Recent Posts from The Freelance Writing Jobs Network HQ

How to Differentiate Genuine Sincerity from Good P.R.

// I talk about trust a lot. If you or my clients didn’t trust me, I’d be sucking it up in a cube farm somewhere. So being real is important to me. However, I realize how you see me and how I see me are two different things. Appearances are important. That’s why when I work on building  traffic, I may have the occasional contest, but for the most part I rely on good content and the power of community. I hope I come across as sincere in my sharing with you. I think I do, otherwise  you wouldn’t trust me and come back every day. Yesterday, someone said to me, “Good... [Read More...]

5 Reasons Online Relationships are Important for Freelance Writers

// You probably see me on Twitter…a lot. The truth is, I like Twitter for many reasons. for example, it breaks up the monotony of the day when I’m home alone. There’s more to it than that, though. I find the networking to be invaluable. Twitter has enabled me to build on so many different types of relationships with clients, sponsors, community members and friends. In 2010, anyone wishing to be a success in business, needs to consider the various social networks as a way to meet others and build up buzz around a product and brand, even if the brand is a personal one. If you... [Read More...]

3 Tips for Being a Truly Objective Freelance Writer

// Back in the day, it was imperative to back up articles with facts, references and whos, whats, wheres, whys and hows. Nowadays it’s much different. On the web we can write what we want, when we want, and how we want. We can write the most unbelievable crap, if we want, and there will still always be someone who believes it. As bloggers, we can offer a balanced opinion or a one-sided point of view. However, if a writer is continuously one-sided in  his assessments, he can’t wake one day and decide he’s going to be fair and objective. It won’t fly among his readers.... [Read More...]

The Freelance Writer’s Guide to Blogs and Blogging

Deb’s note: This is part three in our “Freelance Writer’s Guide to Social Media Series.”  Also see: The Freelance Writer’s Guide to Twitter and a Freelance Writer’s Guide to Facebook…and stay tuned for the accompanying ebook. It almost seems as if everyone who writes for a living has a blog about writing, doesn’t it? That’s not a bad thing as it gives us plenty of places to share ideas and learn. Even writers who don’t have blogs can benefit, though. In  this”guide” we’re going to take a look a the different ways blogs... [Read More...]

A Few More Words About this Whole Demand Studios Insurance Thing

I was up for some time last night thinking about the reaction to the announcment that Demand Studios was offering affordable health care coverage to their freelance writers. To be honest, I’m perplexed by the reaction. I’ll always expect more than a few people to direct negativity in Demand Studios’ direction, but I didn’t expect a flat out rebellion. Call me delusional and naive (and I believe someone already did) but I felt more freelancers would see the gesture for what it was, a sincere desire to do something good to show their freelancers how appreciative they are... [Read More...]

Downsizing for the Holidays: Five Tips for Getting Back into the Freelance Groove on January 2

// The impending holiday season means many freelancers are going to lighten their load for the next month and a half in order to handle obligations at home and spend time with family. However, does back burnering a client now mean you might lose that client to another freelancer before  January? Will there still be plenty of opportunities after the holidays are over? Taking time off doesn’t always mean you’re going to achieve the same level of success two months later. If you play your cards right and plan ahead, you can come back in the beginning of the year as if nothing has changed What... [Read More...]

Behind the Scenes of the Demand Health Care Announcement

I find these posts hard to write. Because of my partnership with Demand Studios, there are always some people who write off my positivity as being a shill or mouthpiece. So I can tell you about why I feel so positive about Demand Studios, but half of you will walk away thinking I’m paid to say all of this stuff anyway. I’ll editorialize a bit later on in this post, but don’t worry, I’ll announce it first so you can leave if you want to. Instead of saying what I want to say about Demand Studios off the bat, I’m going to take you behind the scenes to a conference call... [Read More...]

Demand Studios Announces Health Care Options for its Freelancers

Demand Studios made the announcement today that they are offering health insurance options to their freelancers. Though we touched upon this one month ago, the freelance writing community has been waiting with baited breath to learn the details.  Some even wondered if it’s too good to be true.  As this is unprecedented, I can understand why so many people are so skeptical. However, it is happening. I’m about to get on a call with the Demand Studios team and will bring you any updates. This is what I know in the mean time: Who is eligible? Demand Studios freelancers who have worked... [Read More...]

On Finding Time for Freelance Writing Work or Why I Don’t Wake at 4:00 A.M. Anymore

// I credit much of my freelance writing success to being a morning person. If not for the ability to wake each morning at 4:00, I wouldn’t have been able to find quiet blocks of time to work undisturbed. I woke early almost every day for five years – until my son was in first grade and I had the house to myself full time to work on projects. It looks good in theory, doesn’t it? “Wow, that Deb’s so disciplined she wakes every day at 4 and works for three or four hours straight through while it’s quiet.” The truth is, there’s no better way to emulate... [Read More...]

A Few Black Friday Deals for Freelance Writers

// I am NOT a Black Friday shopper. There is in way in Hades you’ll get me out of bed before 7:30 on the day after Thanksgiving, especially if it’s to battle crowds and fight over big screen televisions and Barbie Dolls. I worked in a mall. I know what goes on there. It’s not pretty. However, I do know there are some bargains to be found on Black Friday, many of them of interest to freelance writers. Here are few of the items I’ve come across that may appeal to you. Is it worth it to wake up at 3:00 a.m. and stand in a crowd to purchase one of these items? I’ll... [Read More...]

How (and Why) I’ve Changed My Thinking Over a Decade of Freelance Writing

// Pardon me while I reflect a bit… 2010 will mark my tenth year as a freelance writer. Though it’s a dream come true, it’s all rather surreal. I honestly thought freelancing would be a way to supplement my husband’s income until our son was in school full time. I didn’t expect I’d continue to do this full time a decade later , and I certainly didn’t think I’d have a popular, lucrative blog and booming social media business. I read somewhere that someone attributed my success to luck and not skill. I disagree. It was a mixture of many things, but... [Read More...]

FWJ Interview: Jenna Glatzer

// Jenna Glatzer’s book, Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer: How to Win Top Writing Assignments was the first book I read while contemplating my decision to seek higher paying freelance writing opportunities. In fact, I credit Jenna’s book as giving me the inspiration and motivation to take a deep breath and begin querying markets beyond entry level web writing opportunities. I was thrilled to interact with Jenna several years ago when she was the owner of the Absolute Write Forum. Through that forum, and an active member - Meryl K. Evans – I even landed a gig with... [Read More...]

Grant Writing Part 4: How Hard is it to Write a Grant?

// by Lisa Jo Rudy Answer: it sounds a whole lot harder than it is. If you can think in a straight line and follow a set of written guidelines, you’ll probably do just fine as a grant writer. Of course, you’ll want to hit the deadlines, fill in all the blanks, and be sure you’re writing the correct number of words in the right font. Outside of that, there are just a few keys to success. * Make it absolutely clear to your client that you are a writer, not an accountant. No, you don’t do budgets or money management! * Know the difference between a marketing piece and a grant proposal.... [Read More...]

Getting Past the Pajama Mentality

// Freelancers are subject to many stereotypes. For example, most non-freelancing people feel that we have all the time in the world or that we spend a lot of time at Starbucks. Ok, well, maybe that second one is true. My favorite stereotype is the one about pajamas. I’m sure you see it all the time too. Ads that are focused towards folks who work at home inevitably mention jammies.  Our friends and neighbors direct envy in our direction because they think we don’t have to get out of our plaid flannels every day. I don’t know how this slovenly image of unshowered, be-jammied... [Read More...]

5 Reasons Why Freelance Writing Job Ads are Flagged on Craigslist

// Craigslist has a reputation for being a haven for scammy types. The truth is, it’s no less scammy than other job boards. In fact, with its flagging system many of the scams are dealt with in a swift and efficient manner. There’s a problem, though. Because of the same flagging system, a lot of the good opportunities disappear too. In fact,  many of the jobs flagged on Craigslist aren’t even scams at all. Some are terrific opportunities but are flagged for a variety of different reasons. Many of the freelance writers who use this blog network to find work each day express... [Read More...]