How to Put Together & Sell a Successful Freelance Writing E-Course (Part I of II)

If you're a freelance writer who others turn to often for advice, you quite possibly have the credentials to publish a freelance writing e-course - and charge for it.

The beautiful thing about this is once the course is written, just like a book, it can be sold over and over again without any additional work on your part. It is a constant revenue stream that can pay dividends for years to come.

If you do decide to publish a freelance writing e-course, following are some pointers to ensure its success.

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1. Sell YOU: Freelance writing is something that everyone thinks they're qualified to do. Hence, there is lots of competition. What makes you different? Why should a prospect buy your course.

This is where YOU make the difference, or rather, your experience.

If you've been a full-time freelancer for 3 years, have worked in publishing for 10 years, have been published (eg, articles in major magazines, self-published e-books, etc.), have a degree in English, etc., then you probably know what you're talking about.

While anyone could ostensibly put together a freelance writing e-course, what's going to sell it is the experience of the publisher.

2. Offers: As in, make the purchasers an offer they can't refuse. Rarely will a course sell on its own.

The Psychographics of Buying

Most consumers can say no once, but 3, 4, or 5 times is hard to refuse. What do I mean? Think of infomercials. Most of them pile on so many incentives that they make it seem like you're crazy if you DON'T order.

What kinds of "freebies" can you offer in your e-course? Websites, free e-books, free software, free consultation, free newsletter, free articles - the offers are endless.

However, make the freebies pertinent to the course at hand. For example, I offer a free writing site with my e-course. Why? Because many freelance writers don't have a website, especially when they're just starting out. And, many will delay getting one for years simply because they don't know where to turn to get one and/or can't afford one.

Again, the psychographics of buying are at work here. It's human nature to put off what we don't know how to do and/or have to research to get done. So, while many freelance writers realize they need a website, what keeps them from getting one is finding a web designer and/or learning a do-it-yourself software.

By offering the free website with the purchase price of the course, I make it easy to kill two birds with one stone. Many times, a purchaser will buy just for the incentives offered.

NOTE: Don't offer what I call "garbage freebies," eg, common things that can be found on every other website. Offer something unique.

3. Money Back Guarantee: Although some will disagree, I strongly believe that money-back guarantees should come with online courses. Sure, you will have some who will take advantage and want a refund.

BUT, if your course is truly useful and customers come away with even one piece of concrete knowledge, you shouldn't have a problem with requests for refunds.

Unless you get a person who is brand new to the field of freelance writing, some of your material they will already know. BUT, it's that one nugget that they didn't know that will be worth the price for them.

So, be thorough in the preparation of your e-course. Don't just throw something together. I thought about my e-course 6-8 months before I ever wrote one word of it. I then spent another 5-6 months pulling it together.

A lot of this had to do with the fact that I was way busy. My point in bringing this up is that when people are spending their hard-earned money for something that is supposed to teach them something, you want to make sure that you provide that.

And, rarely is this the case if you only take a week or two to throw something together.

How Long Does It Take to Write/Publish a Freelance Writing E-Course?

That depends primarily on how much time you have to devote to it, what your niche is and what it covers (eg, how broad or narrow is your material).

Generally speaking though, I'd say it should take at least two months to pull together a cohesive, in-depth presentation.

Tomorrow: Part II, which covers how to know what to include, how to organize the material and what to expect after the e-course is published, among other pointers.
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Copyright Notice: May be reprinted with the following, in full: Yuwanda Black is the publisher of InkwellEditorial.com: THE business portal for and about the editorial and creative industries. First-hand freelance success stories, e-courses, job postings, resume tips, advice on the business of freelancing, and more! Launch a Profitable Freelance Writing Career in 30 Days or Less -- Guaranteed! Log on to InkwellEditorial.com to learn how.
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Quick Copy! Tips for Freelance Writers to Increase Income & Output (Part II of II)

The following is a continuation of the six tips I outline for increasing freelancing writing income and output in yesterday's post. Without further ado:

4. Series: As in, split longer articles into Part I, Part II, etc. I like writing series for two reasons: i) I get more legs out of one subject; ii) I sell more, which can lead to more work from a publication.

After all, if a publisher likes your work enough to buy a series from you, they'll probably be open to working with you on a more regular basis. This works well for publishers in some instances because, like a cliffhanger on a TV series, it keeps their readers coming back.

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Want to Achieve Freelance Writing Success in 2007? Sign up for the Freelance Writing E-course: Launch a Profitable Freelance Writing Career in 30 Days or Less -- Guaranteed! Free website included in purchase price. Next session starts February 26th. Log on and register today as class size is limited!
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5. Write What You Don't Know (In Bits): Eventually, you are going to run short on topics you know about - especially if you are in the habit of producing a certain volume of work.

Writing about what you don't know broadens your body of work and your knowledge base. Researching a piece will usually lead to ideas for more articles.

NOTE: Writing about what you don't know is going to take more time than writing about what you know. So, you will be producing less. To counteract this, write about what you don't know in pieces. Eg, research it over a few days so as not to take away from your output too severely.

6. Write Tech: This type of writing usually pays more. The reason I single out this genre, rather than say, medicine, is that most use technology. We just don't think about it because it is so commonplace.

You'd be amazed at how many people don't know simple things you may take for granted. Eg, adding a signature to your email, saving pictures from a digital camera onto a computer, downloading songs into an iPod, etc.

I was listening to Z100, a popular radio station in Atlanta, a few weeks ago and I heard the host of the show, Bert, say that he had no clue how to download songs from the Internet. You'd think that if anyone would know this, it would be someone like him.

I got an iPod for Christmas, and I'm clueless as to how to download songs into (onto?) it? See, I don't even know which phrase fits. Until my 13-year-old nephew gets time in his busy schedule for his Auntie, that's just going to have to wait.

My point, you just never know who needs the information you take for granted. So, don't take the tech knowledge you do have for granted. Make it pay - and do the rest of us a favor. "Loading Your iPod" - article anyone?
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Copyright Notice: May be reprinted with the following, in full: Yuwanda Black is the publisher of InkwellEditorial.com: THE business portal for and about the editorial and creative industries. First-hand freelance success stories, e-courses, job postings, resume tips, advice on the business of freelancing, and more! Launch a Profitable Freelance Writing Career in 30 Days or Less -- Guaranteed! Log on to InkwellEditorial.com to learn how.
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Quick Copy! Tips for Freelance Writers to Increase Income & Output (Part I of II)

Freelance writing is one of those gigs where you only get paid if you produce (for the most part). This article is not about those lucky enough to receive royalties and get paid printing fees. This is for the average Joe sitting at the computer trying to churn out a living every day.

So, if you only get paid for what you produce, the more you produce, the more you make, right? Following are six tips that have more than doubled my output since I started them on a regular basis.

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Want to Achieve Freelance Writing Success in 2007? Sign up for the Freelance Writing E-course: Launch a Profitable Freelance Writing Career in 30 Days or Less -- Guaranteed!. Free website included in purchase price. Next session starts in late February (exact date to be announced tomorrow).
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1. Ideas: As a writer, I'm constantly on the search for things about which to write. To this end, I write down ideas as they come to me. I keep a couple of files on my computer: one entitled "Article Ideas" and the other entitled "Articles I'm Currently Working On."

I throw every idea I have in these files. And, if it comes to me when I'm thinking of the idea, I think of points I want to make in the article. I write those down to. You'd be amazed at what you won't remember if you don't write it down as soon as possible.

Writing them down serves two purposes: i) remember them; and ii) put together an outline. Usually, by the time I open up one of these files, all I have to do is sit down and write. And, more often than not, I have most of the article right there; all I have to do is fill in the blanks.

If you do this consistently, you will have a cache of material right at your fingertips. So, you won't spend half an hour starting and stopping (eg, thinking of an idea and then organizing it into a cohesive article).

2. Being Proactive: What I mean by this is that I pitch completed pieces to publishers (primarily newsletters). I don't query in the traditional sense of pitching an idea and waiting for it to be bought.

While this can be productive and lucrative, usually just when I'm in the middle of a project, I'll get the go-ahead for a piece and have to stop what I'm doing to write it.

This doesn't work for me because it means I'm on someone else's timeline, not my own.By writing about what I want and completing a piece, I always have a body of completed work. This means I sell more and usually get paid sooner.

3. Blog: I've had a blog for almost two years (InkwellEditorial.blogspot.com). It has helped me in three distinct ways:

i) it keeps me regimented: I update my blog a couple of times a week. There were times when I was updating it daily. However often you update (I recommend at least weekly), it will force you to sit down on a consistent basis and write.

ii) it positions me as an expert: My blog is about the business of freelancing. I can't tell you how many interview requests, reader questions and online recognition the blog has brought me.

This leads to indirect income via e-book sales, sign ups for my freelance writing e-course and subscribers to my email list (who I can tell about upcoming e-books and seminars). This brings me to my last point, direct business.

iii) it brings in clients: Much of my work comes from referrals, but more and more, I'm getting work from people who simply find me online. Once they read through my blog, they gain an idea of my writing style, and can start to assess whether or not I'm the right person for the job.

I also think that a blog lets potential clients know that you are serious about your career in that if you've been at it for a while, you must be successful.

Many blogs are updated for a few months, and then they go dead. Blogging is something that has to be done with an eye towards indirect, not direct, income. And, it takes a while to build up a following. So, be patient with it.

For more on this see my article, 4 Tips for Using Blogs to Increase Your Freelance & Small Business Income.

Tomorrow: Read Part II of this article for more tips on increasing your freelance writing income and output.
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Copyright Notice: May be reprinted with the following, in full: Yuwanda Black is the publisher of InkwellEditorial.com: THE business portal for and about the editorial and creative industries. First-hand freelance success stories, e-courses, job postings, resume tips, advice on the business of freelancing, and more! Launch a Profitable Freelance Writing Career in 30 Days or Less -- Guaranteed! Log on to InkwellEditorial.com to learn how.
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How to Use Your Personality to Find a Job

I usually write about freelancing issues. But, I've been getting a lot of queries lately that revolve around FT employment. So, I devoted all of this week's posts to FT employment.

Have a question, send it in and I'll address it in a future issue. Today's topic, using your personality to find a job.

Monday we go back to talking about freelancing issues, specifically the article is entitled, "Quick Copy! Tips for Freelance Writers to Increase Income & Output" It's a two-part series. Stay tuned!

Sincerely,
Y. Black, Publisher
InkwellEditorial.com
InkwellEditorial.blogspot.com
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How to Use Your Personality to Find a Job

Many times, job seekers leave their personality at the door. After all, this is business, right? And, savings are running low, there are bills to be paid and you've borrowed from every friend you have.

So, time to put on the "game" face when you go to the interview. Many times, this is what the recruiter and/or employer sees - your worries, not the real you. Your personality can be your biggest asset when looking for a job.

Outlined below are three things you can do to make sure it shines though - and lands you the job.

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1. Be Unique/Be You: Usually, an interviewer will ask you to "tell me something about yourself." Don't think along the lines of something that will tie in with the job at hand. Tell them something personal.

This will do two things: i) it will make you memorable because you will probably talk about something you enjoy, or a recent accomplishment; and ii) your enthusiasm will naturally loosen you up - letting your natural radiance shine through.

For example, I recently finished my first marathon. I trained for a year for that darn race! I am dying to tell anyone and everyone who will listen.

2. Be Upbeat: No matter how many worries you have going into an interview, do not let them shine through in the interview. The interviewer is there to find the best person for the job - not the one who is most desperate to have a job. And, desperation can be smelled like a cheap perfume.

Remember, interviewers see many people and the slightest "negative" can turn them off. After all, this is a people game. Everyone wants to be around someone who is positive, sunny and has a good outlook on life.

This person may have to work with you day in and day out. They may have a stack of bills too. BUT, they don't want to be reminded of it. So, no matter your worries, check them at the door. Don't paste on a fake smile, but do walk in with a positive, can-do attitude.

3. Be Curious: I've probably interviewed 2-3,000 people over the last decade. I can count the number of times on one hand that candidates have been curious about a company and the people that work for it.

After you've discussed the responsibilities of the job at hand, most interviewers will ask if you have any additional questions. At this time, inquire about the interviewer. This will take some interviewers off guard, but if done the right way, can be a big boost to your candidacy.

For example, you might say something to the effect of, "This seems like such an interesting company to work for, what drew you to this firm?"

Or, "You seem to really enjoy what you do, if you don't mind my asking, how long have you been with the company/in this line of work?" Or, "I'm sure you see a lot of people, what do you think would make a candidate successful in this position?"

Two to three questions is enough. Keep the questions in the professional realm, and/or ask their professional advice. Most people like to talk about themselves, no matter how shy they may be; and most people like to be helpful.

Asking them about their time/duties at the company and/or seeking their advice in some way about the position at hand will go a long way towards letting them know that you are really interested in the position and are open to advice/help.

These are two of the biggies that employers look for - in every employee.

Employing these three tactics will go a long way towards making sure that your personality, in addition to your credentials - shine.

How to Effectively Use Internet Job Boards to Find a Job

This post can now be found at http://inkwelleditorial.com/how-to-effectively-use-internet-job-boards-to-find-a-job.

Job Interview by Phone? What NOT to Say

I usually write about freelancing issues. But, I've been getting a lot of queries lately that revolve around FT employment. So, all of this week's posts will be dedicated to those who are seeking full-time jobs. Have a question, send it in. Today's topic, handling the dreaded phone interview.

Sincerely,
Y. Black, Publisher
InkwellEditorial.com
InkwellEditorial.blogspot.com
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Job Interview by Phone? What NOT to Say

Finally, a recruiter responded to your resume. It's been on Monster and CareerBuilder forever, and you've responded to hundreds of ads.

Following are three rules to follow when you've got a recruiter on the phone. Your phone etiquette will not only kill your chances for the job at hand, but all other positions a recruiter may be seeking talent for -- now and in the future.

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Avoid the Rat Race & Achieve Freelance Writing Success in 2007! Sign up for the Freelance Writing E-course: Launch a Profitable Freelance Writing Career in 30 Days or Less -- Guaranteed! Class starts January 29th (one week from today!). Free website included in purchase price.
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1. Answering the Phone: When you're job hunting, it's extremely important at all times to answer your phone professionally. And, more importantly, have those who may be answering your phone follow this rule as well.

I can't tell you how many times I've heard obscene music, obscene messages and been subjagated to dealing with a rude person who answers the phone.

If you have 50 cent or Guns 'n Roses on your voice message, you might want to change it to Bach - at least until you secure a position.

If you're mad at your boyfriend/girlfriend, don't chance them answering your phone with a "What? Who is this?" Answer it yourself.

Kids answer your phone? Make sure they know proper phone etiquette and are old enough to take a succinct message.

Even if a recruiter manages to get past a child or an angry boyfriend/girlfriend, they are unlikely to pass your resume along to their client. Why? Because they think, if this happened to us, then it might happen when the client calls as well. And, as candidates are a direct reflection on the recruiter and his/her agency, there are very few second chances.

So, ensure your phone etiquette -- and those who may answer your phone -- is on at all times while you are job hunting.

2. Lazy: Even though it's a phone interview, many recruiters are skilled at picking up laziness. I don't care if you're sleepy, if you're tired or if you've had the most exhausting day -- put some pep in your voice.

NOTE: Many recruiters will wonder how serious you are about job hunting if they call at 11am and you're still sleeping (or sound sleepy).

Remember, recruiters talk with 20, 30, 50 people a day. There's no bigger turnoff than someone who sounds lazy. What does lazy sound like? Whiny (well, it's kinda far, and I was hoping for . . .); hemming, hawing and guffawing; and all around disinterest.

How to put some pep in your voice? Ask questions, repeat what the recruiter said about the position to make sure you understand, ask if you can come in to see them (most don't want this until they determine you are a good fit, but at least it shows you're interested), etc.

3. Regarding Salary: Don't inquire immediately about this. If the interview goes on for a while and it's a temp assignment, then feel free to ask for a ballpark figure if it wasn't listed in the job ad, or you forgot which job it was.

But, if it's a full-time position, I'd advise against inquiring during a phone interview - unless the recruiter brings it up first.

Why is it okay to bring salary up for a temp assignment and not for a full-time assignment?

Because recruiters understand that temp assignments are often determined by rate -- especially if it's a short-term assignment. But, if it's a full-time job, many recruiters like to think that you're making a career move. Hence, they like to feel that you're more concerned about things like career advancement and learning possibilities than salary.

Although recruiters intrinsically understand that money is a huge motivator, they're trying to select the candidate who is interested in long-term career advancement, not money.

The Importance of a Recruiter

Recruiters deal with many employers -- sometimes hundreds. Even though they might not call with the perfect opportunity today, you never know when that opportunity can come along.

So, when you deal with a recruiter, think of it as not someone who can give you a job today, but someone who can give you "THE job of a lifetime."
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Copyright Notice: May be reprinted with the following, in full: Yuwanda Black is the publisher of InkwellEditorial.com: THE business portal for and about the editorial and creative industries. First-hand freelance success stories, e-courses, job postings, resume tips, advice on the business of freelancing, and more! Launch a Profitable Freelance Writing Career in 30 Days or Less -- Guaranteed! Log on to InkwellEditorial.com to learn how.
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Like what you read here? Find the content useful and informative? Subscribe to the Inkwell Editorial feed (under the LINKS section to your right) to receive new content immediately upon publishing. OR, email your address to subscribe and receive job listings -- immediately!

How to Effectively Work with a Recruiter to Land the Job

I usually write about freelancing issues. But, I've been getting a lot of queries lately that revolve around FT employment. So, I will dedicate the next few posts to those who are seeking full-time jobs. Have a question, send it in. Today's topic, working with a recruiter to land a job.

Sincerely,
Y. Black, Publisher
InkwellEditorial.com
InkwellEditorial.blogspot.com
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How to Effectively Work with a Recruiter to Land a Job

I've been a recruiter off and on for over 10 years. When I tell people this, they invariably ask one of two questions: a) can you find me a job; or b) can you find a job for my _____ (fill in the blank).

Following are two things you can do to effectively work with a recruiter and increase your chance of landing your dream job.

RE The Job Search: Contrary to popular belief, recruiters don't find jobs for people. We fill needs for client companies. Let me explain.

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Leave the Rat Race Behind & Achieve Freelance Writing Success in 2007! Sign up for the Freelance Writing E-course: Launch a Profitable Freelance Writing Career in 30 Days or Less -- Guaranteed! Class starts January 29th (one week from today!). Free website included in purchase price.
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Recruiters don't work for candidates; they work for companies because that's who pays the fee. When a company calls with a job order, we start the recruiting process. This usually involves tapping into our network.

This is why recruiters will always tell you to send in your resume. Our very livelihood depends on being plugged into a network of people. Why? Because we never know where that next perfect candidate is going to come from, or the next job order.

Using the Network for Job Orders: I attend a lot of networking events. One recent job order came my way circuitously.

I attended a networking event at a hotel. I was talking to the guy behind the seafood counter. He was a hotel employee, not an event attendee (I talk to everybody).

During our conversation, I mentioned that I was recruiting architects - I had a job order on my desk for five. We shot the breeze, I gave him my card and didn't think anything more about it.
A few weeks later, he called and told me that he met an architect through another contact, and he passed the contact info along to me. I called, and this candidate was a perfect fit for one of the slots I had open.

He didn't accept the position though. He had recently moved into town to open his own firm. Rats! BUT, a few months after opening his firm, guess who he called when he needed an assistant? Me! I had taken him to lunch and we hit it off really well.

This is how relationships bear fruit for recruiters. Some recruiters have 10-15,000 names in their database.

The moral of this little story? Become a resource for a recruiter. That way, when you are ready to look, they will go out of their way for you.

Resume Writing: Sometimes, a recruiter will ask you to revise your resume to illustrate "x" better. I've rewritten so many resumes that I could do it in my sleep. But, it is not a task I enjoy, or that many will undertake.

When we ask candidates to revise their resume, it's because we want you to be the perfect fit for the job. This has to be demonstrated on paper first.

Because we usually get a feel for what a client is looking for - over and beyond what a job description details - you have a much better chance of landing an interview if you follow our advice.

Most recruiters work on commission, so if they are taking the time to work with you to get your resume right, it is because they believe you have a legitimate chance of securing the position - or at least securing an interview.

Also, when we ask for changes, we usually need it right away. I know this can be a pain, especially if you work full-time. But, when you get home, make the changes and send it THAT night.

We work with and filter hundreds of resumes a week. If a candidate is uncooperative, it is all too easy to move on to the next qualified candidate.

Although recruiters can seem callous, it's rarely the case. Most of us are just trying to feed our families - and that means working the job orders given us by client companies, not trying to find a specific job for a specific candidate.

Believe me, when you're the perfect fit, you won't have to call us; we'll be calling you!
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Copyright Notice: May be reprinted with the following, in full: Yuwanda Black is the publisher of InkwellEditorial.com: THE business portal for and about the editorial and creative industries. First-hand freelance success stories, e-courses, job postings, resume tips, advice on the business of freelancing, and more! Launch a Profitable Freelance Writing Career in 30 Days or Less -- Guaranteed! Log on to InkwellEditorial.com to learn how.
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Like what you read here? Find the content useful and informative? Subscribe to the Inkwell Editorial feed (under the LINKS section to your right) to receive new content immediately upon publishing. OR, email your address to subscribe and receive job listings -- immediately!

Resume Tips from a Recruiter that Help You Land the Job

As I said in my last post, I usually write about freelancing issues. But, I've been getting a lot of queries lately that revolve around FT employment. Maybe it's because it's the new year.

At any rate, I will dedicate the next few posts to those who are seeking full-time jobs. Have a question, send it in.

Today's topic, selling your skills via your resume.
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Resume Tips from a Recruiter that Help You Land the Job

Does your resume really reflect your skills and abilities? Are you underselling yourself professionally? Could you demand more if your resume was done right?

Following is some resume advice to get across to recruiters and employers what you really do - allowing you to demand what you're really worth.

Your Worth: I recently interviewed a candidate who had assisted three top-producing commercial real estate agents in New York City. One of them had sold the building that houses Sean Jean (P. Diddy's clothing line).

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Did his resume say that? No, under title it said "Customer Service." And, it listed such staid skills as managed switchboard, maintained filing system and ordered office supplies.

Upon interviewing him, I discovered that he pulled title reports, ordered appraisals and insurance records, dealt with surveyors and government records clerks, and responded to underwriting requests to get deals done.

In short, he was responsible for seeing a complex commercial loan through from inception to close. I NEVER would have picked this up had I not asked him detailed questions. Most recruiters won't take the time to do this. It is imperative that you, the applicant, give us the information we need.

How do you do that?

How to Word Your Resume to Actively Reflect Your Skills

a) Start with your title: Your title is static; usually there's not much you can do about that. BUT, you can add parenthesis to highlight what you really do/did. Eg, instead of just listing your title and nothing more, list it this way:
ABC Company, New York, NY
Customer Service Rep (Exec. Asst. to 3 Top-Producing Commercial RE Agents)

What's in parenthesis tells me what you really do.

b) Listing your duties: Get very specific and give your most important skills first, eg:

i) Managerial skills: Eg, did you supervise anyone? If so, how many? What where their titles? For how long?

ii) Project management experience: How large were the projects (attach a dollar value)? How many people did you interact with? Was it for a noted company?

iii) Dollars saved: Employers love employees who save the company money. Have you decreased overhead, increased productivity, streamlined a process that led to company savings, etc.?

c) Special skills/background: Are you a veteran; do you speak more than one language, do you have special training in a discipline (eg, an HR Assistant may have special training as a benefits specialist).

List all of these. You never know what an employer is going to be looking for, and those who have special skills/training stand out. Eg, if you are a military veteran, I can surmise that you are probably highly focused, extremely organized and know how to give and take direction well.

d) Using the job boards: If you post your resume on one of the major job boards like Monster or CareerBuilder, make sure it is keyword rich. Why? Recruiters search for candidates using key words. So, even if you have a skill, your resume might not pop up.

Therefore, instead of listing "MS Office Suite" on your resume, put down the specific programs encompassed in this suite. Eg: MS Office Suite (MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel).

Listed this way, your resume will pop up no matter how narrow a recruiter's search is. These are the types of things that make a candidate stand out.

There is an old idiomatic expression that goes, "The only thing worse than having a job is looking for one." Don't complicate this further by underselling yourself.

Take the time - and, where necessary, spend the money - to get a professional resume that really reflects your abilities - and proves your worth.
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Copyright Notice: May be reprinted with the following, in full: Yuwanda Black is the publisher of InkwellEditorial.com: THE business portal for and about the editorial and creative industries. First-hand freelance success stories, e-courses, job postings, resume tips, advice on the business of freelancing, and more! Launch a Profitable Freelance Writing Career in 30 Days or Less -- Guaranteed! Log on to InkwellEditorial.com to learn how.
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How to Explain a "Job Hopping" History

Although I usually post about freelancing issues, I've been getting a lot of queries lately about full-time jobs, eg, how to respond to salary questions, how to explain a gap in a resume, etc.

Maybe it's because it's the new year. So, the next few posts will be dedicated to those who are seeking full-time jobs. Have a question, send it in.

Today's topic, how to explain a job-hopping history.

Sincerely,
Y. Black, Publisher
InkwellEditorial.com
InkwellEditorial.blogspot.com
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How to Explain a "Job Hopping" History

Are you a job hopper? Eg, have you had three or more jobs in the last five years? If so, you may be viewed as a job hopper by employers.

FACT: Employers don't like job-hopping candidates. Why? According to InsightLink.com, "studies have estimated direct turnover costs per employee to be 25-30% of an individual employee's salary/benefits package. . ."

Many employers will weed out those with a history of job hopping - even if they are extremely qualified.

How to Explain a "Job Hopping" History

Address the job hopping issue head on: I ran an editorial staffing agency in New York City for eight years and was never too fond of cover letters. But, job hopping is one case where a cover letter is definitely needed.

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I remember back in the late 90s during the dot-com craze, it was not uncommon to see resumes where candidates changed jobs every year or so. It was so bad that when I saw a resume with two or more years with the same employer, that was considered "longevity." But, I digress.

Addressing the issue head will significantly decrease your chance of going right to the slush pile.

What Should, and Should Not, Go in a Cover Letter to Explain Job Hopping

a) When explaining a job hopping history, be brief: Don't go into excessive detail. A one or two sentence paragraph, eg, my department was phased out due to budget cuts, is fine.

Employers usually screen many resumes for a position and will, usually, barely glance at your cover letter. So, in your introductory paragraph be sure to grab their attention so they don't think it's just another staid intro that most candidates submit with their resume.

Get right to the point, letting them know that the purpose of the letter is to explain your job hopping history.

b) When explaining a job hopping history, don't bad-mouth your previous employer: This is a hard and fast rule. I don't care how awful your last employer was, your future employer does not want to hear it.

It's human nature to think, if she does that to her last employer, she'll do that to me. Just don't do it. Using an old standbys like, "I left because I wanted more responsibility," is fine. Most interviewers can read between the lines and will appreciate your professionalism.

c) When explaining a job hopping history, point out positives: Eg, show how you progressed with each move you made. Eg, I started out as an Assistant Manager at ABC company, and was offered a chance to be Manager at DEF company.

Finally, I took my last position at GHI company because they offered me a significant salary increase and more direct responsibility.Most employers can understand leaving for promotions and a significant increase in salary. This is human nature.

Pointing out positives: i) directs attention away from the negative "job hopping" idea formed in the interviewer's mind; and ii) reinforces your positive attributes, further distancing you from your job hopping history.

NOTE: Regarding leaving for more money, the increase should be "significant." While this can vary, an increase of at least 10% would fall within this guideline. As annual raises usually range from 3-6% a year for most, most employers would consider a doubling or tripling of this significant.

And, it should be for basically the same line of work? Why, because if you hop from not only job to job, but profession to profession, you may be perceived as someone who only cares about money - not something you want employers to think about you (no matter how true it is).

According to the article, "Tracking Your Pension When You Change Jobs" by By Michael Finney, the average American worker changes jobs four to six times during their career. I'd wager that it's much higher.

So, if you've had this many jobs in the last five years, you may have some explaining to do. Being prepared to explain your job hopping will land you your next position that much sooner.
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Copyright Notice: May be reprinted with the following, in full: Yuwanda Black is the publisher of InkwellEditorial.com: THE business portal for and about the editorial and creative industries. First-hand freelance success stories, e-courses, job postings, resume tips, advice on the business of freelancing, and more! Launch a Profitable Freelance Writing Career in 30 Days or Less -- Guaranteed! Log on to InkwellEditorial.com to learn how.
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How to Write a Sales Letter to Promote Your E-book

Once you've written your e-book, you will spend nine times as much energy promoting it as you did writing it. Following are five areas you should cover in your sales letter to promote your e-book.

1. E-book Benefits: The first thing prospects want to know is WIIFM, eg, "What's In It For Me?" So, tell them what problems your e-book will solve for them.

Will your e-book make them more money - so they can spend more time with their family.

Will your e-book save them time - so they can pursue their degree.

Will your e-book increase their output - so they can increase their income.

Whatever it is, make sure you tell them why your e-book is the key. I once read an article that said that you should list at least 100 benefits, answering every conceivable objection. By doing this, you wear the prospect down until they have no choice but to say "yes."

That's why so many e-book web sales letters are extremely long.

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2. E-Book Author: After you've told a prospect why your e-book is the answer to their problems, they're going to want to know why they should buy it from you.

After all, if you're selling an e-book on a certain topic, somebody else probably is too. So, tell them why they should not only buy your e-book, but why they should buy it from you.

Do you have many years of experience in what your e-book is about; is your educational background compatible with your e-book, do you have specific examples from years "in the field" that you can talk about?

It's up to you to sell you because customers are not buying an e-book. They're buying your expertise on the e-book's subject matter. So, you have to sell them on the fact that you are, indeed, an expert.

3. E-book Ordering: Make it easy for customers to order your e-book by giving them as many options as possible. Remember, most customers are looking for a reason NOT to buy your e-book. Don't drop the ball at this point.

Online merchants like PayPal accept many different types of secure payment options, eg, credit cards, e-checks and bank transfers. Clients not comfortable ordering e-books online? Offer to accept payment via mail, with the understanding that they will receive your e-book the day you receive payment in the mail.

The great thing about e-books is that they can be delivered electronically. So, after you receive their check or money order in the mail, you can take it to your local bank and cash it and send off the e-book - all in the same day.

4. E-book Bonuses: Every sales letter should have a P.S. Bundle your e-book offer with other beneficial products. This really works.

You know those late night commercials where you can order, for example, a ginzu knife and get everything but the kitchen sink with it - all for no additional money. For example, with the purchase of my freelance writing e-course, Launch a Profitable Freelance Writing Career in 30 Days or Less -- Guaranteed!, I offer a free writing website.

Tactics like this are akin to the long web sales letter. You give a prospect so many reasons to order that they almost feel like they'd be silly NOT to order.

5. E-book Back-end Sales: E-books are a perfect medium for creating back-end sales. What are back-end sales? Have you ever been to a free seminar and at the back of the room a table is set up where you can order the presenter's book, CD, t-shirt, etc. These are called back-end sales.

At the end of your e-book you can offer back-end sales, in addition to bonuses. Whatever it is, make it compatible with your e-book.

Eg, if you write an e-book about how to write and promote e-books, you might offer the following services to your e-book purchasers: create e-book covers, convert e-book files to .pdf, create e-book web sales letters, etc.

There are so many things that go into creating an effective e-book sales letter, but covering these five areas are vital. Good luck!
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Copyright Notice: May be reprinted with the following, in full: Yuwanda Black is the publisher of InkwellEditorial.com: THE business portal for and about the editorial and creative industries. First-hand freelance success stories, e-courses, job postings, resume tips, advice on the business of freelancing, and more! Launch a Profitable Freelance Writing Career in 30 Days or Less -- Guaranteed! Log on to InkwellEditorial.com to learn how.
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How to Make $100/Day As a Freelance Writer

I've been a freelance writer since 1993. I think when most aspiring freelancers start out, they fail because they bite off more than they can chew.

Here, I will break down how you can easily make $100/day as a freelance writer. While it is relatively simple and straightforward, it does take some elbow grease.

BUT, if you want to achieve the dream of becoming a self-sufficient freelance writer, here is what you can do:

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1. Revenue streams: As in, develop a few. When you are just starting out as a freelance writer, it is highly unlikely that you will make $100/day focusing on one revenue stream, eg, one type of writing.

Unless you write in a highly desired specialty, eg, tech. biomedical or pharmaceutical, you should look to diversify your writing, which leads to my next point.

2. Diversify your writing: Choosing two or three different types of writing you can do well. For example, you might do resumes, articles and web copy.

If you do one resume a day at $50 which takes you 2-3 hours, then you can spend another 3-4 hours writing 5, 6 or 7 articles to make the other $50.

3. Choose niches you know well: Freelance writers should choose niches they know well because it will speed up their output. When you are gunning for $100/day, you may need to churn out 4, 5 or 6,000 words a day (eg, if you are article writing).

This doesn't leave a lot of time for research, but you still don't want to churn out garbage. Choosing topics you know well will allow you to produce well-written informative pieces -- in bulk

4. Time: Be stingy with your time. Most freelance writers spend hours on the Internet. But, how much of that is “income-producing” time. If you set a schedule of working 9-10 hours a day, it doesn’t leave a lot of time for surfing, answering email, etc.

How to Effectively Use Your Time to Make $100/Day as a Freelance Writer

a) Get regimented: Decide BEFORE you get on the computer what your regimen is. One of the most effective things I’ve done as a freelance writer is to allow my self some surfing time.

b) Know your “freelance writer’s personality”: I’ve been a freelance writer long enough to know my “freelance writing personality.” I can’t just log on and get straight to work. I usually spend half an hour or so surfing and sipping my coffee when I first log on.

After half an hour, I’m usually ready to get to work.

c) Monitor output: Another tactic I use is “producing before play.” Eg, once I start working, I have to produce a certain amount of work before I can take a break.

With almost 14 years of experience under my belt as a freelance writer, these habits have become ingrained in me, but it took quite a few years before I consistently did this.

c) Choose projects wisely: Although you may be able to churn out 2-3, 300-400 word SEO articles an hour, if they only pay $1-$2, that’s only $3-$6/hour. At the high end, you’d be working 16-17 hours/day to make your goal.

So, choose projects that pay better. That’s why it’s important to diversify.

Observation: In my experience, making $100/day is easy to achieve – with no experience – if you are willing to put in 9-10 hours a day at it, and follow the time-saving tips outlined above.

Good luck!
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Copyright Notice: May be reprinted with the following, in full: Yuwanda Black is the publisher of InkwellEditorial.com: THE business portal for and about the editorial and creative industries. First-hand freelance success stories, e-courses, job postings, resume tips, advice on the business of freelancing, and more! Launch a Profitable Freelance Writing Career in 30 Days or Less -- Guaranteed! Log on to InkwellEditorial.com to learn how.
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Should article directories pay content providers?

I think we are on the cusp of a new trend where article directories pay content providers (eg, let them share in the revenue derived from their articles).

This is a very new concept among directories, but I think it is the next big thing. So, how does it work? [For those of you aware of how this works, feel free to skip this little part].

HOW ARTICLE DIRECTORIES MAKE MONEY

Most article directories derive their income from ads. Eg, you know those Google ads you see across the top of the page, in a side bar, in the middle of an article. Ads are served up based on the content of the article. Each time a visitor clicks on those ads, the site owner makes money.

As an example, if you submit an article about motorcycles, then you might see advertiser (Google) ads about motorcycle schools, Harley Davidson dealers, or motor cycle riding gear. The logic being, people who read ads about motorcycles are interested in them and the lifestyle that surrounds it.

HERE’S A CONCEPT – SHARE THE LOOT WITH CONTENT PROVIDERS!

Some sites, eg, AssociatedContent.com, do pay content providers. Although the pay is not going to replace a job, it is a guaranteed minimum something if the piece is accepted (as of this writing, $3, with pay going up to a high of $40).

Other sites are now starting to offer content providers (me, you – the article writers), a portion of the proceeds earned from ads that appear beside their content. Tres cool! And, why shouldn’t we benefit monetarily from our content? After all, it is a two-way street. These sites need us just as much as we need them.

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The web is a very crowded place these days. And, while article marketing is still one of the best ways to get unlimited FREE exposure, it is becoming “old hat.” I think a lot of directories will disappear if they don’t start paying as content providers will inevitably go to where the money is.

ArticleonRamp.com is one site that began this revenue-sharing model this year [2007]. After not submitting to it for a while, when I got the email from the webmaster announcing this program, I immediately went and started submitting.

NOTE: I didn’t stop submitting to this site because I didn’t like it. In fact, it’s been one of my favorites since I discovered it in October 2006 because they post articles quickly and my articles seem to get a lot of reads there. I took a break over the holidays and only submitted a few pieces to a couple of sites during this time

Now, be warned, I don’t think there are going to be any great fortunes made. I know, I have Google ads on my site (InkwellEditorial.com). BUT, if you submit to 20, 30 or 40 sites – and submission software makes it much easier to submit to hundreds at a time – there could be a nice chunk of change served up at the end of the month.

REVENUE-SHARING ARTICLE DIRECTORIES, BLOGS, FORUMS & MORE
I did a Google search and came across the following AdMoolah.com. It has a list of sites that offer revenue sharing to content providers. Most offer a 50% take; some offer 100%.

Click here to see the list. The list details 12 article directories, 16 communities/forums, 4 blogs and a host of sites listed under “Other”.

Hey, if you’re writing and submitting articles for free now, why not pick up a few dollars along the way where possible by submitting those same pieces elsewhere.

Disclaimer: I have not submitted to any of these sites, so don’t know anything about them other than what I read on their sites.

Good luck – and if you make a fortune, please let me know!
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Copyright Notice: May be reprinted with the following, in full: Yuwanda Black is the publisher of InkwellEditorial.com: THE business portal for and about the editorial and creative industries. First-hand freelance success stories, e-courses, job postings, resume tips, advice on the business of freelancing, and more! Launch a Profitable Freelance Writing Career in 30 Days or Less -- Guaranteed! Log on to InkwellEditorial.com to learn how.
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Like what you read here? Find the content useful and informative? Subscribe to the Inkwell Editorial feed (under the LINKS section to your right) to receive new content immediately upon publishing. OR, email your address to subscribe and receive job listings -- immediately!