Credibility Tops Freelance Writer and Editor Wish List

Results from the January 2009 Survey of Writer and Editors

5 Ways to Boost Professional Credibility

A recent survey of over 300 freelance writers and editors discovered that while freelance workers join professional associations for benefits such as networking, professional development, access to industry news, and other support services, the desire to establish a significant level of professional credibility trumps all.

ASHLAND, VA, February 2009 – In an online survey of freelance writers and editors, conducted in January 2009, 86% of respondents rated “Credibility as a committed professional” as “Extremely Important” or “Important,” outranking everything from networking to skill-building.

The three-part survey, commissioned by the National Association of Independent Writers and Editors (www.NAIWE.com), provides an interesting overview of the priorities and concerns of freelance workers. One experienced writer wrote of the frustration of trying to stand apart from the crowd, noting “These days everyone is a “writer” — but I have 30 years of experience and I’m not a twenty-something blogger. I need to know how to react to this huge shift in our industry….”

Because credibility is tied to everything– getting work, setting rates, and presenting a freelance enterprise as a viable business, the surveyed writers and editors are right to value it highly. Factors that influence credibility often have less to do with the freelancer’s skill than the client’s perception. To build credibility, the National Association of Independent Writers and Editors offers five suggestions

Read more, and see the survey results on the news release page. The news release may, of course, be reprinted in your publication as long as the links are included.