Recent Posts from The Freelance Writing Jobs Network HQ

The Inconvenience of Inspiration

// This morning inspiration struck while I was in the shower. I quickly dried off, threw on my robe and ran to the office where Mr. Ng was sitting at my laptop. “I have a thought!” I called out. “I need to write!” “I’m looking for work!” my husband called back, “work trumps thoughts. ” I rummaged around the office until I found a pen and Post It to write down my brilliant idea so I wouldn’t forget. Inspiration shouldn’t get in the way of an recently laid off man on a mission. Have you ever noticed how you get the best ideas when... [Read More...]

Why I Still Post Freelance Writing Job Leads and Why I Know You Know Best

Yesterday my friend Anne Wayman sent a link to her post “Job Postings Here are the Tip of the Ice Berg.” Anne’s thoughtful post was inspired by another freelance writing blogger’s decision not to post freelance writing job leads. I know Anne wanted me to go to her blog and comment (and you should by all means do so, as Anne’s blog is a good one) but I had so many thoughts about this I felt it worthy of its own post. Anne feels maybe her readers feel her blog is the only source for job leads and they don’t go looking elsewhere for jobs as they should.Not to other... [Read More...]

In Which Deb Shares Some of Her More Interesting Email

// Dear Miss Deb, I help you blog. I blog good to you. Yes? Haito K. Dear Haito, No. - Miss Deb Dear Deb, I think you’re only pretending to write so you can have traffic. - Name withheld by request even though it was probably anonymous. Dear Anonymous, You got me. I’m faking it. Am I pulling it off? - Deb Dear Deb, How much would could a wood chuck chuck if a wood chuck could chuck would? -  Kevin S. Dear Kevin, It’s “wood,” Kevin,  not “would.” How much WOOD could a woodchuck chuck…see that’s what woodchucks do, they chuck wood. Except... [Read More...]

How to Differentiate Genuine Sincerity from Good P.R.

// I talk about trust a lot. If you or my clients didn’t trust me, I’d be sucking it up in a cube farm somewhere. So being real is important to me. However, I realize how you see me and how I see me are two different things. Appearances are important. That’s why when I work on building  traffic, I may have the occasional contest, but for the most part I rely on good content and the power of community. I hope I come across as sincere in my sharing with you. I think I do, otherwise  you wouldn’t trust me and come back every day. Yesterday, someone said to me, “Good... [Read More...]

5 Reasons Online Relationships are Important for Freelance Writers

// You probably see me on Twitter…a lot. The truth is, I like Twitter for many reasons. for example, it breaks up the monotony of the day when I’m home alone. There’s more to it than that, though. I find the networking to be invaluable. Twitter has enabled me to build on so many different types of relationships with clients, sponsors, community members and friends. In 2010, anyone wishing to be a success in business, needs to consider the various social networks as a way to meet others and build up buzz around a product and brand, even if the brand is a personal one. If you... [Read More...]

3 Tips for Being a Truly Objective Freelance Writer

// Back in the day, it was imperative to back up articles with facts, references and whos, whats, wheres, whys and hows. Nowadays it’s much different. On the web we can write what we want, when we want, and how we want. We can write the most unbelievable crap, if we want, and there will still always be someone who believes it. As bloggers, we can offer a balanced opinion or a one-sided point of view. However, if a writer is continuously one-sided in  his assessments, he can’t wake one day and decide he’s going to be fair and objective. It won’t fly among his readers.... [Read More...]

The Freelance Writer’s Guide to Blogs and Blogging

Deb’s note: This is part three in our “Freelance Writer’s Guide to Social Media Series.”  Also see: The Freelance Writer’s Guide to Twitter and a Freelance Writer’s Guide to Facebook…and stay tuned for the accompanying ebook. It almost seems as if everyone who writes for a living has a blog about writing, doesn’t it? That’s not a bad thing as it gives us plenty of places to share ideas and learn. Even writers who don’t have blogs can benefit, though. In  this”guide” we’re going to take a look a the different ways blogs... [Read More...]

A Few More Words About this Whole Demand Studios Insurance Thing

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... [Read More...]

Downsizing for the Holidays: Five Tips for Getting Back into the Freelance Groove on January 2

// The impending holiday season means many freelancers are going to lighten their load for the next month and a half in order to handle obligations at home and spend time with family. However, does back burnering a client now mean you might lose that client to another freelancer before  January? Will there still be plenty of opportunities after the holidays are over? Taking time off doesn’t always mean you’re going to achieve the same level of success two months later. If you play your cards right and plan ahead, you can come back in the beginning of the year as if nothing has changed What... [Read More...]

Behind the Scenes of the Demand Health Care Announcement

I find these posts hard to write. Because of my partnership with Demand Studios, there are always some people who write off my positivity as being a shill or mouthpiece. So I can tell you about why I feel so positive about Demand Studios, but half of you will walk away thinking I’m paid to say all of this stuff anyway. I’ll editorialize a bit later on in this post, but don’t worry, I’ll announce it first so you can leave if you want to. Instead of saying what I want to say about Demand Studios off the bat, I’m going to take you behind the scenes to a conference call... [Read More...]

Demand Studios Announces Health Care Options for its Freelancers

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 have worked... [Read More...]

On Finding Time for Freelance Writing Work or Why I Don’t Wake at 4:00 A.M. Anymore

// I credit much of my freelance writing success to being a morning person. If not for the ability to wake each morning at 4:00, I wouldn’t have been able to find quiet blocks of time to work undisturbed. I woke early almost every day for five years – until my son was in first grade and I had the house to myself full time to work on projects. It looks good in theory, doesn’t it? “Wow, that Deb’s so disciplined she wakes every day at 4 and works for three or four hours straight through while it’s quiet.” The truth is, there’s no better way to emulate... [Read More...]

A Few Black Friday Deals for Freelance Writers

// I am NOT a Black Friday shopper. There is in way in Hades you’ll get me out of bed before 7:30 on the day after Thanksgiving, especially if it’s to battle crowds and fight over big screen televisions and Barbie Dolls. I worked in a mall. I know what goes on there. It’s not pretty. However, I do know there are some bargains to be found on Black Friday, many of them of interest to freelance writers. Here are few of the items I’ve come across that may appeal to you. Is it worth it to wake up at 3:00 a.m. and stand in a crowd to purchase one of these items? I’ll... [Read More...]

How (and Why) I’ve Changed My Thinking Over a Decade of Freelance Writing

// Pardon me while I reflect a bit… 2010 will mark my tenth year as a freelance writer. Though it’s a dream come true, it’s all rather surreal. I honestly thought freelancing would be a way to supplement my husband’s income until our son was in school full time. I didn’t expect I’d continue to do this full time a decade later , and I certainly didn’t think I’d have a popular, lucrative blog and booming social media business. I read somewhere that someone attributed my success to luck and not skill. I disagree. It was a mixture of many things, but... [Read More...]

FWJ Interview: Jenna Glatzer

// Jenna Glatzer’s book, Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer: How to Win Top Writing Assignments was the first book I read while contemplating my decision to seek higher paying freelance writing opportunities. In fact, I credit Jenna’s book as giving me the inspiration and motivation to take a deep breath and begin querying markets beyond entry level web writing opportunities. I was thrilled to interact with Jenna several years ago when she was the owner of the Absolute Write Forum. Through that forum, and an active member - Meryl K. Evans – I even landed a gig with... [Read More...]