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Getting Work
From Events and
Late-Breaking News
by Melanie Rockett
There are a constant stream of news events that produce
work for freelance writers, photographers, illustrators
and web entrepreneurs. Fires, floods and hurricanes or
other uncontrollable disasters are one category of news
events. Accidents and police incidents are another.
Announcements of all shapes and sizes are another.
These events often fall under the category of bad news,
which may lead many of you to react with, "I don't want
to be an ambulance chaser." And you know what? I agree
on one level. However there are several things to
consider before you totally reject this avenue as a way
to find freelance work.
First of all -- have YOU ever been in a fire, accident
or disaster? If you were you were probably HAPPY to
have the infrastructure there that would help you.
When I had a fire that gutted part of my house and
created fire damage to the rest of the house, I was
happy to have a disaster clean up company arrive on my
doorstep virtually the next day! They were wonderful.
They held my hand throughout the process and made it
somewhat bearable. When I was in an accident, MY
insurance company -- the one I pay big bucks to every
year to look after my interests -- treated me like
dirt. I was HAPPY to have a lawyer to call. All of
these helpers provided me with services I wanted and
needed. They all got paid, and I do not resent any
penny of what they made.
The second thing to understand is that someone is going
to do the work and that someone could be you.
What kinds of work am I talking about?
I will give you an example that will hopefully help you
think in terms of work possibilities. Many years back,
a oil processing plant I did occasional work for had a
huge fire and explosion. As a freelance writer/
producer/ director I was asked to document the
aftermath of the fire on video. This was for a number
of purposes. The fire department, inspectors, and
engineers put together a documentary of what happened.
Some of the information was used for insurance
purposes. The company also used the information to
develop special emergency methods, strategies and
procedures in the form of videos and manuals. As a
freelancer I got over a year of ongoing contracts out
of this disaster. I believe I performed a valuable
service in helping to prevent accidents like this from
ever happening again.
You may be familiar with the Staten Island Ferry crash
that happened not too long ago. What freelance work
could come of that? There will undoubtedly be city and
state government policy papers, new construction
guidelines, and safety training programs for dock and
ferry crews.
In Vancouver, the Pinkerton Farm murders and East Side
disappearances have generated hundreds of articles
across North America. The trial(s) will generate at
least one if not more books. The cases have already
shown up in a TV series and will likely be made into
one or more movies. Vancouver Police Department
policies and procedures are being re-written as I write
this article. Someone is being paid to do that.
Though not nearly as spectacular, late breaking news
also focuses on announcements of many kinds. For
example -- that BIG company you've been trying to break
into, announces that they have a new PR director. The
old PR director kept on putting you off, maybe you will
fair better with the change of personnel!
Or -- the construction of a new hospital has been
announced. Good news for freelancers who specialize in
the construction industry. Good news for freelancers
who specialize in writing policy and procedures
manuals. This work will start well before the hospital
construction has been completed. Photographers -- the
construction companies and hospital board will want to
document construction from ground breaking to
completion. Producers -- safety videos, construction
documentation. Web designers, programmers, IT
consultants -- will the hospital have an internal
communication system? Will the hospital have a website?
Every day, newspapers and magazines are pointing to new
work possibilities for you. Are you paying attention?
Each of us has to be governed by our own morals and
ethics in this matter. What kinds of work will we
pursue and undertake? Where do we draw the line?
Whatever your answer -- the fact is, "late breaking
news" is a never-ending source of work for freelancers
around the world.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The author, Melanie Rockett, coaches writers and
freelance professionals who are struggling to attract
more clients and increase the revenues in their
businesses.
http://www.proofpositive.com
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