Your Turn: What is the one thing you wish you knew before starting out Lately I’m seeing a lot of “I’m just starting out…” or “I’m new…” in the comments. I’m thrilled so many new writers are coming here for tips and advice, and even more thrilled my wonderful community is more than willing to help out. Today, I’d like us all to offer advice to the newbies. What is the one thing you wish you knew before starting out? I really don’t have regrets when it comes to my writing, though I do cringe when I see some of [Read more…]
Your Turn: What do you know now that you wish you knew before starting out?
August 31, 2007. 35 Comments
Freelance Writing Jobs for August 31, 2007
August 31, 2007. Leave a Comment
Leads… Green Building Writers and Researchers Freelance Writers Needed for How To’s ($100) Freelance Writers for Articles ($0.10-$0.15 per word) Seeking Expert Blogger Campus Life Articles Wanted ($20 and up) Talented Resume Writers ($90 per resume/cover letter project) Need a Press Release Freelance Writers for New Magazine – Toronto Editor Needed for Leading Sports Website Part-Time Blog Writers Needed Automotive Journalist Freelance Business Writers Employment Times Seeks Freelance Writers – MA, NE, NH Writers Only ($50-$100 for 800-1,500 words) Blog Writer – Staffing Expertise Freelance Writers for Academic Finance Website Freelance Business Writers Needed – Gainesville Central Valley Business Journal [Read more…]
How personal is too personal?
August 30, 2007. 30 Comments
How do you know when you’re offering up too many personal details? For instance, when I used to look for 9 to 5 work, I would fax or mail my resume containing my name, address, phone number and email address. Nowadays, there’s no way I’d include that information when responding to an advertisement on Craigslist. I realize most jobs are legitimate, but you just don’t know who’s out there. I remember a week or two after Jodee began helping out. She asked me if I ever felt a little vulnerable because everyone knows so much about me. She thought she [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for Thursday, August 30, 2007
August 30, 2007. 3 Comments
Leads… Equine Content Articles Wanted ($30-$50 for 300-700 words) Parents of College Students Needed to Write Articles ($25 and up) Website Translation Needed (Various Languages) Stock Reporting Website Looking for Contributors/Writers Copywriter Needed – Financial Services ($50 per hour; estimated 100 hours for project) Freelance Writer for OpposingViews Aviation.com Seeks Freelance Reporters Financial/Investment Freelance Writer Need a Press Release Writers and Researchers Needed (Masters Degree or Ph.D required) Online Editor/News & Information Content – Atlanta Experienced Writer Needed History of Internet/Technology Writer Needed ASAP ($200) Grant Writer Freelance Advertising and Web Writer Writers for Book of Unusual Information Talented Resume [Read more…]
Job Security? What Job Security?
August 29, 2007. 18 Comments
Today one of my clients informed me he wasn’t renewing my contract. It was nothing personal, he said. They hired me to help launch a network, said network is launched, lots of people signed up, thanks and don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out. I’m kind of relieved, though it was a lucrative gig, it was far from interesting. The client is a huge name (No, it’s not About.com so don’t even think of running over and applying.) and it looks good on my resume. The people were nice to work for and they paid well [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for Wednesday, August 29, 2007
August 29, 2007. 10 Comments
Leads… Sportswrap Blogger Mobile Phone Blogger ($50 per post + bonuses) Local Blogger for My Home (Austin, Boston, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami, New York, Seattle, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose and Phoenix) Fitness Writers ($15 for 500-700 words) Freelance Ghoswriter/Marketing Writer – Architecture Witty, Expert Zagat-Style Writer for Travel Website Press Release Writer Needed Journalist/Writer Medical Writers Wanted (up to $20 per hour) Write About Drinking Freelance Reporter/Writer – Stockton, CA Proofreader Position – Simon & Schuster Digital Freelance Writer Needed – Curriculum Content ($500 for 800 words) Freelance Writers for New Magazine Senior Editor – [Read more…]
Afternoon Bonus: Deb Needs a Change of Scenery
August 28, 2007. 9 Comments
Not to take anything away from the incredible Jodee, without whom I may have had to close up this blog, but I’ve kind of been missing trolling for job leads lately. I used to do it for relaxation (yeah I’m sick) and bring the results here to you, but then I became to busy. Anyway, today I decided to troll to see what’s out there and decided to bring some of the goodies to you. I hope none of them are repeats as Ms. Jodee is very thorough (which is why she gets all the coffee and Google money). Leads… [Read more…]
Accepting bids
August 28, 2007. Leave a Comment
Please don’t contact me. Contact the nice man who placed the ad. His preference is for musicians but if you’re an experienced writer, he’s ok with that. Chicago-area jazz musician needs two compelling bios, one for prospective band clients and another for potential CD purchasers. Follow-on work possible. Prior experience in writing bios for profesisonal musicians preferred; I will also consider writers who have not done bios before but who are also professional musicians” My web site is http://www.jazzobsession.com/. Please contact me through email; tenorsaxxy@aol.com“ Good luck! Deb
Attention Lifetips Writers
August 28, 2007. 17 Comments
This is a follow up to a discussion several months back. I’m wondering if any of my regulars who wrote the 101 Tips Booklets for Lifetips were successful? If you remember, there was a discussion with hundreds of heated responses. Lifetips were launching a series 101Tips books as a companion to their different tips sites. The writers had to write 101 Tips for both the site and website, for free, but if the Print on Demand book sold, they would get $2 or $3 per. I lost the original discussion when I redesigned and moved to WordPress and I haven’t [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for August 28, 2007
August 28, 2007. Leave a Comment
Leads… Insurance Writers Needed Freelance Resume Writer – Phoenix SEO Copywriter Community Newspaper Reporter ($30 per story) Need Online Dating Profile Written ($15) Content Writers Wanted ($12-$14 per hour) Help for Surgical Technique Guide – Beverly Hills Awaken Listeners Senses with Your Short Stories ($25-$35) Marketing/Communications ($100-$200) New Magazine Seeks Press/Media Kit Writer – Los Angeles Translate 30 Gay Erotic Stories from English to Spanish Freelance Writer for Food Industry Trade Magazine – Chicago Technical Writer – San Francisco Freelance Writers for Women’s Newspaper – Tampa Bay Professional Fashion Resume Needed Short Stories for Children & Parents ($10 for 100 [Read more…]
Don’t give up on old ideas
August 27, 2007. 26 Comments
I spent this weekend going through my file cabinet and cleaning out my workspace in anticipation of moving my stuff into a spare bedroom that is now my office. While going thought different files, I found a goldmine! Years ago in a burst of efficiency, I filed a large folder filled with newspaper clippings, magazine articles and jotted down notes to use for a past newspaper column and content writing jobs. Needless to say, I promptly forgot about this folder. Further inspection of the filing cabinet yielded more of the same types of treasures. While my husband complains of all [Read more…]
Don’t forget our comments contest!
August 27, 2007. 11 Comments
In case you missed it, we’re having a contest! The person with the most comments wins a $50 Amazon gift certificate. If you look at the bottom right sidebar, you can see the standings but don’t let that stop you. Katharine Swan may be in the lead now…but if you try hard enough you can overtake her by October first. There’s plenty of time to win and all you have to do is join the discussion. Here are the rules, have fun! Good luck! Deb Visit my other blogs: Celebrity Cowboy The Celebrity Role Model Blog Simply Thrifty About Weblogs [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for Monday, Auugust 27, 2007
August 27, 2007. 7 Comments
Leads… Car Blogger for dailypixel Network Freelance Writers for Urban Tendencies Magazine (6.50 euros/100 words; This converts to US $8.87/100 words) Freelance Writer for Beauty/Cosmetics (25 GBP/500-800 words; This converts to US $50.39 per article- 30 articles needed) Unique Articles Writer Need Quality Blog Posts – Travel, Mobile (Celluar), Cooking, Legal, and Celebrity Need Blogger/Content Writers for Tech Site/Gaming Site Tea Blogger Needed XBox Game Reviewers Book Editor/Professional Proofreader ($300) Latin Music Blogger ($700/month) Fashion Blog Writer (up to $200/month) Freelance Writers – Fashion/Trends Writer on Real Estate Investing RawImage Magazine Needs Writers – Atlanta ($25-80) Football Writers Needed Electrical [Read more…]
Be prepared, plan ahead and buy lots of batteries
August 24, 2007. 30 Comments
A series of mishaps is keeping me offline more than I’d like. Since 99.9% of my work is Internet based, I’d say this is a problem. You see, there’s an upscale housing development going up across the road from me. At least once a day I experience a cable or power outage. I can’t tell you how frustrating this is to me. These outages last anywhere from ten minutes to ten hours. This is not a good time for me to fall behind in my work. Camp is over and my son is home so I’m not working as many [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for August 24, 2007
August 24, 2007.
Leads… Contributing Writers for Green Site ($10) Science, Tech Writers Wanted for News Web Site Seeking Freelance Writers Now – Brooklyn NYC Blogger Wanted (up to $20 per post) SEO Article Writer Assistant Writer for White Paper Freelance Writer for Self-Help Articles Article Writers Wanted – Need 5+ Daily ($50 per 500-word article – I e-mailed the company this morning to confirm the rate of pay. They e-mailed back right away and this is the correct figure) Blogger for Online Mag Secret Shopper-Style Story Needed – Raleigh ($400) Restaurant Critic Needed – Toronto ($25 per review) Grant Writer Urgently Needed [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for Thursday, August 23, 2007
August 23, 2007. 4 Comments
Leads… Experienced Blogger for Camps.com – One Month Contract ($225) Music Writer for Magazine Freelance Writers Wanted for Conscious Living Electronic Newsletter Press Release Generation ($0.10 per word) Outstanding Writer Needed ($35 per hour) Business Plan Writer ($80) Grant Writer – Animal Lover Needed ($250 to start) Direct Response Copywriter Website Copywriter Wanted Pet Gazette ($150 for 1,200-1,800 words) Freelance Writer for Press Releases ($50-$100) Adventure Travel Writers Wanted ($30-$50) High School Football Stringers Needed – Atlanta/North Fulton County Belize Creole Translator Needed Part-Time Bloggers Needed Creative Web Copywriter – Dental Interview Celebs About Their Health – Los Angeles Commercial [Read more…]
How Can You Tell if Your Content Has Been Ripped Off?
August 22, 2007. 55 Comments
As you’re no doubt already aware, my biggest pet peeve is content theft. I think there’s nothing worse than lazy website owners or bloggers who feel it’s ok to steal someone’s work, especially if they’re hoping to profit. Every time I blog about content theft, I receive a flurry of emails and comments asking how I find my stolen content. The world wide web is a big place. Surely it’s like finding a needle in a haystack, isn’t it? Actually it’s not too difficult to know if someone is ripping off your content. It requires a little time on your [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for Wednesday, August 22, 2007
August 22, 2007. 3 Comments
Leads… Baldness Blogger Regional Magazine Partners (up to $0.20 per word) Seeking St. Louis Guidebook Writer (advance and royalties) Seeking Writer for Tokyo and Kyoto Guidebook (advance and royalties) Guidebook Writer for Portland (advance and royalties) Popular College and Entertainment Blog Looking for Writers Freelance Writer for Education Web Site Freelance Editor to Proof Website Content – Toronto Ontario Guidebook Writer (advance and royalties) Freelance Writers for South Asian Weekly Newspaper – Toronto Freelance Translators ($0.05-$0.20 per word) Writer – Fire Protection Business Plan Writing Assistance ($25 per hour) Freelance Writer – Humanities – Boston E-Learning Online Course Content Editor [Read more…]
Space Invaders: Keep your hands off my stuff!!!
August 21, 2007. 39 Comments
Yesterday’s comment by Cynthia inspired today’s blog post. In our discussion regarding working at home she mentioned how her husband stood over her sorting mail onto her desk while she’s trying to concentrate on her writing. “That’s the other thing that kills me.” She said “My desk is MY desk! Don’t put things on it!! You said it, Cynthia. I’m so territorial with MY things. My computer. My desk. My notebook. My pens that are always disappearing. If I went into my husband’s office at his place of employment and started messing with his things, he’d have a fit. When [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for Tuesday, August 21, 2007
August 21, 2007. 14 Comments
Leads… Freelance Writers for Sun Community Newspapers – Studio City Health Writers for Magazines (up to $0.40 per word) About.com Seeking Race Relations Writer Middle East Issues Writer for About.com About.com Looking for Gymnastics Writer Track & Field Writer – About.com About.com Seeking Autos Journalist Citysearch Looking for East Bay Freelancers Female Blogger with a Male Sense of Humor Bilingual (English/Korean) Freelance Writers Wanted Freelance Writers for Boston Glossy Magazine ($0.15 per word and up) US Magazine Seeks Reporter – Las Vegas (daily rates start at $200) Expert Gamers Needed ($200) Horror Writers Sought ($750-$1,000 for short stories) Copywriter and [Read more…]
Working at home: It’s not all jammies and bon bons
August 20, 2007. 60 Comments
This is something I know many of you can relate to, since I’m seeing more and more comments regarding this issue: Getting others to take your job seriously. My mom worked from home as an Instructional Designer for seven or eight years. Thus my side of the family is good about understanding that I truly have a job even though I do it from a corner of my dining room. My husband’s family, on the other hand, doesn’t always respect that. Some of them have a “oh you can do that anytime” type mentality. Certain friends are even harder to [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for Monday, August 20, 2007
August 20, 2007. 5 Comments
Leads… Native American Artists, Writers, Poets Needed Proofreaders and Editors for Start-up Business Experienced Fitness Content Writers Wanted Writer for Hunting and Fishing Articles Write a Monthly Column for Flint, Mi Area Website Hiring Writers for Web Sites ($15-$30 per article) Entertainment Freelance Writers Wanted – Connecticut ($10 per venue listing) Website Content Writer Needed Gourmet Food Writer Articles About Flipping Websites Needed Medical-Competent Writers Needed ($20+ per hour) Child Day Care Writers Needed ($.30-$.40 per word) Sensual or Erotic Short Stories ($25-$35) SEO Writer Needed – Spiritual/New Age ($10 for 250-400 word) Non-Profit Organization Looking for a Writer Design [Read more…]
Content Theft is a Personal Violation
August 17, 2007. 47 Comments
I used to think imitation was the sincerest form of flattery until I started finding my content on other blogs on a regular basis. It’s not just the feed scrapers either, it’s people who knowingly cut and paste my content without permission. They feel that since they provide attribution it’s ok to repost my content. It’s not. I hate to sound like a broken record, but this is the most obnoxious part about blogging. Heck, about the Internet in general. Actually, I’m more than a little pissed. I spent several hours compiling a couple of lists for Simply Thrifty. 100 [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for Friday, August 17, 2007
August 17, 2007. 4 Comments
Leads… Writer/Editor – Toronto Swagg Newspaper Hiring Editor/Freelance Writers Editor for Short Books and Pamphlets Resume Writer ($25 per hour) Hip Hop/Feature Freelance Writer – Dallas Writers/Artists/Photographers for Green Dallas Magazine Celebrity Blog Writer OC Freelance Writers ($25 per article) Freelance Technical Writers for Small Projects Technical Writer (TCP/IP Related) ($40 per article) Freelance Writer for Brochure – Philadelphia (Local Candidates Only) Internet Research and Writing ($10-$12 per hour) Part-Time Freelance High School Sports Writing Procedures Manual Writer – Phoenix Part-Time Blogger and Real Estate Fanatic – Seattle ($200/week) Environment or Conservation Writer Freelance Writers for Lesbian Mag ($0.15 per [Read more…]
Is it too easy to get pubished online?
August 16, 2007. 34 Comments
It’s pretty easy to become published nowadays. When I first began writing, even when I worked in publishing, only a few truly great freelancers could get their feet inside the doors of their chosen magazines. I remember working with an editor who had a slush pile that reached to the ceiling. Anyone not already established with the magazine got tossed into the pile, without her even opening the envelope. Now, thanks to the Internet, there are a lot more writers in the world, and it’s not a difficult process. Years ago, if I received a form letter within 60 days [Read more…]
