Big ideas can come from small things. Back in 1970, when editors at Grove Press went on strike to create a better workplace for editors and writers, it was the survival instincts of two editors that formed the premise of the Editorial Freelancers Association. With the strike at hand, these two editors soon found themselves freelancing. They met with other editors, in the same situation, to discuss the plight and obstacles of their profession. It wasn’t long before the group had grown to several professionals from all facets of the writing and publishing world. They made a collective decision to organize, and manage their resources in order to benefit all that were interested in freelancing. This is how the EFA was born.

Becoming a member of the EFA will allow you many amenities to assist you with your freelancing career. The organization offers a member profile, available to all potential clients. I really like the way their profile search is set up, as it allows a specific location and profession specialty clarification. If someone is looking for a particular freelancer to do a specific job, their search feature basically hand picks the right person for them.

The talent pool, that’s you, is available to potential clients by online services, a toll free telephone number, or a fax number. I like that the organization has someone working regular business hours to field the contacts. It’s sort of like having your own personal receptionist to field your business opportunities. Your “receptionist” will take the information from the client and notify you within 24 hours, via email, about the employment. It is then up to you to contact the job poster. Well over 600 jobs a year are available and many are repeat posters. The group does not allow any jobs that require the freelancer to pay testing fees or placement fees.

Some of the other amenities offered are reduced tuition to education programs, a members’ only forum, a bi-monthly newsletter, group health insurance, affinity groups, national conferences, a 10% discount to Better World Club and reduced membership fee to ZipCar.

I think the best feature this program has to offer freelancers is the creation of regional chapters and networking groups that meet on a regular basis to keep the members informed of developments and activities of the Association. It allows you the benefit of camaraderie and a network of likeminded individuals to learn and grow with. It gives you the support system you may be missing from the corporate world, without sacrificing the glorious independence of being a freelancer.

Members pay a yearly fee of only $40 to reap all the benefits this Association has to offer. Utilized wisely, it can be a very wise investment to furthering your career and expanding your resources.