Eleven Golden Rules to a Bright Freelance Writing Career

It is quite possible to see your name in print if one carries the right mettle for being able to write, and also has luck alongside. With persistence you can make a mark in the field which is increasing its magnitude in the areas of magazines, newspapers, scriptwriting and also online writing. But what makes all the difference is the correct knowledge regarding the customs of the field. To give your career a flying start and to not be a victim of incomplete information, it would be beneficial to know the following rules before you start writing:

1. Do Networking: It does not seem important first but is essentially required to make a mark in today's times of competition. It makes only sense to know the market requirements and offers. Get out of your shell; join some reputed writer's club, and get in touch with other writers.
                  
2. Be aware of your rights: Rights relating to publishing might be confusing but it is extremely important to know them to save yourself from being cheated or indulging in copyright crimes. Be aware of concerned legal terms before signing on the agreement with the publisher.
                  
• Electronic Rights: The publisher has the right to publish your work in any electronic form such as websites, CD-ROMs etc.
              
• First Serial Rights: The publisher can publish your work only once.
          
• Reprint Rights: The publisher can reprint your work. But such rights are not exclusively sold.
                  
3. Work Professionally: Be aware of your employer's demands. Always present your work in a proficient, neat- looking manner. Be professionally inquisitive. Format your electronic submissions properly.
                     
4. Make the right impact on your editor: It is true that actions speak louder than words. But here, let your words speak for themselves. Instead of bragging in front of your editor, impress him with your written words!
                  
5. Asking for a raise is your right: Not many companies would take care to give you a raise on their own. So ask for it after you have developed an easy bond with your employer, and do not forget to support your claim with efficient and timely work. If the employer does not listen or gets hurt instead, then do not waste time any further and just walk away.
                    

6. Make sure you get the payment: Though payment in freelance writing can take time but it is wise to wait for your first cheque before you blurb out all your ideas to the editor just after your first article gets accepted. Wait before you trust him well.
                  

7. Be timely: Impress your editor by beating all deadlines and providing timely work. It develops trust.

8. Communicate Freely: In case of doubt, do not hesitate to ask questions from the editor so that you remain on the right track.

9. Error- Free Work: It is difficult than it sounds. Most commit mistakes because they take it for granted. Go through your work again, run in spelling checks, or get a trusted friend to do this job, but abstain from submitting work containing errors.

10. It is alright to be late once in a while: Emergencies can strike anyone. The trick is to abstain from late submissions on a regular basis and informing your employer well in time about the delay in submission with the corresponding reason.

11. Give back more: To provide an editor more than he asked for is definitely a way of making a positive mark. It would surely be awarded with praises and raises.

Start working on these principles and your writing career is bound to make an impact!