How to Find Freelance Work in Europe

Living abroad can be the experience of a lifetime, but most people can’t afford to skip town without some money-earning potential. If you’re a writer, you’ve got it made. You can work anywhere in the world thanks to the wonders of the Internet and the fabulous portability of your laptop. Finding freelance work in Europe takes some dedication--after all, you’re not the only one with this idea--but with some careful planning and dogged legwork, you can score some great assignments. Read on to learn how to find freelance work in Europe.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Resume and cover letter
• Computer and Internet access

1. Realize that English may be your greatest asset. All major European cities have English-language publications, which need writers with two main things: great writing skills, and the ability to write in fluent English. Many businesses and educational institutions also need native speakers to produce print and web content in English.
2. Know the rules for foreign resumes and cover letters. In Europe, many employers expect you to include your marital status, age and a picture on your resume, and the extent of “bragging” that is acceptable on a resume differs markedly between the United States and other countries, such as Germany. Standards of politeness, methods of closing your cover letter, and other factors differ as well.
3. Prepare writing samples in both hard copies and electronic forms so they can be ready to email or send if requested. It’s best to have a variety of work on hand so you can submit samples that are related to the potential project. You can also consider setting up a website--buying a domain name costs under $10 a year--that features your bio, a list of your accomplishments and links to writing samples online.
4. Head into the city’s bookstores, cafes and newsstands and pick up a copy of every English-language publication you can find. Read them thoroughly--preferably a few issues--to get a sense of tone, audience and content. These will be key sources for freelance work.
5. Send your resume and cover letter to every English-language publication you can, but don’t just stuff envelopes or hit “send” mindlessly. You should include specific ideas for articles or columns that reflect your understanding of the publication.
6. Do some research to identify American or British schools in your city that might need freelance writers for web content, alumni newsletters and admissions documents, and send your resume and cover letter along.
7. Contact every friend you know, especially those studying in universities and language schools, and let them know you’re seeking freelance work. Networking is key in finding new projects and getting your name out there.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult a tax preparer in the United States to untangle the legal matters related to working abroad.
• Don’t expect to get rich. Competition is fierce, and expecting top rates will close a lot of doors fast.
• Remember that to legally work abroad, you must have a work permit. You can often get around this with freelancing, but make sure you discuss concerns with any potential employer.