Friday, April 30, 2010
Does Size Matter? How Many Clients do You Think You Need?
Some freelance writers are under the impression they need 50+ clients to make a comfortable living as a freelance writer. If you'd like to manage 50, 100, 200, or 500 clients, go for it! If you'd like to have five to 10 solid clients you could easily manage, start looking for them. Size really doesn't matter. What matters is that you have solid clients that pay you on time, treat you well, and give you work that is aligned with your passions and interests.
Many people become overwhelmed with becoming a freelance writer because they believe they
need more than 10 clients to make a great living. This is not true. If you find five great cl
ients who pay your rate without batting an eyelash, you struck gold. If those clients continue to utilize you and pay your rates when you increase them, you struck gold. It's a matter of whether you see the glass half full or half empty.There's nothing wrong with having 100 clients as long as you can manage all of them successfully. This is where creating a schedule will help you ensure you complete your projects on time. You may have to work 40 or more hours per week to complete your writing.
Having more than 10 clients could result in you hiring other writers to help you out. Are you ready for this next step in your freelance writing career? Actually, you'll be getting away from freelance writing and becoming a boss! The point of freelance writing is to be your own boss and not manage people. How do you feel about hiring one or two writers to help you? Will you be able to give up control? How good are you at managing people? What if your writers telecommute? You may want to consider these and other questions before you take your freelance writing business to the next level.
Before you begin freelance writing, you may want to think about your goals. Do you want to have five to 10 solid clients or do you want to go full force and attract 50 or more clients? If you're not ready for more than five clients, think about where you'd like to be in five years. Yes, it's the dreaded "where do you see yourself in five years?" question, but it could help you determine the direction of your freelance writing business. There's no right or wrong answer. Do what you feel is best for you and your writing will take-off!
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Thursday, April 29, 2010
Blogs vs Articles -- What's the Difference?
As the blog emerged over the past decade, an entirely new format for communicating took shape. At this point I find the line between a blog and an article often blurs -- you see long blogs with many interviews, and short articles with many bloggy links. What exactly is the difference between an article and a blog? As the two styles converge, it's an interesting question. For instance, I write online articles for Entrepreneur magazine. How are they not blogs?
Here's my take on what makes a blog a blog, as compared with an article:
Blogs:
- Are short. I usually aim for 400-500 words at most, and on BNET we aim for 300 words.
- Have links. They're usually focused on building traffic, so they should link to related information elsewhere.
- Are informal. The writing style in blogs is usually pretty casual. The need to follow Associated Press Style rules goes out the window, you can LOL or say frak or write incomplete sentences or whatever you please.
- Usually publish online and not in print publications. I'm sure somewhere there's a publication running a page of blog entries in its magazine, but the vast majority of blogs are designed to be viewed on a computer.
Articles:
- Can be longer. Many online articles I write are 800 words, and publications I've done 3,000-word pieces. That just doesn't work for a blog entry.
- Are better researched. I usually spend a great deal more time preparing an article.
- May contain multiple interviews. I do blogs with interviews in them too, but it's rare to see a blog entry that covers a trend and has multiple experts quoted with their points of view.
- Use a more formal writing style. This is a generalization, but more article clients seem to want assurance that you are familiar with AP or Chicago Style and can write to it. Articles in general tend to follow old-school journalism conventions to a greater extent than does your average blog.
- Articles appear in print or online. And often, a print article will also be reprinted online by the publication. But you rarely see a blog for a company or publication turning up in a print magazine they do.
What do you think the difference between a blog and an article is? Leave a comment and let's discuss.
Photo via Flickr user creepetz
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Partial Goodbye
Whether most readers know it or not, I'm a single parent of a very cool 9 year old boy. I'm not complaining about being a single parent at all. Some days are better than others, just like in anyone else's world. In fact, sometimes I think I'm better off because there is no one to argue with or answer to at the end of the day. I'm also obviously a writer. I'm a writer who takes great joy in sharing the knowledge that I have aquired through my writing experiences as well as my life outside of writing.
It's time for me to begin sharing more of my single parenting knowledge. As much as I love writing for this particular blog, it's time for me to devote more of my time to the single parenting world. For this reason I will be writing for the WM Parenting Connection as of next month. I'll be coming back here once a month because I love this blog and my readers, but for the most part I'll be devoting my energy to the parenting blog. I'll be posting every Wednesday as the Single Parenting Expert.
I hope that the things I have written here have been and will continue to be helpful to our readers, old and new. I've enjoyed writing for this blog in a tremendous way. Some days writing here was what got my brain motivated for the day. I wish you all the best and I'll see you next month here. Feel free to come on over to our single parenting blog and see if I can't give you some single parenting information that will enlighten and entertain all at once. See ya there!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Search Engine Marketing
By Alyssa Ast
Today I'm treading the waters of uncharted territory and will be discussing the world of Search Engine Marketing (SEM). I'm still fairly new to the SEM world, but I have learned a thing or two so far. One thing I've noticed is many people seem to think Search Engine Marketing and Search Engine Optimization are one and the same. This is somewhat true, but SEM involves one key difference. Links make up a large aspect of SEM. You can combine the two methods to form SEMPO, but that's something I'll save for another day.
What is Search Engine Marketing?
The goal behind using SEM skills is similar to that of SEO. It's to increase a website's visibility on a search engines results page (SERP's). This is accomplished with internet marketing, whereas SEO mainly involves the use of keywords and phrases to promote SERP's. Basic internet marketing for SEM includes link building within web content. There are many ways this can be accomplished. Often, it's done using simple links, paid placements, hyperlinks, and contextual advertising.
How to Use Search Engine Marketing?
Today I'll simply discuss the different methods you can use links for SEM. There are four basic techniques used for linking within web content.
The most basic is posting for links. Chances are you already do this. Posting for links is simply posting the link to the web content you're trying to optimize. This can be done in ads, social media sites, forums, and even blogs. Basically, anywhere you post that link, including online classified, is considered posting for linking.
Another method to use links for SEM is to use reciprocal links. This method is generally used for not only your web content to gain visibility, but others' web content as well. This concept is basically a win/win for all parties involved because it works by basic link exchange. You post or use their link and they will return the favor. While this method works on traffic, it's least effective for SERP's.
You can also choose to participate in buying links. This is often done using an SEO company that allows you to buy inbound links to your web content. While this does help with traffic, this method is often frowned upon. Many search engines classify the links as spam or virus protection programs mark the link as potentially harmful.
Another way to use links for SEM is to simply attract natural links to your content. This is one of the best ways to use links. This involves creating great websites and web content with information people will enjoy and want to share. By creating great content, viewers are more likely to post your link to share with others. Building great web content isn't only great for traffic but your credibility as well. This method is sometimes referred to as link fishing.
While I'm still learning about Search Engine marketing, I do know you have to have pretty sharp Search Engine Optimization skills to be able to successfully use SEM. Before jumping into the SEM world, you must refine those SEO skills first!
Have you ever tried SEM? What was your experience?
Today I'm treading the waters of uncharted territory and will be discussing the world of Search Engine Marketing (SEM). I'm still fairly new to the SEM world, but I have learned a thing or two so far. One thing I've noticed is many people seem to think Search Engine Marketing and Search Engine Optimization are one and the same. This is somewhat true, but SEM involves one key difference. Links make up a large aspect of SEM. You can combine the two methods to form SEMPO, but that's something I'll save for another day.
What is Search Engine Marketing?
The goal behind using SEM skills is similar to that of SEO. It's to increase a website's visibility on a search engines results page (SERP's). This is accomplished with internet marketing, whereas SEO mainly involves the use of keywords and phrases to promote SERP's. Basic internet marketing for SEM includes link building within web content. There are many ways this can be accomplished. Often, it's done using simple links, paid placements, hyperlinks, and contextual advertising.
How to Use Search Engine Marketing?
Today I'll simply discuss the different methods you can use links for SEM. There are four basic techniques used for linking within web content.
The most basic is posting for links. Chances are you already do this. Posting for links is simply posting the link to the web content you're trying to optimize. This can be done in ads, social media sites, forums, and even blogs. Basically, anywhere you post that link, including online classified, is considered posting for linking.
Another method to use links for SEM is to use reciprocal links. This method is generally used for not only your web content to gain visibility, but others' web content as well. This concept is basically a win/win for all parties involved because it works by basic link exchange. You post or use their link and they will return the favor. While this method works on traffic, it's least effective for SERP's.
You can also choose to participate in buying links. This is often done using an SEO company that allows you to buy inbound links to your web content. While this does help with traffic, this method is often frowned upon. Many search engines classify the links as spam or virus protection programs mark the link as potentially harmful.
Another way to use links for SEM is to simply attract natural links to your content. This is one of the best ways to use links. This involves creating great websites and web content with information people will enjoy and want to share. By creating great content, viewers are more likely to post your link to share with others. Building great web content isn't only great for traffic but your credibility as well. This method is sometimes referred to as link fishing.
While I'm still learning about Search Engine marketing, I do know you have to have pretty sharp Search Engine Optimization skills to be able to successfully use SEM. Before jumping into the SEM world, you must refine those SEO skills first!
Have you ever tried SEM? What was your experience?
Photo: "Paper Chain in the Dark" By Hoefi
Monday, April 26, 2010
Guest Post: When Business Is Personal: Using Facebook Privacy Settings
So, what is a freelancer to do? Well, Facebook loves to change their privacy settings and is constantly updating things, so it can be confusing to keep up, but one of the things you can do it adjust your privacy settings and create a list of business contacts. This tip was so huge for me that once I learned it, I friended everyone who’d been waiting in my queue and relaxed a little. I no longer had anxiety about what was written my wall or the photos I only wanted shared among friends. Here’s what you can do:
Create a Friend List:
- To create a list log on to the Home page of Facebook and click on the tab at the left that says “Friends.”
- Another page will pop up and at the top right side you’ll see a button that says, “Create a List.”
- You can create a name for your list (i.e., Business) by typing in the name of the contact, clicking on it (this will highlight it in blue) and they clicking the “Selected” box. I had to play with this a little before it made sense.
Manage Your Privacy
Once you’ve got your business list, you can do all kinds of things with it. You can go into your privacy settings and hide your photos, status updates, religion, or whatever you want from business contacts.
To do this go to your Privacy Setting, then click on Profile. For any of the list of options you can “Customize,” and choose to “Hide this from” certain names or a complete list. You can also see how any contacts view your profile.
Organized Status Updates
The Friend List is also incredibly helpful for viewing the status updates of your business contacts in a more organized way. You can go again to your Home page and click on the Friends tab on the left to edit your list and see status updates just from those contacts on the list.
I really don’t know why Facebook doesn’t make this process easier or promotes it more. I had to do quite a bit of searching to figure it out myself. I think it’s still good to use caution and filter how much you share online, but as business and personal life become even more intermixed, working with privacy settings and lists is a great tool.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
E-book Publishing Fun for Everyone!
Before I published the e-book “Get Published in Regional Parenting Magazines” I tried my hand at e-book publishing with a humorous little e-book called “The Laid-Back Mom’s Parenting Guidebook.” Here’s how that journey went:
A blogger I like had an e-book on her site called “How to Write Nasty Letters.” I didn’t buy that one because I believe I’m already great at writing nasty letters. So I found an e-book called “FishMama’s Guide to Cooking With Kids” on a blog and bought it (my first e-book purchase). It was nice to be able to save it to my computer so I could print it out later or refer to it when I needed to, the price was right, and I could use PayPal funds.
An idea came to me one day when I read something in Writer’s Digest about writing short humor books that people buy at the checkout counter at bookstores. I joked to my husband that I could do one on how to be a lazy mom. I didn’t really have the patience to go the traditional route, though.
The idea festered, so I looked online for e-book publishing info. There was too much to read with not enough real information. Everything seemed to lead to buying an expensive e-book about publishing an e-book AND buying expensive software. It can’t be that hard, I thought. Plus I’m broke, so I have to find a way to do this cheap.
I grabbed a personal photo and put it in PowerPoint, then started working on page layouts. I chose PowerPoint over Word because I found it easier to work with when photos are involved. If you know how to use PowerPoint, you know it’s as easy as starting new text boxes, choosing fonts, popping in and sizing photos and adding page numbers.
I noticed the e-book I bought was in a document with a .pdf extension, so I talked to my husband, the Engineer, who said it was easy to convert something to a PDF file from PowerPoint. This is something free you can download which converts the cumbersome PowerPoint file to a smaller PDF file. Another reason I converted is so the buyer/user couldn’t make changes to the file. (To convert to Primo PDF, just open the PowerPoint document, then select Print, then Primo PDF, and it converts and changes the file extension for you.)
After the e-book was written, I went back online to see which site I bought the e-book through (Payloadz.com) and signed up with my own account. I entered my book’s description, connected the e-book to my PayPal account (they take a fee out for every e-book transaction, but I wanted buyers to get my book instantly and not have to wait for me to e-mail it to them personally), and uploaded the e-book. Everything was free.
Like many e-books out there, mine was not completely professional, although hopefully a little bit humorous (and short, at only 32 pages). I believe it was a good first attempt, and this is why I only sell it for $2.00. I truly believe anyone can publish an e-book. Share yours in the Comments section!
Next Sunday: Our own Carol Tice grills me about my second e-book “Get Published in Regional Parenting Magazines,” and I truthfully answer, including marketing information and how much I’ve made on it so far.
And on Mother’s Day … I’ll share with you the lessons I learned when I published my e-books, including a little legal trouble I got myself into by not doing an Internet search for my book title first.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Writing Opportunity: The Smithsonian
A while back I submitted a humor essay to the Smithsonian Magazine on the advice of a fellow writer. (That's right, the Smithsonian prints humor essays.)
It didn't make it in, but I liked that I got a response back fairly quickly telling me that while they appreciated the submission, it wouldn't "work at this time."
Here is the link to the online writer's guidelines. This link takes you directly to the humor guidelines; if you are interested in writing other types of articles, links to General Writer's Guidelines, and Department Description and Guidelines, can be accessed from the same page; see the links at the left.
If you'd like to read the humor guidelines, here they are reprinted directly from the magazine. I love the word count! And the pay is pretty danged generous.
Note that all submissions must be sent using their web submission form. They don't accept e-mail or snail mail submissions.
The Last Page Humor Column Writer's Guidelines
The Last Page is a monthly column that aims at humor. Its length runs between 500 and 650 words. Because of the difficulty in judging humor by proposal, we require submission of a completed manuscript. The Web submission form's proposal text box will accommodate a manuscript and cover letter. Payment for the column is $1,000, and there is no kill fee.
The article should be amusing and the tone genial - a story rather than a list of jokes or situations. The story usually relates to the writer's own particular experience. For example, what happened after he shaved off his moustache; what it's like to be colorblind (or a hypochondriac); or how an innocent-seeming toy ant farm turned into an unintended lesson in life. A "Last Page" story has a beginning, middle and end, and something happens. The best way to learn what a successful last page piece is, and how it works, is to study several of them.
We buy first North American serial rights. In addition, the last page columns are included on the Magazine's Web site, and articles may be reproduced on electronic research databases, microfilm, microfiche and CD-ROM for libraries and educational institutions.
All unsolicited contributions are sent on speculation. We will respond to submissions sent using the Web submission form, within three weeks.
New contributions are welcome, and we appreciate your interest.
Friday, April 23, 2010
The WM Freelance Connection is Seeking New Bloggers
How to Find and Interview Experts for Your eBooks
When you're writing an eBook, make sure you have reliable resources to back up your information. This means you'll want to interview experts for your eBook. The question is: where do you find all of these experts? That's easy -- become a journalist or help a reporter out!
To add credibility to your eBooks interview as many experts as possible. People like to know that you've done your research. They'll trust you and are more likely to come back to your website knowing you'll provide them with accurate information.
Where to find the experts
I have many ideas for eBooks, in fact I wrote one title Growing Up Alcoholic: How to Break the Cycle. I give this eBook away free as a "thank you" for visitors to my teen life coaching website. I found resources on the internet to include in my eBook. It was important for me to backup my information that I was putting in the eBook. However, I could have used another tool I have in my arsenal called Reporter Connection.
Reporter Connection is owned by Bill and Steve Harrison and is free. You can sign up as a guest and or journalist. It's best to sign up for both for two reasons 1) as a guest YOU can be interviewed for books and radio shows and 2) as a journalist you get to interview EXPERTS for your eBooks.
When you sign up as a journalist, you'll be able to create a query to submit to Reporter Connection. An email goes out to the members of Reporter Connection. You'd be surprised how many people will respond to your query. I generated three queries with Reporter Connection and had to stop them all because I would receive 10-15 responses each day. A few of the responses I received came from people who are on the NY Best Sellers list. Many of the responses are from highly educated, professionals who have 10+ years experience in their field.
Another resource is Help a Reporter Out. It's the same concept as Reporter Connection -- you submit queries and people respond to them offering their expertise. There are over 100,000 active sources waiting to hear from you. The best part is it's free to sign up!
How to write your query
Make sure you query is specific and to the point. Ask the what, who, when, where, how, and why questions just like a reporter would. You may want to include the deadline date for your project as well because it will give people an idea of the urgency of your query.
Once you have your responses, weed out the ones that you will not use. You may want to keep their information on file for future reference because you may consider using them for another eBook. If not, you can always delete the information from your inbox.
Interviewing tips
Once you find the "experts" you want to interview, set up a time that is convenient for both of you. Some people prefer to be interviewed via the phone, others prefer questions emailed to them. If you're interviewing people by phone, you may want to use Audacity which is a free editor and recorder. It's easy to use. If your experts prefer email, make sure you know which version of Word they're using. Some people may not have the latest version. They may prefer that you send the questions in Notepad or some other word processing program. The key is to be flexible with your interviewing style. Remember, these people are helping you out!
Again, ask the what, who, when, where, how, and why questions when you interview your experts for your eBooks. This will ensure that you receive clear and accurate answers to your questions.
Sign up today!
Take advantage of Reporter Connection and Help a Reporter Out and interview people today for your eBooks. The connections you make are outstanding. You never know who you'll meet that will help you advance your writing career. Good luck!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Should Your Blog Divorce Your Writer Web Site?
By Carol TiceFreelance writer Lynn Fisher recently wrote me with this question about blogging and Web sites:
...I wondered if there was any benefit to having a separate blog and web-site. I have a blog (mostly to save money and time because I have a full-time job as well as freelance writing). Any thoughts on this? Thank you, I'm trying to ramp up my game a little.
You may not know this, Lynn, but I am the perfect person to ask! As it happens, I began with a free site just like you, in my case a ZoomInfo profile. Then around 2008 I got it together and with help from a teenage Web developer I found in my local high school's digital-design class for $12 an hour, I put up my own Web site, caroltice.com. Then I added a blog to it about the business of writing, which became the Make a Living Writing blog. The blog lived under a tab, while most of the site focused on getting me new writing gigs.
But things started to evolve and change. I found I loved blogging about writing, and had a lot of experience to offer. I quickly found a substantial, enthusiastic audience.
A few months ago, I spun MALW off to its own, separate Web site.
Why did I separate them? And why, in turn, might you want to think about separating your blog from your writer site? The answer depends on what you're trying to do with your blog, and what you're trying to do with your author site.
I think a lot of writers don't ask themselves: Why do I blog? What is my goal? Why am I doing this free writing? If you can answer those questions, you'll know whether your blog and writer site belong together or apart. Simply, if the blog and your resume site serve the same goal, they will likely be happy on a site together. If they're going in different directions, they may do better apart.
For me, I soon realized I was going to want to write e-books that expanded on the Make a Living Writing blog. Then I'd want to set up a shopping cart and a promotional page and sell the ebooks. I also wanted to be able to recommend books, friends' ebooks, classes and other items to visitors to MALW in an effort to turn MALW into a small business of its own.
At the same time, site-monetizing strategies were totally inappropriate to my resume site, which is mainly for prospective clients to come and see my resume and clips. I didn't want them to think of me primarily as someone flogging an ebook. I had come to a fork in the road.
I also wanted to be able to be brutally honest about my writing life -- the problem clients, the pay rates, the negotiation strategies. I soon realized I didn't want these entries to be the first piece of mine a prospect saw! MALW is for new and developing writers; caroltice.com is for business owners and magazine editors. Two audiences, two sites.
Do your blog and author site belong together or apart? Leave a comment and tell us the answer, and why. Lynn, hope you'll weigh in, tell us what your blog is about, and whether it goes with your resume site.
One final thought I'll throw out there -- I notice that on many new-writer sites, the blog predominates on the home page, while the resume and other clips are hidden down the margins or under tabs. I always wonder if that's the best strategy, if the main point is to get writing gigs. Interested to hear some other opinions on that. I did mine the opposite way -- mostly about the resume and clips, blog on the side.
Photo via Flickr user Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Smoldering Bridges
We've all heard the saying not to burn our bridges behind us. We've all done it, then looked back later with regret. So, how do you know when enough is enough and it's time to walk away for good as a writer?
Well, to me writing has to be dealt with like anything else in life. If the amount of misery I receive from something in my life outweighs the joy I get from it, it's time to say goodbye. Writing for an unworthy company can be like a bad relationship. You keep waiting for the other person or company to pull their head out of their you know what, but it never happens and it's not going to happen. Why? Because it doesn't have to.
Of the many flaws in the writing world, content sites tend to have an excess of their own. Many of them treat their writers well, but many of them see us as cheap labor. The problem is that it's very feasible for them to do that. When one of us leaves an open spot, you can bet there are 5 or 10 more writers waiting to take that spot.
I recently had an experience with a company that I had been doing quite a bit of work for. The pay wasn't fabulous, but the work was fun. As I was working for them I was hearing more and more about them taking writers for granted and doing some pretty shady things. Like many people in today's economy, I didn't want to leave a place that wasn't doing me wrong. Then, they did and I had to look at myself as another person and ask why I was there so long to begin with. I was miserable knowing what they were doing to other writers and yet I did nothing about it. The very least I could have done was remove myself from their grasp as a way to show my disapproval and to avoid having their flaws affect me personally.
The point is that while I am certainly feeling the financial stress that comes from losing a client, I'm feeling better about me personally and my work because I have my integrity. With that I know I can find more work to supplement what I lost. This bridge has been smoldering for a while and it's time to just get it over with and set fire to it already. I'm feeling liberated just thinking about it.
Don't be afraid to burn a bridge that's leading somewhere you don't want to be. If there's anything to be said for networking with other writers it's that no other field I've worked in is so willing to lend a hand to a fellow writer. Use that to your advantage and walk away from the places that want you to treat your home like a sweatshop. Burn that bridge with glee! Just make sure that you get your pay before you do it! Keep in mind that people and companies will treat you exactly as you allow them to...no more and no less. Knowing that, isn't it worth checking to see what other paths have to offer?
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Diversity as a Writer
By Alyssa Ast
Diversity as a writer is an important aspect of any writer's career. Many writers feel they need to find one form of writing and stick with it to promote their writing career. This is true in a sense but it can also limit a writer's career potential, or at least slow the progression of a writing career. Diversity as a writer will give you more credibility in multiple areas of the writing industry- instead of just one.
Pros of Being Diverse
Diversity as a writer is a great concept because it allows you to gain experience in multiple areas of writing. The more writing experience you have, the greater writer you will become. Employers often look to hire those that have a very diverse background in the writing industry. The more experience you have, the greater your resume will look- increasing your appeal to potential employers.
By only focusing on one area of writing, such as blogging, you can be limiting yourself and the writing opportunities that come your way. My advice to any writer is to take opportunities where ever they are available to gain experience in that area. If you find that form of writing is not for you, then move on to something else. At least you walk away from that experience with a greater knowledge of that area than you had before.
Finding Your Fit in the Writing World
While it's important to remain diverse as a writer, it is equally as important to develop one or two areas of writing where you truly fit. By acquiring one or two niches in the writing industry, and refining the skills in those areas, you will boost your resume and your career. Plus, having a niche will add a sense of uniqueness to your resume, causing you to stand out to employers.
However, once you have developed your niche in the writing industry, don't only look for jobs in that area of writing. In doing so you can limit the amount of income you generate. While that niche can be your main source of income, the writing industry is constantly changing and the need for multiple types of writers changes with it.
For example, your niche may be copywriting. The need for experienced copywriters may be huge for a few years and then dwindle down for a while to, lets say, the need for technical writers. You don't want to miss out on writing opportunities because you only hold the title of a copywriter. This is where being diverse comes into play. Because you chose to be diverse in your writing experience, you can take technical writing opportunities while finding new copywriting gigs.
What are your thoughts on the subject? Do you feel it's important to only have a solid niche in the writing industry or do you feel you need to remain diverse? What are your experiences?
Diversity as a writer is an important aspect of any writer's career. Many writers feel they need to find one form of writing and stick with it to promote their writing career. This is true in a sense but it can also limit a writer's career potential, or at least slow the progression of a writing career. Diversity as a writer will give you more credibility in multiple areas of the writing industry- instead of just one.
Pros of Being Diverse
Diversity as a writer is a great concept because it allows you to gain experience in multiple areas of writing. The more writing experience you have, the greater writer you will become. Employers often look to hire those that have a very diverse background in the writing industry. The more experience you have, the greater your resume will look- increasing your appeal to potential employers.
By only focusing on one area of writing, such as blogging, you can be limiting yourself and the writing opportunities that come your way. My advice to any writer is to take opportunities where ever they are available to gain experience in that area. If you find that form of writing is not for you, then move on to something else. At least you walk away from that experience with a greater knowledge of that area than you had before.
Finding Your Fit in the Writing World
While it's important to remain diverse as a writer, it is equally as important to develop one or two areas of writing where you truly fit. By acquiring one or two niches in the writing industry, and refining the skills in those areas, you will boost your resume and your career. Plus, having a niche will add a sense of uniqueness to your resume, causing you to stand out to employers.
However, once you have developed your niche in the writing industry, don't only look for jobs in that area of writing. In doing so you can limit the amount of income you generate. While that niche can be your main source of income, the writing industry is constantly changing and the need for multiple types of writers changes with it.
For example, your niche may be copywriting. The need for experienced copywriters may be huge for a few years and then dwindle down for a while to, lets say, the need for technical writers. You don't want to miss out on writing opportunities because you only hold the title of a copywriter. This is where being diverse comes into play. Because you chose to be diverse in your writing experience, you can take technical writing opportunities while finding new copywriting gigs.
What are your thoughts on the subject? Do you feel it's important to only have a solid niche in the writing industry or do you feel you need to remain diverse? What are your experiences?
Photo" "Pencil" By Vygnyo
Monday, April 19, 2010
Announcing the WM Writing Buddy Program
How does it work?
While our process isn't scientific, we'll ask everyone who is seeking a writing buddy to fill out a brief ten point questionnaire. Then, we'll review the answers and connect each writer to someone who appears to be compatible.
How do I sign up?
Simply join our WM Freelance Connection writers' community group and download the form from the site. Alternatively, you may copy the form below and send it directly to us at thewmfreelanceconnection@gmail.com.
Do I have to join the group?
Signing up for the Writing Buddy Program puts you under absolutely no obligation to join the writers' community group, but you're always welcome to do so--and it costs you nothing. We'll help to support your writing buddy relationship by making suggestions and having group support discussions. Plus, you'll have a direct line of communication with our WM bloggers.
How much does it cost?
The WM Writing Buddy Program is a free service we provide to our fellow freelance writers, as is our WM Freelance Connection community group.
What if it doesn't work out with my writing buddy?
We understand that there may be a number of reasons a writing buddy relationship doesn't work. You may have different expectations or needs from the relationship, or your personalities may not be as compatible as they could be. In any case, if you'd like to be matched with a new buddy, just send us an email and we'll work with you.
Can I have more than one writing buddy?
You can absolutely have more than one writing buddy, but we ask that you don't take on more than you can keep up with comfortably. We don't want to leave anyone out in the cold.
What if I'm a newbie?
There are no program restrictions on experience level. We'll attempt to match you with someone who is at a similar place in his or her writing career, whether you're just getting started or you're a well-published writing vet. We encourage anyone who is looking for support as a writer to join the program.
Where can I find that questionnaire again?
You can pick up the questionnaire directly from the files section of the community group, or you may find it below: Once you've completed the questionnaire, please email it to us at thewmfreelanceconnection@gmail.com.
The WM Freelance Writers Connection Writing Buddies Questionnaire
Please answer the following questions and return to thewmfreelanceconnection@gmail.com. We will contact you when we’ve found a potential writing buddy for you. These questions are fairly flexible, so feel free to elaborate on your answers if you’d like.
1. What do you hope to get out of a writing buddy relationship? Are you looking for a partner you can touch base with several times each day, once a day, once a week?
2. Do you prefer to “talk business” only, or are you looking for someone with whom you might develop a friendship?
3. Do you prefer a male or female partner? Does it matter?
4. How do you prefer to communicate with your writing buddy? Via IM, email or phone? Are you flexible in this preference?
5. In which genre(s) are you working (or do you want to work?)
6. What do you think your friends would say is your best quality? Your worst?
7. Are you currently writing full-time, or do you work another job?
8. How long have you been writing?
9. Do you write professionally, or are you just starting out?
10. Any other info you’d like to share?
Please note: The WM Writing Buddy Program is provided at no charge as a service to our members. The WM Network does not pre-screen writer buddies to ensure their legitimacy, so be sure to take appropriate precautions when getting to know your writing buddy.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Writing Challenges
Do you have depression or some other illness and have an issue with low energy (e.g., hard time getting started or following through)?
Are you a parent with multiple challenges (either you have a job or stay at home with the kids; homework; volunteer at the school; a kid with a disability, etc.)?
Are you a retired person and busier than you ever thought you would be in your life?
Are you a young person with school and a job to worry about?
Do you have a “day job” 40 hours a week, then come home to cook and just want to sit in front of the TV?
Are you a single person with a robust (maybe TOO robust) social life and find it hard to carve out time for your writing career?
Are you already published and need to figure out the next step in your career?
What’s your writing challenge?* Do you think maybe we ALL have at least ONE to overcome?
*In case you were wondering, my writing challenge is not that I have 5 kids and homeschool, but that I have no Internet access at my house. I can get a lot done in an hour or two per week online as long as I have my actual writing done (blog posts to upload, articles to submit, list of topics to research, etc.)
Photo credit
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Tips for Writers: Groovy Alternative to Traditional Networking
By Pam Houghton
A former colleague of mine sent an interesting little article about the dreaded task of networking. This particular article was geared toward job-seekers, but I think it applies equally to freelance writers seeking work.
Here it is - and then we'll talk!
"If you are looking for a job and you've been told that networking is the best way to get hired, keep reading...because you're about to learn a totally Guerrilla job-search tactic that will make most of the 'experts' madder than a wet hen.
Because it goes against almost everything they've been telling you about networking.
Let's talk about networking for a minute.
Do you like to network?
Enjoy making phone calls to people you don't know?
Enjoy handing your business card to strangers at networking events and hoping they'll call you?
My guess...NO.
And you're not alone.
Most people HATE networking.
They think it's a pain in the butt AND largely a waste of time and effort.
You, too?
If so, here's a radically new idea: Stop networking.
Instead, start trying to be useful to other people.
That's the advice of Dan Sullivan, founder of The Strategic Coach, a focusing program for entrepreneurs.
According to Sullivan, if you can bring confidence and clarity to people in your network by researching their needs and then offering something useful - in the form of product news, information about their customers, contacts, expertise, etc. - people will make time to talk to you.
Because you will be seen as an oasis in today's desert of bad economic news.
And, according to our experience counseling job seekers since 1996, people who make time to talk to you today will remember you with favor the next time potential job leads cross their desk.
One thing is certain: If you keep doing what you've been doing in your job search, you'll keep getting what you've been getting.
And if you're not getting calls from employers, why not try being useful to as many people as you can for one week and see where it leads you?
Until next time,
Kevin Donlin and David E. Perry
Co-Creators, "Guerrilla Job Search Home Study Course"
I think this is a great way to look at networking. You're not asking for anything, just doing - and when you do for others, they don't forget.
Perhaps taking this approach will make networking a little less freaky.
What do you think? Do you like to network? Are you a good schmoozer? Or is it one of those tasks you absolutely dread? Do you think freelance writers can benefit from the above approach?
Let us know in the comments below!
photo by pixelstar/stock.xchng
Friday, April 16, 2010
Create a Novel from Your Short Story
Many people want to write a novel, but don't know how to get started. It can be daunting to write 400 or more pages. However, it doesn't have to be a scary process. You can begin with a short story and turn it into a novel.
If you have a short story, you can easily turn it into a novel with dedication and time. Schedule a chapter per week or night. You can even write on the weekends. It makes no difference if you write for one hour or more -- just write!
Short story resource
The Creative Copy Challenge is a great place to begin your journey from short story to novel. Shane Arthur is the creator of the Creative Copy Challenge. It's a wonderful resource to hone your writing skills. Shane provides readers with 10 words to incorporate into a short story. If you don't use all 10 words, you'll be asked to try again. Incorporating the words does stretch you as a writer because some of the words may be difficult to weave into a story. That's the challenge!
Shane encouraged me to continue with one of my short stories titled The Homecoming. Writing a novel crossed my mind, but so did the amount of time and effort that goes into it. Needless to say, thanks to the short story challenge, chapter one of my novel is complete! Hurray!
Tips to turn your short story into a novel
- Participate in the Creative Copy Challenge -- it's free!
- Be passionate about what it is you're writing.
- Write for one hour or more during the week or on the weekend.
- Create a writing schedule.
- Ask for family and friends for feedback. Does your book hold their interest? Would they buy your book?
- Join a writer's group and ask for feedback.
Review your short stories and see which one could be turned into a novel. Going through the writing process could be the "boost" you need to turn your short story into a novel. You may consider entering short story contests. If you win a contest or receive honorable mention, you'll know that your idea has the potential for a book. Good luck!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Writing Gigs You Never Thought of: Community Moderator
By Carol TiceToday I'd like to talk about a growing writing niche that's a bit off the beaten trail -- community moderating. Indeed.com recently had 83 job listings for community moderators, both for free local forums and for pay, moderating online forums for companies -- Allstate, Fox Entertainment, and many others. Corporate moderators learn to be the "voice" of the brand to their online community.
This niche is so new that it's like wide-open spaces as far as breaking in. If you write well, have an even-tempered disposition, a background in the subject matter, and are willing to get trained on the company's criteria for what is an allowable post, you could find yourself getting into a whole new sideline. Community moderating tends to be steady work, so it can provide a ground floor that helps you keep freelancing and supports other writing projects.
I'd like to introduce WM readers to someone who's got a paid moderating gig -- my awesome Make a Living Writing Web developer Tony Kehlhofer -- that's his mug above. After six months of freelancing, Tony, who's an experienced programmer, started a couple of Web sites he's monetizing, Maps4Kids and TotalCraigSearch (lets you search Craigslist across many cities at once for jobs, check it out!)...and was recently trolling for more freelance work.
He answered a Craigslist ad -- NOT kidding! -- and several rounds of interviews later found himself moderating building-block giant Lego's new massive-multiplayer online game for tweens, Lego Universe. They flew him to Denmark for training...can you say dream job? He reports it's decent, steady money and there's growth potential aplenty. His edge: They wanted someone bilingual-German, and Tony lived in Austria for years. I was dying to hear the details, and thought WM could listen in:
CT: Tony, what did you say to Lego that got you this amazing gig? Did you have any moderating experience?
TK: I didn't really have any. I said I'm familiar with online tools and gaming, I'm willing to work as a contractor, and I spoke the required language, German, which is the second language they're going to roll out. I interviewed on Skype in English, then on Skype in German and took a written test in German. They flew me to Denver to meet the hiring executive, and then to Denmark.
CT: What did you learn about moderating in Denmark?
TK: We went through extensive psychology and policy meetings. We talked about trademark issues -- you can't be "Luke Skywalker" on Lego Universe. We learned how pedophiles groom children online so we can spot them. There were up to 20 people on my team there, who're based everywhere, Spain, Italy. I'm one of the oldest members (laughs)...by far.
CT: What-all do you moderate within the game?
TK: Everything, even the usernames. The conversations the players have when they get in an area together. There are also community forums.
CT: What kind of hours do you work for Lego Universe?
TK: I'm working 16-20 hours a week now, and it will ramp up to 24-32 hours a week when it goes live. I was in the program, which is in beta, last week and had to approve over 300 new usernames in a few hours. My afternoon is the middle of the night in Germany, so I save them having to pay third-shift overtime.
CT: What sort of future opportunities do you see now that you're in moderating?
TK: I think there's a whole career path here in moderation that is pretty incredible. For me, the neat thing is there's another company involved with Lego, eModeration.com. They do a first level of screening out problems. Their client list is exceptional -- MTV, Disney, Canon. So I've made a connection there.
CT: Any final advice on finding unusual jobs such as this one?
TK: Search widely. I have eight or nine regular search terms I use to find jobs on Craigslist in Seattle, and I would never have found this one if I hadn't decided to also search on "German."
Since this interview, I've posted on my own site about more jobs in social media -- take a gander over to Make a Living Writing to learn more.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Writing Opportunity: KSurf
Normally when I post a writing opportunity, I tend to simply put the guidelines in here to give our readers an overview of what is required. For this particular site, I have already learned a few things that I would like to share with our readers rather than the guideline page.
This is a site that offers online courses. The interesting thing is that they offer courses in such a wide variety of topics, that even those who have no desire to teach academic subjects like math and history may find something to do here. For example, they even mention that they would be interested in holding classes on paranormal activity. Ever see that in your community college?
At any rate, the site called KSurf
is looking for people to write lesson plans. The pay is from $125-350 for a complete course. Please understand that the courses generally last 8 weeks and students are required to put in 3-4 hours a week per course. This should give you some idea of how much material you'll need to write. They also offer the option of taking 25% of the net enrollment fee if you actually teach the class as well as write it.
Each class should require the students to submit 1 assignment and 1 ten question quiz to the discussion board. Students are also required to submit a final exam.
On a final note, I have not actually written for this site, but I do plan to apply simply because I enjoy writing lesson plans and would love to get involved in a nontraditional subject for a lesson plan. Feel free to leave any comments you may have about this site or things you may learn about it.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
The Future of Search Engine Optimization: SEO vs SEM
By Alyssa Ast
Recently, I've heard a lot of discussion over whether or not Search Engine Optimization (SEO) skills have a future in the online writing world. Many seem to believe it's a passing trend while others claim SEO skills are here to stay. Other types of Search Engine Optimization are beginning to take form, such as Search Engine Marketing (SEM), which many believe will replace the use of SEO.
There's no right or wrong side of the discussion, it's just a topic which results will have to wait to be seen. But while the future of SEO is in question, should you still be focusing on learning this skill? My answer is yes!
What is Search Engine Optimization?
We have written previous posts on the importance of SEO in articles and creating SEO titles, but what exactly is Search Engine Optimization? SEO refers to the use of strategically placed keywords and phrases to increase traffic to online content. It also involves paid advertising placement and link building. SEO use is more about the PPV's (per page views) for web traffic.
What is Search Engine Marketing?
Search engine marketing is very similar to SEO. SEM involves the same concepts as SEO, but basically it is more about making money with pay per clicks. SEM involves using pay per click programs to build profit off web content. This is mainly accomplished with advertisement links and the amount of people that click on those links.
What is the Future?
Honestly, I believe SEO skills will never fully disappear-- well, not anytime soon that is. While both SEO and SEM are both relevant, with the competition on the Internet I believe SEO is more likely to stick over SEM. I don't think you should give up on SEO's just yet or choose between learning either SEM or SEO. I think both have a bright future in the writing world. It's a good idea to learn both methods even if they are a passing trend because it will still look awesome on a resume.
Personally I think both SEM and SEO skills are so relevant I see the future revolving around Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization (SEMPO), which is a fancy way to combine the two methods. In my opinion, if you plan on sticking with the online writing world, you need to learn both SEO and SEM to make the most of your career writing online.
What are your thoughts? Where do you think the future lies in regards to SEO and SEM?
Recently, I've heard a lot of discussion over whether or not Search Engine Optimization (SEO) skills have a future in the online writing world. Many seem to believe it's a passing trend while others claim SEO skills are here to stay. Other types of Search Engine Optimization are beginning to take form, such as Search Engine Marketing (SEM), which many believe will replace the use of SEO.
There's no right or wrong side of the discussion, it's just a topic which results will have to wait to be seen. But while the future of SEO is in question, should you still be focusing on learning this skill? My answer is yes!
What is Search Engine Optimization?
We have written previous posts on the importance of SEO in articles and creating SEO titles, but what exactly is Search Engine Optimization? SEO refers to the use of strategically placed keywords and phrases to increase traffic to online content. It also involves paid advertising placement and link building. SEO use is more about the PPV's (per page views) for web traffic.
What is Search Engine Marketing?
Search engine marketing is very similar to SEO. SEM involves the same concepts as SEO, but basically it is more about making money with pay per clicks. SEM involves using pay per click programs to build profit off web content. This is mainly accomplished with advertisement links and the amount of people that click on those links.
What is the Future?
Honestly, I believe SEO skills will never fully disappear-- well, not anytime soon that is. While both SEO and SEM are both relevant, with the competition on the Internet I believe SEO is more likely to stick over SEM. I don't think you should give up on SEO's just yet or choose between learning either SEM or SEO. I think both have a bright future in the writing world. It's a good idea to learn both methods even if they are a passing trend because it will still look awesome on a resume.
Personally I think both SEM and SEO skills are so relevant I see the future revolving around Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization (SEMPO), which is a fancy way to combine the two methods. In my opinion, if you plan on sticking with the online writing world, you need to learn both SEO and SEM to make the most of your career writing online.
What are your thoughts? Where do you think the future lies in regards to SEO and SEM?
Photo: "Digital World" By Ilco
Monday, April 12, 2010
Increase Your Productivity: Get a Writing Buddy
Sure, we have those days where neither of us feels like doing anything--but most of the time, we manage to get our work done. And, I can't technically speak for Alyssa, but I know that for me, our partnership and "writing buddy" status has significantly increased my level of dedication and productivity in my work.
We discuss and set goals together--for our WM sites as well as our own individual goals. And we check in with one another pretty often.
The Lone Freelancer
The life of a freelance writer is often pretty solitary, at least in terms of people to whom we're not married or otherwise related. And, while many of us join really supportive online communities to share ideas and get advice from other writers, there's something to be said for a personal relationship with a writing buddy.
In addition to our responsibilities at WM, we're each work-at-home moms who are actively freelance writing. Sure, we're a few years apart (she's younger--you're shocked, I know), but we're kindred souls. We even share an astrological sign. More often than you'd believe, we seem to read one another's minds.
As "writing buddies" and partners, we talk work and business a lot. But since we're also friends, we discuss life in general--and since we have so much in common, we understand one another very well. We get excited about the same things, and we share in one another's successes, whether shared or not. And, we commiserate on the hard stuff too.
We're not alone--many writers report that working with a writing buddy helps to increase their productivity and even dedication to their work. While my working relationship and friendship with Alyssa happened sort of by accident, I've learned to seriously appreciate the many benefits that come along with such a relationship.
Tips for Choosing the Right Writing Buddy
First things first, decide what you want from this buddy thing. Do you want someone with whom you can discuss anything, or would you prefer to only talk "shop?" Ideally, your writing buddy will work in the same (or similar) primary genre. While it's not absolutely necessary, two freelance writers might understand one another better than, say, a freelance writer and a poet.
You'll definitely want to choose someone who is honest and who isn't afraid to tell you the truth about your work--good or bad. Even when it's not pleasant, honest feedback can improve your work significantly, and that improves your ability to make bank.
About Communication & Commitment
Decide how (and how often) you want to communicate. Once you've found your writing buddy, you'll need to decide how to communicate. If you're chatty like Alyssa and I, you can check in at various times throughout the day via IM or text messaging. We often check in each working hour to discuss our progress.You might also have weekly phone calls or just email back and forth. Just make sure it works for both of you and that you're both committed to the "buddy system."
You'll also want to talk level of commitment--are you just critique partners? Do you discuss goals and aspirations, or do you stick to weekly check ins and progress reports? Depending on the amount of time you have to dedicate to your writing careers and the type and amount of communication you each prefer, you and your your new writing buddy can set the tone for your working relationship.
Branch Out
It never hurts to have more than one writing buddy. Alyssa and I each talk shop with a few other writing colleagues as well, including many of the WM bloggers. Networking with a wide variety of writers can encourage growth in your career as well. There's no reason to limit yourself.
Let Us Help You Find a Writing Buddy
While there are a number of ways to find your own writing buddy, such as in online and local writing groups and associations or even personal ads on Craigslist (though you'd need to be super careful), The WM Freelance Connection has decided to offer another service to our community. Beginning next week, we will roll out our own writing buddy match up service. We'll ask interested writers to fill out a brief questionnaire, and we'll try to match each with a compatible writing buddy. Watch for the official announcement next week. We'll match all writing buddies through our online writing community, so if you haven't yet, please feel free to join. It's free and only takes a minute.
UPDATE! The WM Freelance Connection's new Writing Buddy Program is up and running! Fill out the form at the bottom of the dedicated page today to be matched with a writing buddy.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Writing Opportunity: Sacramento Parent
Sacramento Parent has been publishing in Auburn, California since 1992 with a monthly circulation of 50,000 and is seeking submissions. Their web site says they have been offering "sound, practical parenting advice, made simple and entertaining for our readers, to busy moms and dads who want to give their kids the best. Only Sacramento Parent Magazine is edited and published by Moms who also hold Masters in Child Development."
Writer's guidelines from their web site are below:
"We are especially interested in articles that promote a developmentally appropriate, healthy and peaceful environment for children. We have the opportunity to encourage the powerful bond of 'family' through our editorial. Articles for Sacramento Parent must be non-sexist, non-racist and respectful of others. We try to balance articles so that every age group is addressed in each issue.
Deadline is the 10th of the month prior to publication. Article length should be approximately 300-500 words long for a short article, and 700-1000 words long for a feature article. Story ideas, outlines or excerpts from articles may be submitted, as well as photos that may accompany a manuscript.
If you are submitting a piece on speculation, we should receive time-dated pieces three months prior to their proposed date of publication. Once an article has been accepted for publication, we would like an e-mailed copy. (Microsoft Word format is preferred.) We need seasonal material 4 months in advance.
Sacramento Parent pays on publication. $30-100 for nonfiction. $25-45 for Let’s Go! (Sacramento family-friendly day trips/excursions/activities) at 600 words."
Send submissions to shelly@sacramentoparent.com.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Interview with David Nicholls, Founder of eBook Portal Lebrary.com
By Pam HoughtonDavid Nicholls is founder and CEO of Lebrary.com, a website that gives writers an opportunity to submit eBooks directly into the "hands" of prospective readers and publishing agents as an alternative to the traditional print process. The site has been operational since February 2010, but has been in the planning and manufacturing stage for about six months.
David is based in London, England where he works with a small group of expert web developers, designers, editors and freelance writers to help grow and manage the site. He is also the author of his own eBook, Outernet, a thriller about a Doomsday Virus that takes down the Internet and begs the question: can a technology-dependent world survive without it?
WM: Welcome David! Before we get started, can you briefly describe your professional background?
DN: My background has been within advertising and marketing, but I've always had a creative entrepreneurial streak in me. Sadly, I didn't start writing until I was made redundant in 2009 and I ran out of excuses for not putting pen to paper (well, finger to laptop).
WM: How would you describe Lebrary.com?
DN: Lebrary.com is a dedicated portal which is totally sympathetic to aspiring writers, where we endeavor to remove brick walls which are continually being put in front of writers.
WM: What inspired you to start the website?
DN: Being an eternal optimist I believed (naively) that once my book was written, all I had to do was sit back and wait for all the agents and publishers to knock on my door. Once reality kicked in and I learned that if you weren't a celebrity chef, failed soap star or politician, the route for a new author, especially in this climate, was to say the least fraught. Out of frustration, I started a group called Aspiring Writers on the social networking group LinkedIn. Expecting a couple dozen Brits to join where we could all have a moan and massage each other's ego, I was astonished to find that in a few months the group exceeded 1,300 and growing. The group consists of people from around the globe, with the majority coming from the States. It occurred to me then that it was about time we the authors should empower ourselves and not be at the mercy of the traditional publishing format. That's when Lebrary.com started to formulate in my mind.
WM: Have you received feedback from agents/publishers on the website?
DN: We have a special section specifically for agents, where they can access extra information on an author, and to be honest I was skeptical when we launched whether we would have any agents at all register with us. This in fact hasn't been the case as we now have quite a number signed up and more coming on board with us each week. The general feedback from agents is that they're finding this a good way of exploring new talent without having to go through piles of documentation.
WM: How are readers responding to the site's content? Can they rate books?
DN: I think that people are slowly coming to terms with eBooks in general, but are realizing that this is the business model that will work for readers, authors and publishers. We know all the big names in publishing are embracing eBooks like never before. We are getting good traffic and of course sales. Although there is a facility for readers to leave a rating of what they've read, this is an area we are still working on to encourage readers to go that extra mile when they've finished the book.
WM: Do you accept all submissions?
DN: Because of the very nature of the site, as long as authors fulfill the basic criteria of providing value for money for a prospective reader (we recently had to reject a 5-verse poem) and that the work submitted fulfills all the legal requirements of good taste, we really do try and allow all submissions to go through. As far as genres, our list is all-encompassing and we have recently added "Scripts." If someone wanted to submit a book which couldn't fulfill the genres shown, then we would seriously consider adding one.
WM: Are there other websites like Lebrary.com?
DN: I wouldn't go so far as to say Lebrary.com is unique and of course there are a number of very good sites offering a similar service, but I do feel that this is the first time a truly dedicated portal for aspiring writers has been so professionally packaged and is easily accessible for both authors and readers.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Be a Winner! Tips for Writing Contest
by Rebecca SebekI entered a short story contest for the first time. First, second, and third place winners receive gift cards to a bookstore in Cave Creek, AZ and their short story is published in the bookstore's newsletter. The seven other prizes receive a certificate of honorable mention and potential future newsletter publication. This is a great way to get your work published or at least in front of people. You never know where it will lead you.
You can find contests on the internet. Writer's Digest is having a writing competition. There is more than $30,000 in cash and prizes! The deadline is May 14, 2010. Winning Writers aka Tom Howard and John Reid run multiple writing contests throughout the year. The first prize is usually $3,000. Not too bad for entering a writing contest.
Tips for Writing Contests
- Read the guidelines twice.
- Make sure you proofread your work and have someone else proofread your work.
- Review the previous winners to get a "feel" for what the judges look for.
- Make sure your entry "fits" the genre of the contest.
- Submit the proper paperwork. You may have to include a cover sheet.
- Make sure you have the proper word count.
Where to Find Writing Contests
- Your local bookstore.
- Big chain bookstores like Barnes and Noble or Borders.
- Writing magazines like Writer's Digest.
- Online writing contests.
- Blogs like The WM Freelance Connection.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
How to Earn Well Writing Reported Articles
By Carol TiceOne of the comments I get a lot from writers who started at content sites is that they can't imagine how they could write fully reported stories and still earn well. They take so much time! Finding sources, setting up interview times, talking to live humans. How can it possibly pencil out?
Well, I'm here to testify that when done right, reported articles are a far more lucrative way to write. Here are some tips on how professional writers earn well writing reported stories.
1. Keep your interviews short. Unless you're doing a 3,000-word profile of somebody or something similar, I try not to spend more than 15-20 minutes talking to any particular source. This not only keeps your hourly rate for the story up, but keeps the source from entertaining delusions that they will be the whole article. Respect sources' time and yours, have your questions ready ahead of time, and keep it brief.
2. Think before you drive. Before you get in the car, adding hours to your reporting time, ask yourself whether this needs to be an in-person interview, or if it would do just as well as a phoner. Many roundup stories don't need in-person work. If you do need to travel for a story because you really need to see things and people to write it properly, take a single day and line up all the interviews the story needs, so you go straight from one to another. That's my M.O. with stories that need field work.
3. Double-down on your sources. While you're talking to sources, think about other stories you're writing for other outlets, and whether you could use them for those pieces, too. Also pick their brains for additional stories you could pitch elsewhere. Recycling your experts really saves time, and it's legit as long as it's different topics for different markets.
Example: Recently, I interviewed the head of a niche recruiting company for a career story on a major jobs portal. I learned her company had gotten certified as a Beneficial or "B" Corp, which I thought was interesting so I sold that idea to a corporate business-information Web site. She was a woman business owner, so I also got her into a story for the online site of a national magazine about women who owned her business type. Total pay: more than $1,400. Not bad for a half-hour of interview time with her, plus a few other short interviews thrown into the roundups.
4. Find sources fast. Learn how to use HARO, Profnet and other source-finding tools. Find expert authors fast on Amazon books. Become a Google pro. Tweet or tell your LinkedIn crowd about your sourcing needs. You have to find exactly who you need, pronto. If you have to interview three people to find one good expert, you can't make this pay.
5. Resell, resell, resell. Once you've done a topic, think about noncompeting markets you could rewrite it for with a slightly different angle and reuse your experts. A classic one: once you've learned about a business, ask your source where they went to college, and sell a profile about them to their college alumni magazine. If it's a daily paper piece, see if it could be resold to dailies in other markets. Crack that Writer's Market and find more places that could use your idea.
6. Build relationships. Don't be a news zombie, sucking the information out of a source's head and leaving them a dry husk by the roadside. If you think a source is articulate and knowledgeable in their field, make friends! Often, if you're friendly, respectful and don't waste sources' time, you can come back to the same sources over and over for various stories -- sometimes even for the same outlet. Just ask your publication if it's OK if you use someone you've cited for them previously.
You don't want to overuse this -- keep finding new sources, too. But when you get stories with rush deadlines, it's great to have built a rolodex of sources you know will return your calls.
If you need tips on how to be a crack interviewer, there's more here on that topic.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
The Writer's Zone
I get up in the morning, stretch, get the coffe ready and ship my son off to school. I look out the window as I sip my coffee and think about what a nice day it would be for a bike ride. Then I realize that there will be no bike ride this morning because I have work to do. I sigh and remember to be thankful that I at least get to work at home, doing a job I love.
You have just entered the writer's zone on a beautiful spring day. This is a place where not all brave men and women dare to go. Much like the twilight zone, you never know what the day may bring. Yet, sometimes even a job that forces one to use their imagination can get stale, boring and even mentally painful. That's when it's time for a change. It's time to really appreciate the flexibility of the writer's role.
During these times where we tend to spend more of the day staring longingly out the window than at the computer screen, there's not a whole lot getting accomplished. An 8 hour workday (and most of us only wish it was that brief) can turn into a completely nonproductive day of gazing. Who knew watching the grass grow could really be that enlightnening?
That's it. It's time to relocate. Let's not forget that in order to write about life, we really need to live it. Yes, that may actually mean leaving the house and finding a new location. There really is a point here. I have found that some days I just get more done if I do it somewhere else. Whether it's because I want to enjoy the weather or simply because the walls feel like they are closing in, there's much to be said for a change of scenery. Today I wanted to offer ways that I change my own scenery and how it benefits me and my writing.
Go outside. Yes, that's right. Pack up the laptop or notebook or whatever it is you want to use that day and take it outside. Even a picnic table at a park can offer an entirely new view of the world. If you have a desktop, take a notebook and tkae notes on the world around you or write your work out to be typed up later. If you have a laptop, but no screen to block the glare, take a beer box. Most laptops fit snugly inside them and do a great job of blocking the glare from the sun.
Not seeing enough of other people? Take your work to a bar or restaurant. Sometimes the buzz of the background noise provides a great alternative to the ringing of your phone or people knocking on the door. As you sit in public, you may even come up with some new things to write about like a great meal you just had or something sweet a child did.
Why not drive down to the lake with a digital audio recorder? Record what you see and let the sound of the crashing waves provide some motivation when you later go to type up your work.
Just because our work is traditionally done at home at a desk, it doesn't mean we are bound by that. After all, we are writers and not exactly known for our unimaginative approach to life. It's easy to mix things up a little and add some enjoyment to your writing. Observation is the skill for the day when you go out and look at the world around you. You might even want to set up some questions so that you have a specific behavior to observe.
For example, when I did an article on manners of today, I actually went out and pretended to sneeze just so I could record how many people actually said "Bless you". Maybe your interest is in exercise. Take a trip to the park and observe the ages of people walking in the park. What are some trends you notice?
It's time to wake up from a long winter of being cooped up. Don't just limit yourself to doing spring cleaning. Put some new colors and sounds into your world by changing your location and what you pay attention to.
Here's a tip for you. If you go to a restaurant and you plan to be there for a while, make an agreement with the waitress. I usually tell her what I expect and what her tip is going to be. I show her where I'll set my cup when I need a refill so that she doesn't have to constantly come back and check and I don't have to be bothered by questions.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Writing Opportunity: Wine Enthusiast Magazine
Writing And Photography Submission Guidelines
Wine Enthusiast Magazine welcomes proposals from freelance writers on subjects that pertain to wine, fine food and travel. Full manuscripts on spec are discouraged. Proposals can be submitted via email or snail mail. A proposal only needs to be one or two paragraphs, but it should be accompanied by materials (a resume, curriculum vitae or clips) intended to convince the editors of the submitter's qualifications to write that particular piece.
Submitters should be cautioned that Wine Enthusiast Magazine receives hundreds of proposals a year, and employs contributing editors in wine regions around the world who also propose story concepts. There is often a discernible overlap in specific proposals and general subject matter. At the same time, be assured that the editors will assign a story to the first qualified writer who proposes it.
You may also pitch story ideas for Wine Enthusiast Online. For example, ideas that you might have thought were too time-sensitive for a monthly magazine will now be considered. The editors will discuss all proposed story ideas internally, and decide whether the idea will work for the magazine, for the Web site or (we regret to inform you...) neither.
For efficiency’s sake, pitch the correct person(s). Note that only email addresses are included here. That’s because phone pitches are verboten.
For short, front of book items and/or Web site items*, write to Executive Editor Susan Kostrzewa.
For feature stories aimed at the Pairings department and short items for the back of book**, write to Managing Editor Tim Moriarty.
* Subject matter for the front of the magazine and the Web site includes global wine region news, particularly controversies and innovations; short profiles and Q&As; creative food and drink recipes; cool merchandise related to wine, food or travel; trend pieces using several wineries, restaurants, hotels or destinations as examples; statistics; notable quotes.
** Back of book stories (anywhere from 200 to 800 words) can fall into any of the following broad categories: How to Make the Most of your Day in: [city, region]; The Wine Trail (true travel tales and observations, profiles; arcane food and wine origins; unusual tasting rooms, museums, roadside attractions, restaurants and the arts in general; weird meals, recipes, customs; wine & culinary history; stories behind wine labels); Q & A (accent on celebrities); humor essay or light, funny op-ed; a chef and his/her favorite ingredient or recipe; quiz, puzzle, game.
If unsure who to pitch on a particular idea, please send via email to editor@wineenthusiast.net or kmckenna@wineenthusiast.net or via postal mail to:
Managing Editor
333 North Bedford Road, Mt. Kisco, NY 10549
*Not the gig you were looking for? Check out other WM writing opportunities!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Writing Opportunity: Dog Fancy Magazine
In honor of The WM Network's launch of our latest website, The WM Pet Connection, today's writing opportunity is for our pet-loving writers. Dog Fancy Magazine is currently accepting submissions.
Writer's Guidelines reprinted from the website, below:
DOG FANCY is devoted to the care and enjoyment of all dogs, purebreds and mixed breeds. Our goal is to provide our readers with easily accessible information they need to be responsible dog owners and to enjoy their dogs fully.
Our Readers:
* College-educated, middle-class adults interested in dog training, health, behavior, activities, and general care.
* Want to be informed about canine health and behavior, new ways to have fun with their pets, and how to live comfortably with dogs.
* Have little time, so need practical information fast: Why should I care? How much does this cost? Where can I get involved?
Our Writers:
Most of the articles in DOG FANCY are written by freelancers. We welcome new contributors because they offer fresh ideas we might not otherwise consider.
General Standards:
1. We do not publish poetry, fiction, or articles in which the dog speaks as if he were human.
2. We discourage tributes to dogs who have died or to beloved family pets because we receive an abundance of this material. We especially encourage well-written, thoroughly researched articles about living with dogs.
3. Word count: roughly 850 to 1,200 words for features; ideal if accompanied by high-quality images. See photographers guidelines.
4. DOG FANCY does not accept unsolicited manuscripts; we work from a query basis only. About queries:
* Please submit queries by e-mail to barkback@dogfancy.com.
* Do not telephone with queries; we can't judge writing ability over the phone.
* Because of the volume of queries we receive, a response will take up to four weeks.
* Your query should offer a well-focused idea, descriptive information about how you plan to pursue the topic and a preliminary idea of who your sources will be. Just as important, the query should demonstrate your writing ability. Include some brief background information and your writing credentials.
* If we are interested in your query, we will ask you for your resume and writing samples.
5. If we accept your proposal, we will send you a detailed assignment letter outlining what we want included in the article. All writers must sign a non-negotiable contract. Articles may be submitted by e-mail, as Microsoft Word e-mail attachments, or embedded in the e-mail.
6. We are not responsible for unsolicited materials.
7. A list of all sources of information, including names, titles, affiliations, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses must be included at the end of an article.
8. We have a tight production schedule; articles must be submitted by their assigned deadline and meet the specified length. The editors reserve the right to edit and cut for clarity and space, and to reject the article if it doesn't fulfill the assignment.
9. DOG FANCY pays on publication. Payment will not be received before the first week of the issue month in which the article appears. The payment varies with the quality and length of the article and the number and quality of author-supplied photographs. All writers are asked to sign a contractual agreement.
Submissions:
Send queries to barkback@dogfancy.com with "Query: [topic]" in the subject line.
Not the gig you wanted? Check out other WM writing opportunities!
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