Category Archives: Freelance Writing Business

What Not to Do When Your Writing Income is Down

By on April 22nd, 2013

One of the hardest parts about adjusting to freelance writing life, and self-employment in general, is living with a fluctuating income. There may be periods of time that the projects and payments are coming in like a flood. Others, they’re as dry as a ditch on a hot summer day. What you do during those low-income months is so important because it will have a ripple effect once the pendulum swings the other way and your income is soaring again. Don’t keep living as though nothing’s changed During ancient times when there really were famines, (most) people didn’t continue having …

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Posted in Finance |

Too Many Writing Projects, Not Enough Time

By on April 18th, 2013

I have a habit of taking on quite a few writing-related projects at once. I’m a blogger and freelance business writer for my clients. I run numerous websites and blogs of my own. And I write books and e-books. There never seems to be enough time in my work days, and lately I’ve found myself putting in extra hours far too often — something I usually try hard to avoid. As a result, I’ve had to find ways to scale back some projects, or at least the amount of my personal attention they each need. I’m still putting some of …

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Posted in Freelance Writing Business |

When Marketing your Services, Let your Passion Shine Through

By on April 16th, 2013

One of the main reasons for your success as a writer is your passion. You love what you do and it shows through in your work. Are you able to take this same passion and translate it to your marketing strategy? If so, you will have an easier time generating interest and landing new clients. Here are three ways to let your passion shine through when marketing your freelance writing services: Provide samples. It is easy to show just how passionate you are when talking about pieces you have published in the past. Don’t be shy about sharing your accomplishments …

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Posted in Marketing |

When Your Writing Schedule Leaves No Time For Taxes

By on April 8th, 2013

The deadline for filing a tax return this year is Monday, April 15th. That’s just seven days away! I know there are some of us who filed our tax returns as soon as the IRS began accepting tax returns. Others of us may be too busy writing (trying to make enough money to pay the tax bill?) to get those tax returns done before the tax deadline. Don’t fret; you may be able to get a few months breather. The IRS allows us (U.S. taxpayers) to file for an automatic extension for the tax return. Once you apply for the …

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Posted in Finance |

5 Reasons Your Writing Career is Going Nowhere

By on April 3rd, 2013

Do you ever feel like your freelance writing career is going nowhere fast? Do you try to take things up a notch, but they never seem to improve, or at least not by much? You might be making one of these common mistakes that freelance writers mistake. Here are five reasons why your writing career might be going absolutely nowhere: 1. You’re not improving your craft. Writers must constantly improve their writing.  If your writing career doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, start by looking at what you’re publishing. If you write low quality pieces (and you’ll need to get …

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Posted in Freelance Writing Business |

Are you Following up on your Marketing Activity?

By on April 2nd, 2013

If you are going to market your freelance writing services, you might as well do whatever you can to achieve as much success as possible. This means following up on all activity, from cold calls to direct mail and everything in between. It is easy to believe that your marketing strategy will take care of itself the first time around. However, this is not always the case. For example, if you are going to rely on direct mail you should get in the habit of contacting each person within a couple of weeks to follow up. This gives you a …

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Posted in Marketing |

2013 First Quarter Check-In

By on April 1st, 2013

It’s time for my first quarterly evaluation for my business. While I evaluate my progress on specific goals more frequently, I use my quarterly evaluations to review my longer-term plans and resolutions. So far things are going pretty well. But, as usual, I need to make some changes. Progress So Far Here are some of the things I can check off my yearly to-do list: Overhaul content on my service site (new service page, copy edits, and rate changes).  Launch WritingForBloggers.com. Start promoting the Online Learning Hub brand (a rebranding for another site). Launch my last author website. Finish BizAmmo.com …

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Posted in Freelance Writing Business |

Weekend Reading: Business Basics for Freelancers

By on March 29th, 2013

Being able to write is fine and dandy, but it isn’t enough to guarantee your success in a freelance writing career. When you freelance, you’re self-employed. You’re an entrepreneur. And the more you think like one, the more you’ll be able to grow your writing business. That means understanding that administrative work, finances, and marketing can be just as important as the writing. With that in mind, let’s look at some articles and resources this week that can help you improve when it comes to those business basics, whether you’re just getting started or you’re an established pro looking to …

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Posted in Freelance Writing Business |

Copywriting for Other Countries and Cultures

By on March 28th, 2013

I received an interesting message the other day about some ideas on writing in other countries. Normally you think of “Western” copywriting – predominately American, Canadian and UK copywriting. English speaking readers are the typical target or niche, but what about readers in other nations in the world? China is poised to become the largest commercial market in the world if it’s not there already (I haven’t read the news yet this morning.) Isn’t it time we consider writing for those and other audiences? But, I Only Write in English! I’ll be honest with you. My ability with second languages is nonexistent. …

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Posted in Business Writing, Freelance Writing Business |

Make Money Blogging: 20 Blog Revenue Streams

By on March 27th, 2013

The post below was originally published on my small business blog after a friend asked me some basic questions about how he could begin to make money blogging. I’ve since shared it here as a way to help freelance writers build an additional revenue stream (originally on October 16, 2008). And I’ve now updated it for All Freelance Writing readers with even more blog revenue streams you can choose from. – Blogging has been a hot business concept for quite a few years now, but many people blogging for income are still baffled about how to make serious money. “Is it …

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Posted in Beyond Freelance Writing, Blogging |