Freelancing is a skill that takes some honing. While someone who has a knack for networking will find it easier than others, there are still challenges that you just have to work through. Much of it, in fact, is a matter of learning the hard way, and we all have our horror stories. Of course, the risks and difficulties become more pronounced when working with people from countries other than our own. All communication is done via email or instant messenger, though some might occasionally ask for Skype. There is no real legal recourse when things go wrong. All in [Read more…]
Writing is Like Sex
Keeping it fresh and frisky with new crackers
November 30, 2010. 8 Comments
While you’re doing it, you’re focused, zoned in and intense. Every distraction is met with deep disappointment – the phone, the kids, the dog standing there watching you do it. When you’re not doing it it’s all you can think about leaving you distracted. “It” is writing, but the passion in which we pursue, fantasize about and devour it makes it a lot like sex. That’s another big reason why it’s fun. The Heat. There’s nothing like the heat of new blog post, new assignment or new magazine. The magazine represents an opportunity. The blog post or assignment represents a [Read more…]
An Interview with Dan Schawbel – Author of Me 2.0
Learn How Personal Branding Can Help Build Your Freelance Writing Brand
October 4, 2010. Leave a Comment
I was fortunate enough to have international best selling author and personal branding expert, Dan Schawbel, write the forward for my book that’s coming out next month, 30-Minute Social Media Marketing. The second edition of Dan’s incredibly popular book, Me 2.0, comes out this week. You can read his bio at the end of this post which demonstrates just how well Dan knows what he’s talking about! I spent a few minutes with him discussing how freelance writers can build their own personal brands in order to build their businesses. Dan’s insightful answers to my questions are included below. Be [Read more…]
I Don’t Live in the United States – Can I Apply for U.S. Freelance Writing Jobs?
The Simple Answer to a Common Freelance Writing Question
September 16, 2010. 3 Comments
I receive a lot of emails and comments on Freelance Writing Jobs posts asking the same question: I don’t live in the United States. Can I apply for U.S.-based freelance writing jobs? Since it’s such a common question, I want to provide an answer publicly. Here goes… Can you apply? Yes. The hiring manager will determine whether or not they’re willing to work with a writer outside of the United States. You’ll never know if they’re willing to do so if you don’t apply. When it comes to freelance writing, you’re not an employee. You’ll either be paid as a [Read more…]
Different Ways to Create Content
September 3, 2010. Leave a Comment
It doesn’t take rocket science to realize content is what blogs need to survive, succeed and even profit. In most circumstances blogs require a constant flow of quality content. There have been many would-be-bloggers who’ve thrown up a website with a handful of pages filled with pillar content and leave it at that. Then they move on to the next blog. That kind of blog model can work if you stay within micro niche topics where there is very little competition. However, if you prefer to build a blog and keep adding content – you will want to consider your [Read more…]
Should You Become a Blogger?
August 19, 2010. 10 Comments
I know FWJ has covered a great deal of ground since it began, but for the sake of not missing a step, I’d like to start at the beginning for those who may be new and perhaps bring something new to the table for those who have been around for a while. As I stated in my initial introduction post, this blog is all about you! If there’s something in particular you’d like us to focus on, please don’t hesitate to drop me an email or leave a suggestion in the comments section. Thanks to the advancements of social media [Read more…]
How Long Does It Take to Become a Successful Freelance Writer?
March 24, 2010. 9 Comments
If you’ve just started your freelance writing business, you might be shocked to know that most experts expect a small business to have to wait at least five years before your business truly becomes profitable. Now, before you get too discouraged, let me point out an important difference between starting a freelance writing business and starting another business: in general, the start-up costs for a freelance writing business are lower than other types of small businesses. That’s a good thing. For most of us, that 5-years-to-profitability rule can be greatly reduced.It’s likely to take more like 1 to 3 years. [Read more…]
Business Realities for Freelance Writers
February 28, 2010. 3 Comments
When you first get started freelancing, it can be a world of flowers and unicorns. Someone’s actually paying you to sit at your kitchen table and do something you love! You feel like the cat that ate the canary. For some folks who’ve come into a freelance writing career after being laid off from their first career, it seems like a true Godsend. Still, there are some stark realities you’re going to have to face, and fast. Here are some that tend to hit the hardest, and that you need to be ready to face: If you don’t work, you [Read more…]
Prepare Your Family for Your Freelance Writing Business
February 5, 2010. 2 Comments
If you’re serious about your freelance writing business, you need to know that it’s going to take some serious changes to your life to be successful at it. Whether you’re coming into freelance writing from another career, or whether you’ve been a work-at-home mom or dad, it’s a whole different ballgame. Not only are you going to need to make some adjustments, so is your family. To make the transition easier on everyone, here are some basic things you can do: Talk with your family Let them know what kinds of changes are coming. If freelance writing is, initially, going [Read more…]
What Does Your Dream Business Look Like?
December 9, 2009. Leave a Comment
You know, the more I talk with freelance writing business owners, the more I realize we really are a diverse bunch. There are stay-at-home moms, out-of-work factory rats, English majors and just about everything in between. Education levels go from High School grad to Ph.D. It’s not only backgrounds that differ, though. The vision of the future that freelance writers have can vary greatly from one to the next, too. What I hope my freelance writing business looks like in five years may be vastly different from what you hope yours looks like. I, for example, like the path I’m [Read more…]
Characteristics of a Successful Freelance Writing Business Owner
November 21, 2009. 2 Comments
Freelance writing businesses fail. Take any dozen freelance writers starting out their first year of business and line them up. Half of them won’t make it through their second year of business. Half of those remaining won’t make it to year five. It isn’t that the folks that fail aren’t talented. Many of them are amazing writers. But it takes more than the ability to string words together in a pleasing way to stay in business. It takes things like desire, tenacity and business sense. In short, it takes something special to succeed. While the details can differ from one [Read more…]
Common Work-at-Home Freelancer Mistakes
September 10, 2009. 8 Comments
I want to share some things with you all that I’ve learned about running my freelance business. Specifically, I want to look at this whole freelance business in the context of working at home, and some of the pitfalls inherent in that situation. Contrary to what you read on the sales page, being a work-at-home freelancer isn’t a walk in the park. It is, however, extremely rewarding if you can be successful at it. Think of this list as some of the most common mistakes that work-at-home freelancers make, and some ways that you can avoid them. 1. Thinking too [Read more…]
Are You Ready to Get Into Freelancing?
April 17, 2009. 6 Comments
Freelancing can be a great move to make. It can change your outlook on life, improve your financial situation and give you more freedom. It can also open up opportunities that you didn’t have access to previously, like traveling to new places or maybe a book deal. But freelancing also can be a bad move, in some circumstances. Many people get desperate and throw themselves into this line of career without thinking and planning. The result? You’re worse off than you were when you started. So when is the right time to move to freelancing? Is it a good decision [Read more…]
Three Elements That Make a Difference in Your Success
January 5, 2009. 6 Comments
I see so many people launch themselves as freelance writers and end up disappointed. They disappear from the scene, they become bitter and nasty, or they get stuck in a rut of low wages and crappy work. They just can’t seem to make it. Three elements help determine whether a writer has a good chance of making a decent living freelancing. The right combination and in good measure creates a recipe for success. What are these three elements? Let’s see…
