March 8, 2010
- I learned details about how to begin freelancing for living three years ago when I accidentally wondered into a writer’s forum. Although I was already writing for a couple of niche publications part-time, I’d always wondered how people where able to carve out a full-time living freelancing. Reading through past threads and engaging in topic discussions provided me with enough information to go for it myself.
Writers forums can be full of valuable information. New writers can...
March 5, 2010
- It's been crazy around here all week. New clients, new projects, dragging four kids to the dentist in one day - yeah, that kind of crazy.
Fortunately, there have been a lot of great blog posts written this week that I'm more than happy to share. Hope you enjoy my Friday favs and have a great weekend.
March 2010 Challenge: Get Off Your Butt!
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March 2, 2010
- Yesterday during a routine check-in with my accountability partner, the subject turned to contract agreements and what should be included. Whenever I visit another writer’s blog or a forum where the topic of discussion is contract agreements, I sit up and listen. It’s conversations like these that have helped me plug the leaky areas of my own agreement.
I use a formal agreement every time I take on an assignment, whereas another writer might be comfortable with casual email quotes....
February 26, 2010
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February 24, 2010
- To me this title is asking a basic question I’d imagine anyone would consider before just up and deciding that freelancing will become their primary source of income. From time to time I receive emails and inquiries from people in my “real life” asking me for more detailed advice about how to get started. I find that in most cases the inquirer is serious and ready to get in there – they just need to know what to expect or how to handle a specific situation. I’m more than happy to help. But...
February 22, 2010
- This weekend I actually MADE time to work on my own projects. That’s all it takes you know; making the decision to take the time to do so. I say that more for my own benefit. When I have a lot of goals I want accomplished I sometimes freeze up like a deer caught in headlights and do nothing. Those tasks seem so overwhelming that I opt to do nothing instead. Not good.
I do know that when I’m accountable to someone, I break my neck to do what’s expected. I hate letting people down when...
February 15, 2010
- I’m working on breaking into a new industry niche I’ve been researching for the past four months or so. A lot of experienced writers and other professionals say that specializing in a specific niche like legal, medical or financial content/copywriting makes it easier to earn a larger income. It makes it easier to become a big fish in a small pond.
Sometimes choosing a specialty is simple. Amy Derby once worked as a paralegal making her...
February 8, 2010
- I’m busy with a multitude of projects right now. Some writing related, some not.Maybe I should have done this on Friday, but any day’s a good day to share favorite blog posts. Right? Anyway, I hope you like them too. Enjoy your Monday.
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February 1, 2010
- On Saturday I met with my new accountant to begin making heads or tails of all the stuffed envelopes filled with receipts, copies of checks, banks statements and other miscellaneous 2009 tax paraphernalia.
**A word to the wise, new and aspiring freelancers: ALWAYS keep detailed records and keep everything organized. That way tax time will not become the paper strewn nightmare for you that it is for me…
As he and I discussed details of my business, he became...
January 29, 2010
- Sometimes there‘s just so much I can do. I mean I’m just one person, and when a bunch of clients need projects done within the same deadline period, I panic a little. Sure it can wind up meaning more money, but that can also mean less sleep, less time with the family and possibly putting some clients on hold (if they are willing to wait); or passing them along to another freelance writer while I struggle to get caught back up.
Now all of this could also be a sign of not charging...
