Happy Mother’s Day. I don’t plan on spending much time on my laptop today, but I’m still taking some time to read my feeds. This is one of my favorite weekend things to do, I wish I had more time to read during the week! Here’s what I’m reading this weekend: 5 Ways to Earn Money Blogging at ABC Technology Better Opportunities for Paid Bloggers at BlogWorld Expo Blog Stop Reading, Start Doing at Blogging Tips Are the Proofreading Police Watching You? at Copyblogger (They sure are, and I have the mail to prove it! – Deb) 8 Things I [Read more…]
Are You Passionate About Your Writing Career?
May 9, 2009. 4 Comments
To be a freelance writer, you need to have good writing skills. That’s a given. You also need to be able to follow instructions carefully so that you clients get what they want. Having good communication skills helps you to develop good working relationships. All of these are skills that you can develop and improve on over time, but there is still a piece to the puzzle that is missing….we talk a lot about being “cool” like it’s something we should be striving for, but I wonder why we don’t value being passionate about what we do.
What Do You Want to Discuss Most About Freelance Writing?
May 8, 2009. 7 Comments
FWJ receives thousands of visitors each day. This tells me that many people are not only looking for work, but they’re also looking to learn more about writing on a freelance basis. What sort of things are you most interested in reading or learning about? Why do you come to FWJ. Please discuss in the comments!
Freelance Writing Jobs for May 8, 2009
May 8, 2009. 16 Comments
I wanted to take some time to wish a Happy Mother’s Day to all the FWJ community moms. I don’t know if I’ll be blogging this weekend but didn’t want the time to go by without a shoutout. Any success stories from our leads? If so, share in the comments.Also, if you’re a published author or have found success as a freelance writer or blogger, I’d love to interview you for a new series: Success Stories. If interested drop me a line at wegetletters@gmail.com. Leads… Nursing Blogger Web Copywriter EBook Writers Freelance Writer Tech Bloggers – $15/post Freelance Writer – [Read more…]
Scheduling Time for Your Articles, Part 2
May 8, 2009. 2 Comments
Yesterday we looked at scheduling time to research information, conduct interviews and prep an article in the first part of “Scheduling Time for Your Articles ” today we are going to wrap up this mini-series with a look at writing and editing. Schedule time to write the article. Once your preliminary work is complete it’s time to write. Short articles you may wrap up the initial draft in an hour or so, longer feature articles or more detailed subjects may take you anywhere from a couple hours to a couple of days. You should know your writing style by now [Read more…]
Scheduling Time for Your Articles
May 7, 2009. 3 Comments
How long does it take to write an article? Honestly, a good one takes as long as it needs to take. So how do schedule time for your articles? It’s not enough to plug a due date into your editorial calendar, you need to carefully map out enough time to complete all the elements required. An article’s schedule is not just the time it takes to write an article, it also includes the time it takes to thoroughly research the material, interview sources, pre-plan your layout and edit the piece. Schedule time for research. This first step is key because [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for May 7, 2009
May 7, 2009. 7 Comments
I remember one beautiful summer afternoon, while looking out the window of the dingy, crowded cube at my last traditional office job, I made a promise to myself. I vowed that if I was ever in a position where I didn’t have to commute every day to a job I hated, I would take advantage of all the beautiful weather. Some days that means working from the table on my back deck, other days it means taking the dog for a lunchtime walk in the park. I’m home now and there is no reason to miss out on weather related [Read more…]
Is Freelance Writing Only a Work From Home Job?
May 7, 2009. 14 Comments
My friend Anne Wayman at About Freelance Writing only posts what she calls the “true” freelance writing jobs. Anne feels that if you can’t do it in your bunny slippers, it’s just not freelance. As much as I respect Anne and what she does, I have to beg to differ. I feel a freelancer is someone who isn’t tied down to one job or employer, it doesn’t matter if one works at home, on site, in the park or at the local coffee shop. The dictionary agrees: Also, freelancer. a person who works as a writer, designer, performer, or the [Read more…]
How Friendly are You With Other Freelancers?
May 7, 2009. 4 Comments
Your peers are as important, if not more important, than your paying customers. Peers offer a huge support for your freelance writing career. They can help boost your business, bring in clientele, get you out of a sticky spot, offer advice, suggest improvements, lift your morale and provide that break you need for success. So how are you treating them? Are you enjoying their company and making friends? Or are you condescending to them, showing off or being the know-it-all? Worse, are you coming off as the snotty diva, the argumentative witch or the arrogant SOB? You could be, and [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for May 6, 2009
May 6, 2009. 14 Comments
Good morning. In looking at the schedule ahead, I see I have a very busy day. I’m finding that if I begin work at 7:30 when my family is on their way, and work straight through until 2:30, I have 7 uninterrupted hours to get things done. After that, I have time for my family, the house, and more. Of course, this is easier said than done as I find myself working ten hours a day and more. Still, I think today’s tip of the day is to find uninterrupted blocks of time to work, and try and do this [Read more…]
17 Tips for Promoting Your Blog Without Being Spammy
May 6, 2009. 20 Comments
After my last post, 5 Reasons You’re Not Making Any Money as a Blogger, some of the members of this community asked if I could offer a few tips for promoting blogs without being spammy or annoying. A key to successful blogging is knowing there’s a fine line between self promotion and spam. The important thing to remember is to build relationships rather than spreading links everywhere you go. If you only drop links, you’ll turn off potential readers. However, if you take the time to participate in discussions and get to know people, they’ll want to learn more about [Read more…]
Get Personal in Your Job Search
May 5, 2009. 3 Comments
One of the challenges in looking for work, whether you are a freelancer or a looking for a salaried position, is that the process is quite impersonal. In the past, you might look for work approaching a potential employer personally or calling them on the phone to ask about available positions. Now, we apply for jobs by e-mail or by filling in an online form. If we call a potential client, we may end up getting their voice mail instead. The personal touch seems to be a thing of the past.
Freelance Writing Jobs for May 5, 2009
May 5, 2009. 18 Comments
My biggest challenge as a blogger is proofreading. Because I have so many things going on at once, I tend to post and run – without checking my work. It’s not until I start receiving negative comments here (and on other blogs) and nasty emails that I realize I did it again. Even though I turn in my clients’ work after reading it over several times, it’s still a good reminder for me to be careful what I post to my blogs, even if they are more personal. For instance, if I want to use FWJ as a reference for [Read more…]
Lifehacker is Looking for a Writer
May 4, 2009. Leave a Comment
Here’s your chance to have your name associated with one of the top blogs on the web. Lifehacker is looking for a writer. Could it be you? Here are the criteria: you’re a technology lover who can’t get enough of trying out new tips and tricks. you’ve got a knack for talking about sometimes complicated topics in ways a beginner could understand. you live for time/money/frustration-saving tricks. you have some proven writing experience, especially blogging. you’re obsessed with keeping up with the latest and greatest tips, tricks, applications, and technology news. For more details on this gig, check out the [Read more…]
What Should Your Freelance Writing Client Do?
May 4, 2009. 1 Comment
I don’t remember the exact wording, but there’s a saying about how you can’t judge a person before you walked a mile in his shoes. The same theory should be applied to your clients. I often hear tales of difficult to please clients, only to learn there are two sides of every story. Lets play a game called “What should your client do?” In this game I’ll throw out several scenarios and we can decide what you would do if you were this client – and if the client is really difficult, or if perhaps the writer is a bit [Read more…]
Monday Markets for May 4, 2009
May 4, 2009. Leave a Comment
Freelance Writing Jobs for May 4, 2009
May 4, 2009. 15 Comments
Do you use an editorial calendar? I have one, it helps me to stay on track – and I don’t know what I would do without it. I know many writers have fancy programs, but I never invested too much in my editorial calendar. Up until a few months ago, I used a giant wall calendar, now I use my Outlook. I’m the type of person who needs bells and whistles to go off so I can have reminders. If I don’t log everything I need to do, I’ll become forgetful. What do you use to keep track of all [Read more…]
5 Reasons You're Not Making Money as a Blogger
May 3, 2009. 18 Comments
Thanks to that famous $100,000 Google check and the whole “make money online” craze, everyone who blogs thinks they’re going to earn enough money so they can quit their day jobs and retire in style. It’s a nice thought. Realistically very few people make hundreds of thousands of dollars blogging each year. It’s not a stretch to earn a livable wage as a blogger, however. If you’re spending all your time blogging and have very little in the bank to show for it, you may be taking the wrong approach. Whether you blog on your own, or blog for someone [Read more…]
How to Find Freelance Writing Jobs
May 3, 2009. 21 Comments
Power Suits Not Included
May 2, 2009. 5 Comments
by Ellen Goldstein In Lisa Sonora Beam’s book The Creative Entrepreneur (Quarry Books, 2008), she presents the following journal prompt “Who is in my business advisory circle?” For the beginner freelance writer or editor, this can be a potentially traumatizing question. However, it doesn’t have to be. You don’t need an army of smart-phone-using, business-suited colleagues to have a business advisory circle (although for a few hours it might be nice); just a few people, some of whom you may already know, to give you advice about running a business. Mine your friends and family. Just as you have certain [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for Saturday, May 2, 2009
May 2, 2009. 14 Comments
In case you missed the news on the Freelance Writing Jobs homepage yesterday, FWJ is celebrating its 4th anniverary this month. I am planning a celebration of sorts, but especially wanted to take some time out to thank you all for your support. We’ve had our ups and down for sure, and your support has been amazing. I don’t have to be number one on Google (but thanks to you we are!), as long as I have this wonderful, thriving community I don’t need much else. Happy anniversary, FWJ community, and thank you so much for your undying support. Coming [Read more…]
It’s Weekend Link Love Time Again!
May 2, 2009. 8 Comments
Once upon a time, my weekly link love posts were an anticipated event. After a while however, I was so busy building up someone else’s brand, I began forgetting about my own. Weekend Link Love fell by the wayside. As a result, the FWJ community began missing out on some really good stuff. Today, I’m happy to bring you some terrific weekend link love. I can’t promise this every weekend (yet), but I can promise I’m back and FWJ is on the front burner once again. Here’s what I’m reading this weekend: Top 10 Signs You Are Not Cut Out [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs Celebrates our 4th Anniversary!
May 1, 2009. 13 Comments
Happy Birthday FWJ! May is our anniversary month. Freelance Writing Jobs is celebrating 4 years in the blogosphere. I’m not sure if I thought my little work at home mom blog would still be here four years later when I first started out, but I am so glad it is. I want to celebrate. I went on a quest for prizes and giveaways and fun stuff, for a giveaway a day, but my day job and a lackluster response left me short. That doesn’t mean we won’t be celebrating – there will be fun stuff and prizes, I promise! That [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for May 1, 2009
May 1, 2009. 14 Comments
A new day, a new month, a clean slate. Here’s to a positive, productive month. Leads… Freelance Copywriter SEO Copywriting Seeking Self Motivated Freelance Writers Freelance Copywriter – Dallas Freelance PLR Writer Looking for Freelance Writer Paid Citizen Journalist Positions Freelance Writer for Conservative Mothering Site Restaurant Critic – Austin UT Austin Freelance Student Writer Copywriter – New England Region Freelancers Needed for 21+ Weekly – .15/word Grant Writer Needed – Chicago Articles Needed Freelance Writers Wanted Pop Music Researchers – Brooklyn Blogger for Health Care Website Need Someone to Write Autobiography and Health Book Ghost Writer for Medical Book [Read more…]
