February brought most of us in the States snow storm after snow storm, Valentine’s Day and some really informative posts from the FWJ crew. Here are a few of the most popular: Applying for a Freelance Writing Gig Without Looking Desperate by Jodee Redmond In this post Jodee cautions against oversharing when looking for writing gigs. Is Your Blog Dressed For Success? by Gayla Baer-Taylor First impressions are important. Gayla shows you how to make sure your blog turns heads. I’m a Ghostwriter (Get Over It) - by Jeffery Reyes In this terrific guest post, Jeffery hits on the many misconceptions [Read more…]
Four Things the Academy Awards Can Teach Us About Freelance Writing
February 28, 2011. Leave a Comment
Were you glued to the television last night checking out the Oscars? Were you more interested in what people were wearing than who actually took home one of the golden statues, or was it all about seeing people rewarded for their work? I watched a little bit of the show last night, but didn’t stay tuned for the whole thing. It just doesn’t capture my interest the way it used to a number of years ago. The bit of the show I did watch got me thinking about what freelancers can learn from the Academy Awards. 1. You can get [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for February 28, 2011
February 28, 2011. 3 Comments
Good morning, everyone! How did your weekend go? It’s the last day of the month, and I know it’s always a busy time for freelance writers. I hope you get everything done today! Here are the last of the freelance writing jobs for February. Our Word of the Week: recidivist. A recidivist is someone who relapses or falls back into bad habits. New Articles 6 Tips for Avoiding Freelance Writing Scams Freelance Writing Jobs Content Writing Freelance Content Writer – Psychology (California) Freelance Fitness Writers (New York) Automotive Articles Writer (NYC) Content Writer for Blog Postings and Web Directories (San [Read more…]
6 Tips for Avoiding Freelance Writing Scams
How to prevent yourself from being taken advantage of
February 25, 2011. 4 Comments
Last week, we talked about 5 Common Ways Freelance Writers Get Scammed, nearly all of which centered around ways that unscrupulous clients attempt to get work from their writers without paying them. However, knowing what the scams are isn’t terribly important without an understanding of how to avoid them. Unfortunately, even though all of the tricks have the same premise and outcome, nuances in how they are executed makes it so that there’s no single “magic bullet” for avoiding them and most of what it takes to avoid such scams is keeping a good, clear head at all times. That [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for February 25, 2011
February 25, 2011. 2 Comments
Good morning, everyone! I hope you had a productive week, and that you were able to apply some of the time management tips Terreece has been sharing with us. Here are you freelance writing jobs. Have a relaxing weekend! New Articles How Not to Suck at Freelance Writing Freelance Writing Jobs Content Writing Website Writer (Atlanta) Writer for Training Material on Blogging (Anywhere) Freelance Writer – Healthcare and Hospital (Visalia) Writer for Technical Internet Related Content (Burnaby, BC) Ghost Article Writer (Houston) Mobile Technology Content Writer (Anywhere) Web Writer (Vancouver) Content Writer for Website (North Vancouver) Content Writers (Greater Toronto [Read more…]
How Not To Suck at Freelance Writing
5 Simple things freelance writers can do to keep from blowing it in this field
February 24, 2011. 19 Comments
Being a freelance writer isn’t an easy gig. Many people wake up on January 1st and after staring at themselves through a hazy fog of cheap champagne and celebratory glitter decide that this would be the year they took the big step and pursue their passion for the written word. Three months and several rejection letters later they sit alone in their basement home office muttering about being an under appreciated, true artist. Instead of writing for a living, they spend the majority of the day failing at freelancing. Fortunately, after spending a fair amount of time sucking at this [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for February 24, 2011
February 24, 2011. 3 Comments
Good morning, FWJ friends! I hope you have been having a good week and that you have been reaping some benefits from our time management campaign. I know I have! Here are your freelance writing jobs for today. New Articles Job Security in Freelance Writing Freelance Writing Jobs Content Writing Website Content Writer (Anywhere) Tech Article Writer – DDOS Content (Online) Freelance Writer – Healthy Hearing (Work from Home) Wikipedia Writer (Anywhere) Content Writers (Chicago) SEO Article Writer (Boston) Article Writer – HR Expert (Hawaii/Telecommute) Writers for Sohonyc.com (SoHo) Talented Writers to Write About Sports and Fitness (NYC) Writer for [Read more…]
Job Security in Freelance Writing
Can You Earn a Stable Income with Words?
February 23, 2011. 10 Comments
Dear Readers, I have been following an interesting discussion on another forum where someone asked whether there was job security in freelance writing. First of all, the words job security and freelance writing really shouldn’t be put together in the same sentence. When you are providing services on a freelance basis, you are not working a job. You are a business owner who has clients. Can you earn a stable income through your freelance writing business efforts? Yes, you can, and if you are looking for a secure income, you are probably better off making it happen for yourself than [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for February 23, 2011
February 23, 2011. 2 Comments
Hi, everyone! The deadline to filing your tax returns is coming nearer and nearer, so here is a quote that I hope will coax a smile out of you. Income tax returns are the most imaginative fiction being written today. ~ Herman Wouk Here are your freelance writing jobs. New Articles Are You Adding Value to Your Readers? Non-Errors in the English Language Freelance Writing Jobs Content Writing Stock Market Freelance Writer (Telecommute) Freelance Article Writers (UK) Content Writer for Website Launch (Chantilly, VA) Article Writer – Dating Websites (USA) Biography Writer for Website (Westchester) Website Writer for Painting Company [Read more…]
Non-Errors in the English Language (Part 1)
Split Infinitives and Ending Sentences with a Preposition
February 23, 2011. 2 Comments
There is no denying that we all have our pet peeves when it comes to the English language. There are certain words, phrases, and usages that we simply cannot stand. Sometimes, these pet peeves are valid – when the “mistakes” are really incorrect. There are many instances, however, when certain usages may actually be correct, contrary to popular opinion. These things are what we call “non-errors” – in spite of what many people may say, they are grammatically sound. In this post – and the next few posts – I am going to take a look at some of these [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for February 22, 2011
February 22, 2011. 2 Comments
Good morning, FWJ friends! For those of you who can’t get enough of margaritas, you’ll be happy to know that it is National Margarita Day today. Why not celebrate with a pitcher or so tonight? Before that, here are your freelance writing jobs. New Articles Freelance Writing Success: Are We There Yet? Freelance Writing Jobs Content Writing Web Content Writer (South Florida) Freelance Writer for Real Estate (Telecommute) Writers for Entertainment Site (Online) Writers – Business and Nursing (Toronto/Telecommute) SEO Web Writers (Toronto/Telecommute) Freelance Content Writer (Montreal) Experienced Article Writers (Anywhere) Freelance Writers – Gerontology (Austin) Writers Needed for Entertainment [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Success: Are We There Yet?
Choose the Definition that Fits Your Values
February 21, 2011. 13 Comments
Success can be kind of a slippery word. Like beauty, it’s in the eye of the beholder. We all want to be successful in our freelance writing career, and there is no shortage of resources telling us how to do it. Some of the information is readily available online, including the posts that the team here at Freelance Writing Jobs brings you on a regular basis. If you are wondering, “how do I….” you can find multiple answers to your question by checking out freelance writing blogs and websites. You also have the option of going to your local library [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for February 21, 2011
February 21, 2011. 4 Comments
Good morning, everyone! Did any of you watch the NBA All-Star Weekend? I am still reeling from all the action, but it’s back to the old grind today! Our Word of the Week is munificent. Good old Merriam-Webster gives us the definition: 1: very liberal in giving or bestowing : lavish 2: characterized by great liberality or generosity How are you going to use the Word of the Week? New Articles A Radical Response to Piracy 5 Common Ways Freelance Writers Get Scammed Freelance Writing Jobs Content Writing Web Article Content Writer (Austin) Commodity/Futures Writer (CT/NYC) Broadband Content Writers (Online) [Read more…]
A Radical Response to Piracy
Use it!
February 18, 2011. 6 Comments
Since ebooks went mainstream (thank you, Kindle), book authors are now finding themselves in the same awkward spot that musicians have been in for over a decade. Readers can bypass bookstores, Kindle, and everything else, and own your book without paying a dime to you or anyone else. You’re being ripped off! What do you do? How are you supposed to react when that huge project you labored over and poured your soul into and sacrificed other parts of your life for, is made available to the whole world for free? The standard reaction of most writers is outrage and frustration. Even [Read more…]
5 Common Ways Freelance Writers Get Scammed
Some of the more common scams hitting freelance writers...
February 18, 2011. 11 Comments
Ever since I started writing at Plagiarism Today and especially since I started this column, I’ve been hearing a lot from freelance writers who have been scammed or otherwise victimized by unscrupulous clients. Though the good news is that such bad clients are very rare in the big scheme of things, they are common enough that almost every freelancer, if they remain active long enough, will run into one or two over the course of their career. So how do you avoid being taken advantage of as a freelance writer. As we discussed previously, clients have the playing field tilted [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for February 18, 2011
February 18, 2011. 2 Comments
Good morning, FWJ friends! Here are your freelance writing jobs. Have a fun weekend! New Articles How to Influence Editors and Make Friends I’m a Ghostwriter Freelance Writing Jobs Content Writing Freelance Writer for Web Company (San Francisco) Freelance Writer for Mobiledia.com (New York) Part-time Freelance Content Writer (Beverly, MA) Article Writer (Remote) Financial Article Writer (Anywhere) Article Writer (West LA) Sports Products Writers (USA) Writer for Sausalito Law Firm – Web Content/Blogs (Telecommute) Blogging Jobs Blogger/Product Evangelist (Telecommute) Bloggers (Kansas City, MO) Hoboken & Jersey City Blogger Blogger – Hawaii-based Online Marketing & Business Bloggers (Online) Fashion Blogger (Vancouver) [Read more…]
I’m a Ghostwriter
Get Over It
February 18, 2011. 46 Comments
One of the biggest struggles I have in terms of my writing career is helping people to understand exactly what I do for a living. When I was a kid, I had dreams of becoming a “writer” – dreams I put on the shelf the moment I realized I didn’t have a fictionally creative bone in my body. I didn’t realize I could really write until a few years ago. A friend had casually introduced me to one of the web’s many user generated content sites and I started submitting articles for a few dollars here and there. After that, [Read more…]
How to Influence Editors and Make Friends
Three ways to become an editor's fave
February 17, 2011. 3 Comments
There are some writers that are heads and shoulders above others. They always snag the important gigs and never seem to have a dry spell. What is it about them that makes them so popular? Abundant talent? Insider connections? Eh. Talent will take you far and connections will help you get your foot in the door, but there are three things that, when all else is equal, separate the cream from the watery stuff no one wants. Communication. Star writers are excellent communicators. They keep their editors informed on article development, including any changes or source issues. They are accessible. Emails [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for February 17, 2011
February 17, 2011. 2 Comments
Good morning, everyone! Here are your freelance writing jobs for today. New Articles How Can I Market My Freelance Writing Services Online? Freelance Writing Jobs Content Writing Professional Freelance Writer (St. Louis) Freelance Certified Medical or Scientific Writer Wanted (Telecommute) Nursing Article Writers (San Diego) Forex Content Writer (Cyprus) Photography Equipment Writers (USA) Content Writer (Alpharetta, GA) Clothing & Shoes Writers (Remote) Writer – Indoor Living Products (Remote) Part-time Business/Financial Writer (Boston) Writers Needed – Mahalo (Telecommute) Pop Culture Expert (DC/MD/VA) Freelance Sports Guru (San Jose North) Blogging Jobs Bloggers (Vancouver) Bloggers for Site About Interviews (Telecommute) Blogger – Financial [Read more…]
How Can I Market my Freelance Writing Services Online?
February 16, 2011. 4 Comments
Dear Jodee, For people who have business clients, how do you go about getting them? What are people’s advertising methods? I’m currently advertising on Craigslist and find it’s not as effective as I’d like it to be. Are there other ways of advertising online that are more effective? Thanks in advance. Sam Dear Sam, There are a number of ways of advertising your writing services online. Your web site or blog is a marketing tool that is always available to potential clients. Make sure that your copy includes the kinds of long tail keywords that clients in your niche would [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for February 16, 2011
February 16, 2011. 3 Comments
Good morning, everyone! Here is a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson that I hope will give you some motivation today. Don’t waste life in doubts and fears; spend yourself on the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour’s duties will be the best preparation for the hours and ages that will follow it. Good luck with the job leads today! New Articles 15 Most Misspelled Words Time Management Tip #3 Give the Query a Rest Freelance Writing Jobs Content Writing Content Writer for Game Cards (San Francisco/Sausalito) SEO Writer (North Jersey) Writer for Consumer Electronics [Read more…]
Time Management Tip #3 Give the Query a Rest
Save time by resisting the urge to micromanage
February 15, 2011. 6 Comments
I get a lot of emails from people seeking freelance writing advice. One letter last week got me thinking about how much time writers waste on queries. In the email, a new writer asked if I could read his query and tell him why it was rejected and point out any obvious problems. He went on to say he knew he didn’t miss anything because he had worked on nothing else but the query for two weeks. Two weeks is a long time. Queries are an important part of writing, especially for writers trying to establish themselves in the field. [Read more…]
15 Most Misspelled Words
Do You Agree?
February 15, 2011. 17 Comments
We all make mistakes in our writing. We’re human, after all. However, when your livelihood depends on the quality of what you write, the story takes a different turn. I know I don’t need to go on and on about the importance of checking and re-checking our work – that is a given. Instead, I’ll share an image with you that highlights this importance. Here is an interesting and informative infographic of the 15 most misspelled words in the English language. Before you take a look at it, do remember the differences in British and American English as there is [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for February 15, 2011
February 15, 2011. 1 Comment
Hi, everyone! How did you spend Valentine’s Day? For those who took the day off – or part of the day off – I hope that you’re all raring to go on this Tuesday morning. Here are your freelance writing jobs for today. New Articles Make Searching for Freelance Writing Gigs a Habit Freelance Writing Jobs Content Writing Freelance Tech Writers (Telecommute) Freelance Writers for Web Pages (LA/Telecommute) Freelance Writer for Web-based Learning Company (Work from Home) Content Writer (Atlanta) Content Writers for Skillarmy.com Text Writer/Editor for HVAC/Energy Management Website (Boston) Health Writers for BlackDoctor.org (Chicago) Content Writer for Weight [Read more…]
Are You Adding Value To Your Readers?
It depends on who you ask, but I have believed blogging began sometime in the early 1990′s and began it’s explosive evolution sometime in the late 1990′s. I published my first blog post in March 2003. Since it wasn’t until 2005 that the word “blog” was actually added to the dictionary, I’ve always felt myself to be some sort of pioneer. When I first began blogging, it was because I had something to say (and that hasn’t stopped since), however, since those early days, blogging has become one of the most popular forms of “word of mouth” advertising around. Much [Read more…]