Lessons Learned from Two Years of Blogging (Part I of III)

Happy Birthday InkwellEditorial.blogspot.com! Today this blog is two years old. I never knew that it would add so much to my career, but oh boy, has it.

Following are some lessons I’ve learned from the past two years of blogging.

1. Determine Why You Blog: I liken this to driving without directions. How do you know where you want to go unless you have a destination in mind? Having a purpose in mind will also focus you more.

If you decide to monetize your blog, you will have a concentrated body of work right at your fingertips. This makes for a tighter, more concise and interesting blog.

POST CONTINUED BELOW

*************************

Want to Achieve Freelance Writing Success -- Quickly? Sign up for the Freelance Writing E-course: Launch a Profitable Freelance Writing Career in 30 Days or Less -- Guaranteed! Free website included. Log on and register today!

************************
2. Appreciate Your Style: My writing style on this blog is what I term “conversational business-like.” I throw in a bit of self-deprecating humor to illuminate points, and voila, I have a writing style.

As a blogger, especially in the beginning, you may get intimidated by other bloggers. You may wonder, “Am I too personal, too business-like, not funny enough, too sarcastic, etc.”

My advice is, whatever your writing style, embrace it. Don’t try to be like anyone else. You will never please everyone and you’ll spend too much time trying to “sound” a certain way. This, IMHO, defeats the purpose of blogging, which is to convey information.

The best – not to mention easiest and quickest – way to do that is to be true to you. Not only will you write better, you’ll enjoy the process more.

3. More is Better: As in, more posts. Update your blog regularly for maximum effect. Search engines are driven by content. The more you feed the hungry search engine monster, the more popular your blog becomes, the more links you get and the higher your PR rankings.

4. Blog Fearlessly! As in, don’t be afraid to tackle controversial topics, angles, etc. As we all know, controversy sells. Don’t gratuitously cover controversial topics, but don’t back down if the occasion presents itself.

For example, my 11/706 post was entitled, Should Freelance Writers Have a Minimum Wage? In this article, I proposed a minimum pay scale. I got some flack from that. BUT, at least it started a debate (or rather, continued one that’s been raging fiercely since content writing became the rage).

5. Blog Topically: As in, tie in what’s going on in the news to what you blog about. The article mentioned above is a good example of this. I got this idea for an article while watching CNN one morning as they were discussing the new minimum wage that went into effect in 7 states this year. I need to do more of this myself.

Many times, there won't be an obvious connection from topic to topic, but if you think for a few minutes, you can usually come up with a relevant spin on an issue you've heard/read about that’s currently in the news.

6. Stay Away from the Obvious: Many times I will click on an article on the web with an interesting title, only to be bored to tears with obvious information that can be found on the web in a two-second search.

The post, 34 Reasons Why Readers Unsubscribe from Your Blog on problogger.net bears this out. “Redundant, repeated or recycled news is one of the top five reasons why people unsubscribe to RSS Feeds,” according to feedback sent in from readers.Surfers are looking for information.

Respect your readers enough to give them useful information not easily found everywhere else. This where I think blogging about what you know/do comes in handy. I pepper my posts with personal experiences because this is inside information that only someone who does what I do for a living (freelance writing) knows.

Over time, this will build you a loyal readership – which pays dividends in numerous ways (product sales, interview requests, ad revenues, etc.).

7. Don’t Overpromote: As in, your products, services, etc. Remember, readers want useful information. While using your blog to promote your products/services is fine, too many ads or too much self-promotion is a big turn-off.

I mean, think about it. Who wants to interact with someone who is always trying to sell them something? By all means, use your blog as a selling too, but unobtrusively so.

Tomorrow: Part II of this post.
*************************

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.

*************************

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!

Networking No No's: What NOT to Do when You Network

I usually, I write about freelancing issues. After all, this blog is about the BUSINESS of freelancing. However, I've decided to start devoting one post a week to full-time career issues, as I've been peppered since the beginning of the year with these types of questions.

Sincerely,
Y. Black, Publisher
InkwellEditorial.com
InkwellEditorial.blogspot.com
**************************

NOTE: The following advice can be used if you are promoting yourself as a potential employee, or if you're networking as a business owner.

TODAY'S ARTICLE

If you're serious about building a business, or landing a new job, networking can help you reach your goal faster than any other form of marketing or advertising.

Following are three things you should not do when you are networking. Remember, you are building relationships that can, ostensibly, pay off for years to come. Don't ruin it by doing the following:

POST CONTINUED BELOW
*************************
Want to Achieve Freelance Writing Success -- Quickly? Sign up for the Freelance Writing E-course: Launch a Profitable Freelance Writing Career in 30 Days or Less -- Guaranteed! Free website included. Log on and register today!
************************

1. Represent the "right" business (or career aspiration): What I mean is, don't introduce yourself under one business and network under another. Or, if you're seeking a full-time position, talk about your side business Let me explain.

I belong to two chambers of commerce in my area. Chambers of Commerce, by the way, are excellent venues for networking. Want to know more, click here.

Many times, I've been at a networking event and someone will approach me with their "side" business, eg, I work for XYZ corporation, but I have an event planning company I want to talk to you about.

This is unprofessional, for a couple of reasons: i) it's unethical. If your company has paid for you to be a member of a chamber, don't promote your side business on their dime. Join the chamber under your own company name.

If you're networking to land a new position, tell the Chamber representative that. Ask if you can come as a one-time guest. Or, find a member who will bring you along as their guest and introduce yourself as a professional looking for a new position.

Not only will your company benefit from the advertising the chamber does for members (eg, mailings, website listing and e-mail blasts); ii) it shows that you are serious about growing this side venture.

I often wonder if I will get paid if I do work for a company that doesn't have enough leadership to recognize the above-mentioned points.

2. Give Before Receiving: Networking is a slow build. It's rare that you will get immediate business from this type of marketing. Find out how you can become a resource for members - eg, recommend others who may be great contacts for businesses in the group; start a referral newsletter; pass along other networking opportunities.

Nine times out of 10, most of the people you meet at networking functions are there to sell something. Everyone knows this. BUT, if you are constantly asking for business, without giving leads to others, you will become known as a taker.

Karma works in all aspects of life. What you give comes back to you; so instead of being on the lookout for those who can help you, look for ways you can give to the group. Even if the majority of leads you pass out never work out, people remember those who take the time to give them leads or recommend the services of others.

3. Don't Be a Pest: I've met some extremely aggressive people in my networking circles. And, I cut them a wide berth. If you approach someone and they are not interested in hiring you as an employee (or express an interest in your product/service), stay in contact, but unobtrusively so.

Don't continue to call when they've clearly "brushed you off" a few times. That's why I like newsletters; they allow you to stay in touch without being a pest.

Don't publish a newsletter? Try passing along "Business Tips of the Day;" "Sales Tip of the Day;" or a "Community Events at a Glance" calendar.

In the case of job hunting, a brief touch-base email or phone call every few weeks will suffice.

All of these are viable, unobtrusive ways to keep your business top-of-mind - for the right reasons.

The fact is, depending on your profession and/or business, there will be very few people you actually meet while networking who can give you business (or hire you) directly. BUT, you're really building a line of trust so that when they "know someone who knows someone" who needs your product/service, you will be the first one they think of.
*************************
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.
*************************
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!

ATTN E-book Writers: Here are the Steps I Take to Create a Successful E-book

There are tons of articles on the internet about writing e-books. So, what makes this one different? In short, me. As the writer of six e-books and one e-course, here I will outline the process I use to create my e-books.

First, a little history: As the article, Are You an Angry, Frustrated Freelance Writer? illustrates, the rate war rages on among freelancers. And, in my opinion, it is not likely to be solved anytime soon - if ever.

This is why I'm a firm believer that freelance writers should create their own products for sale. It doesn't have to be an e-book because many don't have the knowledge or fortitude to promote such a product. It could be t-shirts, mugs, a greeting card line -- whatever. The point is, having an extra income stream is just smart business, in my humble opinion.

POST CONTINUED BELOW
*************************
Want to Achieve Freelance Writing Success -- Quickly? Sign up for the Freelance Writing E-course: Launch a Profitable Freelance Writing Career in 30 Days or Less -- Guaranteed! & get a FREE writing website. Log on and register today!
*************************

NOTE: Writing an e-book is the easy part. You will spend 10 times more time promoting this product than you did writing it. If you think money is just going to pour in because you put your e-book up for sale, you're wrong.

Marketing - in any business - is where the real work comes in. Keep that in mind BEFORE you decide to create an e-book to sell. So, with all that being said, following is what I do once my little ole brain lights up with an idea I want to turn into an e-book.

1. Research: I research the competition, looking for the following: like products; where sold; by whom; for how much.

I didn't do this with my first two e-books, but got into the habit of it after that. Researching a product will tell you the following -- among a host of other things: what the competition is, how to devise a marketing plan and what to sell it for.

Every e-book is different, but what will sell it is you - as in, your experience, the spin you put on it, etc.

As for marketing, you can read effective web sales letters, see where the competition is promoting similar products, assess whether others are offering add-ons, etc. I could go on and on about this portion (and I will in another article), but just so you know, research is where I start.

2. Outline: Usually, I take about a week to come up with an outline. Just like writing a paper in high school, I outline the chapters and what I want to cover in them.

I usually don't formalize the names of the chapters until after they have been written; my outline lists the idea I want to cover in a given chapter. Sometimes that will turn out to be the name of the chapter - but that's not the norm.

3. Write: It can take anywhere from 2 weeks to three months to complete an e-book. It all depends on how busy I am. One thing I do do is give myself a completion date. I'm the type of person who will procrastinate forever if I don't give myself a deadline. So, I try to keep that.

4. Quality Control: Usually, I will hire a freelance copy editor/proofreader/editor to do the QC on the e-book. I usually give the freelancer a week to complete this.

5. Rewrites: If the copy editor/proofreader/editor has suggested structural changes, eg, this section would work better in Chapter 3, then I will switch things around.I have to admit, though, I don't do much rewriting because in my outline, I pretty much organize the material the way I want it to appear.

6. PDF It: Turn the file into a .pdf. This is not really necessary, but it helps in keeping users from copying and/or editing your material and possibly reselling it.

7. Create Sales Letter: I create a page on my website to promote the book.

8. Create Marketing Plan: Usually, I have an idea of how I want to go about promoting the e-book before I even write it. Because I've written a few and write for a niche audience (creative freelancers), I pretty much follow the same marketing plan, tweaking it from time to time.

9. Promote, Promote, Promote - into eternity!
*************************
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.
*************************
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 Writing Changed My Life

The end of the week has brought on some reflective feelings; namely, how writing has changed my life. It's a wonderful thing.

Enjoy!
Y. Black, Publisher
InkwellEditorial.com
InkwellEditorial.blogspot.com
**************************

Some writers know in grade school that writing is what they want to do when they grow up. I was never like that. Even today, with close to 15 years under my belt as a freelance copywriter, I still don't consider myself a writer.

I think of myself as an editorial specialist. But, I do write and get paid for it, so I guess that makes me a writer. Following are three ways that writing has changed my life.

POST CONTINUED BELOW
*************************
Want to Achieve Freelance Writing Success -- Quickly? Sign up for the Freelance Writing E-course: Launch a Profitable Freelance Writing Career in 30 Days or Less -- Guaranteed! & get a FREE writing website. Log on and register today!
*************************

1. Freedom: As in, freedom from fear. When I started freelancing in the early 90s, I never dreamed it would turn into what it has.

I started out as a freelance copy editor, proofreader and editor. I didn't start taking on writing projects until a few years into my freelance career. But, once I realized that, "Hey, I can make a real living from this," it gave me a freedom I didn't realize I would come to cherish until years later.

Once you realize that your power to make a living lies totally and completely in your hands, you walk a little taller, believe in yourself a little deeper and work harder to keep it so.

I know that as long as my brain doesn't turn to mush (I have to work hard to keep this from happening some days!) and I have use of my hands, I can work. There's a comfort in that.

2. Interest: As in, interest in the world around me. I'm pretty curious by nature and I've always been an avid reader. When you write for a living though, it takes on a new kind of clarity.

I listen to the news for story ideas; I listen to tales from my friends for different twists on ordinary topics; I take note of my surroundings with eyes open for the next great article.

3. Question: As in, question the world around you. Because I write a lot, I also research a lot. I know that the twist of one phrase can give a whole new meaning to a story, an article, a definition.

Take the war going on in Iraq. When we hear that over 3,000 soldiers have been killed since it began, you might think, in Vietnam, over 58,000 died -- this war's not as bad.

But, when you hear that over 10,000 have been wounded - many seriously, that implies a different kind of war; a different view of what's going on.

So, I question a lot of what I hear, read and view. Is this the whole story? Were there some facts left out? Some "half-facts" put in?

The written word, especially in our technologically advanced world, is a powerful medium. Indeed, the pen [keyboard] is mightier than the sword - and all writers would do well to remember that the next time they sit down to write.

How has writing changed your life? Chime in!
*************************
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.
*************************
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!

Why Freelance Writers Are Lacking When It Comes to Technology

. . . And What They Can Do to Get Caught Up

I'm constantly amazed at the lack of technology know-how among freelance writers - and I wholeheartedly include myself in this category. So, why do freelance writers lag in this area?

Following are my theories - based NOT on personal experience at all, of course :-)

POST CONTINUED BELOW
*************************
Want to Achieve Freelance Writing Success -- Quickly? 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. Log on and register today!
*************************

1) We are word people: NOT code people.

When writers get an idea, they want to write about it. We don't want to learn how to optimize it for better search engine placement, how to add pictures to it to generate more interest, or how to make (more) money from it by doing "x."

Anything that requires more than logging on and starting to write just takes too much time - time that writers would rather spend writing. And, although this is said tongue-in-cheek, I'm dead serious.

Writers, especially those who make a living from their craft, are often on deadline. By the time you grasp an idea, research it, write it, edit it and fact-check it, that leaves very little time for "figuring things out."

2) Technology Moves Too Fast: It seems like every time I catch on to one fad, another one has already sprung. Take blogging. I've been blogging since February of 2005. But, blogging has been around since the mid-1990s, almost a decade by the time I got around to it.

Now that I've got that down pat, social networking is all the rage (eg, MySpace, FaceBook, Digging, etc.).

And, let's not forget all of the technology around blogs, eg, Technorati (a blog tracking site); RSS feeds (technology that lets you distribute and promote your content); Pinging (basically a notification system that lets readers know your blog has been updated), etc.

There is so much more software, tutorials, affiliate programs, e-books and websites on the subject, that it can be overwhelming.

Tips for Staying on Top of Technology & Making it Pay (Literally!) for You

a) Be Judicious: Don't feel the need to jump on every new trend or piece of software that comes along. There are two advantages to this:

i) it gets out of the beta stage: Most new software has to go thru beta (a testing phase) before all the kinks are worked out. This can be a few months or a few years. Let the kinks get worked out on someone else's dime and time.

This leads to my next point:

ii) you can get a feel for how to make it work for you: usually, once a software or idea has been in use for a while, there is tons of feedback. Use this to your advantage.

Take the time to research as much about the software/idea/program as you can before you implement it in your freelance writing business. After reading the feedback, you might discover that what you had in mind won't work. Or, that this program is not something you want to implement after all.

My mother used to say, "The only thing wasted by waiting is time ... and if it's right today, it will be right tomorrow." So, don't worry about not being the first, ahead of the competition, or a market leader.

While being among the first can certainly pay off in the right situation, it's how you use a software/idea/program, not when you decide to use it.

b) Time: As in, carve out time. One of the reasons I think freelancers don't stay on top of technology as much as they should is that it takes time to learn the ins and out of a new program, piece of software, etc.

Usually though, it's not nearly as much as we think.

So, if you decide to set up a MySpace page for example, carve out a day or two to devote to getting it up. Instead of scheduling it in with a ton of other duties on a given day, do just that one thing.

Setting aside a dedicated amount of time to accomplish "x" is always better than promising to get to it "sometime this week."

Technology is something that all freelance writers must stay abreast of to be successful. And, as I just learned when I was forced to update my blog to the new system used by blogger.com, my blog's host, if you don't do it willingly, sooner or later you will be forced to.
*************************
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.
*************************
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!

Do Low-paying Freelance Gigs Ever Turn into Higher-paying Gigs?

Many freelancers, whether they be writers, graphic designers, web designers, etc., will consider lower-paying assignments in hopes that they will turn into higher-paying gigs.

If you're new to freelancing, especially, you may be vulnerable to this. In my experience, you can make low-paying gigs work for you, in the following ways:

POST CONTINUED BELOW

*************************

Want to Achieve Freelance Writing Success -- Quickly? 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. Log on and register today!

*************************

1. Pricing: Lower-paying gigs can give you a sense of where you need your pricing to be to meet your income goals.

Once you do a few projects, you may realize, "Wow, now I know why freelancers in this niche charge $X."

You may find that while you'll never do another 400-word article for $2, $5 for a 300-word article is not so bad - if you can knock it out quickly, which leads me to my next point.

2) Work Structure: Sometimes you may take on a project without realizing the intricacies of it. Eg, take a brochure. How hard can it be? List the products/services, pretty it up with some graphics and make sure it's grammatically correct.

But, the research it takes to pull it all together. Remember, writing to sell is a lot different from just listing services. So, finding the right words to get people to not only read the brochure, but take action after that.

Many times after I've completed a project, I've looked at it and thought, I can't believe what went into creating this thing. I remember it took me 4 hours to find a statistic listed in the second paragraph on the front page.

BUT, it's that statistic that moved the reader to pick up the phone.

After doing a low-paying gig that takes tons more time than you thought, you may decide not to offer that service. Or, if you do offer it, you know what goes into it so you can charge appropriately next time.

3) Try New Sectors: One of the best ways to try something new is to reduce your fee and/or accept much lower than what you normally would.

You may find that you like writing about technology, whereas before you'd always overlooked this sector. Doing a few assignments for low pay will definitely allow you to get a feel for a niche before diving headlong into it.

4) Gain Experience: This is an obvious. Say you try a new sector, as mentioned above. And, you like it. BUT, it tends to be notoriously low-paying.

Low-paying gigs will give you some samples for your portfolio so that you don't have to accept rock bottom rates. But, how do you make more money from it after you've paid your dues, so to speak?

Take it and make it your own. What I mean by this, specifically, is create your own products and sell them. Eg, industry e-books, teleseminars, podcasts, etc.

There will always be more qualified writers than assignments. One way to succeed in this industry is creating your own products - and work your way towards making a living from them.

Good luck!

*************************

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.

*************************

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 Use a Temp Agency to Help You Land a Job

I usually, I write about freelancing issues. After all, this blog is about the BUSINESS of freelancing. However, I've decided to start devoting one post a week to full-time career issues, as I've been peppered since the beginning of the year with these types of questions.

Sincerely,
Y. Black, Publisher
InkwellEditorial.com
InkwellEditorial.blogspot.com
**********************************

TODAY'S POST

Many treat temp agencies the way Cinderella was treated by her stepmother - a necessary evil. However, temp agencies can be one of your most valuable tools when looking for a job, if you heed the following advice:

POST CONTINUED BELOW
*************************
Want to Achieve Freelance Writing Success -- Quickly? 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. Log on and register today!
*************************

1. Show Up for the Interview: I can't tell you how many times I've scheduled interviews, and the candidate just doesn't show up. Many think, "it's just a temp agency." BUT, it's so much more.

Recruiters at temp agencies have a direct line to the hiring source at many companies - sometimes hundreds.

They know about positions before they even become available. Usually it's because they've built a rapport with several people within the company, so they know who's about to get fired, who's going out on maternity leave, when there's going to be a reorganization within the company, etc.

They are a wealth of information about the business community at large - it's their job. When you don't show up for a scheduled interview, you not only ruin your chances for the position at hand, but future ones as well.

Even if no specific position is at hand, many times a recruiter screens applicants because they never know what that next phone call is going to bring. I always kept a file of extremely qualified candidates in a special folder and sometimes would pitch a candidate to a client even if they weren't hiring at that time because the candidate was just that great!

BUT, if you don't show up for the initial interview - you will never get a chance to experience this process work for you.

2. Stay in Touch: Many times a recruiter will tell you to give her a call every two to three weeks while you are searching. Sometimes they mean this; sometimes they don't. I always meant it because it's the squeaky wheel that gets the grease.

The fact is, recruiters see so many people that sometimes a great candidate will slip their mind. BUT, if you constantly stay in touch, it lets us know that: i) you're persistent; ii) professional; and iii) serious about your search. All of these just happen to be great qualities in an employee as well - in almost any profession.

How to Stay in Touch with a Recruiter

Most like phone calls - short ones. Just a quick touch-base call will do. "Hey, it's Lisa Smith. We met two weeks ago at the job fair downtown. I just wanted to know if anything came in that fit my skill set. I'm still looking."

This is all it takes. If the recruiter's not there, please leave a message. Most won't call back unless there's a position at hand. Believe me, this simple action keeps you on their radar.

3. Electronic Copy of Resume: Email the recruiter a copy of your resume AFTER you meet with them. I don't care if you've sent it beforehand and brought one with you to the interview (you should always do this).

Why You Should ALWAYS Provide an Electronic Copy of Your Resume to Recruiters

Why is this important? Most recruiters email resumes to clients; they rarely fax them anymore. When I owned my agency, Inkwell Editorial, in New York, I operated a paperless office the last three years. Meaning, I did not keep paper files for the most part - especially resumes.

My reasoning was, if you're job hunting and weren't savvy enough to have your resume in electronic format, then you probably didn't have the computer skills necessary for most of the positions that came across my desk. So, a paper copy wouldn't have been of much help to me.

Most recruiters keep some type of filing system on their desktop that allows them to easily access and "shoot" resume to employers.

While many look at temp agencies as a waste of time, they can be one of your best weapons when job hunting.
*************************
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.
*************************
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!

Are You an Angry, Frustrated Freelance Writer?

Do You Recognize Yourself in These Signs?

As a freelance writer, it's very easy to become discouraged. Discouragement can lead to anger and frustration, which can stall your career - without you even realizing it. Following are signs to look for, and specific things you can do to get back on track.

1. Expending Negative Energy: Most freelancers surf the net looking for assignments. As you read job ad after job ad paying little to nothing, you boil over.

POST CONTINUED BELOW

*************************

Want to Achieve Freelance Writing Success -- Quickly? 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. Log on and register today!*************************

"Don't they realize I'm a professional, I have a family to feed, my skills are worth more than that?" So, what do you do?

You start to leave nasty comments and before you know it, you've spent two hours doing this. After logging off in disgust, you decide to take some time off because you're so mad you can't even focus.

Look at what this has cost you? Precious marketing time; not to mention focus.

Solution: Accept that there will always be jobs that don't pay enough. This is freelance writing after all. And while we should all earn a decent wage, there should also be world peace, enough food to feed the hungry and free medicine for those who can't afford it.

Not to make light of the situation, but focusing on what you can't change won't help. By NOT accepting low-paying assignments, you are sending a very powerful message. So, move on - if a job does not pay what you want, spend your time looking for ones that do, not sending nasty messages to job posters who offer low-paying assignments.

After all, the reason they're probably looking for help is they're where you want to be - a busy, working freelancer.

2. Output: As in, you haven't been doing any lately. Are you depressed over lack of work; not motivated because you are bored with work; and/or frustrated at the type of work you're doing?

Whatever your reasoning, as a freelance writer, you should always be producing - unless you are on vacation.

Many freelancers make the mistake of not working when there is no client project on their desk. Just because you are not working for a client doesn't mean that you don't put in 8, 9 or 10 hours a day.

Solution: This is one of the reasons I like article marketing - it forces me to constantly write, stay motivated and fresh. I may write about a new diet drug one day, or a new type of mortgage the next day, because as a freelance writer, my job is to write.

To this end, I keep my portfolio bulging with various samples; am always working on a new e-book or planning a new e-course.

Getting up and "going to work" every day is what I do - whether it's a client project or a "Yuwanda project," produce I must and produce I do.

3. Organization: As in, is your work hampered by your lack of organization - not only of the thoughts and tools you need to work with, but organization for the future of your business. Do you wonder, "Where will this freelance thing take me? Will I ever make enough to survive on this alone?"

Solution: If you find yourself thinking along these lines, then perhaps it's time you make a real plan for your future beyond just banging out the next client project.

Like any business, if you want freelance writing to be your full-time job, then you must plan for it - eg, create a full-fledged business plan. Target a niche, create an advertising budget and come up with a marketing plan.

In conclusion, frustration is the ever-present enemy of all who have a desire, but encounter obstacles. Embracing the obstacles and creating a plan to thwart them is the key; not expending negative energy railing against them.
*************************
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.
*************************
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!

A Day in the Life of a Busy Commercial Freelance Writer

I'm often asked what my day is like - in a roundabout way. I will receive emails like, "Do you have employees - you seem to do a lot." Or, "Who did your website, I love it." When I respond, "I did it," I usually receive a response like, "YOU did it yourself - where do you find the time?"

So, following is a typical day for me - a busy commercial freelance writer.

POST CONTINUED BELOW
*************************
Want to Achieve Freelance Writing Success -- Quickly? 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. Log on and register today!
*************************

Routine: Although I stick somewhat to a routine, I don't have a set schedule. If I have to run out to the cleaners or go to the grocery store, I usually do this during the day, because it's less crowded and I try not to work most weekends - at least not on client projects.

AM: In the morning, I usually log on and surf for thirty minutes or so before I get down to work.
Marketing: I try to always do my marketing tasks in the morning when I'm freshest and the most invigorated. The sad truth of it is, I would never give a client project less than my best effort, but I will shortchange myself in a minute.

How? By putting off marketing altogether, or doing less than what I should be doing. It took me years to recognize this as a pattern. So, I try to do at least one marketing thing a day. And, that usually means writing, as one of my favorite marketing tactics is article marketing.

Getting down to work means updating my blog, churning out some marketing articles and turning my attention to client projects. By the time I finish my marketing tasks, it's usually early afternoon, at which time I turn my time to client projects.

PM: Client projects can be anything from cleaning up web copy to creating a newsletter to writing a press release. I'm usually working on two or three projects at one time, and most are due within a week or so.

I'm pretty regimented in that I like to finish one project before I move on to another. BUT, this is usually not possible.

When I take on a project, I usually build in an extra day or two, where possible, because even though I know I can design and write a brochure newsletter in 8 hours, I'm also experienced enough to know that I may get a rush project from another client that will prevent me from sitting down to do it all at once.

So, instead of telling a client a 24-hour turnaround, I will tell them 2-3 business days, and that if they want it back before then, then I can do it - for a rush fee.

You may be thinking - eight hours, for a brochure. Yes. Because if you're creating it from scratch, you're going to have to take the time to find out about all the services they offer, how they offer them, how the competition stacks up, etc.

NOTE: Any time you're creating sales materials for a client -- I don't care if it's a simple postcard, or a complicated sales letter -- you are creating the piece that will "talk" to prospects when they're not around.

So, a brochure is not simply listing the services offered, it's what tells a prospect why to pick this client's firm, as opposed to another company. Writing copy that sells is a skill - and that's what clients hire you for. If they simply wanted someone to create a brochure to list their services, they could have their secretary type it up.

Keep the above in mind as you market.

After I pack away client projects, I will spend time answering emails sent in from readers. This is usually around 5 or 6pm. I usually only spend half an hour or so on this. I usually only respond to new questions, not those I've answered frequently or those that can be easily found on this blog.

After answering questions, I usually jot down what I want to accomplish the next day -- articles I want to tackle, follow-up questions for clients and billing/account management (arrggghhhh!).

I do so much more during the day because each one is different.

How many hours/day do I work? I usually put in 9-11, sometimes more if I'm developing a product of my own (an e-course, e-book, etc.).

And that, folks, is a basic rundown of what happens before I log off, usually around 8 or 9 pm.
*************************
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.
*************************
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!

What Women Really Want: A Valentine's Day Gift Wish List

A Shamelessly Sexist Valentine's Day Gift Wish List

In honor of the day, I wrote the following. Today's official blog topic, "Why Work-at-Home Scams Succeed So Often" is posted below, but I couldn't help myself with this one -- it just kind of flew from the pen. Enjoy!

Y. Black, Publisher
InkwellEditorial.com
InkwellEditorial.blogspot.com
*****************************

Valentine's Day Gift Wish #1: Gloves. For you! You know those rubber yellow gloves used to wash dishes. That's what we want - a bag full of them - in your size!

Oh, they are the sexiest kind of accessory, especially when you wear them to scrub toilets, wash dishes, clean windows and dust shelves.

And, if you happen to keep them on while you manhandle the broom, commandeer a mop or break out the dustbuster - so be it. Far be it for us to tell you that you don't need to wear gloves when using these household items.

Poor thing, you probably didn't know, and we don't want to interrupt your flow. So go, on, keep them on. The bright yellow makes it easy for us to find you to assign your next task.

Valentine's Day Gift Wish #2: Tools. For us! Why? So we won't break a nail doing those things around the house we've asked you a million times to do, yet finally break down and do ourselves.

And, since we never know where your tools are, or which doo-dad to use for what if we do stumble across them, we rely on two old favorites -- the butter knife and the wedge heel of our favorite pair of pumps.

You'd be surprised how many tools in your box these little babies can replace. They can put up curtain rods, bang in nails and twist in screws, among a host of other duties.

And you know what? We can still butter your toast with the knife and step out in style alongside you in the pumps. After all, we girls are naturals at multi-tasking!

BUT, we get tired of it. It would be so nice to have our own little box of do-jabbies to handle those pesky little "I'm gonna get to it" jobs around the house that you just never seem to have time for.

We understand. You're a busy guy. After all, there are three football games on Thursday night. By the time you fight traffic to get home, all you have time for before kickoff is a beer and pizza run.

Valentine's Day Gift Wish #3: A Whistle. To blow when you're not paying attention. As you recognize this as the sound of authority from your football games, we figured this would be a sure-fire way to call your attention to a foul (eg, not taking out the garbage, not cleaning out the garage and forgetting to pick up dinner one night out of seven).

Again, we know, you're a busy guy. When you commit a foul, you don't mean it. It's not an "intentional" or "flagrant" foul. You were simply going full speed ahead - with your life. You can't be expected to stop and remember your other half.

We promise not to misuse this gift; not to blow it too loud, or too often. We don't want to be taken out of the game (eg, left for another woman). We just want your attention.

So, forget the chocolates, the flowers and yes -- even the diamonds. These things are a girl's best friend, especially when they're attached to the best man in her life. That would be YOU!

Happy Valentine's Day, darling.

Why Work-at-Home Scams Succeed so Often

. . . And It's Not Laziness or Stupidity

You only have to turn on your computer to see ads like, "Data Entry -- $200/Day Working from Home." Or, "Earn $50/hour answering short online surveys."

Every time I see one of these ads I think, "Why do people fall for this? Don't they know that it's probably a scam." And, I shake my head and move on.

But, I think these ads shine a light on the culture we live in right now - much more brightly than we'd like to think. Following are three reasons I think these scams work so well - and they go beyond the requisite "most are just plain lazy."

POST CONTINUED BELOW
*************************
Want to Achieve Freelance Writing Success -- Quickly? 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!
*************************

3 Reasons Work-at-Home Scams Succeed

1. Time: As in, I think most don't want to dedicate the time to find legitimate work-from-home opportunities.

I've been a freelancer since 1993, and I can tell you, finding projects (eg, marketing for work) takes two to three times longer than completing the work. I was lucky when I first started out in that I had worked in publishing for 6+ years before I started freelancing. So, I had some industry contacts that I could tap.

But, eventually, those ran out and I had to "beat the proverbial pavement" to make a go of it full-time. I think most would contentedly work at home - and do darn good jobs - if the assignments came to them.

BUT, it's those who are willing to put in the work to find the jobs who achieve work-at-home success.

Lesson: If you are not willing to spend time marketing for work, don't expect to find work-at-home/freelance success - unless you are lucky enough to have an employer who will extend you this courtesy.

2. Business Acumen: When you work from home, you are, in effect, a small business owner. This means you are responsible for things over and beyond just completing the job you were hired to do. Like what?

Like negotiating contracts, project management, accounts receivable, accounts payable, etc. Who wants to take the time to learn to deal with all that! Most of us moan and groan about getting our taxes done once a year.

If you are a small business, you have to be extremely organized all the time -- not just pull some paperwork together once a year.

Lesson: Unless you are willing to take on the back-end responsibilities of owning a small business (eg, recordkeeping, marketing, etc.), you'd probably be better off looking for a job than a work-from-home situation.

NOTE: The above assumes that you work from home as a freelancer, not as an employee of a company.

3. The Grass is Greener: Many think that working from home is the answer to a lot of their problems. Eg, no more commuting, being able to meet the kids at the bus stop, taking a walk during the middle of the day.

But, you know what, you probably won't have a chance to do any of those things on a regular basis. The hard, cold truth is, you will probably be working many more hours as a freelancer than you would be as a full-time employee.

Why? Because you never know when the projects are going to just dry up, you take on almost everything that comes your way so that you can weather the dry spells.

Freelancing is intense periods of work, followed by periods of absolutely nothing.

Lesson: If you're a person who likes the predictability of a paycheck - or needs the predictability of one - you'd probably be better off staying employed full-time.

While freelancing does offer its rewards, predictability isn't one of them - and, the grass can be dry and patchy on this side of the fence.
*************************
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.
*************************
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!

Is Your Resume Helping or Hurting Your Job Search?

I usually, I write about freelancing issues. After all, this blog is about the BUSINESS of freelancing. However, I will start to devote one post a week to full-time career issues, as I've been peppered since the beginning of the year with these types of questions.

Sincerely,
Y. Black, Publisher
InkwellEditorial.com
InkwellEditorial.blogspot.com
**********************************

Today's Topic: Is Your Resume Helping or Hurting Your Job Search?

Are You Guilty of the Following?

The first step in looking for a job is preparing a resume. However, this is where many go wrong, hurting your chances before you even start.

I've been a recruiter for a decade and have looked at literally tens of thousands of resumes. The reason I've seen so many is because most are easy to send to the slush pile right away.

Avoid the following three things if you want to stay out of the slush pile, and find your way in to an interview.

POST CONTINUED BELOW
*************************
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!
*************************

1. Email Address: Make this professional. This is just like a voicemail message. If it is unprofessional, it makes the employer question how professional you are.

Eg, if your email address is hotpeaches23@yahoo.com, then how likely do you think you are to get a call from a prospective employer? What message are you sending by applying using an address like this?

To avoid this, create a separate, professional, email address for your job search. Your name, eg, JaneDoe@hotmail.com is perfect. If your name is common, try using underscores, hyphens and numbers to secure the address. Eg, Jane-Doe@hotmail.netzero.com, Jane_Doe@bellsouth.com, JaneDoe45@msn.com. All of these are perfectly fine - and professional.

2. Cover Letters: Most times, recruiters don't read cover letters. However, if you do supply one, be sure to make it brief, professional, grammatically correct and to the point.

You can usually judge the professional skill level of a candidate by his/her cover letter. Eg, I believe the skills I acquired within my last position make me the perfect person for this job. [High school student/graduate; first-year college student/someone without a higher-level education].

OR

Skills acquired in my last position ensure a smooth transition to the job at hand. [Candidate is educated and confident].

Resume/cover letter tip: Leave out phrases like "I believe," "I would like," and "I hope." These relay insecurity, less skill, less education, etc.

Simply state your intent/belief. Eg, instead of writing, "I believe I can excel in this position because . . ." try, "My ability to excel in this position is illustrated by . . ."

The second phrase conveys confidence and good communication skills.

3. Computer Skills: Every resume should have this section.

We live in the age of technology and this is one of the first things recruiters look for, because employers give this as a basic first, eg, we are looking for someone who is proficient in QuickBooks Pro.

When recruiters begin their search, the first thing they are going to do is look in the Computer Skills section to see if you have that skill.

If you have it, but have buried it under one of your job duties, we might never see it. So, be sure to list all of your computer skills in a separate section so that they are easily identifiable.

Don't have computer skills? If you don't haven any, by all means, don't list any. BUT, do get thyself to a class and start to learn.

THEN, you can list the skill that you are studying in this section. Many nonprofit community work organizations offer computer training free. Here in Atlanta, the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency (http://www.atlantaworkforce.org/) is one such agency. Every major city has agencies with programs like this.

Don't know where to start? Start by contacting your local unemployment office, or your local Small Business Administration branch. They should be able to connect you to programs and organizations like this.

Remember, your resume is your professional calling card. If it is unprofessional in any manner, it can put you out of the running before you even begin the race. Make sure that it is 100% error free to ensure your chance of going to the next round - a call/interview.

Good luck!
P.S.: For useful tips on resumes specific to editorial jobs, click here.
*************************
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.
*************************
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!

Are You a High Stakes or Low Balling Freelance Writer?

I'll bet that if I took a microphone, went out in public and asked 50 people if they would write me a 600-word essay for $5 or $10, most would say no.

My point? Many want to enter the world of freelance writing, but quickly get discouraged when they see just how low-paying it can be.

I read a lot about freelance writing because I write a blog about the business of freelancing, and so have to keep my fingers on the pulse of the market. The debate around rate, specifically, what's too low and what's acceptable, is an ongoing one. I even wrote an article on it entitled, Should Freelance Writers Have a Minimum Wage?

POST CONTINUED BELOW
*************************
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!
*************************

As I continue to read articles on both sides of the equation, I started to think about what the argument is really about. AND, I missed the boat. I don't necessarily think it's about a rate, as much as it's about lifestyle. What do I mean?

The "High Stakes" Freelance Writer

Breaking down the "argument" about rates, I went to the bottom of the issue - making enough to sustain whatever your goal is. For some, those goals are making a full-time living from home.

So, for this "high stakes" freelance writer, receiving $5 or $10 for a 600 word article would be a waste of time. After all, she has a mortgage to pay, car insurance, healthcare, etc. She needs to make more than that.

For this person, her goal may be $50,000/year. Broken down by week, that's $1,000* [$200/day]. So, she needs to make $22.22 hour to make her goal. If it took her 45 minutes to an hour to complete this article, then she starts out over $12/hour in the hole.

So, when this type of person sees an ad offering $10 for 600 words, she's insulted and angry. Why? Because it is not aligned with her goal - to pay all of her bills from her freelance career.

*The above calculations were based on working 50 weeks out of the year and 9 hours a day.

Now, contrast this with her counterpart.

The Low-Balling Freelance Writer

This freelancer sees the same ad -- $10 for 600 words - and is excited. After reading 50, 60 or 70 ads of $1-$2 for 300-400 word SEO articles, this really stands out. Hey, she thinks, "I can do that."

Even if I only did two or three per day and it took me an hour to do each one, that's $100-$150/week, more than enough to cover my monthly car payment and have something left over to go out to eat with my girlfriends. "I'm applying!"

So, why is she excited? She only needs a part-time income and wants to find something from home. She's very satisfied in her full-time job and has no plans to leave. This type of gig only costs her time. She doesn't have to commute to a part-time gig. This saves on gas, food and perhaps the upkeep of a uniform.

She can come straight home, log on, put in her 2-3 hours a night and be done with it.

What's wrong with either scenario? Does the low-balling freelance writer undercut the high-stakes freelance writer? Should the high-stakes writer be angry at the low-baller? Should the low-baller not be excited about her low-paying assignment?

The wonderful thing about living in the good ole US of A is capitalism - for better or worse.

So, although I personally think that there should be some type of minimum wage for freelance writers, I'm pleased to live in a country that lets the masses decide for themselves what they want. And, I think the majority have spoken on this issue - as the number of ads seeking 500 words for $2 illustrates.

Your thoughts?
*************************
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.
*************************
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!

Why Every Freelance Writer Should Use Sites Like ClickBank.com

If you're a freelance writer, you might have gold in your fingers. What do I mean? Create and sell your own e-product. Although you may be thinking that you wouldn't know where to begin, the following will tell you exactly why you should learn.

Creating and Selling e-Products on Sites Like ClickBank

First, what is ClickBank (and sites like it)? In simple terms, ClickBank is a repository site for digital products (eg, e-books). It allows you to list products for sale, or sell products that are listed (eg, become an affiliate).

The site boasts that it has more than 10,000 products for sale, and over 100,000 affiliates who promote them. Could your e-book be the next big seller?

POST CONTINUED BELOW
*************************
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!
*************************

ClickBank Advantages for Vendors

a) Leverage: This is an obvious advantage, as in, getting others to promote your product. How exactly does it work?

Say you write an e-book about your part-time job, writing resumes online. Because you've been doing it for three years, you have some unique insights and decide to write an e-book.

You put the e-book on your site, but are getting very few, or no, sales. Alternative plan? List your e-book with ClickBank. Here others with websites see your e-book and decide to sell it from their website.

In essence, they become an affiliate seller of your product for a percentage of the sales price, which you determine when you list your product on the site. Before you know it, your e-book is listed on 23 other sites. After a year, it's listed on 150, or more sites.

In effect, you have "hired" 150 or more salesmen for your e-book. And, you're averaging 4-5 sales a day - up from 2-3 month when you were selling it on your own site.

This is the power of leverage!

b) Forever Sales: The beauty of writing is that once a product is created, it can be resold forever, producing income for years to come.

You can ostensibly create many products and make a very nice income selling them via this medium.

c) Back-end Paperwork: One of the best advantages of using a site like ClickBank to sell your e-products is that they handle all of the back-end paperwork for you, eg, processing payments, handling affiliate payouts, running sales reports, etc.

All of this information is provided as part of your vendor membership - and all for a one-time publisher activation fee of $49.95.

d) Marketing: As you probably know, creating a product is the easy part (and this goes for any product). Selling it is where the real work comes in.

Sites like ClickBank tremendously ease the burden in this area, because the affiliates do the selling for you. While you should always market what you are selling, using a medium like ClickBank is a powerful weapon to add to your marketing arsenal.

In conclusion, the beauty of creating your own e-products for sale via this medium is that you own them outright. You don't have to answer to anyone. All the profit is yours. Selling only a few thousand copies of a well-priced, popular product will bring a nice income.

Compound that by writing and promoting three, four or five products and that may be the only freelance income you'll ever need.

Log on to http://www.ClickBank.com for more on selling with them.

Tomorrow's Post: Are You a "High Stakes" or Low-Balling Freelance Writer?
*************************
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.
*************************
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 Use Your PayPal Money to Advance Your Freelance Writing Career

If you receive money from an online payment processor like PayPal, you probably use it as knockaround cash.

Usually, depending on where the funds came from, the amounts are nominal. Eg, $12 from a few articles written, $7 from an e-book sale, $20 from an item sold on eBay.

When it comes to money, most of us don't recognize the value of small amounts. Following are three things you can do to advance your freelance writing career from the money you make online.

POST CONTINUED BELOW
*************************
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!
*************************

3 Tips for Using Your Online Money to Advance Your Freelance Writing Career

1. Advertising: If you want to make a serious go of freelancing, using the "nominal" amounts from your PayPal account can go a long way towards brining in clients.

Many popular writing e-zines and small business websites sell classified ads, eg, writing-world.com and PowerHomeBiz.com are two sites that come to mind. These sites reach thousands of targeted visitors for just a few dollars a month.

Compared to offline advertising, eg, post card mailings, this type of advertising is some of the most effective, cost-conscious advertising you can buy.

Most freelancers don't think about advertising when they start out. However, it's critical if you want to grow a business - which is what freelancing is. While free methods like article marketing should always be utilized, combining them with paid advertising will help you grow your freelance writing business that much quicker.

So, while your PayPal account is growing, scout out some cheap online outlets in which to advertise and when your account hits the magic amount, place that ad!

2. Increasing Your Skill Set: Take an online course, learn a new software, attend a seminar, etc. Whatever you consistently put off because you can't afford it, allocate your PayPal earnings to it and finally knock this goal out.

Increasing your skill set can garner you new clients and/or broaden the array of services you offer clients.

Assigning a purpose like this to your online earnings will usually push you to sell more, because you will want to reach your goal that much sooner.

3. Building a Website: Although this is a form of advertising, I separated it out because if you're serious about making a living from freelancing, having a website is no longer an option, it's a must.

Many freelance writers procrastinate on getting a website, either because they don't have the money, don't have the time to learn a software so that they can build it themselves, or a combination of both.

Many resort to the, "when I can afford it; when I get a big project; when my niece can build it for me" syndrome. In other words, they delay, delay, delay until . . .

If you consistently and effectively allocate your PayPal earnings to a specific growth-oriented goal, before long, it will hold big chunks of money - brought in from clients you've acquired through the judicious use of those small deposits.

Good luck!
*************************
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.
*************************
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!

What to Do After the Interview to Increase Your Chance of Getting the Job

Usually, I write about freelancing issues. After all, this blog is about the BUSINESS of freelancing. However, I will start to devote one post a week to full-time career issues, as I've been peppered since the beginning of the year with these types of questions.

Sincerely,
Y. Black, Publisher
InkwellEditorial.com
InkwellEditorial.blogspot.com
**************************

Today's topic: What to Do After the Interview to Increase Your Chance of Getting the Job

I've been a recruiter since 1997 and have interviewed hundreds of applicants. I've previewed and/or screened a few thousand more. Here's a little inside secret - recruiters and employers want you to be the perfect fit for the job. Why?

Because it makes their job easier. They'd rather see 4-5 people for a job, than 10, 15 or 20. So, know going in that when you are called in for an interview, half the battle is already won. They are on your side. Please, please make their job easy by being what they think you are.

In my opinion, the candidate selection process breaks down to about 50% skill set (eg, what's listed on the resume). What you do during the interview takes up another 25-30%. So, that means that a whopping 20-25% depends on what you do after the interview.

Following are two after-interview tips to greatly increase your chance of landing the job.

POST CONTINUED BELOW
*************************
Want to Achieve Freelance Writing Success in 30 days or less? 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!
*************************

a) Be Proactive: As in, don't wait for the interviewer to call you. When you send in that thank you card (email), reiterate ways you can help them with whatever problem they're having.

INTERVIEW TIP: During the interview process, ask pointed questions about your duties. Try to hone in on problems or areas you can improve on.

This will serve you well after the interview, because when you do your follow up via a thank you card or thank you email, you can expand upon the point. Eg:

"I've been assessing the high turnover rate in your southern region. During our conversation you mentioned that you had experienced rapid growth and that each branch operates independently.

As your team has probably recognized, but had little time to implement, putting operational guidelines in place and training all staff to handle orders in a systemic way will go a long way towards reducing the turnover rate.

My strength is in creating organizational systems that allow a business to thrive. I welcome the challenge this position requires and look forward to hearing from you regarding a possible start date."

While to some this may seem long-winded and presumptuous, to others it will come across as detailed and confident. This type of focus is rare in an after-interview. It shows the employer that you are well aware of what their biggest concern is, have given it some thought, and are ready to roll up your sleeves and get to work.

b) Ask for the Job: This doesn't have to be as direct as it sounds. But, equate it to the dating world. Have you ever been attracted to someone and you were pretty sure they were interested but you just couldn't get up the nerve to ask them out because, what, after all, if you were wrong?

Believe it or not, some employers are like this. They will want a candidate, but figure that they can never afford them, that they'd be bored, that they're used to _________ (fill in the blank).

Calling back a day or two after the interview - unless they've expressly asked you not to - and saying something to the effect of, "I was very impressed with your organization before the interview. After it, even more so. I just wanted you to know that I would welcome the opportunity to work with XYZ, and eagerly await your decision."

This removes any doubt from the employer's mind about your interest in the position. And, all things being equal, you are much more likely to be offered the position than the candidate who is just waiting by the phone.

I know this firsthand. One of the last jobs I got was because the employer said that I called and basically asked for it. It was between me and another candidate, and they were on the fence, leaving the decision until the next day. BUT, because I called (as it so happens, the day before), I got the job. True story!

How to Follow Up: Phone Call, Email or Thank You Note

There is room for all three. But, all things being equal, I would send an email the same day as the interview. THEN, I would follow up with a handwritten thank you note. While this may seem old school, I can count the number of thank you cards on one hand I've received from applicants. They always made the candidate stand out.

Phone calls are iffy. If they haven't expressly forbid it, I would follow up 1-3 days later. If you do call, make it brief and to the point. Basically, just reiterate your interest in the job and let them know that you anxiously await their decision.

As you can see, there's a lot to be done after the interview that can make or break your chances of receiving an offer. Just because the interview is over, don't miss the chance to make that list, final, lasting impression. Good luck!
*************************
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.
*************************
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!

Article Marketing: How to Write Articles People Want to Read

If you want to attract a loyal readership – who turn into subscribers who eventually turn into paying customers – try the following when you sit down to write an article:

1. Use Sources: Many times when I’m surfing the Internet, I will click on an article, read it, and want to know more about the subject. Usually, I have to go searching for myself because there are no sources cited.

Using sources does three things: i) it gives your article more validity; ii) it gives the reader some place to start investigating if they want to know more; and iii) it makes your piece appear more professional.

If you've cited sources (eg, quotes, statistics - even if it's only one), it shows the reader that you've really thought about them, not just hastily threw something together off the top of your head (which IS okay sometimes).

POST CONTINUED BELOW
*************************
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!
*************************

Finding Sources: How to Do It

Your favorite search engine is an excellent place to find a quote, a stat and/or a companion article to refute or support whatever you may be working on.

For example, what would be an interesting stat for this article? I thought answering the question of how many pages are on the web. Why? Because this article is about how to write articles people want to read.

This is really about the competition of being found on the web. So, in the interest of letting readers know just how hard this is, finding a statistic of how many pages are on the web can give them an idea of what they're up against.

FYI, according to the 2004 Google press release, "Google Achieves Search Milestone With Immediate Access To More Than 6 Billion Items," they indexed more than 6 billion items, eg, "Google's collection of 6 billion items comprises 4.28 billion web pages, 880 million images, 845 million Usenet messages, and a growing collection of book-related information pages."

Now, this gives you a place to start investigating. While researching can be time-consuming, doing this on even a semi-regular basis will give you a body of work you can be proud of.

NOTE: Most professional outlets, eg, magazines, newspapers, major publishers, etc., look for well-researched topics. Before submitting, for example, a 750-word piece, most will want one to two verifiable sources.

So, if one of these is your career aspiration, let your article writing serve a double purpose - pick up a bit of cash, while building a professional body of work you can use to open other professional doors.

2. Get Personal: Most of my articles are written in the first person. That's because I'm usually writing about something I know intimately. I like reading about personal experiences.

It not only lends validity to the author, but is usually a much more entertaining read. I've even find myself reading articles that I have no particular interest in. But, I get sucked in sometimes because of a great headline.

If a writer grabs me with some personal insight pretty quickly, I usually settle in and read the whole piece.

You don't have to reveal your whole life story, but putting a little of yourself out there not only makes your articles more interesting, it might just allow you to purge a little of what's going on inside.

I can't tell you how many times I've had moments of self-discovery while writing. Sometimes the subconscious guides what's on the page.

3. Say Something Different: In every piece I write, I try not to regurgitate what is already out there. I try to give at least one nugget of information that is outside the box.

I can always tell when someone wrote something just to get paid. It's almost as if they read another article, reworded the major points and hit submit.

To avoid this, respect your audience enough to want to leave them with a new piece of information and/or a different way of thinking. Over time, it'll pay off in a loyal readership who looks forward to your next piece.
*************************
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.
*************************
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!