The first ever Miami Fashion Film Festival premieres this Thursday September 12 through Sunday September 15. The festival will feature a number of fashion films, panel discussions, and workshops as a celebration of the films and filmmakers that creatively examine the art, culture, and business of fashion, both locally and internationally.

I’m honored to be a part of the festivities as the moderator of the Italian Alta Moda, Facing Fashion Community Chat Series on Friday, September 13 from 7 to 9 pm with vintage collector and gallerist Keni Valenti and stylist Anna Chu at Wynwood’s O Cinema. The discussion comes in conjunction with the opening of Valenti’s Italian Alta Moda exhibit at his gallery, featuring a collection of Italian high fashion pieces dating from 1951 to 1977.

The collection includes well known designers coveted today, like Valentino and Pucci, as well as little known trailblazers in the Italian high fashion movement, like Schubert, Fontana, and Fabiani. While haute couture began in Paris before the turn of the century with Lanvin, it wasn’t until 1951 that Italy hosted its first high fashion runway show in Florence, organized by Giovan Battista Giorgini.

If you’re curious about this historical view on high fashion in Europe, come to the talk Friday night and check out the opening of the show at Valenti’s gallery during Art Walk Saturday night. There’s a lot of other great programming during the film festival, so take a look at the calendar, and reserve your seats here.

Hope to see you Friday night. Ciao!

Sneak peek of Italian Alta Moda at Keni Valenti Gallery featuring two looks by Valentino and one by Lancetti (center).

I had my first celebrity interview over Labor Day Weekend with none other than Pharrell Williams, and later with Robin Thicke. And, yes, I was incredibly nervous–and excited. They were in town to perform a special concert at the Fontainebleau Sunday afternoon.

When Pharrell walks into a room, he brings an almost otherworldly quality with him, something greater, and more interesting, than star power. He is a beautiful creature, flawless, perfection. I saw him once before at the convention center during Art Basel, and had the same reaction. His skin, his face, his style, his tattoos, the way he moves and speaks, he manages to project both ease and cool with energy and deliberateness. Dressed simply on Sunday in blue jean shorts, a white t-shirt, sunglasses, and straw hat, he was immaculate. He wore a long, gold and green bead Chanel necklace with pave diamond signature logos, reminiscent of prayer beads, tucked casually into his shirt. I loved it. I want it!

Above all, though, he was a kind and generous interview subject who gave thoughtful, unguarded answers, and created a familiar openness from the first word.

After my interview, he promptly hit the stage outside by the pools to perform his set. And, yes, it was mostly a DJ mashup of his greatest hits with a singalong and narration by him. He closed with “Get Lucky,” his collaboration with Daft Punk that topped the charts this summer.

Then, Mr. Robin Thicke took the stage for a great, energetic, and entertaining performance. I like him. I like “Blurred Lines.” I like the unrated version of the video. And even though I think it’s funny that his dad is Alan Thicke, he and his blue eyes are undeniably sexy. I’ll even go on the record to say, I liked his VMA performance with Miley Cyrus. Still, it didn’t do him justice, and his talents were on full display during his set on Sunday at the Fontainebleau.

For the finale, Pharrell joined him onstage and they performed “Blurred Lines” together. Perfect way to blow out summer, as far as I’m concerned!

After the show, I had a quick press opp with Robin and had time to ask him one question. My assignment was to get his VMA reaction, and this is what he had to say, “I’m just an entertainer. We knew what we were doing. We had a good time.”

Good enough for me.

It went by faster than I can remember, but he was charming, magnetic, and most of all, nice. Pharrell had an even better take on the performance, and he also told me what it was like to work with Daft Punk and other artists. To read my full interview for Miami.com, click here.

Image Credits: Kristy Benowitz

Brett, Kristy, and Ryan in front of Berry Park.

In the years that I lived in Manhattan, I pretty much never made it to Brooklyn. And I left just before places like Prospect Park and Williamsburg were starting to get really cool (as far as I know). My brother Brett’s lived in Brooklyn for over a year now and it only took me three visits to New York before I made a point to have a Brooklyn day. Along with my sister Kristy, we took a taxi from the Financial District and cruised up Flatbush Ave. past Prospect Park to swing by his apartment, and then we made our way to Williamsburg.

It was basically an afternoon walking tour of Bedford Ave. and we stopped for rooftop beers and cocktails at Berry Park, which was a really cool spot. I was excited to see “Brooklynny things” in Brooklyn, and my bro was a great guide. Looking at a map of New York right now to write this blog, I realize that I basically had no idea where I was geographically. Nevertheless, I thought Williamsburg was really cute and I could definitely stand to spend some more time there. Here’s a few things we saw along the way.

Before we get started, though, I want to share this Bruno Mars song with you, “Somewhere in Brooklyn.” I love it and it makes me think of my little bro. Of course, his tastes are way too indie to be into a pop song, but whatev.

Kristy and me posing for pix outside BAM on our way to the subway

A Brooklynny apartment building.

We’re not in Wynwood anymore! Welcome to Williamsburg street art.

After a few days in New York, Kristy was convinced that I had to make a comment about every cute dog that I saw. I just wanted to emphasize her point. How cute are these King Charles Spaniels in the mural? OMG!

Excuse me ladies, do you know where we can find some artisanal cheese?

We walked past the Meatball Shop on Bedford, which led to a daylong craving that was eventually sated that evening at the Chelsea location. It was pretty tasty. And guess what? My friend Ted says that Bruno Mars has been spotted there!

Finally! An afternoon beer on the rooftop at Berry Park with the sis and the bro. Thanks for the tour of Brooklyn, Brett. Should we get another round?

As a side note, Bruno Mars is playing in Miami at the American Airlines Arena on Friday, and, well, I’d really like to go. I kind of love him and his songs speak to my soul. So if anyone’s got the hookup on tix, let me know?

I abandoned New York City seven years ago for a maritime- and surf-themed lifestyle in South Florida, so I’m tickled that whenever I go back, my best friend Ted introduces me to his new favorite bars, and they’re also maritime- and surf-themed. This time, he took me to Réunion Surf Bar in Hell’s Kitchen and The Rusty Knot on the West Side Highway. Since boats, surf, and New York City are three of my favorite things, I’ve got a couple of other spots to share with you, too.

Reunion Surf Bar

Réunion Surf Bar

Head downstairs to this surf-themed bar with colorful wood-paneling, surf boards strewn about, and bikinis hanging from a line with an Endless Summer poster tacked to the wall. There’s also a “fish room” with a small aquarium on your way to the bathrooms. With a sign that reads “Must Be This Tall To Ride The Bartender,” you know you’re at a spot where it’s okay to have a good time. With a super laid back vibe, you’ll be happy to see that they take their drinks seriously. There’s an extensive cocktail menu with both classic and inventive tiki-style drinks, and a selection of craft and international beers that go hand in hand with the beach. The night we were there, we sampled a few of the Bartender’s Selections. I had the Wahaka Fizz (a Hawaiian surfer dude’s interpretation of Mexico’s Oaxaca?) made of Don Amado mezcal, Aperol, grapefruit, lime, soda, and Peychaud’s bitters. Although we didn’t eat while we were there, the food menu looked pretty tasty, too.

377 W. 44th  St., 212-582-3200

Ted & Shayne at The Rusty Knot

The Rusty Knot

We swung by this salty little joint on the West Side Highway on a Sunday afternoon for a quick drink. With wood-paneled walls, linoleum floors, and kitschy 70s-style sofas lined with bamboo, they’ve definitely created the atmosphere of a New England boat bar dive. Add to that, fish mounted on the wall, model boats, and illustrations of pin-up style sailor girls, you’ll be ready to for one of their strong tiki drinks. The menu is displayed simply on a blackboard with push-in letters, listing The Rusty Knot, Dark & Stormy, Zombie, Spiced Colada, Mai Tai, and Singapore Sling without any explanation beyond that. If you ask the bartender, she’ll give you a general description. Just know you’re in for a strong, fruity rum-based drink. There’s a free juke box, a food menu, and the sun shining through the windows reflecting off the Hudson River.

425 West St., 212-645-KNOT

Saturdays Surf

For fashion forward surf apparel and a minimalist, artsy vibe, head to SoHo’s Saturdays Surf. My friend Rebekah introduced me to the spot on a visit last summer. Here, you can also order a coffee or espresso from their coffee bar, and kick it in the quiet courtyard out back with wooden benches, leafy caladium plants, a tin shed, and a stash of boards. It feels like a quiet, cool retreat in a friend’s backyard in the middle of the city, and makes for a perfect shopping break. There’s also a location in the West Village.

31 Crosby St.,  212-966-7875

“Hi, my name’s Shayne. Welcome to my favorite bar, The Frying Pan.”

The Frying Pan

This is where it all started. My first summer living in New York, I took sailing lessons on the Hudson River at Chelsea Piers with Offshore Sailing School, and this was the spot we hung out at after lessons. This was where my love for boats began (oh yeah, and when I began dating my sailing instructor), and soon, in my free time, I always gravitated to the Hudson River Park to lay in the grass and watch the boats go by with my dog Sparky. That is, when I wasn’t sailing myself. The Frying Pan is a converted lightship built in 1929 that now serves as a seasonal, multi-level outdoor bar. To me, it’s paradise. Order a sangria or margarita from the bar, and a cheeseburger or whatever’s cooking on the grill, and grab a seat on the upper deck overlooking the river at sunset. It’s easily one of my favorite spots in the city, and as much time as I’ve personally spent here, I still think it’s one of New York’s best kept secrets.

Pier 66, W. 26th St.,  212-989-6363

The Benowitzes are a pretty theatrical bunch. Starting with my mother who pursued acting and modeling in L.A. in the ’70s, and studied theater at University of California, Irvine with the likes of Jon Lovitz. My brother Brett lives in New York now and is an emerging actor and musician, and I was once a drama major at the University of Georgia (although I lost interest in pursuing acting as a career long before graduation). Even my dad, the straight-laced businessman, can’t resist performing “Johnny Be Good” at his 60th birthday party or appearing as Officer Schrank in my brother’s high school production of West Side Story. In fact, the Benowitzes have shared the stage in many productions, including my sister Kristy and me in Fiddler on the Roof in high school. This weekend, we were all together for the first time in a year in New York City, and it was a pretty theatrical visit.

Brett Benowitz, far left in Under the Greenwood Tree.

The Flea Theater

Our main purpose for the trip was to see Brett perform in Under the Greenwood Tree, a new musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s As You Like It, at TriBeCa’s Flea Theater in its second production . Founded in 1996, the Off-Off Broadway house is dedicated to the works of independent artists, both emerging and established, and has become a downtown beacon for experimental and new works. With two theaters, Under the Greenwood Tree was staged inside the intimate, black box-style 74-seat main stage theater, and they raised $8,000 to get the show produced. Brett played Orlando, the romantic lead, in a strong ensemble cast, and the show was reviewed in The New York Times. Needless to say, I’m very proud of my little bro and everything he’s doing in the city.

He and his roommate Damian are also in a two-man band called Sham. Their sound is rock-blues-funk and they’ll be performing at Ella Lounge in Alphabet City this Thursday August 22. If you’re in the city, you should check them out. You can listen to their music and learn more about them here. Oh yeah, they wear masks.

Me & my dad at the Apollo Theater.

The Apollo Theater

My dad’s special request on this trip was to see Harlem’s legendary Apollo Theater, so we headed uptown for a tour with Billy Mitchell, aka “Mr. Apollo.” Mitchell’s been with the Apollo for 49 years since he got his start as a kid running errands for the stars getting ready to perform. During Amateur Night at the Apollo, he saw a 15-year-old Stevie Wonder perform and a nine-year-old Michael Jackson perform with Gladys Knight. Eventually, James Brown mentored him on the importance of getting an education, and today he helps run the theater.

We toured the theater, learned about its history in the neighborhood, and toured the dressing rooms backstage. There’s a “Wall of Fame” in the wings with signatures ranging from Snoop Dogg to President Obama to Lebron James. There was even an opportunity to perform onstage, and being that the Benowitzes love the limelight, my mom couldn’t resist singing Patsy Cline, my dad reenacted the introduction from the album “James Brown: Live At The Apollo,” and my brother sang Otis Redding. The only thing I could think of at the time was to sing Beyonce’s “If I Were A Boy,” but I was more than content to sit in the audience.

The Music Box Theater

For me, a trip to New York is not complete without catching a Broadway show, and this time it was the revival of the musical Pippin at the Music Box Theater. Originally staged in 1972, it was directed by Bob Fosse and starred Ben Vereen as the Leading Player. This new production won four Tonys–and I was in it in high school–so I was psyched to see a professional production and hear the music again after all those years.

It tells the tale of Pippin, son of King Charlamagne, and his quest to find his “corner of the sky” with the guidance of the bewitching Leading Player, this time played by Patina Miller. After trying his hand at heroics, hedonism, and politics, in the end, it’s the commonplace existence  of every day life (with a woman, her son, and a duck) that Pippin finds most fulfilling. The staging is acrobatic and draw-jopping, and the music and story hold up as much as ever. I find Pippin to be an endearing, existential Everyman journeying through life, while my sister sees him as “a big whiny baby.” I’m pretty sure we’re both right.

I love bikinis. The ability to wear one year round was one of the reasons I moved to South Florida in the first place.

Naturally, I get excited when Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim comes to town. This was my second year covering the event, and a conflict arose when I had the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica the same weekend. When it came down to it, the chance to actually wear a bikini in a tropical locale I’d never been to before trumped watching models walk down the runway in the latest fashions. (More on Costa Rica soon. Promise! Loved it!). However, I made it back in time to catch the shows at The Raleigh Sunday and Monday night.

The trends I was most excited to see included funky ’80s throwback looks, including a monokini by Beach Riot I swear I owned at age eight and leotard-style one-pieces that look like they came out of a Jane Fonda workout video.

Beach Riot, Aquarella Swimwear, Beach Riot

I also loved the high-fashion, creative cutouts in bright colors, like yellow and royal blue, lending a futuristic look.

Indah and two looks by Aquarella Swimwear

Of course, the itty bitty bikini will always rule, and I loved seeing solids and prints in shades of pink, yellow, turquoise, and nude with embellishments, like ruffles, tassels, and fringe.

Luli Fama, Lolli Swim, Aquarella Swimwear

There were creative textures employed, like knits and neoprene, and resortwear silhouettes in voluminous maxi dresses and cutesie rompers. I also saw a recurring theme in collections reflecting the colors of the ocean in deep blue, turquoise, and silver.

Backstage at Wildfox Couture, Anna Kosturova, Indah

Two looks by 6 Shore Road and A.Che

I covered Swim Week for Miami.com. To read my reviews of Monday night’s shows, click here. For Sunday night’s shows, click here. I also wrote a fun story pairing the latest swim looks with sexy Miami hotel pools, and you can read that here.

How To Set Your Rates

Welcome to the final part of my 5 part series, “How To Succeed in Freelance Writing Without Really Trying,” citing Peter Bowerman’s The Well-Fed Writer as a touchstone text. Today, we’ll discuss how to set your rates. Access the rest of the series here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.

Cheers to making a healthy living at freelance writing!

There is no simple answer for the conundrum of setting your rates and quoting estimates. In some cases, the rates and budget are set for you, especially when it comes to editorial publications, like magazines and blogs. When I first started out, I read countless articles all purporting to guide you on how to set your rates as a freelance writer. I came away from most of them without a clear answer. The very first sentence in Peter Bowerman’s chapter on “How Much Do I Charge?” in The Well-Fed Writer is almost identical to Riki Altman’s advice that I mentioned in Part 4. He writes, “In the beginning of your career, within reason, you need to take virtually any fee you can get in order to build your business and reputation.”

The next thing that he emphasizes is that your hourly rate should start at $50. Period. At least, that was my takeaway. He lists a range of rates from $50-$125 per hour for this type of creative commercial copywriting. He also notes that in most cases, you’ll be setting a project rate based on your hourly rate to prospective clients, so a sense of your hourly rate is important. As my portfolio grows, I try to set higher rates, but always with the intention of striking a deal both parties are happy with, and knowing exactly where I draw my bottom line.

It’s a tricky balance to quote a rate just right. You don’t want to turn someone off completely from negotiating by quoting too high, and when someone accepts your first bid, you wonder if you quoted too low. There will be some clients who simply don’t understand the time and value that goes into the work they’d like you to do, and coming to agreeable terms can prove difficult. This is where a well-crafted proposal and contract come in handy, and Bowerman guides you through the ins and outs of those, too, in his book.

Finally, different types of writing garner different wages. My most glamourous assignments sometimes garner the smallest wage. In my experience, business writing pays more than editorial writing; and web publications, like blogs, often pay more than glossy magazines. Of course, there are many exceptions to this rule.

That’s why rates are tricky. The good news is, the more you work, the more you understand how this balance works and how to approach it. There are times when I’ve accepted less for a particularly prestigious assignment or a project that I was truly interested in. There are also times where I’ve stood my ground and negotiated for more.

So What’s Next?

Peter Bowerman’s The Well-Fed Writer was instrumental in launching my writing career. I’m happy to report two and a half years later that my roster is full with exciting work that I truly enjoy. Of course, in this field, you’re always hustling and looking for new opportunities. It’s great to have the ability to assess your career and steer it in the direction you’d like to see it go.

More and more, I’m thinking about growth. There’s only so much I can do on my own. The idea of an intern, an assistant, a first employee, a partner has been swirling in my brain for months now. I have some ideas and lots of peers in my field to talk to, but I’d welcome any advice and suggestions. What I’m also looking for is another book to guide me. Maybe I should volley this question back to Peter Bowerman or maybe someone can suggest a great read for moving your “solo-preneurial” business into an entrepreneurial one.

What has your experience been with setting rates as a freelance writer? What books have you read to guide your career? What advice do you have or books do you recommend to take the leap from solo-preneurship to entrepreneurship? What else do you want to know about freelance writing? Let’s start a dialogue in the comments below!

Networking & Referrals

Welcome to Part 4 of my 5 part series, “How To Succeed in Freelance Writing Without Really Trying,” citing Peter Bowerman’s The Well-Fed Writer as a touchstone text. Today, we’ll discuss networking and referrals. Access the rest of the series here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 5.

Discussing compelling things, like content for social media.

Networking

Networking has got to be one of the most elusive terms in the business lexicon. What does it mean? How do you do it? What dividends does it really pay?

It’s only from jumping in there and doing it myself that I can confidently say it is absolutely crucial in starting, growing, and sustaining a business. Peter Bowerman, author of The Well-Fed Writer makes a point that I find particularly key. Your efforts are like planting seeds. They’re not necessarily going to reap immediate rewards (i.e., contracts, paychecks, etc.) over night. It might not be until months later–after nurturing relationships, after other opportunities come to fruition, after having your name out there–that a lead develops into something tangible.

It’s important to just jump in and show up. And that’s exactly what I did. I went to Social Media Club of South Florida events, Southern Florida Concierge Association events, Media Bistro mixers, readings at Books & Books, Greater Miami & The Beaches Hotel Association lunches, Social Media Week events, Greater Miami Convention & Visitor’s Bureau meetings, Miami Media Mixer luncheons, writer’s salons, parties thrown by local magazines. And I still do. I’ve even managed to speak at a couple of these events.

At first, showing up as a newcomer and a fledgling professional writer at these events was unnerving and intimidating. But it got easier and I grew more confident. I always met interesting people and took note of speakers who I found particularly sharp. The more I showed up, the more I started to see familiar faces. People who I might have been initially intimidated by are now my colleagues and friends. Through participating with all of these organizations, I’ve made amazing contacts with fellow writers, editors, clients, colleagues, and subjects for stories.

Networking takes a lot of effort, time, and consistency, and the rewards can sometimes feel intangible, but building and maintaining a solid professional network has been absolutely critical to my success. The more people you know, the more people you know.

Referrals

Another early boon to my business was referrals. This is one of those serendipitous moments of good fortune where a client is impressed with your work and shares your information with a colleague who then hires you. Same goes for editors and fellow writers. This can also be a deliberate tactic by directly asking a client if they know of anyone else who could benefit from your services. It’s also a result of a strong network.

Almost all of my early social media clients came from referrals. In addition to specializing in tourism, all of a sudden, I had a niche in destination weddings, which later helped me publish stories in a regional luxury bridal magazine. Speaking of which, I met the editor of that magazine, Riki Altman, when she gave a talk on freelancing at the Miami Media Mixer luncheon. She gave two pieces of advice that particularly ring true.

1. Always say yes until you can afford to say no.
2. Don’t get too attached to any one niche.

Freelancing involves a certain amount of ebb and flow, and the flexibility and desire to constantly learn new things. I live by her advice, tempered with what Bowerman has taught me about setting rates, but we’ll get to that later. After her talk, I introduced myself, complimented her on her presentation, mentioned my experience in destination weddings, and brought up the name of a mutual writer friend. The result? I got her card and soon after pitched her an idea for a story via email, and got the assignment. This is just one example of the power of networking, referrals, and getting yourself out there.

Check back tomorrow for the final part of my 5 part series “How To Succeed in Freelance Writing Without Really Trying.” We’ll discuss “How To Set Your Rates.”

Are you interested in becoming a full-time writer? What questions do you have? Are you a fellow freelance writer? What has your success been with networking and referrals? Let’s start a dialogue in the comments below!

Cold Calling & The Law of Averages

Welcome to Part 3 of my 5 part series, “How To Succeed in Freelance Writing Without Really Trying,” citing Peter Bowerman’s The Well-Fed Writer as a touchstone text. Today, we’ll discuss cold calling and the law of averages. Access the rest of the series here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 4, Part 5.

On a pay phone in Paris.

On November 1, 2010, I drove 150 miles up the Overseas Highway, my car filled with boxes, from Key West to my new condo on South Beach. I had enough money saved to live three to four months on a careful budget, a couple of clients providing a meager income stream, and a business plan. What now?

Peter Bowerman, author of The Well-Fed Writer, is a fierce proponent of cold calling, claiming to have made 700 cold calls in four week’s time to jump start his business. The technique may seem a bit antiquated in a digital world where we spend so much time networking on social media and sending emails, but it has its benefits. While he acknowledges that cold calling is inherently nerve-racking, it’s the most immediate way to get the ear of someone who might need your services. Here’s a few Bowerman tips to consider when taking the icy plunge into cold calling.

Compile a List 

Bowerman suggests starting with a long list of names in your particular field or industry to work from systematically. To compile this list, he says to head to the library and scour publications, such as business journals, BusinessWise, and the Book of Lists. A lot of this can probably also be done online, and for the truly tech-savvy, some of Bowerman’s advice will come across as outmoded. Whatever means you use to gather information and use technology, though, his advice on the business of writing holds up.

I probably spent way more time than necessary compiling my list. This is especially true because two and a half years later, I’ve barely skimmed the surface of all the contacts I compiled. Bowerman also suggests working from within an industry that you’re already involved, if possible. For me, that was tourism, and one of my earliest contacts in Miami was with a far-reaching hospitality association with a wealth of members in both tourism and hospitality. Shortly after making calls from the list that I compiled, I became privy to this association’s membership list and used my affiliation with them as my foot in the door.

Write Out Your Script 

Bowerman notes that the whole notion of cold-calling can be a blow to the ego. You have to realize that the majority of people that you call will be uninterested in what you have to offer. He suggests writing a script, and sticking to it. Something along the lines of, “Good morning, my name is Shayne Benowitz, and I’m a freelance writer making contact with local businesses to see if you might have the need for a good freelance copywriter to help with content marketing and social media. Who would be the best person to talk to?”

I did precisely that in a couple of different versions and wrote my script down on notecards that I read from. He also suggests having a longer version of your pitch for voicemail.

Keep A Log And Follow Up

I did just that and followed up over the phone and email. I know there are sophisticated contact management systems out there that would be beneficial to me, but I’ve seemed to do okay so far without them.

Understand The Law Of Averages 

The proposition of cold calling is awkward, at best. And I’ll admit that I don’t miss it. We live in a world where business communication is often done most smoothly via email. However, in my experience, the people who also make an effort to talk over the phone and meet in person, tend to stand out from the pack and solicit a stronger feeling of loyalty and camaraderie from me.

In all, my cold calling campaign lasted about a month and I made about 100 calls. I selected two hours at the start of my day to make these phone calls and follow ups. And, yes, I got a lot of voicemails and disinterested prospects. However, I also got a number of leads and two solid clients that I still work with to this day.

I probably could have continued cold calling and may resort to it again one day. Who knows! So why did I stop? Fortunately, the pipeline was starting to fill up with leads from these efforts, as well as from contacts made through networking and referrals. And we’ll get to those two techniques tomorrow.

Check back tomorrow for “Part 4: Networking & Referrals” of my 5 part series “How To Succeed in Freelance Writing Without Really Trying.”

Are you interested in becoming a full-time writer? What questions do you have? Are you a fellow freelance writer? How did you approach prospecting? Let’s start a dialogue in the comments below! 

Part Time to Full Time And Where to Start

Welcome to Part 2 of my 5 part series, “How To Succeed in Freelance Writing Without Really Trying,” citing Peter Bowerman’s The Well-Fed Writer as a touchstone text. Today, we’ll discuss how to get started and the transition from part time to full time. Access the rest of the series here: Part 1, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5. 

At the reef in Key West

In The Well-Fed Writer, Peter Bowerman offers a number of ways to break into the business of writing with zero contacts, zero experience, zero writing background, and zero portfolio. One of the ways to do this is to start crafting your career part time while you’re still gainfully employed, and to look for writing opportunities within the industry you’re already in.

So where was I? At the time, I was working for the largest and fastest-growing water sports company in Key West. We had just launched a brand new, beautifully designed website with e-commerce and we were working with an advertising agency in South Miami. One of the buttons on the website said “Key West Blog.” When you clicked on the link, it said “Coming Soon.” I saw an opportunity immediately and approached our operations manager to suggest that I write the blog. Right then and there, he called the owner and the idea was green lighted on the spot. I crafted a more detailed pitch and proposal, met with our owner and the creative director of the ad agency, and the blog was born.

This was the foundation of what would become a full blown content marketing and social media campaign at a time when businesses were just getting on board with this approach. I came up with the idea to brand the blog The Fury Girl Blog (there’s a picture of me on the site in a red bikini, snorkel mask, and fins to prove it!), and I’ve managed a social campaign that, five years later, has over 18,000 Facebook fans and over 2,000 Twitter followers. What’s great about working with a small company keen on growth is that there’s always new opportunities, and being apart of this team has been extremely gratifying–and lucrative.

But that’s just one piece of the puzzle. I began looking for freelancing opportunities elsewhere. My previous career as a New York City school teacher gave me an additional area of expertise in education. I realized that my first freelance assingment had actually come years earlier with copyediting and writing curriculum for the childcare franchising company that my dad works for. It’s a fruitful relationship I’ve continued to sustain over the years. Bowerman advises to reach out to your contacts, and when you’re starting out that might just be family and friends. My first paid travel column was for the website of my second cousin’s relocation guides company. The column was short-lived, but it was an opportunity to build my portfolio and flex my creative muscle–and, I quickly learned that every opportunity leads to the next opportunity.

Bowerman notes that the clients you have when you start your career will likely not be the same ones on your roster years down the road. He warns that you should never lean too heavily on one client for the majority of your income because if things change and you lose them, it can prove to be a huge financial hardship. Having a diverse portfolio is essential. In my business, I have a number of long term clients that have been my bedrock for years. I’ve also noticed that when one client goes, there’s usually another materializing in my pipeline to replace it. It can feel serendipitous, but there’s definitely more to it, (marketing, networking, cultivating relationships) and we’ll get into that later.

I worked in this part time freelance capacity for almost three years while working full time on the parasail boats in Key West, and completing my novel. I found gigs on Media Bistro‘s freelance job listings, with local publications, and through referrals. And occasionally, I’d even get approached with an opportunity. That still remains an amazing feeling as a freelancer.

I had a checklist and a timeline in mind for when I’d be ready to make the transition to full time:

1. My novel would be complete and submitted to an initial round of agents.
2. I’d have a certain amount of money in the bank.
3. I’d have a city and a departure date in mind to launch my new career.

As much as I loved Key West and it had nurtured my early creative ambitions, for both professional and personal reasons, it was time to get off the rock, back to a city, and into a bigger market. I chose Miami.

Check back tomorrow for “Part 3: Cold Calling & The Law of Averages” of my 5 part series, “How To Succeed in Freelance Writing Without Really Trying.”

 Are you interested in becoming a full-time writer? What questions do you have? Are you a fellow freelance writer? How did you get started? Let’s start a dialogue in the comments below!