Demand Studios & Freelance Writing Jobs: The Perfect Partnership

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This is a sponsored post. As you may have heard, Demand Studios and Freelance Writing Jobs have entered into a partnership. In return for Demand’s sponsorship, I’m spreading the joy at conferences, this blog, and across the social networks. Contrary to the grumblings of a couple of  writers, my support of Demand Studios isn’t a new thing. I’ve been singing Demand Studios’ praises for well over a year now. I feel they’re perfect for new writers who are looking for a place to start, and, also, an easy way for established writers to supplement their income. Back to My Humble [Read more…]

10 Reasons Why Old School Freelance Writers (Including Me) Need to Lighten Up & Stop Whining

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Demand Studios Writing Tip of the Day: Use Old Ideas to Create New Content

This is a sponsored post. I like to refer to myself as a “thought collector.” I write down everything. I have Post-It’s all over my office and years’ worth of notebooks in my file cabinet. Eventually the ideas on those bits of paper go into my calendar program or a notebook so I can refer to them later. Every few months I like to take out my old notebooks – some of them dating back to the late 80′s. The trip down memory lane is fun, but it’s also stimulating. I can’t tell you how many new ideas I get [Read more…]

A New Take on an Old Business

Hi there. I’m Bob, and I’ll be your host for the foreseeable future here at the Business Tips for Writers section of FWJ. I won’t waste your time with a long post about how grateful I am to the FWJ staff for the opportunity (and I am), or what big shoes I have to fill in James Chartrand’s former column (and they are big shoes). Instead, let me tell you a little about myself. I’ll try to make it at least a little relevant to the freelance business, or at least marginally interesting. I’ve been a professional freelance writer for [Read more…]

8 Tips to Maintain a Healthy Weight for Freelance Writers

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Deb’s note: I’m taking a few days off to enjoy the holiday weekend. I hope you enjoy the posts from the guest bloggers taking my place. By Rebecca Subbiah RD Often freelance writers mention that they have gained weight over time, in fact it was just listed as one of the top 10 ways you know you’re a freelance writer. Here are some simple tips to prevent weight gain or help you lose: Prioritize you; make time to cook a healthy meal and exercise. Remember you are your most important asset and writing tool. Keep healthy snacks around, have a [Read more…]

The Venomous Freelancer

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Deb’s note: I’m taking a few days off to enjoy the holiday weekend. I hope you enjoy the posts from the guest bloggers taking my place. Guest Post by Julie Fletcher “I’m a REAL writer, unlike you who “thinks” they are but the reality is, you’re considered a joke amongst the rest of us who actually do this for a living.” That is an excerpt from an extremely nasty message from an disgruntled freelancer who disagreed with my views on being positive while starting out in this career. Not very nice, is it? There has been multiple discussions here and [Read more…]

Does Your Blog Have a Comment Policy?

I find myself having to defend my comment policy from time to time. I’ve been accused of editing comments so only the rosy ones come through, or being biased about who is allowed to comment at the FWJ network. None of that is true. I have a comment policy in place and like to abide by that policy, it’s really nothing personal. I just don’t feel rudeness or personal attacks have a place in an intelligent discussion. Here’s the thing, some commentators don’t know how to disagree respectfully. Instead they throw in barbs and digs and downright nastiness. I don’t [Read more…]

Why a Targeted Job Search Works Best

As freelance writers, we spend a certain amount of our time in search of new projects. When you are looking for work, do you apply to ads blindly, or do you limit your search to those that closely match your skills and abilities? Sometimes we can get caught up in wanting to stay busy and we think that if we keep applying for available jobs that we will keep our plates full with plenty of work. This isn’t the best strategy, though. A highly-targeted approach to looking for work is going to be more successful. I know that I have [Read more…]

Top 10 Ways to Tell You’re a Freelance Writer

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Are you someone who writes for a living but you’re not sure if you qualify to use the term “freelance writer” in your job description? Do you think of yourself as a freelancer, but aren’t sure if everyone else does? Fear not, this handy guide will put you in the know. Behold: Top 10 Ways to Tell if You’re a Freelance Writer 10. Your friends and neighbors drop in any time they want because you’re home all the time If you had a real job, you wouldn’t be at home. Freelancing means you’re available for coffee cake and back fence [Read more…]

5 Things That Clients Won't Ask You

When you are applying for available freelance writing jobs or make a pitch to a prospective client, there are some things they are wondering about but won’t ask. Consider the following the next time you are communicating with someone new about your writing services: 1. “Are you reliable?” While freelancers may complain about clients who simply disappear, they aren’t the only ones who behave that way. A client wants to find someone who will show up and do the work they have been asked to do. 2. “Is your everyday work as good as your samples?” We pick and choose [Read more…]

Brainstorming Tips

How often do you brainstorm writing ideas? Some writers have a constant steam of ideas they get throughout the week and others delve into their creative sauce to come up with ideas as needed. All of us should stop regularly and get our brains working on new article ideas and interesting angles on evergreen* topics. Scheduling a brainstorming session is not only for coming up with new ideas, but to make sure, if you’re a niche writer, that you are staying on topic. It is really easy to find yourself moving away from your niche or particular area of interest [Read more…]

What Does it Mean to Be a Freelance Writer?

Dear Ms. Ng, What does it mean to be a freelance writer? Does it mean you work at home all day? Does it mean you work after a full time job? Are books and novels included? So many women I know are calling themselves freelance writers and what they do doesn’t seem to be writing at all. Can you tell me what is a freelance writer? C.A.B. Dear C.A.B., To work freelance means you’re your own boss. So you take the projects you want and make the hours you want. Freelancing means you’re handling your own taxes & insurance because [Read more…]

49 Free Online Reference Tools for Freelance Writers

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The first blogs were nothing but links. Early bloggers compiled links of wonderful and useful things to share with other folks online. I like keep that early spirit of sharing in mind when I make up my own lists of links to share. Today, I’ve accumulate some terrific free resources for writers. Some are dictionaries, some encyclopedias and others are tools to bookmark to use as needed. I hope you find these links handy and helpful. 49 Free Online Reference Tools for Freelance Writers Dictionaries Dictionary.com – You no longer have to lug around your Funk and Wagnalls. The Free [Read more…]

Speling is for Loosers

I used to work for a hypnosis clinic. Snigger all you want, it was actually kind of cool. Wait, the job wasn’t cool. The job was HORRIBLE, but the premise was pretty cool. And some of the clients were, too. Most of them came to our clinic to lose weight, and I could never get past the fact that the REGIONAL MANAGER always spelled it “loose.” She also once sent out a memo that said “an other words,” instead of “in other words,” and that’s really just the tip of the iceberg. Anyway, it turns out that I’m not the [Read more…]

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