This past week had to be of my most challenging since I started freelancing. My plate has been overflowing with writing projects (that’s the good part) thanks to putting my nose to the grindstone and marketing my you-know-what off. I’m also trying to stay on top of my personal writing projects, make arrangements for my four kids to stay busy and productive this summer (school will be out in just 3 weeks! UGH!). Add to that an unexpected illness and suddenly having to shuffle my work schedule completely around to attend the funeral of a very dear loved one, help host traveling family members and meet client deadlines - I wound up completely exhausted, frazzled and wishing I could get three days of bereavement time off to pull it all back together.
But the show must go on. In hindsight I’m sure I could have delayed a couple of deadlines without much trouble. Thankfully it all worked out and everything’s returned to “normal.”
This summer I’ll be traveling periodically, so I’m in the market for a new laptop that will allow me to keep working without missing a beat. I’ll be looking to expert traveling writers like Yuwanda Black and Jennifer Williamson for much needed survival tips. When I tell friends and family that I’ll be spending some of my travel time working, they think I’m crazy. I have to gently remind them that this is how I pay the bills. Besides, I actually LOVE what I do so if it’s wrong I don’t wanna be right! :)
Showing posts with label Yuwanda Black. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yuwanda Black. Show all posts
Friday, May 7, 2010
Monday, December 28, 2009
Is Freelance Writing More Stable than a 9 to 5?
Yuwanda Black shared an interesting post about how aspiring writers can begin taking steps to make their dreams of freelancing come true in 2010. Aside from my obvious jealousy that she’ll be flying off on yet another steamy adventure for five weeks in Jamaica (just, kidding, Yuwanda – have MUCH fun and be safe!), what really caught my attention was a bold headline further down in her post that reads, “Freelancing Provides More Job Security.” I’m inclined to cautiously agree.
What “working for the man” used to mean
My father has worked for the same company for over 35 years. Over the years his job has presented its employees with an absolutely awesome benefits and retirement package, turkeys and hams for every major holiday, bonuses, lavish gifts celebrating 10, 15, 20 and 30 years with the company, company car, beeper (back in the day) which was eventually upgraded to a company cell. You get the picture.
This is what my parents also wanted for me. It's what I was groomed as a little girl to want and go after, and so I did. Two months after graduating from college I hit the corporate jackpot and relocated to Atlanta to accept an advertising sales assistant position at the local paper. Four months into the job, I knew it wasn’t for me.
Leaving a “good job”
Even though I didn't care for my job I stayed because it provided "security." Eight years later when I told my dad that I was quitting what he affectionately referred to as my “good job,” He thought I was crazy. I had a two year old, newborn twins, a mortgage and car payments.
I completely understood his point of view. He had a “good job” that had been there through my mother’s untimely illness and inability to work again, financed my college tuition and allowed him to pay off his mortgage and cars. He wanted the same security for his only child.
But I could see the writing on the corporate wall early on. Even if I was cut out for the cubicle lifestyle, corporate America was no longer what it used to be. Now it’s plain for everyone to see: massive layoffs, cuts or no provision for benefits and furlough days have become the new norm.
The job security myth revealed
Last year many of my dear old coworkers at the paper became victims of a huge department layoff, as did many other newspaper workers across the nation. The Internet has done a lot to fragment advertising media. My “good job” turned out to be anything but. Which brings me back to the point of Yuwanda’s post…
The idea of job security is to a large degree a myth. High unemployment has forced many of us to become much more resourceful and depend on skills we developed in the corporate jungle to survive via freelancing and contract gigs. It’s a win-win situation for us and the big companies who no longer have the funds to maintain creative departments yet still require our services.
I also agree with Yuwanda’s idea that being a freelancer forces you to learn more. Although I worked on a computer eight hours a day for eight years at my old job, I was woefully computer illiterate when I left. Why should they bother teaching me more than they needed me to know to get the job done?
It wasn’t until I began working for myself that I forced myself out of my comfort zone to learn new skills. When you work for yourself, staying on top of small business, technological and Internet trends is a necessity.
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
I think the success of working for yourself depends largely on not putting all of your eggs into one basket. This is certainly the case for freelance writers where you must constantly market your services to build up a roster of clients who will supply steady work.
Depending on just one client would be career suicide. When you have 10 or more clients sending you work, you won’t feel the sudden departure of one client as much. One might consider relying on a “good job” in this economy to be the same as putting your eggs in one basket. What will you do if suddenly that job is no longer there?
Start with a plan of action
Now I don't suggest that as an aspiring freelance writer you should just run out and quit your job. You have to have a plan for any business to work. Start freelancing for clients as a side gig, or work to set aside 12 months of savings before you make the leap. I recommend the information from these sites to help get you started:
Inkwell Editorial
All About Freelance Writing
Freelance Writing Jobs
About Freelance Writing
What “working for the man” used to mean
My father has worked for the same company for over 35 years. Over the years his job has presented its employees with an absolutely awesome benefits and retirement package, turkeys and hams for every major holiday, bonuses, lavish gifts celebrating 10, 15, 20 and 30 years with the company, company car, beeper (back in the day) which was eventually upgraded to a company cell. You get the picture.
This is what my parents also wanted for me. It's what I was groomed as a little girl to want and go after, and so I did. Two months after graduating from college I hit the corporate jackpot and relocated to Atlanta to accept an advertising sales assistant position at the local paper. Four months into the job, I knew it wasn’t for me.
Leaving a “good job”
Even though I didn't care for my job I stayed because it provided "security." Eight years later when I told my dad that I was quitting what he affectionately referred to as my “good job,” He thought I was crazy. I had a two year old, newborn twins, a mortgage and car payments.
I completely understood his point of view. He had a “good job” that had been there through my mother’s untimely illness and inability to work again, financed my college tuition and allowed him to pay off his mortgage and cars. He wanted the same security for his only child.
But I could see the writing on the corporate wall early on. Even if I was cut out for the cubicle lifestyle, corporate America was no longer what it used to be. Now it’s plain for everyone to see: massive layoffs, cuts or no provision for benefits and furlough days have become the new norm.
The job security myth revealed
Last year many of my dear old coworkers at the paper became victims of a huge department layoff, as did many other newspaper workers across the nation. The Internet has done a lot to fragment advertising media. My “good job” turned out to be anything but. Which brings me back to the point of Yuwanda’s post…
The idea of job security is to a large degree a myth. High unemployment has forced many of us to become much more resourceful and depend on skills we developed in the corporate jungle to survive via freelancing and contract gigs. It’s a win-win situation for us and the big companies who no longer have the funds to maintain creative departments yet still require our services.
I also agree with Yuwanda’s idea that being a freelancer forces you to learn more. Although I worked on a computer eight hours a day for eight years at my old job, I was woefully computer illiterate when I left. Why should they bother teaching me more than they needed me to know to get the job done?
It wasn’t until I began working for myself that I forced myself out of my comfort zone to learn new skills. When you work for yourself, staying on top of small business, technological and Internet trends is a necessity.
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
I think the success of working for yourself depends largely on not putting all of your eggs into one basket. This is certainly the case for freelance writers where you must constantly market your services to build up a roster of clients who will supply steady work.
Depending on just one client would be career suicide. When you have 10 or more clients sending you work, you won’t feel the sudden departure of one client as much. One might consider relying on a “good job” in this economy to be the same as putting your eggs in one basket. What will you do if suddenly that job is no longer there?
Start with a plan of action
Now I don't suggest that as an aspiring freelance writer you should just run out and quit your job. You have to have a plan for any business to work. Start freelancing for clients as a side gig, or work to set aside 12 months of savings before you make the leap. I recommend the information from these sites to help get you started:
Inkwell Editorial
All About Freelance Writing
Freelance Writing Jobs
About Freelance Writing
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Ebook Review: "How to Make $250+/Day Writing Simple 500-Word Articles"
I promised to share helpful tips for building a lucrative freelance writing business, and today I want to share one of the very valuable resources I've come across. When I first became interested in making a living as a freelance writer during the summer of 2006, I was on a social forum lurking around when someone posted a link to Yuwanda Black's Associated Content page. From there I linked to her freelance writing blog, Inkwell Editorial, and I was hooked. She offers very practical advice about creating a freelance writing business. She has authored several ebooks about the business of freelancing, but if you are determined to start freelancing in 2009 I highly recommend "How to Make $250+/Day Writing Simple 500-Word Articles."
SEO content writing
SEO article writing is a great way to get started as a freelance writer. You'll find lots of freelancers who look down on SEO content writing. Maybe they think all writers are writing $1, $2, or even $5 articles. But there are companies and individual clients out there who know the value of quality content, and they're willing to pay you for it. Yuwanda's book shows you how to get started. She advises starting off charging $25 per article. Nice.
An ebook that delivers
I experienced a slump over the summer and wanted to find more clients. I kept coming back to this ebook, debating over whether or not I really wanted to shell out $39.95 (can you believe I missed out on getting it when it first came out at $9.95?). I was tired of buying ebooks filled with vague information that glossed over how to actually do whatever they were promising. Since writing the ebook, Yuwanda has collected several testimonials and actual case studies of people sharing their experiences from putting the advice outlined in the book to use. I figured if I got one client it was worth it. She doesn't promise $250/day without putting in some work. Consistent marketing is a big part of the plan she lays out, and she shows you exactly how to do everything from drafting a marketing letter to creating your contact list.
Market, market and then market some more
Honestly, I should be more consistent with my own marketing, but whenever I do follow her marketing plan I always receive an interested reply. I currently have five new, steady clients from following the clear advice outlined in this book. What started off as simple SEO content writing for me has evolved into more lucrative writing opportunities including website copy, blog posts, press releases, ebooks, reports and whitepapers.
Make your 2009 dreams of becoming a freelance writer a reality
If you want to take the leap and become a freelance writer, there's nothing to do but jump. Even if you work a full-time job, you can start freelancing part-time. Making the choice to do it is completely up to you, as Yuwanda plainly expressed in yesterday's blog post. Having a plan is essential, and Yuwanda's ebook can help you create your own path to freelance writing success.
SEO content writing
SEO article writing is a great way to get started as a freelance writer. You'll find lots of freelancers who look down on SEO content writing. Maybe they think all writers are writing $1, $2, or even $5 articles. But there are companies and individual clients out there who know the value of quality content, and they're willing to pay you for it. Yuwanda's book shows you how to get started. She advises starting off charging $25 per article. Nice.
An ebook that delivers
I experienced a slump over the summer and wanted to find more clients. I kept coming back to this ebook, debating over whether or not I really wanted to shell out $39.95 (can you believe I missed out on getting it when it first came out at $9.95?). I was tired of buying ebooks filled with vague information that glossed over how to actually do whatever they were promising. Since writing the ebook, Yuwanda has collected several testimonials and actual case studies of people sharing their experiences from putting the advice outlined in the book to use. I figured if I got one client it was worth it. She doesn't promise $250/day without putting in some work. Consistent marketing is a big part of the plan she lays out, and she shows you exactly how to do everything from drafting a marketing letter to creating your contact list.
Market, market and then market some more
Honestly, I should be more consistent with my own marketing, but whenever I do follow her marketing plan I always receive an interested reply. I currently have five new, steady clients from following the clear advice outlined in this book. What started off as simple SEO content writing for me has evolved into more lucrative writing opportunities including website copy, blog posts, press releases, ebooks, reports and whitepapers.
Make your 2009 dreams of becoming a freelance writer a reality
If you want to take the leap and become a freelance writer, there's nothing to do but jump. Even if you work a full-time job, you can start freelancing part-time. Making the choice to do it is completely up to you, as Yuwanda plainly expressed in yesterday's blog post. Having a plan is essential, and Yuwanda's ebook can help you create your own path to freelance writing success.
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