Let Love Go, If Go She Will by Robert Louis Stevenson
This poem from Robert Louis Stevenson reminds me a little bit of Lenny Kravitz's "Let Love Rule."
How to Keep Motivated as a Freelance Writer
Freelance writing is a career that can be difficult to get into initially, and even harder to maintain an income. After all, it is filled with rejections and uncertainty. Even the most experienced of freelancers can get frustrated by the continual search for work and dealing with client's objections.
Writing a Letter of Introduction
Writers tend to be a shy group, and making cold calls to get new clients might just equal the joy of having your teeth drilled. In other words, you'd rather not. By writing a letter of introduction first, it can make it easier to do. Not just that, but a letter can also be a nice follow up when you've met someone briefly and aren't sure if they have a need for your services.
Private Sponsors for Your Blog
Do you have ads on your site? Where do you find sponsors? One option is to use private sponsors, as opposed to one of the popular affiliate sources. I've done this in the past and it's worked out okay.
Finding a Writers Group
You know, I never used to be in writers groups of any kind, but in the last few years I've suddenly found myself in quite a few. I have to say, they have been very valuable for my career and personal satisfaction. A writer's group can help you deal with the ups and downs of the freelance writing life and give you some perspective on days when negative clients and low rates get the best of you.
Your Views on Indie/Self-Publishing
Recently I asked you to share your views about indie publishing. I'll be sharing some of mine very soon, but I always like to hear from you first. Not surprisingly, I found that the people who responded had different reasons for self-publishing.
How I Personally Use Pinterest
We've been hearing a lot in recent weeks about Pinterest. Every time we hear about a new promotion method, I immediately see writers jump on it and then begin to promote their stuff. Yes, we want to promote, but sometimes this need to get our books and blogs in front of people can put off the very readers we're trying to attract.
Who Is Your Virtual Cube Mate?
Recently I got some really good news about an article I did, and I wanted to share it with someone. But then, I'm working at home. Sometimes I go to a coffee shop, but even then I wouldn't have just waltzed up to a stranger and said "Hey, guess what just happened to me!" But lucky for me, I have a few people I can call when I need a human (a real human, not just a Twitter or Facebook human) connection, and I called up another writer friend who lives across the country, but who I've chatted with numerous times. ...
Why I Like Writing Online
When I first started out in freelancing, I did a variety of work both online and in print. Now, I write primarily online, and I love it. Here's why.
Ways to Come Up With Blog Post Ideas
One of the most common questions I get from writers is how do you write so many blog posts daily? I have several blogs and also write for clients. Besides the time aspect, which we've talked about before (I write in time blocks), I have a lot of places that I get ideas from.
Showing Valentine’s Day Love to Writers
Happy Valentine's Day! I can't help thinking of love and goodwill on this day, and since we chat about writing here, let's extend that to include the love for our fellow writers. What can you do to help another writer?
Getting Interviewed at Working Writers
I interview a lot of writers here. (Current count is a couple hundred.) I love talking to writers and finding out about their journey. I still seek out writers to interview, and when I do, I usually have a couple questions in mind, and then some that I create based on information about the writer.
Time Blocks for Writers
I was just interviewed for a blog, and one question they asked me was about managing my time. We've talked about it here before, but it's really important for writers, and I think sometimes when we see someone else that seems to be cranking out a lot of work, we wonder how they do it. (At least, I wonder!)
Freelance Writing Work at Home Misconceptions
I've talked before about misconceptions that people have about freelancing, but I think it's worth bringing up again. Just this week I was at the doctor, and the receptionist asked for my work phone number. I told her it was the same as my home number and she said, "Oh, so you don't work." No, I told her, I'm a writer. She looked at me like that was the same thing.
Asking to Be Paid When You’ve Been Writing for Free
I talked about exposure in another post, and I got several comments and questions about that. One of them was, "How do you turn a gig that isn't paying into something that pays." Well then, that's the million dollar question, isn't it? Here are my thoughts.
Guest Post Opportunities
I'm getting a lot of questions about guest posting here, which I understand because so many of us are trying to get back links or promote blogs or books or whatever. So I wanted to let you know about my other blogs, in case there is a fit for your post there, too.
Exposure Versus Backlinks
There's writing for free, and then there's writing for free. What I mean is, there is a difference between exposure for exposure's sake, and backlinks. We all write for free these days occasionally, but there is usually a good reason for it. You're guest posting to get backlinks, you're doing a favor for a blogger friend, you're promoting your book or blog, etc.
About.com Readers’ Choice Awards
I wanted to let you all know that the About.com Readers' Choice Awards are currently going on, and there several categories you or one of your clients might be interested in. Categories include: Best Nonfiction Book About Friendship Best Fiction Book About Friendship Favorite Website for Meeting New Friends Favorite TV Bromance Favorite Online Game to Play With Your Friends Favorite TV Show About Friends Favorite Board Game to Play With Your Friends Favorite Friendship Blog Nominating yourself is acceptable. In fact, we encourage it! The 2012 About.com Readers’ Choice Awards showcase the best products, features and services in dozens of categories. Readers’ Choice includes multiple channels ranging from technology ...
How to Get Your Interviewer Back on Track
I've done quite a few interviews over the past few years, and most of them are really great. As an introvert myself, I'm amazed at people's abilities to chat away in a carefree manner, to interrupt people (when they need it), and to basically think aloud. During a radio or TV interview, those are important skillsets (which I definitely don't have.)
How to Revive Old Blog Posts
It's one thing to get traffic to new blog posts, but what about all those gems you wrote long ago that need a little more attention? Here are some ways to get traffic to older posts.
Lipping Off at the Judges
I'll admit it, I love watching those reality shows where people sing and then other people judge and then someone gets critiqued and/or voted off. I love them because they are fun to watch but also because I see some similarities between shows like that and being a writer.
How I Use Twitter Lists
The list function in Twitter has really been a lifesaver for me. Many people complain that there is so much info on Twitter it's almost too confusing to use. I think it's a good resource, and the way to manage it all is with organization. Lists are one way you can do that.
Are You Afraid of Editors?
I saw this post recently on Alan Rinzler's blog about being afraid of editors. He's right, I've heard several writers express this fear. I can't say I have it now, but there was a time where I did.
I Want to Do an Ebook, Where Do I Start?
By far the most common question I get these days from people is about ebooks. It seems many of you are writing them and good for you! Ebooks can be a good source of income for freelancers and a good way to build or support your brand. If you're thinking of doing an ebook and wondering where to start, here are some resources for you.
Hey, Newbies, Are You Tired of Being Invisible?
Guest post by Jason Scott If the title of this post speaks to you, then your blogging experiences are probably similar to mine. Let me take a guess. Do you work your backside off getting your blog just right, filling it with great content, editing, re-editing, and making it look so hot that you could cook a stack of blueberry pancakes on it?
How to Get the Most Out of HARO
Have you used Help a Reporter Out (HARO)? It's such a great resource. I've used it to get interviews for an article I wrote on midlife dating and I've also responded to calls for experts. The service works great, but if you're just trying to promote your book at any cost or get an interview no matter what, you probably won't find it as useful. Here are some tips that will help you get the most out of HARO.
Applying for Freelance Jobs Without Clips
What are "clips"? Do you need them? Recently I gave a talk for a group of aspiring writers, and I got several questions about "clips."
5 Types of Communicators That Drive This Blogger Crazy
First let me say, I love hearing from you all. I really do. You are all so passionate and knowledgeable, and you blow me away with your emails and comments. But in addition to all the wonderful readers that contact me here, I also hear from other folks: PR people, authors, editors, marketing people, and on and on, and some of them aren't such great communicators. I'm not going to pick on them, but I do want to point out a few things they do that we can all learn from. Over Communicating Being on top of things is great, but when ...
Blogging With an Active Voice
Guest post by Emilee Butera Are you reading this post or is this post being read by you? This difference between the two may seem minimal, but it's actually very significant. Many people know that they should write in an active voice instead of passive voice, but they may not always realize the difference between the two.
National Global Entrepreneurship Week – Rates and Making Money
I hope you enjoyed our posts this week about rates, payment, and your freelance business: What Freelance Writers Can Learn From Netflix Lessons from Plumbers: How to Set Freelance Writing Rates How to Raise Your Rates Finding Freelance Writing Work Here are a few more posts you might find of interest: When Pay is Negotiable Types of Payment What If You Get Paid On Page Views Alone? How Much Should You Charge for Blog Posts? Copywriting Fees – How to Set Them How Much Are Writers Really Earning? Boost Your Revenues By Turning People Away Freelance Writing Jobs – 3 Services Writers Can Offer Clients to Make More Money Image: worradmu / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
National Global Entrepreneurship Week – What Freelance Writers Can Learn From Netflix
We've been talking about rates this week for National Global Entrepreneurship Week. Our previous discussions included: Lessons from Plumbers: How to Set Freelance Writing Rates, How to Raise Your Rates, and How to Find Freelance Work.
National Global Entrepreneurship Week – Lessons from Plumbers: How to Set Freelance Writing Rates
We're continuing our discussion about freelance writing rates today in honor of National Global Entrepreneurship Week. Today's today: what we as writers can learn about rates from plumbers.
National Global Entrepreneurship Week – How to Raise Your Rates
It's National Global Entrepreneurship Week (which is really difficult to say, by the way), and we're continuing a series on the indie spirit of authors, and how to start up and maintain a successful writing business.
Your Author Photo
Since I spent yesterday chatting about some of the pet peeves I see with author bios, I thought I'd expand on that today to include photos. Bottom line, if you're a writer in any way, shape, or form, you need a photo of yourself.
Get Rid of Self Doubt!
If you're like me at all, you go through the occasional moment of self-doubt. As writers, we get told "no" more than "yes" and there are even times when we're told our writing isn't up to par.
Online Resources for Writers
What are some of the sites and resources that you can't live without? Share with us below! In the meantime, here are a few of the sites I go to often for information and ideas.
When Pay is Negotiable
It might seem obvious that when your client says "pay is negotiable" it means that they have a range in mind that they are going to pay for a certain job. The trick is, how do you as the freelancer get paid the most that you can? Ask Questions to Get an Idea of the Scope of the Job Recently I talked about questions you can ask to find out what the scope of the job will be, and these are the same questions you'll want to ask in order to deal with a "pay is negotiable" situation. Find out what the ...
Freelance Writer Sources for Interviews and Research
One thing I like about freelancing today is that it is so much easier to do research than the old days. I used to have to call up friends and acquaintances each time I had a new assignment in order to find experts to interview. Now, I can usually get everything I need right from my computer. Here are some good resources I use a lot.
Before You Become a Freelance Writer
A lot of people ask me about how to get started as a freelance writer, so I wanted to talk a little bit about what to think about before you start.
Types of Payment
How can you get paid? We write because we love it but we need to run our business and pay bills. Luckily, freelancers today have the chance to be paid in a variety of different ways. This type of diversity can help writers from relying too deeply on one income source. The variety of payment types also reflects the changing job market for writers.
Staying Fit While Working From Home
So, one thing I noticed when I started working from home full-time was that it was that the weight slowly but surely would creep it's way onto my body. The reasons for that are simple.
How to Blog Everyday
More and more, I've heard from authors that blogging on a daily basis seems daunting to them. I have to say, as a professional blogger I write for multiple sites each day, so I don't really understand this.
What If You Get Paid On Page Views Alone?
Yesterday I talked about how to determine a per post rate. Now I'd like to address page views. As bloggers, sometimes we are paid by clients on page views alone, or how many times a post is viewed. I've got some thoughts on this, so let's discuss it.
How Much Should You Charge for Blog Posts?
One question I get repeatedly from writers is what to charge when giving a quote for blog posts. The answer? It depends. You have to make sure you cover all the time you're going to put in to write and research it, and still make it competitive.
How to Follow Up After a Writing Conference
Recently I ran a guest post about how to get the most out of a writer's conference, and one of the comments on it was from our reader Michelle
Things to Watch Out For With Freelance Writing Job Ads
Job ads aren't the best way to find a freelance writing job (we know that already) but nevertheless one of the most common questions I get from freelancers is what to watch out for with a job ad. It's a good question, because when you're new, you don't have the experience to navigate the BS from the truth when it comes to job offerings.
How to Get More Steps in a Day
How’s your butt doing? You know, the butt you sit on all day so you can work hard by typing? Yeah, mine too. But here’s how we can work on it: steps.
21 Ways to Promote Your Book on Twitter
I've got a new book out specifically targeted to authors who want to market their book and brand on Twitter.
Latest News
Let Love Go, If Go She Will by Robert Louis Stevenson
This poem from Robert Louis Stevenson reminds me a little bit of Lenny Kravitz’s “Let Love Rule.” [Read more] Read More →
Writing News and Links for May 19, 2012
Ah… another Friday. Hear that sound? It’s the joy of an upcoming weekend creeping its way into my schedule today. [Read more] Read More →
Social Networking Sites for Booklovers
The great thing about social networking is sharing a passion and finding other like-minded individuals. Lucky for book lovers (and authors), there are many sites especially designed to share the love of books. With the following sites, book lovers can discuss what they are reading now, favorite books, and even those they really couldn’t get into. [Read more] Read More →
Why Isn’t My Book Selling?
It’s a question I get asked a lot: “Why isn’t my book selling?” This question isn’t reserved for the author who is clueless about marketing. I’ve been asked this by savvy authors, even business people who can’t seem to figure out the system for selling. [Read more] Read More →
Interview: HL Carpenter
Ever wanted to write as part of a team? It’s a completely different process, as Helen and Lorri Carpenter will tell you in this interview. Enjoy.
Writing Links and News for May 12, 2012
I’ve been under the weather most of this week, so working has been difficult. How has your week been? [Read more] Read More →
The Power of a Pin: Why Pinterest is a Game Changer
About 10 months ago, I listened to Gary Vaynerchuck talk about this new site called Pinterest. He was really excited about it, though at first I didn’t get it. “Get on Pinterest now!” Gary encouraged. I didn’t listen, thinking “oh, dear, not another social network!” But Pinterest has proven to be anything but another social network. [Read more] Read More →
How to Keep Motivated as a Freelance Writer
Freelance writing is a career that can be difficult to get into initially, and even harder to maintain an income. After all, it is filled with rejections and uncertainty. Even the most experienced of freelancers can get frustrated by the continual search for work and dealing with client’s objections. [Read more] Read More →
Ah, Are You Digging on My Grave by Thomas Hardy
Welcome to another edition of poetry Saturday! Are you a poet? Do you write poetry in secret? We love poets here, so if you are, let us know. [Read more] Read More →
Writing Links and News for May 5, 2012
The first week of May… I can’t believe it. When May gets here, I immediately start thinking about how I’m going to take some time off for the summer. Plan your time out, writers! Don’t wait for you to be “less busy.” [Read more] Read More →
Question and Answer Techniques for Writers
Do you do a lot of interviews? I’ve done one or two (or 200) myself, and I’ve been interviewed by others numerous times also. Interviewing is definitely an art, and like most things in life, the more someone does it the better they generally get at the process. To start off on the right foot, there are a few things to keep in mind to make the interview the very best it can be. [Read more] Read More →
The History Of Paper
Guest post by David Trenbath Ever since writing was invented, people have been finding new ways to make a writing material which is easier and cheaper to use other than parchment or papyrus. Did you know this….paper wasn’t invented until some 3000 years after the invention of writing itself! [Read more] Read More →
Why Business Cards Still Count In A Digital Age
Guest post A certain faction of the business world has basically given up on business cards, and this is really too bad, because business cards still work. Cards are still an important part of the social world of business for a wide range of reasons: [Read more] Read More →
Writing Links and News for April 28, 2012
I say it often, but it was really true this week: Time flew by! At one point during the week I just took a moment and thanked God I had a job that allowed me to be productive and get lost in the creative effort. I used to work at jobs where I watched the clock, and I no longer do that anymore. [Read more] Read More →
The Worst Mistakes That New Freelancers Make
Guest post Congratulations! You’ve decided to become an independent contractor. But before the glow of being your own boss wears off, promise yourself that you’ll avoid the worst mistakes that new freelancers often make. [Read more] Read More →
The Beauty of Trying New Things
Guest post When was the last time you tried something really different? Tried something really new? Tried something that stretched your comfort zone? If it’s been a while, then get out there and do something wildly unconventional – you may be surprised at how good it is for you. [Read more] Read More →
Self-publishing: Looking Back After the First Half-Year: Thoughts from Stephen Gallup
Guest post by Stephen Gallup A few years ago, in an evening course on writing book proposals, I heard the instructor explain an author’s options for publication: go with a big publisher, go with a small publisher, or self-publish. Each had advantages and disadvantages, but it sounded as if the writer got to make the decision. [Read more] Read More →
Popular Weekend Jobs
Guest post Numerous people have their free time on Saturday and Sunday. Some of them are comfortable with their earnings but others are not. Anyone who would like to make extra money every week can find weekend jobs. These are mainly part time jobs that do not use all your day. By doing these jobs you can make extra money to pay for extra expenses in the house. [Read more] Read More →
Writing Links and News for April 21, 2012
Another week gone. Don’t they fly by quickly? This week I spent one entire day sick. I felt awful and couldn’t write a word. What do you usually do then, writers? Do you give up for the day and switch to something else? Or press on? [Read more] Read More →
Barter by Sara Teasdale
Today we’ve got Sara Teasdale to help us remember poetry this lovely Saturday. Poetry has always been an important part of my life and even my art, and I’d love to help spread the word about it. Are you a poet? While I love sharing these classic poems with all of you, it would be nice to see what types of poems each of us write as well. Contract me if you’re interested in sharing. ... [Read more]
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