Setting, Increasing, and Sticking To Your Freelance Writing Rates
Posted by Alicia in Business Help, Writing Advice on January 11, 2010
Do you need a witty caption? Really? I think it's pretty self-explanatory.
One of my goals for 2010 is to stop working so much on the weekends. I was fairly good about that during the first few years of my freelance writing career – when I did work on the weekends, it was generally because I either A) took a day off during the week, or B) just wanted to. Over the last year or so, though, life got in the way and I found myself working almost every weekend.
It stops in 2010.
However, before it stops (I’m such a junkie), I’ve decided to spend the first few weekends of 2010 doing some housekeeping – of the writing career variety – and this past weekend, my task was to tackle my freelance writing rates.
I knew I was going to have to do it sooner or later, and the beginning of the year seemed like a much better time than, say, mid-June. Plus, Deb Ng’s recent blog post about making a profit with your freelance writing business provides some solid information about setting and raising rates and proved to be just the kick in the tail I needed.
Creating a Freelance Writer’s Resume
Posted by Alicia in Business Help on January 8, 2010
I know I can't have been the ONLY writer having trouble with them.
We’re eight days into 2010, and a major trend I’ve noticed this year is that more job advertisers than ever before (at least, in my experience) are requesting writing resumes. Fortunately, producing a copy of my writing resume doesn’t aggravate me as much as it used to.
Since I started freelance writing, I’ve spent the first few weeks of every new year following exactly the same routine: Telling myself this is the year I will consistently apply for new writing jobs (no need to put all my eggs in one basket again, right?), sticking to that goal with fevered excitement, and then finally realizing I have to take a break to update my writing resume.
Here’s the deal: I used to hate updating my writing resume. I mean, I really loathed it. (Sure, I never ran into a ton of job advertisers who required them, but all it takes is one, right?) I’ve had tons of clients – big companies, small companies, individuals – I can’t include them all! What makes the cut? What goes unmentioned? How do I organize it all?
Then, last year, I sat down with a pen and a pad of paper and made an outline – a very old school, to-the-point outline of headers, subheaders, and even squiggly doodles when my mind started wandering. What I ended up with was an outline that looked very much like what the resume for a traditional, 9-5 job would look like – with a few tweaks, of course.
Well, that was easy. Maybe I’d been overthinking it the whole time? Maybe I just needed a visual? Probably both.
Whatever the case, below is the cleaned up version of the outline. It’s nothing new for seasoned freelancers, but it might help those of you just getting started.
Writers Beware: Don’t Put All Your Eggs In One Basket!
Posted by Alicia in Writing Advice on January 6, 2010
Look at all my pretty eggs! This basket will hold them forever! Muahahaha!!!
One of the best pieces of advice I received when I first started freelancing was: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
Really, it’s pretty common sense advice for any freelancer or self-employed person. If you put all your eggs in one basket – in other words, if you devote all your time and attention to one particular client and job and come to financially depend solely on that job – you’re left with nothing when something happens to that basket.
Notice how I’ve used “when” instead of “if”; it’s been my experience that, eventually, something always happens to the basket.
Yes, this was one of those lessons I had to learn for myself, unfortunately.
The Top 7 Ways to Screw Yourself Out of a Writing Gig
Posted by Alicia in Social Media, Writing Advice on January 4, 2010
Because I'm so creative with my images.
On Friday, I sort of joked about writing a post titled “The Top 7 Ways to Screw Yourself Out of a Writing Gig,” but over the weekend I thought, “You know what? I really could write that post. I really could list seven ways for a writer to shoot herself in the foot. Whether I’ve witnessed fellow writers make these mistakes, or I’ve made them myself.”
Of course, that last part doesn’t really sound like something to be proud of, I know…
…but, it means my writing career has survived some growing pains, right?
Right.
So, on to the top seven ways to screw yourself out of a writing gig, in no particular order.
WritingSpark.com Relaunch!
Posted by Alicia in Uncategorized on January 1, 2010
WritingSpark.com is not a new site; it’s actually been around for quite a while. So, it’s more of an old site with a new look…
…and absolutely no archived posts to date.
What can I say? I was a bit overzealous when I wiped the slate clean.
I was also a bit overzealous when I started WritingSpark.com.
For some reason, after having been a freelance writer and editor for a handful of months, I thought I was in a position to offer advice to other freelance writers and editors. Most of the people I befriended during WritingSpark.com’s maiden voyage were other freelance writers and editors – much more seasoned freelance writers and editors, mind you, who managed websites and blogs that screamed talent, knowledge, and experience.
Sure, I had talent when I started this site. I like to think I still do. And yes, I had some knowledge, too.
But experience? Actually working as a writer, and not just writing because it was my passion?
Next to none.
Build a Better Blog!
Are you familiar with Darren Rowse? If you've been blogging for any amount of time, chances are you know a thing or two about the guy. (If you don't, you're missing out on a wealth of information.)
I signed up for Darren's free "31 Days to Build a Better Blog" Challenge back in April and was so pleased with the results I saw at Celebrity Psychings that I bought the book to get more tips I could use here at WritingSpark.com.
You know you really believe in a guy's expertise when you dole out the cash for a book based on information you already received once for free.
Anyway, once I put the book to the test here at WritingSpark.com, I'll undoubtedly share my thoughts, experiences, results, etc. If you're not willing to wait, click here to view more details about "31 Days to Build a Better Blog."
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