Freelance Writing During a Gas Shortage

Today was the first day in about three weeks that I didn't see long lines trailing up the road and into the local gas station when I took the kids to school. The gas shortage here in Atlanta had really gotten ugly as people drove around town searching for stations with gas. Some people were traveling 30 miles away from their homes going to 10 different stations before finding any! It was standard to see police monitoring the stations to keep heads cool under such volatile conditions.

I drive a gas guzzling minivan (hush your mouth – I need room for three booster seats and one baby seat), so as you can imagine I have never been more grateful to work from home. I have all of the necessities within a 5 mile radius of my house: grocery store and gas station (two blocks away), health food market, post station, print shop, park (for when kids are going crazy and running around the yard just won't do), kid's school and library. I'm also on the bus line if things were to really get hairy.

Even with the current economic panic and gas shortage taking place around me, I am grateful to have plenty of projects to keep me busy and pay the bills. If I hadn't left my job at the paper five years ago, today I could either be a victim of their most recent round of layoffs, or still stuck with a daily 60 minute commute – no, make that a two to three hour commute because I'd need time to search for gas. I shudder to think…

Extreme Blog Makeover

Notice anything different? Well, thanks to Lena Towes of Simply Fabulous Blogger Templates, an extremely talented Blogger custom template designer, Avid Writer has a fresh, new look! I know that it is a common consensus among many bloggers that Blogger is "out," and Wordpress is "where it's at." Well, if I weren't so technologically challenged, I probably would have gone the Wordpress route in the first place; but Blogger is what I can handle right now. It allows me to say what I need to say, and that's why I blog here. And now Lena has created a custom template to give me a professional looking writer's blog. Thanks, Lena! :)

Do Unto Other Bloggers as You Would Have Them Do Onto You?

Amy Derby at Write at Home's Monday post, "Stupid Blogger Netiquette #407 (The Great Platitudists of Blogland Strike Again)", started with a question someone recently asked her: "Would you read my blog even if I didn't read yours?" Hmmm, I'd never really thought about it much until she brought up the subject. Two rules of netiquette Amy mentions:
1) It's rude not to respond to every single comment
2) If a blogger comments on your blog it's only polite to return the favor.

I'm no blogging expert (I'm sure you're not shocked by that), but I have noticed that most guides to blogging suggest that you should always make a point of posting on another's blog as a courtesy when they take the time to post on yours. I try to do that when I can, but can be hard considering I can only allow so much time in my day for online socializing. I LOVE reading blogs – not just writing blogs – but I usually post only when I have something meaningful to contribute. Now that's not to say I'm not guilty of leaving a "great post!" response because I'll admit that I have. But I meant it. Really!

I never want anyone to feel obligated to post a comment on my blog any more than I'd wish to pay someone to do so. I understand why experts recommend commenting on blogs as a way of driving traffic to your own. I have found some pretty cool blogs that I now frequent because some really nice people stopped by to leave comments. I'm an introvert, but I do have a social side so I love taking part in discussions both online and off. I do try like the dickens to respond to comments left by those who stop by.

I'll comment on a blog it's because I find a particular topic interesting, and I continue to visit (often lurking about…) because I am fascinated by the way a blogger thinks and I want to know more about what they have to say. It's genuine, whether they decide to comment here or not. If you don't read my blog, even though I read yours, that's okay. It's all good. :)

Finding Time to Work on Your Own Stuff: a Freelancing Necessity

I have turned over a new leaf. I will no longer spend my weekends slaving away on freelance writing projects – except if there are unusual circumstances (must be flexible because unusual circumstances have a habit of showing up in my life completely unexpected).

I was keeping a schedule over the last three months that was nearly running me into the ground. Burnout was just around the corner. And to be completely honest, it was my own fault because I wouldn't establish a writing schedule each day. Since I stopped turning my nose up at creating a more structured work day, I have gotten much more accomplished. Besides, I need a life.

I have made a commitment to start working on my own stuff more regularly. Prioritizing my day is the only way to find the time. I need to do all sorts of things: design a new website, write the content, re-purpose some articles, develop a special report, promote my business…you get the idea.

I have been squeezing in time every evening and on the weekends to brainstorm and work on my stuff. When you are everything to your business – the business manager, administrator, accountant, creative/designer, etc. – It can become overwhelming. When I start to feel that way, I think of the answer to the question: 'How do you eat an elephant?' You do it one bite at a time.

Working on your own projects is an important part of growing your business. Taking classes, creating products of your own to sell, writing advance blog posts, writing a book and other projects could ultimately affect your bottom line – profitability and income. It's an investment in your business and your future. After all, you spend hours working on writing projects for your clients everyday. Shouldn't you make time for your own business?

Want to Start a Freelance Writing Business? There's No Time Like the Present

Wow what a week it's been. Between the Lehman Brothers and AIG fiasco, stock market shenanigans and talk of bailing out even more troubled banks, it's enough to make a full-time freelance writer or any other solopreneur start getting all sweaty and panicky. But not so fast…

Call me crazy, but I actually feel more secure knowing that I'm steering my own ship. If I were still working for the newspaper, I'd be shivering in my shoes right about now (newspapers haven't been doing so well for a while now anyway). As a freelance writer, you really do have the power to command your own income. Yeah, it takes a lot of hard work – anything worth while usually does. But there are lots of writers with a steady stream of projects. I'm finding that as some businesses cut back on specialized departments like marketing, they still need writers. So to save money on overhead, these companies are seeking contract writers. Two huge companies in my hometown advertised high paying, ongoing contract positions on Craigslist.org. Keep your eyes open…

I want to share some encouragement from some of my favorite blogs with you this Friday. To quote one of my favorite musical artists of all time, Bob Marley: "Don't give up the fight!"

Naomi Dunford's post over at IttyBiz.com really gives entrepreneurs food for thought.

Also, check out Paty Slim's eye opening post at Escape from Cubical Nation .

And enjoy reading Yuwanda Black's post at Inkwell Editorial to put to rest any doubts you have about the freelance road you're traveling.

Freelance Writing Basics: Are You Covered?

Lately I have been hearing a lot from clients about their nightmarish experiences working with previous freelance writers. I'm hearing about language barriers and issues with receiving quality content from one client who tried cutting financial corners by hiring writers overseas, problems with writers being unable to meet deadlines consistently and issues with receiving content riddled with careless errors due to lack of proofreading and editing.

In my humble opinion, these are the basics any freelance writer hoping to make a living should have down pat. Laziness in these key areas could prevent you from getting certain projects, and cause you to loose clients.

I know exactly what they are talking about; I had a huge project back in February that I needed help with, so I hired a couple of freelance workers to help out so I could still meet my deadline. I got a firsthand peek at what many of these clients are dealing with regularly. I posted the job at a certain forum requesting samples and work experience and was overwhelmed with responses.

One writer in particular practically begged me for the job. After a day or so of emailing back and forth, I send her the project. I never heard from her again. After spending time looking over countless online portfolios, I found three writers. One was great – she delivered exactly what I expected before deadline. The second writer was also pretty good. The third writer sent the completed work back by the deadline, but it appeared she had rushed through the project. She didn't even bother to run a spell and grammar check. I had to practically rewrite everything.

When I market for freelance writing or blogging clients, my goal is to build ongoing relationships. This will keep me busy, and lessen my marketing efforts – one time projects are okay here and there, but I need more. It's important to give your clients exactly what they expect when they expect it. This gives them confidence in your ability and a real sense of well being. If you can make your clients believe that they are lucky to have you on their team, that's half the battle won. This is why I believe that as freelance writers we shouldn't worry too much about competition over jobs. You would be surprised how many writers out there are not consistently covering the basics. These include but aren't limited to:

Always do what you say

This is largely an issue of integrity. When you give your word in business, it's considered a verbal contract. Don't promise clients the sun and moon. Be realistic about what you can deliver so that you always keep your word. This is such an easy way to gain a client's trust and respect.

Meet your established deadlines – no excuses

Hey, sometimes life happens. I know; I've got four kids, and kids have an uncanny way of getting sick or having other issues when you need to meet an important deadline. Clients know that things can come up. The problem is that many have dealt with flaky freelancers in the past that always have some kind of drama going on preventing them from completing work on time. I was surprised to hear this – this is a basic basic in freelance writing! Again, be realistic about the time you need to complete a project and just do it.

Still, things cannot be avoided. When this happens let your client know as soon as possible that you are having trouble meeting your deadline because XYZ. They may not like it, but you may be able to renegotiate the deadline. Having another writer you can turn to in an emergency is a big help as well.

Proofread your copy carefully before submitting

Now I'll admit this was a shortcoming I had to overcome. As writers, we should strive for perfection when presenting a final product. It should be grammatically correct; spell checked and proofed for errors a couple of times. This goes for emails and any other written correspondence as well. Your words represent who you are.

It's a really good idea to have a second set of eyes to look things over before submitting. But if you can't, Lori Widmer recently reminded me of something I learned to do back in the day – read your copy out loud. You'd be surprised at many pesky mistakes you can catch that way.

These are by no means all there is to becoming a successful freelance writer, but it's a start. Master the basics, and your clients will love you for it.

Gigs for New (and Not So New) Freelance Writers

If you are a freelance writer, or any other independent contractor, you've no doubt heard the advice: Never have just one egg in your basket." By eggs I mean clients. I've said it before, diversification is a good thing.

I have recently received a few emails from newbie writers asking how to get started. To be honest, that's one of the hardest aspects of freelance writing – getting that first gig that not only increases your income, but gives you the experience and writing samples you'll need as you move forward in your business.

I've noticed that one of the first places new writers are told to get started is Associated Content. There is nothing wrong with AC at all – but if you are strapped for cash like I was when I first started, AC alone won't cut it – although it is a nice way to create some residual income. If your article is accepted for payment, you'll make money, plus you can set up a system of adding more articles to receive a residual income each month according to the number of page views the articles receive. It's a good way of establishing yourself as an expert in a certain niche like gardening, fitness or whatever. Not bad for a little something on the side.

For new writers searching for paid experience, SEO writing can be the easiest way to get started. SEO stands for search engine optimization. Specific keywords are used to increase search engine ranking. You may come across ads on various job boards, forums and bidding sites where clients are seeking SEO writers to write "high quality" content at 500 words or more for $2, $3 and $5. Pass it up – that's my humble opinion. There are plenty of clients willing to pay a decent wage for quality SEO content. Seriously.

If you are looking for a way to break in to freelance writing and get some pretty steady work, here are two legitimate companies to check out: Writer's Research Group and Demand Studios. Both have one or more clients writers can write for, and they always pay their writers on time. Even if you are not a new freelance writer, these companies can round out your income, adding stability during those inevitable slower months. If you want to learn more about either of these companies, visit the WAHM.com writer's forum where you can read what others who work for them have to say, or post your own questions to be answered. Happy writing everyone.;)