Surprises and the Freelance Writer
Three weeks ago we stumbled upon a house that just went on the market. It was completely remodeled and priced so low that we simply had to snatch it up before someone else made an offer. We weren't planning on buying a house this year, but you never know what blessing will be thrown your way.
The same holds true for freelance writing. You never know when a new prospect will be thrown your way, but you must be prepared and willing to jump in before you lose it.
How do you stay prepared?
Keep a list of article ideas on topics that you frequently write about so that you can whip up an article idea list for a client at a moment's notice. Have a list of experts that you can contact for quickie interviews and quotes. Keep an "emergency" work hour open for new clients. You can make this hour separate from your regular working hours and only use it when you are in dire need. It can be the hour before your family wakes up or the hour after everyone else goes to bed, for example.
Something for New Freelance Writers to Think About
Cartoon by Alina Bradford
I read a lot of freelance writing tip blogs. One major thing that I notice is the "You only have to write six articles each day to make a living as a freelance writer!" mantra. At the end of the blog post there's always several comments saying, "Oh wow! It's so simple! I can't wait to get started with my new career!"
Hold your horses there, Newbie.
Times have changed. There used to be a time when you could log onto sites like BrightHub or Demand Studios, knock out six articles in a couple hours and be done for the day. That freelancing world no longer exists. Content sites are tightening up their requirements for articles, requiring writers to do extensive research. This takes more time, and eventually lowering your pay rate. Six articles per day isn't a realistic goal.
Besides, do you really want to write six articles, day in and day out, for years? Can you say super nova burn out?
Also, many content sites are also turning to experts for their articles. For example, Bestcovery requires its writers to only write articles on subjects that they have in-depth experience with. This doesn't mean you can write about the subject if you've written about the subject before. No, you have to have some form of degree or job history that cover's the subject's basics.
Now, I don't mean to discourage new writers, just inject a little bit of reality. Don't expect to be able to pay your bills with content sites. Aim higher.
Brain Performance Drink for Writers?
Through one of my writing gigs I was offered a free sample of BriteSHOT, a "brain performance drink." Huh? I've heard of muscle enhancers, but never brain enhancers.
According to the bottle it is supposed to make it easier to focus, concentrate and remember things. Sounds like something a writer could use, right?
Despite my better judgement, I just downed the self-severing sized bottle.
It was beyond disgusting and burned my throat. Not. A. Good. Sign.
It doesn't say how long it take to work, but I'm not feeling anything yet. Though, the experiment did inspire me to write this blog post. I guess it goes to show that trying something new is a great muse. Next time you're stuck for an article idea or blog post, get out of your office chair (or stay in it, like me) and do something new.
Making Money Quickly Without the Drama of Working Extra Hours
Last month, because of some paperwork mishaps, my husband didn't get paid one of his paychecks. So, this month we are a little sort on cash.
Working more hours to make up for the shortfall until the missing paycheck arrives seems like the obvious choice, but wait. There are ways to make some quick cash without working overtime. Here's some things I've been doing:
Selling my digital camera on Ebay. I got a new, better one for Valentines day, so it makes sense to make a profit from my old, still nice one.
Selling books that people have given me, but I don't want, on Half.com.
Lowering my Dish TV package so that we save $20/month. Money saved is money earned, after all.
Here are some more things that I could do to raise quick money:
Have a yard sale.
Sell broken jewelry using sites like Cash for Gold.com.
Sell items to a pawn shop, Pawn Stars style.
Take our huge pile of trash bags full of empty soda cans to the recycling place.
Take our coin jar to a coin counting machine like Coin Star and turn it the change into cash.
Have any more ideas? Let me know in the comments!
The video below is a song that really fits with this post. It's
I Need a Dollar
by Aloe Blacc.
A Welcomed Surprise and Added Income for My Writing Business
A few months ago I syndicated my blogs through
Amazon Kindle Publishing for Blogs
. I figured, what the heck? It only took a few minutes and who knows?
And then I forgot about it.
So imagine my surprise when I got an email alerting me that money was deposited into my checking account. It turns out that people have been buying my blogs for months and I had made money and didn't even know it! That was a welcomed surprise.
So, today I accessed my account and added two more blogs to the mix. Maybe I'll make twice as much!
Go give it a try with your own blogs. You may make some surprise money, too.
How to Write a Product Review Without the Products
Try Before You Write? by Alina Bradford
I often write for publications that assign me product reviews to write. Now, there's no way that I can afford to test these products, and often, companies don't give you samples without a lot of runaround...and then they still forget to send the samples.
So, how do you write a balanced, fair review without the product?
Very carefully, my friend. Here's my process.
First, if you are allowed, only pick products that you already have a familiarly with. For example, if you do photography as a hobby, you probably already have a pretty good idea of which camera or film brands are the best.
I like to choose reviews where I have already tried several of the products in real life for whatever reason. I may not have tried all of them, but I have a pretty good feel for the industry and what products are available.
On websites, look at the manufactor's specs for the item and compare it with the specs from another item. For example, say I was reviewing cameras, I would note that one camera had a 20x zoom while the other camera had a 10x zoom. Obviously, the camera with the 20x zoom is better. So I caulk that up as a point. Next, I'd see if the 20x zoom camera had other features that the other camera didn't, and so on. Go from there and compare these top brands using data that you compile from the manufacture's website.
Then, to top off your own knowledge about the products and the information that you have gathered, read USER (not reviews on websites written by other writers) reviews on sites like Amazon. The reviews just give you a little more insight so that you can be sure you are giving a balanced review.
After compiling all of this research, you should have enough information to write a quality review. This plus side of this type of reviewing is that it won't be muddled with your own bias; it will just have factual comparisons.
Designing Ebook Covers and Book Covers
Hi all,
Just a quick note: It occurred to me that I should let my readers know that I design ebook and book covers. So, if you need something, let me know and I'll help you out. Visit my website for examples of my work and price information.
10 Ways Writers Can Make Money
Writing for Money by Alina Bradford
I see new writers asking on forums all the time, "How can I make money as a writer?" Well, I've decided to answer that question here- and no, I'm not going to suggest writing for content mills or other obvious places like magazines or newspapers.
Here we go:
Write your own ebook about something that fascinates you and sell it on your blog or using a Kindle platform. Lots of writers are have a lot of luck with this. Write Tweets and Facebook posts. I wrote a bit about this on my Tweeting for Money post. Write sponsored blog posts. Check out Sponsored Blog Posts and IZEA. Write articles for online newsletters. I do this a lot and it brings in quite a bit of cash. Just look on job boards for companies that need newsletter writers. Write product and book reviews for roundup websites. Another big money maker for me. The key is to review things that you love, so the writing is easy breezy. Become an affiliate blogger. This is basically writing blogs and then adding links to products that your readers may be interested in. If they buy the product, you get a cut of the profits. See? I did it to the right---> Write product descriptions for company websites. I have made fantastic money doing this. Do you have a background in advertising? Try writing slogans for companies. If you like photography, pitch your photographs with your articles. I know, this technically isn't writing, but think of it as an accessory to your writing. Like to travel? Write mini-guides for sites like Visual Travel Tours. Here's my Helena, Montana guide for an example.
There you go. 10 ways to make money as a writer that aren't the usual vanilla suggestions. Let me know if you think of any more or if you want more information on any of the suggestions.
Demand Media Gets Hit By Panda...Finally
Demand Studios and Panda by Alina Bradford
Google had promised that Panda was for sites like eHow, yet the first wave seemed to completely miss Demand Media. This time though, it seems like eHow got hit like a man in the ring with George Foreman, according to many traffic tracking sites and web trend sites, like WebProNews and It Pro Portal.
So, what does this mean? Well, Demand has been frantically restructuring their way of producing articles. Most articles now have to be written by "experts" and have lengthy references. Even though the standard have tightened, the pay has stayed about the same. My guess is that most writers will jump ship like I did almost a year ago.
How's My Suite's Earnings?
Suite 101 Stats
As most of you probably know, Suite 101 took a hit when Google's Mayday came in spring of 2010. It took a huge hit when the US Panda algorithm ( Mayday and Panda are a change in the way Google ranks articles and websites in their search results) came out. It took another huge hit when Panda went worldwide. How bad was I hit? Well, here are the facts:
I have 310 articles at Suite. My regular number of page views before Panda was around 19,000 per week. My page views are now around 9,000 views per week. My highest earning month was January 2010 with $313. Last month's earnings were $150.
So, when I had around 200 articles I was making twice as much as I am with 310 articles. Friday I made 90 cents. I haven't made that little in a day since my first year writing for Suite.
What's really scary is that without my Feature Writer bonus I would be making almost nothing at all.
Many Suite 101 writers are reporting improved revenue after they tweak their articles. (The tweaks they've made are laid out in my last post, if you're interested.)
I haven't made any tweaks yet and I haven't added any articles since Panda. I had decided that until Suite makes some big changes I'm in a holding pattern. I've got some articles planned for my section, though, so I'll probably be adding some new material soon.
SEO Residual Income Writing Post-Panda Tips
SEO residual income writing gives writers the chance to write about whatever they want and make money. In post-Panda times, many writers are wondering how to still earn with their articles and gain Google's love.
Well, I've trolled forums, listened to other writers and read news articles to come up with the key to what Google is looking for in articles. Here's a process I've come up with to meet new Google guidelines. The crossed out lines are what people used to tell you to do to get Google points that aren't true anymore.
Come up with a list of topics you would love to write about. They can be anything at all. Remember, if you are interested in the subject, chances are thousands of others are, too. Take your idea and type it into Google's Adwords Keyword Tool. Click on "Get Keyword Ideas." The site will create a list of keywords that you can easily choose to slip into your articles for better SEO. Be choosy. Pick the phrases and words that work best with your article and that get the most traffic. Remember to use a few of these keywords (around two is best) into the title, too. SEO should come organically. Don't worry about jamming your article full of keywords. Google penalize articles that are too stuffed with keywords because they look spammy. Repeating the word or phrase 3 times per 400 words is plenty. Add a couple of outgoing links to your article to add search engine friendliness. Only use one or two internal links. Use only original content in your articles. That means don't use passages from other people's articles or even your own that is published elsewhere. If you are posting your articles on your own site make sure that the ads are kept to a minimum. I've heard that keeping ads "under the fold" is best, meaning, you would need to scroll down to see them.
I'll try to add to this list as I gather more information.
Researching and Building a New Blog
Currently, I'm building a new blog as part of my new campaign to build income that only I control. Unlike all my other blogs, I actually did research before I started. Here's my process:
My first step was to research keywords related to my blog's subject. I did this using Google's Adwords Keyword Tool. I looked at the keyword's competition, estimated CPC (cost per click) and how often the keyword is searched per month. This gives me an idea of what my readers will be looking for and how much I may make. I brainstormed for a name that is clever, memorable and uses a good keyword. Then I did a web search for names that are similar. After I made sure that the name I chose hadn't been done before. I make sure that the web address is available. If it wasn't available, I started from scratch. The building of the blog happed once I worked out the name and the address. I picked colors, font, ad placement, etc. All of this will probably be changed a hundred times in the coming days. Now I'm designing a logo to make the blog more memorable.
If you want to take a look at my progress, you can check out my new blog here: The Savings Spy
How to Make Money Writing for Yourself?
Since most residual income sites got hit hard by the Google Panda update and more and more publications are paying next to nothing for articles, I decided to make my number one client myself. Here are some of the ways I'm planning on doing it:
Writing regular content for my current blogs Building a new blog on a topic that is lucrative and I'm crazy about (coming soon) Writing a few ebooks to sell on my blogs, Amazon, Kindle, etc. Building the content on my website Defrazzle Mom.com
How to Write for Trade Magazines
Trade Magazines for Soldiers
I was over at my favorite writer's forum, Absolute Write, and came across a writer that needed advice on getting into trade publication writing. Since I often write for various trade magazines I decided to give him some advice... and then I decided to post my advice for my readers, here, too.
First, what is a trade magazine? It's a publication that is specifically written and distributed to a certain profession. For example, soldiers in the National Guard read Foundations, which is a magazine that has articles that are written just for soldiers and their families. Another example is Food Arts Magazine, which is targeted towards people in the food and beverage industry.
The first step of getting in with these well-paying publications is to find one that caters to an industry that you have experience with. Before an editor will give you an assignment they need to know that you know what you're talking about. So, if you work as a mechanic, target magazines like Today's Machining World.
To easily find publication in your niche, go over to Free Trade Magazines.com or Free Trade Magazine Source and do a search for your industry. Then, subscribe to the publication so that you can do research on the types of articles they publish.
Once you've done your research, come up with an introduction letter that lets an editor know about your writing chops, your history in the field and has a clip of relevant writing.
It may take several tries, but eventually you will come across an editor that needs a new writer and is willing to take a chance on you.
List My 5 Update
A while back I wrote a post on the relatively new revenue share site List My 5. At first I was doing really well. I was doing so well with earnings, in fact, that I decided to make it one of my New Year's resolutions to put a lot of effort into this site so that I can see maximum earnings.
Well, that all changed when Google's Panda update crashed most residual earning site's mojo. Yep, List My 5 was definitely hit hard, at least, my lists were. Others are reporting a severe drop in earnings at the site, too.
I guess that site gets crossed off my list of things to do. I've already started moving my best lists to my own websites.
How to Take Children on Business Trips
She May Be Ready for the Trip, But Are You?
I take my children with me on most research trips for my articles. Taking your child on a business trip may sound fun, but it can be a hassle if you don't have a plan.
First, you need to decide what you will do with your child while you are at meetings. If they are not old enough to stay at the hotel alone you will need to have some way to know they will be watched by a trusted adult. This may mean bringing your spouse or finding a drop-in daycare near your hotel.
Next, plan what activities you will do with your child and what your child will do while you are at meetings. Bring along activities, plan trips to the local attractions, and make sure to get your kid out of the hotel room to avoid boredom.
Have a talk with your child about how you expect them to behave on the trip. Make sure that they know the rules. I'm assuming that your child knows not to interrupt when grown-ups are talking, but a small reminder before an interview is always a good idea.
Here are some more quick tips for traveling with your child:
Most hotels rent video games. This can keep your child busy while you make phone calls or go through your notes. Let your child help you plan some fun things to do on the trip. Not everything has to be all business! Don't leave small children alone in a hotel room. The minibar may get eaten while you're gone. I'm joking, of course! Small children should always be under the supervision of an adult.
The Top Five Tips on How to Make Money Online With Freelance Writing
Photo by D. Sharon Pruitt
Making money online with freelance writing is a the new dream of many stay-at-home-moms and people who want to work at home. Some go into the whole thing with way too much gusto, or not enough. There are five major tips for making it work.
Don't Drive Your Friends Crazy
It is a great idea to use social networking sites to make contacts with people in your target market. Don't use these sites to send an endless stream of ads to friends and family, though. It's tacky and could even drive away potential customers.
Get a Blog
No matter if you are trying to sell products or make money with Google AdSense, a blog will help you gain attention, share your perspective and build your brand.
Join Forums
Forums in your niche is an invaluable well of information. Spend hours pouring over forum posts and absorbing the information you find there. Once you are an established member, add a link to your blog or website to your forum signature.
Diversify
To make money online you need to diversify. Have several eggs in your basket so you can find what works best for you. Plus, if one venture goes bad, you still have your other projects to fall back on.
Market Wisely
Market. Market. Market. Add a link to your website or blog in your email signature. Join LinkedIn and Plaxo. Write articles on your specialty or offer your services as an expert in news or magazine articles.
How to Steer Clear of Book Publishing Scams
You've poured your heart into a manuscript that you love. Now all you want is for it to be published. Before you start your search for a publisher, though, you should know that there are "publishing companies" out there looking to scam you. These companies often appear promising, but the truth is that these places simply want to take your money. Tread the water with caution and take heed of the warnings here. You'll be able to keep your manuscript safe and in the right hands with a bit of forward thinking.
Read about publishers that can scam you. Subscribe to Angela Hoy's newsletter entitled Writer's Weekly. Bewares and Background Check Forums Board on Absolute Write can provide additional insight into scams. Also, check out the Writer Beware Blogs for more in depth information. This blog is written by famous authors A.C. Crispin, Richard White and Victoria Strauss. It is considered the writer's bible when it comes to avoiding scams. See our Resources section for more information. Use basic common sense strategies to determine if a "publisher" is trying to scam you. Real publishers do not ask for money. A legitimate published will never harass you or request that you buy books to sell to your own friends and family. A publisher should not ask you to buy editing and illustration services from the company. Always get a contract. Professional companies always use contracts for book deals. If you find one that wants to publish your book without a contract, don't do it. Have a qualified lawyer look over the contract. Legal speak is hard for anyone to figure out, so it is important to get qualified help. Look for publishers that offer real royalties or no royalties. Companies that offer $1 royalties are usually scam operations. The dollar check is used to draw people in and to make their contact more binding in the court of law. Call the number listed on the publisher's website to see if it is a real company. Don't be afraid to back out of a deal if you feel uncomfortable. Go with your gut.
Resources
Writer's Weekly Bewares and Background Check Forums BoardWriter Beware Blogs How to Self-Publish a Children's Book
How to Get Permission from Publishers to Reprint Content Online
Note to Readers: Now, I know that most writers know all about copyright and such, but I thought I'd write down and post this information for those that are building a website and are confused about adding other people's content to their site.
A website needs a lot of content to be useful to readers. Sometimes website owner may come across a well-written article in a magazine, newsletter or some type of free content and think, “I wish the readers of my website could read this!” Well, it might be a possibility. Getting permission from publishers to reprint content online is fairly simple. The website owner will need to write a letter to the editor of the publication to get permission to use the piece to avoid copyright problems.
Writing a Content Permission Letter
These types of letters should be simple and to the point. Here is how to write a publication about acquiring free content:
Start by greeting the editor by name. Don't use Mr., Mrs. or Miss. Use just their name. The website owner should tell the editor why he loved the article and why he would like to use it. Don't go on and on. State the point in a few sentences. Ask the editor who owns the copyright to the article. If the publication owns the copyright then permission may be granted right away. If the writer of the article owns the copyright, the editor will need to direct you on how to get in touch with the writer. Ask the editor for this information, nicely. Offer to mention the publication on your site or give them free ad space for their time and generosity. Spell check the letter and make sure the letter sounds professional. Either print out your letter and mail it to the publication or email it.
Some Tips on Acquiring Free Content for Websites
The process for writing a permission letter may be easy, but there are a few things that a website owner should keep in mind when trying to acquire free website content:
The editor may ask you to pay a small fee for the article, so be prepared. If there is no response after two weeks, send a follow-up letter. A follow-up can simply say, "I was wondering if you received my letter about your article ‘XYZ’. Thank you for your time." Don't ask over and over again or get mad if the publication says no. The publication has the right to say no. Don't use the article any way. This is against the law and website owners who do this could end up in court. Don’t try to use articles that are already posted on the internet. This could make the site’s search engine rating go down.
Acquiring free articles is a good way to beef up the content of a site and provide helpful information to the reader. Using these tips, a website owner will be able to go through the legal way of acquiring content.
eHow WCP Alert
If you used to be a writer for eHow's WCP (Writer's Compensation Program) you may want to check your articles. eHow is going through a site-wide sweep, deleting articles right and left.
Recently, I had 20 articles deleted. There was no email to tell me that the articles were deleted and many writers on the eHow forum are reporting the same. Apparently, articles are being deleted because they have similar titles to articles that Demand Studios owns. At least, that's what writers are saying over at the forums. I tend to agree, because none of my articles fit the criteria that eHow says they delete articles for, such as plagiarism and click fraud.
So, go check to see if your articles are still there. If they aren't, post them to your blog or your website so that you can keep earning from them. That's what I'm going to do.