock photography. Most of these sites are free but a few are available for a fee or a suggested donation. Many of these sites require attribution so don’t forget that.

People of Color Stock Images

Women Stock Images

Disabled Stock Images

Body Inclusive Stock Images

General Diversity Stock Images

LGBTQ+ Stock Images

And I suggest using these resources to include more marginalized voices in your work.

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1. Buy me a coffee

2. Share this article (or any other) with a friend and tag me

3. Explore my Bookshop

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Photo credit: Women in Tech

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5 Basic Email Templates for Freelancers Negotiating Higher Rates

September 16, 2021December 15, 2022by kaitlynarford2 Comments

You deserve to be paid more! Ask for the rates you deserve with these templates.

Time to talk about one of my favorite subjects: negotiating a higher rate. As freelancers, we’re business owners, and it’s on us to value our work, time, and skill set. The reality is, you don’t get what you don’t ask for. And if you’re not asking for more money, you’re never going to get it.

Every freelancer needs to regularly raise their rates, but this is especially true for women. In 2019, HoneyBook found that female entrepreneurs are making 26 percent less per project. Men are 4.5 times more likely to earn $150,000 compared to women; comparatively, And Co discovered in the same study that most women surveyed make less than $25,000 a year.

I find negotiating rates easier over email, and that’s easier to do when you’ve got templates to turn to.

1. Negotiating rates on the first assignment

I prefer to not quote a rate because then it’s a game of mind-reading bingo. What if I don’t ask for enough? Would the client find this low or high? Instead, I put the ball back in the client’s court to see what they say.

Hello!

I’m excited to take on this [project/article]. Is there any room in the budget for a higher rate?

Thanks,

[Your name]

2. Negotiating a higher rate for regular assignments

Sometimes you need to revisit the rate on a regular column or writing assignment. Every few months, or after a few articles, ask your editor for a higher rate. Also, make sure that you’re keeping your editor happy by meeting deadlines with clean copy and having good communication with them.

Hi [Editor],

I love [working on this assignment/writing this column]. So far, I’ve done [examples]. I was wondering, is there any room in your budget for a higher rate?

Thanks so much! I love working with you.

[your name]

And I love this one from Tim Herrera:

“Thanks again for this assignment! I just wanted to ask: We’ve done X, Y, and Z stories together, and I’m wondering if with this new assignment we could revisit my rate? I’d love to be at around [rate]. Thanks!”

3. Negotiating a lower scope of work

Sometimes a client doesn’t have the budget to raise the rate. If you’re still interested in working with them, you can try negotiating a lower scope of work instead. But only do this if you really want to work with them — otherwise, say no to any assignments with them.

Hi there!

I would love to work with you, but that rate is below my fee. I’d like the rate to be around [price].

If that’s not possible, I would be happy to connect you with another freelancer who can accomplish this work.

Thank you,

[Your name]

Note: When you have a good client who isn’t paying enough, it’s time to let them go and refer them to another freelancer. If it’s a bad client who isn’t paying enough, throw them into the abyss.

4. Raising your rate because the scope of work has risen

Sometimes an assignment will exceed the scope of work you’ve agreed on. Don’t give them free labor.

Hello!

I’m confident I can accomplish your goals, but this is outside of the scope of work previously agreed on. As per our [contract/email], I will deliver [x] per [date]. I can do [requested scope], but as it is outside of the contract, there will be budget changes. Are you okay paying more for the [outcome]?

Thanks,

[Your name]

5. Raising your rate because it’s time, quarterly, or at a specific time of year

Hi [name],

I adjust my rates every so often to account for market inflation and new skills, which also allows me to provide you with better service! As of [date, my rate will be [price].

If this new rate doesn’t work for you, let me know. I can connect you with another freelancer who can complete this work for you.

Thank you,

[Your name]

Your Next Steps

Negotiation is a skill that takes practice. It takes time to get comfortable talking about money But you have to start somewhere. The next time you take on an assignment, ask for more. The next time a client or editor reaches out with more work, ask for more. You are running a business, not a contestant on The Price is Right.

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Find Sources with 50+ Free Diverse Source Databases

June 30, 2021April 10, 2022by kaitlynarford1 Comment

These databases make finding sources from underrepresented backgrounds easier.

You’re probably not quoting enough marginalized voices. This disparity in reporting undermines journalists’ credibility and underestimates the complexity of any subject. These databases will help you diversify your sources.

If you’re worried about getting started, audit your published work for the past 3-6 months. Keep track of the races and genders you’re including. Don’t be intimidated or discouraged. The Atlantic’s Ed Yong spent two years trying to fix the gender imbalance in his stories. You’re not alone.