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Keep in Touch
by Rusty Fischer

So, your assignment is over and your check is in the mail. (You hope.) You’re satisfied with a job well done, a new credit for your growing portfolio, and your editor’s glowing praise.

Now what?

Since the project’s over, there’s no real reason to keep in touch. Still, keep in touch you must. After all, in the world of freelance writing, you never want to burn a bridge, or even worse, leave it unattended. Publishers, editors, freelancers, we all find each other through a sophisticated system of networking potential.

Conferences, retreats, book shows, they are all super chances to "bump into" folks who you’d love to work with again, or for the very first time.

Over the years, I’ve discovered several unique ways that various freelancers have used to keep in touch with me. They are all simple, inexpensive, effective, and best of all, unobtrusive. Why not try one after your next assignment? Who knows, it just might work:

Pretty Postcards

Postcards are one of the least utilized communication tools known to man. The postage is cheap, they’re easy to handle, they’re neither bulky nor verbose, and you can find them anywhere. There’s a movie theater around the corner from my office. Occasionally, in between a massive deadline crunch (or two) I jet out of the building for a 3:30 matinee and return just in time to catch my second wind. Every time I go, I make sure to grab a few of the free postcards that lie in a display case next to the concession stand. They are usually for soft drinks, comic books, new albums, new movies, etc. Best of all, they’re free.

And even if you can’t find them for free, they’re everywhere else for less than a quarter. Anywhere you live you’ll find wacky, goofy, cheesy postcards that are bound to cheer up an editor’s otherwise gloomy and envelope filled stack of daily mail.

Keep things brief, and don’t send one too often. About every six months is an acceptable rule. That’s just enough time for an editor to begin a new project, but not too many a year to become bothersome. Say something like:

Dear Edna Editor, This is just Freda Freelancer checking in from sunny Idaho to see whether you have use of my services. You may remember me from such projects as ‘Preschool Pen Pals,’ and ‘The Reading Software’ series. Thanks again and happy editing!"

Copyright © Rusty Fischer

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