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Today, freelancers from Demand Studios are going to receive information regarding the “Write for a Cause” campaign. Thanks to a partnership with First Book, one book will be donated to needy kids for every eight articles written. The goal is to donate 20,000 books on behalf of their community during the month of December. Here are your details: Demand Studios is a sponsor of Freelance Writing Jobs
I was up for some time last night thinking about the reaction to the announcment that Demand Studios was offering affordable health care coverage to their freelance writers. To be honest, I’m perplexed by the reaction. I’ll always expect more than a few people to direct negativity in Demand Studios’ direction, but I didn’t expect a flat out rebellion. Call me delusional and naive (and I believe someone already did) but I felt more freelancers would see the gesture for what it was, a sincere desire to do something good to show their freelancers how appreciative they are for their [Read more…]
Demand Studios made the announcement today that they are offering health insurance options to their freelancers. Though we touched upon this one month ago, the freelance writing community has been waiting with baited breath to learn the details. Some even wondered if it’s too good to be true. As this is unprecedented, I can understand why so many people are so skeptical. However, it is happening. I’m about to get on a call with the Demand Studios team and will bring you any updates. This is what I know in the mean time: Who is eligible? Demand Studios freelancers who [Read more…]
Tomorrow (Sunday) is National Clean Out Your Fridge Day according to Huffington Post.Com. They are encouraging everyone to get rid of those green, fuzzy mystery fruits in the crisper bin and send them photos of the gross things you find. It’s a great idea, there are a few things in my fridge that would be considered hazardous waste, but I think writers could benefit from a Clean Up Your Article File Day. Cleaning out your article file day includes: Organize Clips Make multiple copies (black and white and full color) Convert web site clips to PDF files Create a backup [Read more…]
So you think your ready to take the plunge from part time to full time freelance writing. Congratulations. Leaving the day job to work full time as a freelance writer is a big, no, a HUGE step. Before making any decision that will affect your livelihood, be sure you’re prepared for such a dramatic change in your career – and your lifestyle. If you’re mulling it over, here are: Ten Ways to Tell if You’re Really Cut Out for Full Time Freelance Writing 1. You have money in the bank Nothing is guaranteed. Clients might promise work, but sometimes those [Read more…]
Bad content floods the web. It’s so bad that schools are giving out guidelines for sites to avoid when collecting information for reports. Many writers also use the web to research information, but how can we know if it’s someone else’s unreliable content rewritten ten times, or if it’s a realistic investigation or expose? Perhaps these tips can help: 1. The article contains verifiable and checkable facts Speculation isn’t fact, it’s speculation. Magazines and reputable websites have fact checkers on hand to check sources and content. Every important bit of information needs back up. If there is no basis for [Read more…]
We’ve all heard the advice that if you want to be a good writer, you should also be an avid reader. I have to admit that I’ve been resting on my laurels for quite some time now. Since I received my Kindle, however, I’ve poked my head out of my shell and dived into the world of literature once again. I recently asked you all to offer suggestions for what I should read. It went something like this: “What should I read, and why? Tell me about your favorite fiction. What classics make the world a better place by their [Read more…]
by Dawn Allcot Famed freelance writer Debbie Ridpath Ohi (aka @InkyElbows on Twitter) recently tweeted: Only lazy writers assume “an editor/agent will fix it.” ALWAYS aim for your best work. I agreed, posting that it’s not an editor’s job to clean up messy copy — a point I wrote about at my first post here at FWJ. Laurie PK, @QuipsAndTips asked, politely, what is the editor’s job, then? After a few tweets explaining, I think I nailed it with this response: “Writers owe it to themselves to turn in the best copy they can, so their editor can take it [Read more…]
Our FWJ Contest: “Bring Community Back” ends on Halloween. In case you don’t know what’s at stake – can you say $150? Here are the rules: We’re giving away three $50 prizes. The person with the most comments between now and October 31st, on the homepage Freelance Writing Jobs blog, will receive $50. The person with the most comments across the whole FWJ network by the end of the month, that’s all of the blogs, will receive $50. The FWJ blogger who does the most to build community and join the conversation will win $50 at the end of the [Read more…]
Credit where it’s due: Just got done reading Laura Spencer’s “Writing Thoughts vs. The Five Minute Article Writer.” It has me thinking a lot about article writing and what goes into writing a good article. Can you write an article in five minutes? Me either. How about 30 minutes? Yes, sometimes. You see, I used to be a wedding writer. I worked for a wedding publication and wrote over 500 articles (over the course of a few years) for a wedding website. Though I know a little about weddings, I’m not an expert. There have been times when I wrote [Read more…]
Last week I named a few things you shouldn’t say to an editor “5 Things You NEVER Say to an Editor” and the post was pretty darn popular so I figured it was only practical to give a couple of tips on things editor’s love to hear from writers. 5. “I need help.” Writers like to present a tough facade. They want to show they have everything under control and worry that asking their editors for help on a piece will cost them future work. On the contrary, editors love to know a writer will come to them for help [Read more…]
Writing an article is like delving into a relationship. There is commitment instilled into each piece. Ideally, a writer works hard to learn about the piece, researching and interviewing sources, collecting information and getting to the truth of the subject. They are eager to work with the article, finding out what works and what doesn’t. They expertly manipulate transitions until the article reaches new heights of writing ecstasy and when it’s really good they introduce the article to family and friends. There are times when there is trouble in paradise: You’ve got an article to write and you make a [Read more…]
I just had an interesting Skype chat with Jodee Redmond. We were talking about how shy we were/are in the real world, but received a bravery boost when we began freelancing. Both Jodee and I brought up situations where we were hesitant to discuss payment options, raises, or asking contacts for work – when we shouldn’t have stressed. I’m surprised by how many people are receptive to my ideas and suggestions – when I finally get up the nerve to ask. I have never been turned down when asking for a client for a raise, and I’ve landed several projects [Read more…]
I was scheduled to give a talk last week about marketing for freelance writers. The other presentations ran overtime, so I didn’t get a chance to speak after all. However, I still spent a lot of time during meals and recreation discussing the various ways freelance writers can market themselves. I learned marketing means different things to different people. For some it’s becoming a famous name on the web, for others, it’s about getting more work and landing lucrative contracts. Either way, it takes a lot of effort and shameless self promotion. If you want your career to take off [Read more…]
This is NOT a sponsored post. No one is paying to write this post, I’m speaking from the heart. I’m writing this from Santa Monica, where I’m attending a very unique event, the Demand Studios Creator Conference. I was invited to attend to learn more about Demand Studios, talk with the team, and meet the writers. I can’t even begin tell you what a powerful experience this has been. To say that the folks who are part of the Demand Studios team are passionate about what they do is an understatement. Though they make no bones about wanting to grow [Read more…]
Balancing business with personal relationships is important and essential to freelance writing success. As discussed in the last column, asking people for a professional hook-up has it’s issues. Asking for one from a friend is no different. In fact if done incorrectly, it has the potential to harm the relationship.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how my career has evolved from blogging and writing to becoming a serious work at home business. I don’t only write for a few clients here and there anymore. I own a full fledged blog network featuring several writers. In addition, I have clients who send me on business trips to promote their product or brand. This is no mere part time writing gig anymore. Even if I wasn’t looking to take my career to this whole other level, freelance writers SHOULD look at freelancing as a work at home business. To approach [Read more…]
There are times when you have an article finished and you wonder if you’ve really done the piece justice. Here’s a few things to keep in mind: 5. It has great sources. Great sources include leaders or well known folks in the field, interesting subjects that give a personal perspective to the piece or sources with something new to offer on an evergreen topic. Great sources have been vetted, they provide accurate information and there’s a demand for the information they are offer. 4. There are no holes. All the questions have been answered – the ‘why’s’ and ‘why not’s’ [Read more…]
There’s a mistake many of us make in trying to drive traffic to our blogs and websites. We spam. We’re not trying to. We may not even think we’re doing it, but it happens. If you’re someone who feels blog comments, Twitter, Facebook and other social networks are only for posting links, you’re guilty of spamming. Here’s the thing: Using social media tools absolutely works. You can build up some good traffic using Twitter and blogs if you do it right. Build up relationships first. Join in the conversation. Participate in other communities. This way, when you occasionally share a [Read more…]
You write about sewing. A lot. You blog about sewing. You have newspaper column about sewing. You write about sewing for a green living website. In fact, if there’s any outlet needing sewing content, you’re the one to call. You rock your niche. You’re no mere needle arts writer, you, my dear, are the sewing expert. You never thought your favorite hobby would turn into “expertise,” but it did. Now you’re in demand. Everyone wants you. You’re asked for a quote for magazine articles, picked for panels at sewing conferences and Martha Stewart herself invited you to come down to [Read more…]
This post is sponsored by Demand Studios. You talk with your friends about what you do, but how many of them send business your way? When you think about it, friends are perfect for referrals. Here’s something that happened to me recently: I go out to dinner once a month with a group of women. We talk about everything. We gossip about celebrities, we gripe about work and we talk about our families. At the last dinner, a friend who works for a national brand asked more about my job. We chatted about it and I gave her a card. [Read more…]
So, as I spend hours scouring the web for the best stuff to share with you here (yeah, my job is terrible), I often come across some pretty funny people. Today, I’d like to introduce you to a couple of blogs that crack me up. Now, this doesn’t mean that you have persmission to replace me. If you happen to have some spare time, however, you are allowed to go peek at some of these funny folks. Back to San Diego – Kara was the first to bring us the hilarious Thanksgiving email. As I perused her blog, I had [Read more…]
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…]
If there’s one area in which I’ve been remiss, it’s in brushing up on grammar and usage. School was a very long time ago and my writing has gotten a bit…informal. I put off continuing education for some time thinking I’d go back to school once my son was in school, but other obligations prevented this. The good news is that I can still take some terrific free courses without having to leave my house. Learning has never been easier. These writing courses can be done on your own time, at your convenience. 31 Free Online Writing Courses The Writer’s [Read more…]
Lorna last week: see more Lolcats and funny pictures Things not to do with a sick toddler: 1. Drive 539 miles in one day – Spokane to Billings 2. Expose tons of other little kids to her illness – Sorry, cousins and cousins’ friends. 3. Let her put her fingers in your mouth – Now I’m sick, too. 4. Feed her dairy products – Hello, mucous. 5. Attend an hour+ -long church service – She sure looked cute in her matching hat and dress, though. 6. Expect her to spend more than five consecutive minutes without being held – [Read more…]
