My samples are self-selling. They gleam behind protective covers in my portfolio and snatch me business. "Wow, I really like this one," says a new client, studying one of my newsletter samples. "That's what I want. Can you do something similar for me?"

"I sure can," I tell client. "I think we should shoot for four colors, instead of two. And thick texture paper would be better for self-mailing."

The client agrees. He also agrees to pay me $850 for 4-page newsletter, half now and rest when I complete job.

"Your samples are your most persuasive tools to seal deal," advises Mary Anne Shultz, a NY-based freelance writer who specializes in ad copy.

"At least seven out of my ten clients had asked to see some sort of samples before hiring me for job," says freelance writer Joan Berk. "Clients want to know what you are capable of doing for them."

"Even if your new client does not ask to see samples, you must have samples," says Louie Markowitz, a freelance writer specializing in corporate newsletters. "I show every new client at least one of my samples -- a sample that is similar to what they have in mind. This helps me get constructive feedback and insight into what client wants."

This is easy for established freelancer to say, who has collected professional samples over years and knows that samples sell themselves to clients.

But what about beginning freelancer who has nothing?

According to freelance writer, Scot Card: "Don't panic. Many freelancers start at bottom. It's where I started. And probably so will you."

As a beginning freelance writer embarking on a part-time or full-time freelancing career, you'll need to do a lot of "grunt" work in your field of specialty. Depending on your approach or what you choose, you'll be doing assignments and working on projects for little or no money, but payoff will reward you in long run.

Writing a brochure for a local non-profit organization or writing a press release for your church's summer events will come in handy day you need to show your first client what you've been up to. But it doesn't just begin with freelancing to local non-profit organizations or churches. You can tap into many other outlets to collect samples while improving your experience, skills and knowledge before you begin freelancing part-time or full-time.

Your first step to get started is obvious: Take inventory of everything you have written.

Everyone has done some writing in past: writing term and thesis papers; writing articles for your college newspaper; providing copy for a flier or brochure for an organization; helping your friends write their resumes, or your own. The list goes on.

Of course, a client won't hire you after he glosses over your high school term paper (with bright red A at top) or a short poem you scribbled in a birthday card. But all of your past writings can serve as a benchmark as to where you stand now. You may even possess samples hiding in your closet or lost somewhere in massive directories of your hard drive, waiting to be reworked and re-edited for a fresh facelift.

Take inventory of all of your writing samples and evaluate them as if you are client. What grabs your attention? What makes you squint away. Do your samples have anything in common with your specialty? Can you rewrite any of your samples for improvement? If so, redo them and use them to begin your portfolio. If not, listen closely...

Here are some ways, endorsed by established freelancers in field, that can help you collect samples of your writing, including testimonials and references; but by no means do you have to follow them. Be creative and seek out other alternatives.

Joseph Martenello (technical writer): "I worked as a part-time stringer for my local newspaper for a year. How'd I get job? I responded to an ad in newspaper, even though I barely had any writing experience. Next thing I know, I was covering town meetings and local events, boring stuff. I didn't get paid much -- not enough that I could live off -- but this lead to a higher paying position writing short features for a while and freelancing for neighboring newspapers for dirt pay...I was able to collect my published articles and put them into a portfolio. Even now, six years later, I'm able to state in my sales letter that I worked as a newspaper reporter. That title has a lot of clout with clients. My clients expect short, tight copy -- type of copy evidenced by my published newspaper clips."

By Avril Harper

C 577 words

Please feel free to use this article in online and print publications.

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FIVE MINUTE MIRACLES

FIVE MINUTES ... Is All You Need ........to phone a friend ..... peel potatoes for dinner ..... pick kids up from school ..... or write a few words that could earn you anything from a plastic pinny or ballpoint pen, to a dream house in sun, a top-of-the-range sports car, or thousands of dollars in cash and luxury goods!

Even if just a few minutes a day is all you can spare, you can still be a well-respected, regularly published writer.

No special skills are required, you definitely don't need a computer or word processor, a telephone or desk. And you certainly do not need lots of spare time ..... because you are about to enter fascinating world of .....

THE FIVE MINUTE WRITER!

Short written pieces are in great demand all over world, by editors and publishers, alongside other high-paying clients, both to fill space where a feature falls short of published page, hence 'filler', and to lighten otherwise staid publications, such as medical journals and import/export bulletins.

Five minute writing covers far more enjoyable and profitable projects than most people appreciate ..... taking just minutes to produce ..... and covering everything from readers' letters and fillers, to mini-articles, puzzles and quizzes, recipes and household hints, photographs and cartoons, to greetings card verses, competition slogans, and much, much more besides.

That's why five minute writing is considered best way to begin and develop a successful writing career, and why many established and very well-paid writers stay with this profitable medium, plus:

- It's very satisfying to see your work and name in print and earlier that happens sooner you become a professional writer, and smoother road becomes to longer, more profitable writing assignments.

- Smaller pieces gets you know to editors who, having seen and enjoyed your work, are more likely to commission you for longer pieces later.

- Word for word, rewards are far higher than for almost any other type of written projects, with possible exception of creating winning slogans and tie-breakers for big-prize competitions.

- No rejection slips, ever! What better start to a full-time writing career?

- Complete pieces can be finished in minutes and spread over whatever time writer can spare between other professional and domestic activities. Great for mother or carer, or otherwise housebound or restricted individual with a desire to write, but little time to spare.

- No bulky equipment and research materials required, meaning you can write, any time, any place, anywhere. A notepad and pen is all you really need to get started on this amazing journey to becoming a well-paid writer.

- Fillers can be fitted between longer assignments, offering a change of 'scenery' and more frequent financial rewards.

- Every single piece you write can be recycled in columns, articles, even full-length best-selling books, and can continue earning high rewards over months, years, perhaps forever.

It's not a case of 'cheap and cheerful' for those who publish your work - they need you - to increase interest in their publications, reduce reading times, multiply circulation rates, and cut their overheads.

For that they'll reward you well, and continue doing so, perhaps for lifetime of your mutual existence!