SiteTurning Down Work: The Results
In August, I vowed to never again take on an assignment that had red flags, such as low pay or an unreasonable deadline. I even promised to turn down assignments that simply gave me a bad feeling in my gut. I had had problems with accepting any old assignment that came my way, sometimes with disastrous results.
Well, I can now say I’m becoming a master at turning down inappropriate work. Most recently, an editor I love at a magazine I enjoy writing for approached me about profiling six up-and-coming European Olympic athletes. I knew that if I took the assignment, although the money was good, I would kick myself later because I know nothing about Olympic sports (I’ve never even watched the Olympics).
I’ve also been turning down work that would pay poorly for the time I put into it. For example, one editor asked me to write a piece on a topic I’m interested in. I was excited about the prospect until I found out that the piece would be 200 words long. I know from experience that writing shorts for this magazine is almost as time-consuming as writing features, but at a fraction of the pay — so I said no.
And you know what? I have no shortage of work, and all of it is interesting and pays well. I always knew that turning down inappropriate assignments leaves more space for good work to come flowing in, but now I’m seeing it in practice. Besides that, I now have more time for doing projects I’m passionate about, such as organizing free teleclasses for writers. (Not only do I love giving teleclasses, but they do eventually pay; six students took advantage of the e-course offer I made during my last teleclass.)
Of course, I don’t just turn down work simply because I’m not super-excited about it. My goal is to support my family working just 2 to 3 days per week (so I have more time to hang with hubby and baby!), and that means that sometimes I’m taking on work that doesn’t exactly make me jump with glee. If it pays well and is at least somewhat interesting — and I can find something that interests me about almost any topic — I say Yes.
So how about you: Have you recently turned down a project that just didn’t seem right? What happened? Please post your experiences in the Comments below! [lf]
6 Responses to “Turning Down Work: The Results”
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Kerrie Flanagan
Said this on November 11th, 2009 at 4:04pm:Like you, I recently turned down an assignment that was on a topic that was of no interest to me. My current goal is to focus only on assignments that have to do with writing (freelancing, getting an agent, author interviews…). I am trying to build my platform in this area and going off on bunny trails (regardless of how well they pay) does not help me. I must stay focused.
Dawn
Said this on November 11th, 2009 at 8:55pm:Like you, I’m learning how to turn down work… and my criteria is very similar to yours. (So are my goals…a full-time income in 2- 3 days a week.)
I recently passed on a job doing social networking and marketing writing for a company. I loved the company, loved the products, but it just seemed too time consuming and the social networking part of it–well, I barely keep up with my own!
I don’t just turn down work that I don’t want to take for whatever reason though. If the pay is decent and the topic just doesn’t interest me, I’ll recommend another writer for the job. That’s why I said “passed on” rather than “turned down.”
Before I turn down a low-paying assignment, though, I ask about a higher rate. That recently worked for me, too!
It’s so true that when you turn down the things that don’t interest you, better stuff comes your way!
Sarah
Said this on November 12th, 2009 at 12:41am:Thanks for the great post! You always provide such helpful information – I really appreciate it.
Still quite a newbie to freelancing, I feel like I spend hours searching job boards, and applying for jobs just to receive responses that I usually end up turning down because they don’t really sound legitimate or the pay is extremely low. So, for now, I have been focusing my efforts on trying to build up my portfolio with some clips from regional mags and am also trying to get into copywriting.
By the way, I am glad that you are able to offer the free teleclasses – I learned a lot through your first one, and am very much looking forward to the next one. Also, I can’t wait until the day comes when I can finally afford to take one of your classes! (I’m waiting until I can pay for it out of my writing earnings.)
LindaFormichelli
Said this on November 12th, 2009 at 9:54am:Thanks for your comments!
Sarah, great idea to try to build up some regional clips. They (usually) pay, so you’ll have money flowing in while you try to break into bigger magazines. Good luck
Eric C
Said this on November 13th, 2009 at 1:46pm:Question: do you think editors will start coming to you with less opportunities? I’m just curious.
LindaFormichelli
Said this on November 13th, 2009 at 2:02pm:Editors do approach me with work, but I have to work at it by staying in touch, sending clips, etc. In fact, just today I landed a $3,500 project with a magazine I’d never worked with before because I sent her my clips and then followed up at just the right time. I’m not concerned (yet) — so far, I’ve been turning down work that’s not appropriate for me but still have plenty of assignments. But I don’t rest on my laurels…I’m always marketing.
Or do you mean they won’t come to me because I turned them down in the past? In the case of the Olympic athletes article, the editor was thankful that I came clean with her rather than taking an assignment that I couldn’t handle and then screwing it up! In other cases — say the money is way too low — I don’t care if they don’t approach me with more work.