Posts Tagged ‘advice’
March 11, 2013
Guest post by Tom Knight
Almost by definition, freelance writing is a profession that demands individual interpretation and method. Because freelance writers and journalists are essentially self-employed, there is a great deal of flexibility involved in this sort of work – but also a great deal of responsibility on the writer’s shoulders. Ultimately, succeeding in your particular writing environment depends mostly on what works best for you. But in this line of work, any tip could be the one that helps you to improve your professionalism or efficiency. With that in mind, here are 5 general tips for advancing your career in freelance writing.
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Tags:5 tips for freelance writers, advice, freelance, freelancing 101, guest post, tips, writing
Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments »
January 23, 2013
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Dear Freelance Dude,
I’ve been writing for a volunteer website doing news, reviews, and features – mostly news. However, being recently laid-off has forced me to search for paying opportunities, and I feel I don’t have the experience yet to attain one, freelance or staff (I’ve only been in games journalism for six months). Should I focus on writing features to submit to other websites or should I continue developing my skills until I feel ready?
And are there websites that hire staff writers that work remotely or is that, basically, freelancing?
Signed,
Anthony S.
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Tags:@nmeunier, advice, ask the freelance dude, Column, freelance, freelance game journalism, game industry, gigs, how to be a game journalist, nathan meunier, paying, pitches, reviews, up up down down left write, writing, writing advice
Posted in Ask The Freelance Dude | 1 Comment »
October 31, 2012
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Dear Freelance Dude,
I’m trying my hardest to break into the world of freelance games journalism. I’ve had a couple of paid assignments which I managed to land without needing to submit any pitches. Since then, I’ve followed your advice about what makes a good pitch, and have tried several ideas tailoring them to several publications. After waiting a reasonable time, I have not had any responses whatsoever. What can I do if I’m simply being ignored?
Signed,
David O.
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Tags:@nmeunier, advice, ask the freelance dude, Column, freelance, freelance game journalism, game industry, gigs, how to be a game journalist, nathan meunier, paying, pitches, reviews, video games, writing, writing advice
Posted in Ask The Freelance Dude | Leave a Comment »
September 4, 2012
See that up there? That’s what impending doom for my book Kickstarter looks like. Maybe. We need to raise $4,000 in under four days. Actually…three days, seven hours, and about 15 minutes at the time I write this. Yeah. Slow and steady may win the race for some, but in this case we need this thing to spread faster than a zombie plague in the next few days if it’s going to make hit the necessary $7,000 mark by 5pm EST on Sat. Sept 8th.
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Tags:advice, book, final push, freelance, game journalism, guide, how to, kickstarter, nathan meunier, up up down down left write, video game journalism
Posted in Up Up Down Down Left WRITE | Leave a Comment »
August 31, 2012
First off, a huge thanks to everyone who’s been pitching in to help spread the word and contribute to the Kickstarter campaign for my book: Up Up Down Down Left WRITE – The Freelance Guide To Video Game Journalism. It’s been a wild ride so far, with lots of ups and downs, and we’re nearing the end – for better or worse. I’ve added a lot of awesome bonus rewards and incentives in the past week, and we still have a LOT to raise in the remaining 8 days before the funding deadline, so I figured a big update was in order. Please read on, because I super need your help.
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Tags:#journlaism, #upupdowndownleftwrite, @nmeunier, advice, ask the freelance dude, blake wheeler, book, book campaign, freelance, freelancing, game journalism, how to, kickstarter, nathan meunier, need backers, shop talk, support, up up down down left write, writing
Posted in Up Up Down Down Left WRITE | Leave a Comment »
August 24, 2012
I had a rad chat with the folks over at WhatCulture! about freelance game journalism, the book, the Kickstarter, and more! You can check out the article and interview here!
Kickstarter Update: The book Kickstarter is currently at 22 percent funding, with only 15 days left to hit the $7,000 needed to make this happen. There’s still over $5,000 to raise by the deadline, but if we exceed that amount and hit $10,000, I’ll be writing a second shorter book and giving a free digital copy to all backers. I also have some additional gaming-related surprises in the works. Please check out the project and consider becoming a backer! Remember: if the project doesn’t hit the $7,000 goal by Sept 8. then it doesn’t get funded. ULTRA Sad panda
Tags:advice, book kickstarter, freelancing, game journalism, how to become a freelancer, Interview, nathan meunier, the freelance guide to video game journalism, up up down down left write, what culture
Posted in Freelance Game Journo Shop Talk, Up Up Down Down Left WRITE | Leave a Comment »
August 21, 2012
Though I’m still a relative youngin’ compared to lots of other gaming folks in our midst, I remember a time before the NES existed. And I remember subscribing to Nintendo Power magazine when it first was launched. Many years later, I was lucky enough to fulfill a childhood dream when I scored a steady freelance gig writing for the magazine. I’ve really enjoyed penning articles for the mag the past few years and working with some great folks on their editorial team, which makes today’s news that Nintendo Power will be closing down all the more crushing.
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Tags:@nmeunier, advice, closing, freelance, game journalism, how to be a game journalist, kickstarter, nathan meunier, Nintendo Power, nintendo power to close, shop talk, shutting down, tax advice, tax deductions for freelance game journalists, taxes, writing
Posted in Freelance Game Journo Shop Talk | 5 Comments »
August 15, 2012
Hunting down games to review or preview is as easy as looking at online retail lists of upcoming games or fire up a web search to see what’s cooking in the development world. Coming up with good ideas for articles and columns, on the other hand, takes a lot more effort, but it doesn’t have to be a total drag. There will be times when your creativity wanes and good ideas don’t come as easily. You can overcome these mental droughts with a little research and some brainstorming. Here are a few quick tips on how to get the noggin juices flowing and track down leads for ideas to pitch.
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Tags:@nmeunier, advice, book, freelance, game journalism, game journalism book, getting idea for articles, how to be a game journalist, kickstarter, nathan meunier, shop talk, tax advice, up up down down left write, writing
Posted in Freelance Game Journo Shop Talk, Up Up Down Down Left WRITE | 4 Comments »
August 14, 2012
If you’ve ever wanted to get the inside scoop on how to break into the world of freelance video game journalism, then this is your chance to back a project that’ll help you jump start your dream career. Last week I launched a Kickstarter campaign for my book Up Up Down Down Left WRITE – The Freelance Guide To Video Game Journalism. It had a killer first week, raising over $1,200 of its $7,000 goal. But then the influx of new backers died down to a light drizzle, then a trickle, and now it’s like the Sahara Desert over here. Not unexpected! Most Kickstarters hit a lull after launch and then pick up momentum during the home stretch. I’m still pretty optimistic about everything, but I don’t intend to let this thing die on the vine mid-way, which is why I need your help THIS VERY SECOND!
Read on for more nitty gritty on the Kickstarter campaign and how you can help.
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Tags:advice, book, freelance, freelancing, game journalism, how to, kickstarter, nathan meunier, need backers, support, up up down down left write, writing
Posted in Up Up Down Down Left WRITE | Leave a Comment »
August 5, 2012
Hey humans of the Internet! Do you dig reading my Shop Talk and Ask The Freelance Dude columns here on the ye olde work blog? If so, then you’re going to (hopefully) love this. I’ve been working hard behind the scenes for the past year to write a full book covering the many ins and outs of how to freelance in the video game industry. The book, lovingly dubbed “Up Up Down Down Left WRITE: The Freelance Guide to Video Game Journalism,“ is about two-thirds finished, and I’m getting everything together that I need to wrap-up the book and self-publish it. But I need your help to push this thing over the finish line and make it super awesome, so I’m launching a Kickstarter later this week! Here’s a little more detail about the project.
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Tags:advice, book, freelancing, game journalism, how to, kickstarter, nathan meunier, support, the freelance guide to video game journalism, up up down down left write, video game journalism
Posted in Freelance Game Journo Shop Talk, Up Up Down Down Left WRITE | 1 Comment »
Guest post by Tom Knight
