I came across this: “10 Words You Need to Stop Misspelling” from TheOatmeal.com and nearly busted a button laughing at the great illustrations. It got me thinking about what other bad habits writers should focus on eliminating in 2010. STOP: Ignoring the difference between lay, lie and laid There is a difference. It is important. If you need help, for Pete’s sake look it up! Here are a few resources that explain the difference in several different ways: Grammar Girl.com GrammarBook.com (a great little quiz to help you get it in your head) Miss-Ink.com STOP: Relying on spellcheck Spellcheck is [Read more…]
Not Another End of the Year Blog Post
December 31, 2009. 3 Comments
I know a lot of people enjoy the end of the year lists that are so popular online, in print and on television. I’m not one of them. It’s just not something that holds my interest. I’ve learned over the years that it’s probably not a good idea for me to make New Year’s resolutions. I tend to set the goal way too high, like resolving never to eat chocolate again when I have never been able to successfully give it up for Lent, without breaking the goal down into a plan to increase my chances of success. Since now [Read more…]
A List of Lists: 70 Posts About Freelance Writing and Freelance Writing Jobs
December 31, 2009. Leave a Comment
It’s time for a little light reading to help you close out 2009 and get you through the long holiday weekend. We already cooked up a “Best of Freelance Writing Jobs for 2010″ post, however, that was only the top 20 posts of the year. There’s so much more to us than 20 posts. Since I enjoy making lists, I thought it would be fun to close out the year with a massive list of lists. We reached way back into the vault to bring you some of our older works as well as more recent helpful blog posts. Enjoy: [Read more…]
Attitude Counts When Looking for Freelance Work
December 30, 2009. Leave a Comment
Is looking for freelance work a necessary evil to you or something that you take in stride as part of the life of a freelancer? No matter how busy we may be at any particular point in time, we need to keep in mind that things can change very quickly. A client who was keeping us busy with steady work may not have much for us at a particular point in time. We may decide that it’s time to move on from a client or a type of work we have outgrown. The gig may be for a specific project [Read more…]
Ten Essential Abilities All Freelance Writers Must Have to Be a Success
December 30, 2009. 5 Comments
Think Freelance writing is all about sitting down and typing out some words? Think again, because there’s a lot more to it than that. Writing only the ability to use a keyboard. in order to be a successful freelance writer, you’ll need to be able to do more than string words. You’ll need to be able to deal with clients, meet deadlines, run a business and more. Not sure if you have what you need to make it? Check out this list of: 10 Essential Abilities All Freelance Writers Must Have to Be a Success 1. The Ability to Deal [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for December 30, 2009
December 30, 2009. 5 Comments
Deb’s note: Welcome to the last daily leads and reading lists for the year…the decade even. If single jobs come in, I’ll go ahead and post them. Otherwise, unless I’m feeling overly ambitious, no leads until Monday. I’d like to thank Jodee for getting these leads together for the past couple of weeks while I spend time preparing for the holidays and cleaning up business loose ends. My very best wishes to the FWJ community. Here’s wishing you a happy, healthy New Year – one that is profitable, prosperous and positive. I look forward to spending even more time with [Read more…]
Content Writer Wanted
December 30, 2009. Leave a Comment
We are an online marketing firm with more than 500 clients in USA, UK, Canada and Australia. We have an urgent need for an efficient professional content writer who can meet the needs and the quality standards of content for our client’s websites. If you deal in content writing for the websites please revert back with your best quotes along with some samples of your work. Contact: mail.websolution@gmail.com
How Much Would Your Freelance Writing Business Pick Up if You Got Out from Behind Your Laptop?
December 30, 2009. 6 Comments
Freelance writing appeals to my shy side. I can sit at home and deal with everything via email or Skype, or I can network online and not even have to use the phone if I don’t want to. It doesn’t get better than that, right? Wrong! My freelance writing business started out slow, like most writers, and picked up slowly throughout the years. I enjoyed not having to commute every day or have to talk to anyone. The lifestyle was perfect for me. Four years ago something interesting happened that changed the game. My career took off like a rocket. [Read more…]
Wordy Wednesday at The Oatmeal
December 30, 2009. Leave a Comment
For today’s Wordy Wednesday post, I have to send you to a different site (The Oatmeal) because I’m pretty sure I’d get sued if I tried to post this awesome poster here on FWJ. If you’re a word nerd and hate it when people misspell certain things, then you should definitely check this out: Ten Words You Need to Stop Misspelling. Enjoy!
Managing work in a chaotic household
December 29, 2009. 4 Comments
The other day in my job sucks more than yours we looked at some of the perils of working at home. From distracting kids, to friends and family who believe you’re sitting around eating bon bons all day, to finding a coffee shop with non-sticky tables and more, working at home can be a nightmare at times. Here’s how to make it better… Have a dedicated office space with a door you can shut: If you can’t have this now, or don’t foresee having this in the very near future, working at home honestly may not work out unless you [Read more…]
10 Awesome Uses for Blogs
December 29, 2009. 4 Comments
Today I wrote a post at Blogging for a Living about the purpose of a blog. I won’t rehash, but it did get me thinking about all the different ways people use blogs, and how each of them are fantastic. Blogging is one of those things where there isn’t a specific set of rules. Your blog can have whatever purpose you wish and there’s no right or wrong way to do it. Whether you’re blogging to earn or share, I hope you enjoy this list of: 10 Awesome Uses for Blogs 1. To Market, To Market Blogs are important marketing [Read more…]
The Purpose of a Blog Is…
December 29, 2009. 3 Comments
If you’re reading the title of this post and think you’re going to find the answer to a burning question, think again. I’m not going to tell you anything. Instead, I’ll give you a few things to think about. That’s the way I like to roll, really. I prefer to throw out a few discussion points and let you find your own way. “My way or the highway” pontificating is boring anyway. No, I don’t know the purpose of a blog and I’m not going to pretend to do so. I feel blogs have different purposes for different people. Sure, [Read more…]
Appearances Count – Even When You Freelance
December 29, 2009. 4 Comments
The other day I was at a holiday gathering when an attendee asked if I can get him some freelance writing work or recommend him to my clients. My answer to him was “no,” but that I would offer tips for getting started. I know that wasn’t the answer he wanted, but I wasn’t about to give him or get him a job. I said “no” for a couple of reasons. 1. This person has never written for anyone before in his life. I can’t in good conscience recommend anyone for a job if I don’t know a thing about [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for December 29, 2009
December 29, 2009. 4 Comments
Enjoy your daily lists. New Around the Network Deb’s note: Sorry, I’ve been remiss. I have been away from my laptop for a few days and have no updates to the homepage. Look forward to more good stuff today. Meanwhile the rest of the FWJ team has been keeping busy: A Rate You Can Live With Brainstorming Techniques #1 No Jargon Allowed: Keep it Simple When Applying for a Writing Gig The Rate Question: Is That the Best You Can Do? I Want This Gig Recommended Reading: Who Are You? Fundamental Mistakes on Writer’s Websites at Angela Booth’s Fab Freelance [Read more…]
Web Writer Wanted for Various Projects
December 29, 2009. Leave a Comment
Hello – I’m looking to build a team of reliable, experienced writers to handle bulk projects and rush assignments for some of my longtime clients. I’d love to hear from writers who: Have experience writing web content including: SEO Content Blogs (both dated and evergreen content) Website Copy (sales, about us, etc.) Are flexible – workload is unsteady, intermittent Have authoritative knowledge/experience writing on topics including (optional, but a plus): Consumer electronics Smartphones and cell phones Used cars and used auto parts Marketing (especially Internet marketing) Home improvement and renovation Slightly tech-y stuff (don’t need to know how to code, [Read more…]
5 Mistakes Freelance Writers Make During the Holidays
December 29, 2009. 5 Comments
There’s no right or wrong way to be a freelance writer. Everyone has a different formula for success. What works for me, might not work for you. That’s why I love the Internet. So many freelance writers are sharing their experiences, it’s interesting to see how different writers are tacking their careers. Inspiration and motivation is never a bad thing. Take the holidays, for example. Some freelance writers choose this time to step away from their laptops for a few days, while others use this time to pick up work during a time when traditionally fewer freelancers are looking for [Read more…]
I Want this Gig
December 29, 2009. 2 Comments
Do you ever hear about someone else’s freelance gig and get all jealous? No? Um, me neither. Except for this one. I want Comcast to hire me to write their movie descriptions. There’s a site called WTF Comcast where people have snapped pictures of some of the most entertaining descriptions they’ve run across. How much fun would it be to have this job? Now I’m going to spend the rest of the day coming up with alternate descriptions for some of my favorite (and least favorite) movies.
Interviewing Sources – Looking the Part
December 29, 2009. 1 Comment
Deb had an interesting post this week: “Appearances Count Even When You Freelance” that had me chuckling and also got me thinking about how writers can shut down their sources simply by walking through the door. Freelancers often brag they get work in their pajamas and while that’s technically true, no one should interview sources in them – at least not in person. When I conduct an in-person interview with a source I pay careful attention to my attire and match my clothing into the message I want to convey. Of course, a writer wants to be viewed as professional, [Read more…]
Monday Markets for December 28, 2009
December 29, 2009. Leave a Comment
The last edition of Monday Markets for 2009 has a magazine for sailing enthusiasts and a parenting publication. The final offering is a horror magazine available in an audio format. I thought it was an interesting concept, and worth sharing. Sailing Magazine From the Web Site: SAILING Magazine is a beautiful, oversized publication that is visually stunning as well as an informative and enjoyable read. We cover all aspects of sailing, from learning how to sail in a dinghy to crossing the ocean on a large cruiser to racing around the buoys against the best sailors in the world. We [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for Monday December 28, 2009
December 28, 2009. 11 Comments
Good morning FWJ Friends! Hope everyone had a good weekend and that if you celebrated Christmas that Santa was good to you. Should a client be able to blog about a freelancer if he or she flakes out on a gig? I saw an ad this morning where the person looking to hire a writer said just that. I have suspected for some time that people who hire freelancers talk about them in the same way that writers talk about clients, but I’ve never seen it spelled out so blatantly in an ad. Would this type of statement discourage you [Read more…]
The Rate Question: "Is That the Best You Can Do?"
December 27, 2009. 2 Comments
Have you ever given a quote to a client and been asked whether you could give them a further reduction in the price? If you are really interested in the project or you have the potential to pick up steady work, it may be tempting to considering lowering the price. Before you decide whether to do so, take a minute to consider what the client has actually said. He or she hasn’t indicated that the price you have quoted is too high….yet. All they have asked is whether the price you have quoted is a firm one. If you feel [Read more…]
A Rate You Can Live With
December 27, 2009. 5 Comments
I’m going to go out on a limb here and guess that most of you don’t get paid a dollar a word. Now, I know there’s some long-form sales page writer that’s going to object and claim they get that kind of a rate, and I’m sure they do – on occasion. I’ve never come close to that kind of a rate. My best-paying gig was a rush job on some product descriptions for a catalog. I hit about 60 cents a word on that one. I did something like a hundred product descriptions in an afternoon, and that gig [Read more…]
Grant Writer Needed
December 26, 2009. 1 Comment
Wireless Generation is an educational technology, content and consulting company. I work with the consulting group and am currently managing a project that has a large grant writing component. I am looking for a talented grant writer who can dedicate full time (or nearly full time) to the project for the next three weeks. The ideal candidate will be able to spend 3-4 days per week at the client site in central New Jersey and has some background in education policy and/or grant writing. Please contact me ASAP as we would like the grant writer to start early next week [Read more…]
Brainstorming Techniques #1
December 26, 2009. 1 Comment
*This was supposed to post yesterday! I’m not sure what happened, but enjoy anyway! Hustling is a part of the job description for freelance writers. We move at a quick pace writing emails, responding to editors, microblogging on Twitter, updating Facebook, interviewing sources and writing articles, etc.. which is why you are checking FWJ the day after Christmas! Even while we aren’t in front of the computer, we are still coming up with ideas and brainstorming. Here’s a quick brainstorming trick to play around with as you go in for your second or third round of turkey or ham! Listing [Read more…]
Writer Needed for Blogging and Press Release – $100 – $150 per Article
December 26, 2009. Leave a Comment
We are looking for versatile writers with knowledge and experience writing about music to blog and create press releases for our website: www.audioacademy.fm Pay is $100-$150 per article depending on length and experience. If interested, please email Leslie at leslie@alpha-male.tv and include the following information: • Your areas of expertise • Links to your writing • Your email address We need the articles asap, so the sooner you are available, the better.
