Getting from one level to the next in your career can be a tough climb. In all my years as a recruiter, I found that the number one reason professionals fail to advance is that they don't realize their worth -- or how to capitalize on it.
Most professionals undersell, understate and/or outright don't take stock of their skills and accomplishments. So, how do you brand yourself for career advancement? Following the steps below will put you well on your way.
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4 Steps to Branding Yourself for Career Advancement
NOTE: The following applies whether you are a full-time employee, or a freelancer.
1. Assess Your Skills & Abilities: I mean, really take stock. Don't look at your existing resume. Start with your current position and list every project you've worked on, every dollar you saved, every new skill you mastered, every client who's bottom line you increased.
Just make a list - no matter how minute the project, dollar amount or skill. Dollars to doughnuts, you have quite an impressive list in front of you. Many professionals don't ever take the time to do this type of in-depth skill analysis.
Okay, you have your list. Now what?
2. Organize Your List: How? I'd separate them into categories. Depending on your profession, they may look something like:
Sales Increased: List all cases where sales increased because of your input (eg, project you headed, direct mail campaign you wrote copy for, reorganization you structured, etc.
Dollars Saved: Similar to the above, list all instances where you saved a client/company money either directly or indirectly.
Skills Mastered: Did you take an HTML class? Did you go on a leadership retreat to master new management policies? Again, whatever skill it is you've mastered - whether it be a hard skill like coding, or a soft skill like employee management - put it in this category.
Projects Headed: If you spearheaded a project, list it. Eg, did you convert client files from QuickBooks to Peachtree, a new software you learned? Did you create a filing system to track client images? Did you create a new layout and design for a client brochure?
3. Create a Professional Profile: If you're a freelancer, I advise that you submit professional profiles to potential clients, not a resume (this subliminally says I'm an employee/I want a job).
A professional profile says that you're an independent consultant who can help a potential client increase their (insert client objective). Eg, sales, customer subscriber list, client retention rate, etc.
If you're a full-time employee, I would create this category on my resume. You can name it any number of ways, eg, Professional Profile, Professional Summary, Career Highlights, etc. It's up to you. The point is to create a place where, at a glance, potential employers can grasp what you can offer.
4. Market Yourself: This is where many professionals - freelancers and full-time job seekers alike - fall down. YOU are the product. Market yourself.
Create a professional website and/or create a blog. When you apply for positions/gigs, direct potential clients/employers to this.
Even if you are currently employed, it can be helpful to create some type of online professional preference, if only to keep track of your accomplishments as they happen. Then, when you are ready to move on and/or branch out on your own, all you have to do is make it "Live."
In today's ever-competitive professional environment, it's those who are able to effectively sell themselves who get the plum jobs/assignments. Don't be left behind.
Brand the thing you know the best - 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.
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Monday, April 30, 2007
How to Brand Yourself for Career Advancement
Friday, April 27, 2007
Freelance Writers: How to Turn Negative Comments into Cash
The Wrath of the Poison Pen
As a freelance writer, the more you churn out, the greater chance you have of someone spewing venom your way. This can crush the spirit of even the toughest freelancer. I'm starting to get more and more of these because I've been writing and publishing a lot lately - on my blog, to free article marketing directories, etc.
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BUT, instead of letting it get me down, I've created a system of rules that turns negative comments into cash - in a roundabout way. What are the rules?
1. Thou shalt not respond: Instead of wasting my time - which is money when you freelance for a living - responding to these, I just read them and let them go.
On the few occasions where I have responded, I haven't felt much better. So, I figured, why waste my time. I look at it this way, people who have the time to viscerally attack my writing - without making any salient points to the contrary - really aren't worth my time.
If you write for a living, you literally don't have time to work up such anger over someone's writing -- so much so that you sit down and spew out an attack. In my expereince, if you have this kind of time, then you're not making a full-time living writing.
2. Use it to spur me on: This is a mental tactic. The more people criticize, the more it makes me want to do better. After all, success is the best revenge.
Let me say, I don't mind when someone disagrees with what I wrote. It's when there are personal attacks, or those comments that just seem to come out of left field for no apparent reason, that drive me batty. Correction: Used to drive me batty.
After I made my resolution - around the beginning of the year - I've noticed that it takes me less and less time to "get over" one. I have a pretty quick temper, so things rile me pretty easily (don't worry, I'm working on it).
But, "stress kills" as my 13-year-old nephew is fond of saying. As an African American woman, I'm all too aware of how prevalent stress tends to affect my health anyway. So, I "relax, relate and release."
3. Search for the grain of truth: When I'm feeling like a really big girl, I look for the grain of truth in what some ranter has written.
I recently got a comment on one of my articles on Digg.com. The poster noted that my website was "crowded." And, it wasn't said in the nicest way.
In spite of how pissed off it made me, I thought, "you've been meaning to clean up the site for some time, Yuwanda," so this poster is not too far off the mark. I just wish they'd been nicer about saying it is all.
AND, I didn't write a word back. Good girl, gooooddd girl, Yuwanda.
So, the next time someone points their poisonous pen at your much-beloved work, tell'em to go to . . . I mean, ah, use it constructively - find a way to turn it into cash!
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Thursday, April 26, 2007
How to Develop a Lucrative "Portfolio Career"
I first heard the term Portfolio Career a few years ago when I was talking to a girlfriend about a mutual friend. This particular friend had resigned from a high-paid sales job that required her to travel a lot.
Tired of the grindstone, she quit and launched a portfolio career. So, what exactly is a portfolio career?
What is a Portfolio Career?
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A portfolio career is one in which you do several things. You don’t work for any particular employer, you work for several doing very different jobs.
As defined in the article Portfolio Careers: Creating a Career of Multiple Part-Time Jobs by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D., “Portfolio careers are usually built around a collection of skills and interests, though the only consistent theme is one of career self-management.” Source: http://www.quintcareers.com/.
For example, the friend who quit her sales job started doing promotions for a record company. In addition to that, she worked part-time in her previous career – leveraging contacts she’d made during her career in the field.
What makes a portfolio career different from being a freelancer? Technically, there’s no difference as they are both self-employed. However, a portfolio career is one in which the professional holds down several different jobs -- in extremely different fields.
In the past, professionals might have hidden this type of “split career.” As more and more job seekers seek more time in their personal lives, however, many are coming out of the closet, if you will, about their career choices.
So, how do you go about developing a lucrative portfolio career?
A) Assess your interests and abilities: Are you, for example, good at marketing and at crafts? There’s no reason not to do both.
Make a list of all that you’re good at or have an interest in. Select two or three that you might want to turn into part-time ventures and go for it.
B) Leverage existing contacts: Like the executive mentioned above, this is the easiest way to get your portfolio career off the ground. If you want to do marketing for small businesses, for example, get your company off the ground by telling everyone who knows you the new career path you’re about to embark upon.
C) Marketing and networking: Marketing can be as simple as getting a website. For networking purposes, join a chamber of commerce.
NOTE: In my 2/27/07 post, Networking No No’s: What NOT to Do When You Network, I discuss some things you should not do when networking that may seem to run contrary to portfolio. Specifically, I’m referring to representing the right business.
So, how do you network effectively if you have a portfolio career? I would select one of the things that I do and promote that at networking events. If you have a website, for example that explains your portfolio career, then potential clients will eventually discover all that you do anyway.
BUT, the reason I would only promote one thing at networking events is that, in marketing, too many messages confuse people. So if you say I write marketing proposals for small business and I design jewelry as well, what are they likely to remember you for?In my opinion, this sends a confusing, unprofessional message.
FYI, joining two or more networking groups will allow you to promote one business at one group, and the other business at another group.
Just because you work for yourself does not mean you don’t need to be professional about it. Treat it like a real, full-fledged business; because, that’s what it is. It’s just a business with several arms.
Wondering if a portfolio career is for you? Take a FREE test at http://www.creativekeys.net/portfoliocareer3.htm.
NOTE: Graphic courtesy of CreativeKeys.net: Learn more about portfolio careers at this site.
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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.
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Wednesday, April 25, 2007
How to Organize Your Day to Become a Successful Freelance Writer
$1,000/Week is Very Possible Putting the Following into Motion
If you want to become a successful freelance writer, you have to first begin by organizing your day to make it happen. If you focus on organizing one day, then follow that plan for three weeks to make it a habit, you'll have no problem achieving success in this field.
NOTE: Most experts agree that for something to become a habit, you should do it for at least three weeks - continuously - before it will stick.
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1. Block Out Hours for a 10-hour Workday: I know, I know, this is not popular, but for the first year or so, you are going to have to put in 9 or 10 hours a day (sometimes more) to make it happen. So, just get used to it.
People wonder how I do all that I do and the my answer always is organization and willpower. I know what I want and am not afraid to work hard to get it. So, 10 hours - wrap your brain around it and move on.
2. Create a Marketing Plan: A marketing plan is like your map to success. Without it, you will be like a dog chasing its tail - going around and around in circles making no progress at all.
Of course, creating a marketing plan means deciding what type of writing you want to do, who your target market is, how you will reach them, how much it's going to cost you, what your pricing schedule is, etc.
This doesn't have to be fancy, and it doesn't have to cost a bundle - but it is a must. Remember, marketing is a numbers game. If send out 50 mailers a week, that's 200 hundred a month. A 1-3% return will bring in 2-6 prospects.
If you close half of these, that's 1-3 new clients a month. When you look at the numbers like this, it's really not so hard, is it?
Build up your client list to 25 or 30, and you should stay fairly busy.
3. Create a Realistic Pricing Schedule: Many freelancers work for peanuts. Hey, I still do sometimes. But, it all depends on my goal. I have an income goal that I set each month. If I feel like I'm falling behind that, you betcha I take on low-paying projects.
Stipulations for Low-Paying Projects
I don't do it on a regular basis and I have certain stipulations that must be met (eg, is this going to be a repeat client, a bottom line (I do have a rock-bottom minimum), what the project is, how long it's going to take, etc.
Industry Wage Minimum
I've given up on this market having a stable industry norm, as discussed in my 11/7/06 post, Should Freelance Writers Have a Minimum Wage?
Some writers are going to rail that you're low-balling; some clients are going to say that you're too high. I say create a pricing schedule that works for you. As discussed in 2/8/07 post, Are You a High Stakes or Low Balling Freelance Writer?, only you can decide what "price" is right for you.
4. Diversify Your Income Streams: As I said in my 1/31/07 post, How to Make $100/Day as a Freelance Writer, "Choosing two or three different types of writing you can do well. For example, you might do resumes, articles and web copy."
Also, create your own products to sell, eg, e-books; use write-for-pay sites like AssociatedContent.com; and/or set up a website on sites like CafePress.com to sell t-shirts, mugs, etc.
Diversifying your income streams means that when projects dry up, you're not left out in the cold.
5. Market, Market, Market: While this point could fall under Tip #2, I wanted to write it as a stand alone - last.
Make it your business to get out a certain number of marketing messages a week. Whether this means mailing out 100 postcards, sending out 200 emails or, attending two networking events and passing out 20 brochures.
You can't get business unless you get in front of prospects. Staying home, surfing the net, lamenting about why no business is coming in will not make you successful.
For the first year at least, you're going to have to work your butt off to get business in the door.
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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.
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Monday, April 23, 2007
How to Know When It’s Time to Shut Down Your Blog
I’ve been blogging for a little over two years now. And, to be honest, there were times when I wanted to just shut it down. I’ve even gone as long as a month without updating it. But, alas, like an addict, I started to update it again.
While blogging may be addictive, following are two signs it’s time to shut down your blog. NOTE: I’m referring to professional blogs, not personal ones.
1. Not updating regularly: If its hard for you to find the time to blog, maybe it’s time for you to shut it down.
Blogs that are irregularly updated reeks of unprofessionalism – in my opinion. It’s like an unfinished project you leave out there for the world to see. To gain a base readership, readers have to be able to depend on you to deliver on a regular basis. And, regular could be whatever you set them up to expect, eg, daily, weekly, bi-monthly, etc.
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The point is, whatever schedule you set, let your readers know what to expect so your blog doesn’t look like it’s been abandoned.
To make a living as a freelance writer, you have to become ruthless with your time – almost like an assassin. While this may seem a bit diabolical, it’s the difference between being able to make a full-time living, and complaining about not being able to make a full-time living.
How to Officially Shut Down Your Blog
Like quitting a job, there is a right and wrong way to officially shut down your blog.
I remember when I first shut down my site, InkwellEditorial.com, in December 2004 to revamp it. I received close to 100 emails within 30 minutes of sending out the “shut down” memo.
I saved the feedback because it was overwhelmingly positive and let me know how much users had appreciated me and my company over the years. When I’m feeling blue about business, sometimes I read through these emails. They are a real spirit booster.
Rule #4: Say “Thank You” to Your Readers. After you’ve answered all the feedback you can – and to make a concerted effort to respond to everyone – even if it’s just to acknowledge receipt of the email – send a final thank you and wish your readers well in their endeavors.
Now, that’s a classy way to end any relationship – even if it was only a virtual one.
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Friday, April 20, 2007
3 More Ways to Increase Your Freelance Writing Income by 25%
How to Turn into a Freelance Writing Machine? (Part II of II)
The first part of this article, How to Increase Your Freelance Writing Income by 25% or More, discussed two things you could do immediately to increase your income -- or more. This, Part II, will discuss three more things.
NOTE: I've been a freelance writer since 1993 and have personally tried all of these methods. Therefore, I know firsthand that they work. So, what are the next three things you can do to increase your income by 25% or more?
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I. Organize your income streams. What do I mean by this? I'll explain via example.
To date, I've written six e-books and one freelance writing e-course. I've been wanting to migrate my e-books to Clickbank, an online retailer of digital products, for months. Doing this will allow affiliates to sell my e-books.
How Does ClickBank Work? Essentially, those with websites can sell my e-books from their website. Whenever a sale is made, they're paid a commission.
This could dramatically increase sales because instead of selling them from my site only, I could have 10, 20, or 300 different websites selling my products. Even one sale a day from 10 other sites increases my income tenfold. But, have I done this, no.
There are a couple of other ideas I've been wanting to implement as well, but haven't followed through. So, what do I need to do? Carve out time to organize existing income streams, implement others and tweak what is NOT working. Taking a week or two to do this could mean a dramatic increase in income.
What ideas can you implement, change, tweak to increase your income? Take a week or two every year to analyze this and put it into action.
II. Go with the flow of ideas. Another example to illustrate this -- a few days ago, I had a burst of creative energy. Never considering myself a "writer," I could never quite relate to writers who said that they could sometimes write for days - it's as if they can't get the ideas down on paper fast enough.
On this day, I understood that sentiment perfectly - for perhaps the first time in my career as a freelance writer. I wrote article after article -- completing some outright, creating outlines for others and just writing down headlines for others. I felt like I completed a week's worth of work in one day.
My point? Rather than focus on other tasks that were on my schedule that day, I just went with that flow of ideas. And boy I'm glad I did.
I still don't know what happened to cause this, but I wish I had two or three days a month like this - I'd be a freelance writing machine!
III. Avoid Forums and Social Networking Sites. Why? The same reason mentioned in Part I of this article for avoiding your own work online - they waste valuable time.
Now, don't get me wrong, you need sites like Digg and MySpace to promote your work. But, don't get caught up reading article after article on these, or interacting with others on message boards and Q&A forums.
While it may seem antisocial to "post and run," remember, if you are going to make a full-time living as a freelance writer, the bulk of your time must be spent on income-producing projects.
Even an hour a day spent on these can cost you 10-15% of your take-home pay if you average it out over months and days. On your "off days," you can spend time online playing on sites like these. But, regular work days should be for just that - work - work that produces income.
As this series of articles demonstrate, increasing your freelance income is as simple as paying attention to your time and tweaking what you're already doing. In other words, little changes lead to big dollars! So pay attention and turn your writing into a virtual money tree!
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.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
How to Increase Your Freelance Writing Income by 25% or More (Part I of II)
I've been a freelance writer since 1993 and have learned a few tricks of the trade. I wrote an article in 2006 entitled "10 Lessons I've Learned from 19+ Years as a Freelancer & Recruiter in the Editorial Industry."
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1. Don't read your own material online. Why? Quite simply, because it wastes time. A lot of my work is done virtually, but once I hand the project off to the client, it's rare that I see it again.
Sometimes they use it as is, and sometimes they rework it. Usually, it doesn't carry my byline, so I have no way to search for it unless I go to the client's website and type in certain key phrases I know it should contain.
But, I rarely, if ever do this.
But, article directories, press releases and blog posts are a different thing. I've built up quite a body of work in these arenas in the past couple of years. And you know what? I've found that I have a tendency to read my writings online - as if I don't already know what it's going to say.
Colossal waste of time! And not for nothing, when I read a piece, I invariably spot a phrase I wish I'd written differently, or gosh darn it - a typo or misused word (eg, who's for whose).
So, I've made a concerted effort in the last month or so to say away from my work online - eg, articles submitted to online directories, blog posts and press release.
Of course, website pages are different - you can - and should - update these. But, this type of nitpicking kills precious, income-producing time.
2. Incorporate "Template Writing" Into Your Writing Routine: What is this? Quite simply, where you create a formula (a template) to use for writing you do on a regular basis.
I outlined how you can increase your income by up to 50% using template writing in the article, Increase Your Freelance Income by 50% Immediately -- How "Template Writing" Can Help You Become a Prolific Freelance Writing Machine.
If you regularly write, for example, restuaurant reviews, how-to articles, product reviews, press releases, etc., creating a template will speed up your output.
In the freelance writing game, the more you produce, the more you make. Income is almost always directly linked to production. As most of us are not Stephen King-royalty-and-residual-blessed, we have to grind out copy.
As I state in the subtitle, template writing can turn you into a freelance writing machine! The second part of this article will discuss three more ways you probably haven't heard of to increase your freelance writing income - by at least 25%.
Tomorrow's Post: 3 More Ways to Increase Your Freelance Writing Income by 25%: How to turn into a freelance writing machine (Part II of II).
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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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Tuesday, April 17, 2007
One Immediate Way to Increase Your Freelance Income by Up to 50%
How “Template Writing” can help you become a prolific income producer
When I first started writing outside of my niche – the business of creative freelancing – it took me some time to get the hang of things. I read other freelancer’s articles on certain subjects, eg, restaurant and product reviews, to see how it was done.
It took me some time to get a system down, but once I did, I was able to turn out a review or article in half the time. So, how did I speed it up? I created a “genre template.”
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In short, formulaic writing. On FreeDictionary.com, template, as related to writing, is defined as "A document or file having a preset format, used as a starting point for a particular application so that the format does not have to be recreated each time it is used."
Example of a Writing Template
To use an easy example, take restaurant reviews. It’s a relatively new medium for me and one that I found tends to pay more than the other types of articles I like to write. So, I started to focus more on these.
My restaurant review template looks like this:
The Food: Here, I discuss the menu selections, dishes I recommend and the drinks.
The Price: Usually, this is a few lines about the price (affordable, moderate, on the expensive side, gotta be rich and famous to afford to eat here). I may break it down by specific price for a few dishes (eg, appetizer, main course, dessert), or I may give an average cost of a meal for two.
The Service: Here I discuss how fast or slow the service is, if the staff is knowledgeable about the menu, do they easily allow for substitutions, and maybe the uniform.
Other Items of Note: This section highlights things of interest I think any first-time visitor might want to know. Eg, if the establishment has an outside seating area, music, dance floor, special nights for things like karaoke, menu specials, the parking situation (valet, not enough parking, etc.), banquet rooms, on/off-site catering, etc.
Summary: This is usually a one or two liner about the establishment. Eg, for a fun night out with your gang, Pepper’s is an easy-on-the-wallet rocking, good time!
My reviews may or may not include all of these sections; it depends on the establishment and my experience there.
BUT, having a template in front of me when I sit down to write seriously cuts down on the time it takes to organize/edit material, which, as any writer knows, can be more than half the time spent producing a piece.
A Note About Reviews: FYI, the crazy thing about reviews (product and restaurant) is that they are usually written in 400-500 words and, with a formula in place, can be completed in about 20 minutes (minus proofing and minor editing). Most of my articles take 30 minutes to slightly more than an hour to write (minus proofing and minor editing).
Creating a template for as many types of writing you do as possible can increase your output by 50% easily, ostensibly increasing your income by the same amount. So, go template happy – and watch your bank account increase.
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Monday, April 16, 2007
3 Steps to Finding the Nerve to Quit a Job You Hate
Do you feel like this guy every Monday morning? Today, many are heading into jobs they hate. The commute, time away from family, office politics, etc. --- arrgghhhhh! Do you just want to get away.
For this reason, I thought today was perfect for this post -- 3 Steps to Finding the Nerve to Quit a Job You Hate.
Enjoy, and find that courage!
Y. Black, Publisher
InkwellEditorial.com
InkwellEditorial.blogspot.com
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Blue Sky at www.sxc.hu
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So, what does this have to do with getting up the nerve to quit a job you hate?Most never examine why they fail to act. Take the case of quitting a job you hate. All you know is that the bills are constant and doing your own thing won't pay the bills. It's too expensive to start a business, you have no clients and the paycheck you get, at least, is steady.
This is as far as most get when they sit at a desk, silently wasting away because they're so miserable.
So, how do you find the nerve to quite a job you hate? By doing the following:
Editorially yours,
Y. Black, Publisher
InkwellEditorial.com
InkwellEditorial.blogspot.com
1. Go subterranean: What do I mean by this? In short, explore the fear behind why you can't quit. Are you insecure about your skills and abilities? Are you afraid that you don't have what it takes to make it on your own? Will your spouse look at you like you've lost your mind? Whatever the fear is, examine it. AND, counter it.
Finding the Courage
Whatever the number, she risked her life and again, coming back from the North to the South to lead slaves to freedom. I often ponder if I would have had that type of courage. Most of us don't have the backbone to risk our necks one time, to do it over and over again -- well, it still blows me away.
So, when I get uneasy about doing something, I think of Ms. Tubman and I find a way to go over, under, around, on top of, below and/or right through any obstacle that may stand in my way.
My point? To achieve a dream, this is what is required. Nothing more, nothing less. So, you might not be able to quit in a month, but you can plan to do so in six months, a year, two years.
2. Create a plan: This piggybacks off the first idea. Create a solid, concrete plan of what you will do daily, weekly, monthly, etc. to get to your goal. Put your plan in a place where you can see it every day. You can even put it several places. Remind yourself at every turn what you should be doing to get where you want to be.
3. Visualize: As in, visualize the life you want to have. Whether it's I will get up at 6am and work until 5pm.
I will work four days a week. I will be able to walk my kids to school. I will take three consecutive weeks off in the summertime to vacation with my family. I will grocery shop in the afternoon when the stores are less crowded. I will do housework on Friday, that way I have the weekends free to socialize with friends and family.
Now, don't get me wrong, you are going to have to put in some long hours -- and the lifestyle you envision may not come to fruition for several years.
BUT, the fact that you have a dream -- and are taking active steps to get there -- should keep you motivated to achieve the life you want.
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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Thursday, April 12, 2007
How to Launch a Profitable "Portfolio Career"
I first heard the term "Portfolio Career" a few years ago when I was talking to a girlfriend about a mutual friend. This particular friend had resigned from a high-paid sales job that required her to travel a lot.
Tired of the grindstone, she quit and launched a portfolio career. So, what exactly is a portfolio career?
What is a Portfolio Career?
A portfolio career is one in which you do several things. You don't work for any particular employer, you work for several doing very different jobs.
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WORK-FROM-HOME E-BOOK REMINDER: Inkwell Editorial's work-from-home freelance writing e-books have been offline since August of last year. I've been planning to migrate them to Clickbank. But a series of life events, coupled with work, have delayed this process. So, I've decided to put them back on InkwellEditorial.com until I can find the time to do the migration. They'll be back up next weekend.
As always, editorially yours,
Y. Black, Publisher
InkwellEditorial.com
InkwellEditorial.blogspot.com
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As defined in the article Portfolio Careers: Creating a Career of Multiple Part-Time Jobs by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D., "Portfolio careers are usually built around a collection of skills and interests, though the only consistent theme is one of career self-management." Source: http://www.quintcareers.com.
For example, the friend who quit her sales job started doing promotions for a record company. In addition to that, she worked part-time in her previous career - leveraging contacts she'd made during her career in the field.
What makes a portfolio career different from being a freelancer? Technically, there's no difference as they are both self-employed. However, a portfolio career is one in which the professional holds down several different jobs -- usually in extremely different fields.
In the past, professionals might have hidden this type of "split career." As more and more job hunters seek more time in their personal lives, however, many are coming out of the closet, if you will, about their career choices.
So, how do you go about developing a lucrative portfolio career?
A) Assess your interests and abilities: Are you, for example, good at marketing and at crafts? There's no reason not to do both.
Make a list of all that you're good at or have an interest in. Select two or three that you might want to turn into part-time ventures and go for it.
B) Leverage existing contacts: Like the executive mentioned above, this is the easiest way to get your portfolio career off the ground.
If you want to do marketing for small businesses, for example, get your company off the ground by telling everyone you know about your new career path.
C) Marketing and networking: Marketing can be as simple as getting a website. For networking purposes, join a chamber of commerce.
NOTE: In my 2/27/07 post, Networking No No's: What NOT to Do When You Network, I discuss some things you should not do when networking that may seem to run contrary to the advice offered here regarding a portfolio career. Specifically, I'm referring to representing the right business.
So, how do you network effectively if you have a portfolio career? I would select one of the things that I do and promote that at networking events. If you have a website, for example that explains your portfolio career, then potential clients will eventually discover all that you do anyway.
BUT, the reason I would only promote one thing at networking events is that, in marketing, too many messages confuse prospects So if you say I write marketing proposals for small business and I design jewelry as well, what are they likely to remember you for?
In my opinion, this sends a confusing, unprofessional message.
FYI, joining two or more networking groups will allow you to promote one business at one group, and the other business at another group.
Just because you work for yourself does not mean you don't need to be professional about it. Treat it like a real, full-fledged business; because, that's what it is. It's just a business with several arms.
Wondering if a portfolio career is for you? Take a FREE test at http://www.creativekeys.net/portfoliocareer3.htm.
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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!
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
When Writers Should “Self-Censor”: Things Writers Shouldn’t Write About
Publisher's Note: Three things today readers.
First, I want to apologize for not updating regularly these past few weeks. My recent car accident and a backlog of projects have kept me busy. I'll only be updating about thrice (love that "old English-sounding" word) weekly for the next two months or so, until I get caught up.
Second, my work-from-home freelance writing e-books have been offline since August of last year. Yikes! I've been revamping, revising and planning to migrate them to Clickbank. But, alas, life -- and projects! -- interfere.
So, I've decided to put them back on InkwellEditorial.com until I can find the time to do the migration. (It might take a working vacation to ge this done.) I've received so many requests that I'll have them back up this weekend.
Third, today's post addresses an idea that's been rolling around in my head. As I do a lot of work online, it's just a rant/observation I want to get off my chest. Feel free to chime in!
As always, editorially yours,
Y. Black, Publisher
InkwellEditorial.com
InkwellEditorial.blogspot.com
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When Writers Should “Self-Censor”
Things Writers Shouldn’t Write About
As writers, most think that no topic is off limits. After all, we’re creative beings and live in a country where the First Amendment (the right to free speech, among other things for those who don’t know) is the holy grail of journalism.
However, I find that there are some things that writers shouldn’t write about.
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I know, I know, I don’t have to read it. But, sometimes, I feel tricked. I’ll be all into a good missive on a topic I genuinely had an interest in and then – whammo! – out of the blue, some personal rant is included that blindsides me.
I’m a keen supporter of using personal stories to illustrate a point, but some personal issues just scream to be left private. Listen to that and put it into a tell-all novel – preferably under a pseudonym.
I’m amazed that some families survive what their family members put on the web. Don’t let that blue state, mad state, revenge state of mind color the rest of your life. Don’t people realize that this stuff is there – like, er rum – FOREVER!
How to Self-Censor In This Area: Email your nearest and dearest friends, which will accomplish your goal – to purge. This is, in my opinion, really all one wants to accomplish when such personal info is revealed online for all to read.
NOTE: Five years from now, if it’s not something you’d want someone to know, keep it to your self.
II. Things you don’t like to write about: One of the things I love about blogging is the freedom to write about what I want to write about. HOWEVER, as with most freedoms, this is a double-edged sword.
I update this blog 3-5 times a week. I’m constantly updating my list of topics about which to write.
Usually, I’ll just write down a headline or a one-sentence idea. Depending on how tired I am, what projects are on my desk and/or what time of the day I’m sitting down to write a post, I’ll scan the list and pick out the topics I want to write on.
Every once in a while, I’ll choose a topic that just stumps me. Either I can’t come up with anything at all (this is extremely rare), or what I come up with is just not working, for whatever reason.
I’ve learned to let these topics go. I still keep them on the list, but tackle them at a later time – or not at all.
I guess the point is, if a topic is not coming together – no matter the reason – I don’t fight it anymore. If I’m having difficulty, it usually means it’s something I don’t like to write about, so I choose another topic – or tackle another activity.
After all, as I said before, the beauty of blogging is that you can write about what you want, right?
How to Self-Censor In This Area: To twist Nike's slogan, "Just DON'T Do It!" Move on.
III. Vitriol among “professionals”: As in, attacking other’s views. I’m not talking about intelligent discourse, but vitriolic attacks that do nothing but spew venom – no points made, no counter-intelligent arguments, no redeeming social value commentary – just mean-spirited attacks.
The anonymity of the Internet makes it easy for those who engage in this type of behavior to use bajillions of megabytes of space.
Imagine if engaging, well-thought-out, positive exchanges could take the place of all the vitriol on the web. We could solve the problems of the Middle East and provide the answer to Imus’ ignorance in no time.
How to Self-Censor In This Area: An old idiomatic expression solves this – “If you ain’t part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.” In other words, if you can’t provide valuable insight, just shut up and go have yourself a stiff drink!
Writers are creative, intelligent, insightful creatures who have a lot to offer – when they choose to exercise the right of “self censorship.”
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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!
Monday, April 09, 2007
How to Tell If a Client is Wrong for You - Before You Accept Work from Them
Sometimes, you won't know if a client is wrong for you UNTIL you're in the middle of a project for them. They're impatient, change the parameters of the work and/or expect more than what you agreed up on in the contract.
While you can't always tell beforehand, there are usually signs you can look for that will clue you in as to what type of client this is. Following are three:
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1) Contract Negotiation: Most companies have a standard contract. If not, then, of course you should have your own.
If during this phase the client does not get back to you in a timely manner, looks at you sideways when you present a contract, and/or says that you should, 'Feel free to get started and I'll get the contract to you in a bit," I'd be wary of taking this client on.
Professionals understand that it is commonplace to work with a contract, and to not start the work until the contract has been signed by both parties.
So, if someone stalls, acts less than professional when you bring up a contract and/or assumes that you can get started without it, be careful. Anyone who treats a serious document like contracts this way may well treat you the same way when it's time to get paid.
A note about contracts: I use my own unless a company says that I have to use theirs. Usually, larger corporations have standard contracts that you must use. Please read over them carefully before you sign.
2) Project Parameters: In my business, I use what I call Project Spec Sheets. These lay out the parameters of a project, eg, turnaround time, work to be done and any specifics of the job.
Most editorial work can be pretty generic and even though you and the client may understand what you want done by verbally speaking, you should always lay out the project parameters on paper.
This document lays it out clearly so that both parties understand what is expected. If there is ever disagreement about what was to be done, you can always refer back to this.
Having a Project Spec Sheet does two things: i) signals your professionalism to the client; and ii) clarifies the project parameters for all involved.
Should you prepare this document, or should the client prepare it?
This document should be prepared by you and submitted to the client for his or her files. You don't have to obtain a signature (I usually ask my clients to simply initial the document), but it should be part of the file paperwork.
3) Payment Procedures: Usually, I verbally explain payment procedure, then it is repeated again in my contract. Terms might be, payable 30 days from receipt of invoice.
More and more clients are paying by credit card and/or online payment processors like PayPal.
Give clients quickie ways to pay like this, instead of the traditional invoicing system. PayPal even lets you send electronic invoices.
If a client jumps on using a quick payment method, this could signal that they are a forward-thinking, progressive company.
I'm pretty open in how I allow clients to pay, but if it's going to be a large project, I will always ask for partial payment up front, and the rest in installments, eg, when the brochure is done and before the start of web copy.
With a new client, you don't want to risk spending weeks on a project without knowing if you will receive payment.
The bottom line: When you are dealing with human beings, there are no 100% guarantees. Looking for tell-tale signs though can clue you in as to who might add to your bottom line, or take away from it.
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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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Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Research Your Way to E-book Success
What to Look for "In the Competition" when You Are Researching Your E-book
As I explained in mye 2/26 post, Freelance E-book Writer: The Steps I Take to Create a Successful E-book, researching the competition is a vital component of creating a successful e-book. In fact, it is the very first thing I do after getting an idea for an e-book.
Why? Read on:
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How the Competition Stacks Up: You want to see how many like products are out there. You may find a few, or you may find many. Whatever you find has to be looked at from both sides of the coin - good and bad.
Eg, if there are a lot of books on your subject, some questions you might want to ask are:
i) are they in e-book form: this is important because, if they don't, then you could target the online segment who may have be disserved by the paper/hardback book
ii) do they cover the topic in detail, OR, cover it as I would cover it: Look at the outline (most e-books tell you in an outline or on a sales page what is covered in the book).
This is important because you could cover the same material from a different angle, a funnier angle, a more professional angle, a personal experience angle, etc.
iii) what is their experience in the field: perhaps the most important thing in selling an e-book is the author's experience. Eg, I've been a freelancer since 1993, I worked in legal publishing for 10 years; I owned an editorial staffing agency for 8 years; have written six e-books and one freelance writing e-course.
In short, I can make the buyer feel confident in purchasing my products because I have the experience to back up what I wrote on.
DON'T get intimidated if you don't have an extensive background.
How to Sell Your E-book if You Have Limited Experience
Sell your expertise case by case. What I mean is, using case studies, spell out for potential buyers how you helped a client achieve his/her goal. A case study is really just an in-depth testimonial.
It lays out a problem that a client had, and tells how a product/company/person helped solve the problem. They are very effective ways to sell.
Conversely, if there are not a lot of books on your subject matter, two immediate questions come to mind, ie:
i) is there a market for this product? It could just be that no one else has thought to cover this subject. NOTE: This is highly unlikely, but don't let that deter you. Niche material is very popular, but do make sure there is enough of a market to advertise to.
Eg, if there are only 25,000 pig farmers in California, how many of them do you think are going to be interested in your take on feeding pigs a vegetarian diet (the subject of your e-book)?
My point? Be realistic. Make sure there is a broad enough market to justify spending your time writing your book.
ii) how am I going to reach this market? If you're writing an e-book on a subject matter that no one else has written on, then you have to find out how to reach them. Maybe the reason no one has written an e-book on the subject you want to write on is because the audience is offline, not online.
Some other questions regarding the competition you want to answer is who they market to, how do they reach them, what is their pricing structure, do they offer add-ons*, etc.
*Add-ons: Add-ons are freebies e-book sellers give to buyers. They can be anything from a free website to other free e-books. They are usually complementary products to the item they're promoting.
Researching your competition will tell you virtually everything you need to know to successfully market your product - if you do your research well.
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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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Monday, April 02, 2007
How Blogging Led to an Editor-in-Chief’s Job Offer
I’ve been blogging since 2005. I do it consistently, eg, 3-5 times a week, and dispense helpful information (at least I do my best too).
As I wrote in last Thursday's post, blogging recently led to a career-changing opportunity. A client I’d done some consulting for offered me a position as Editor-in-Chief of an industry start-up magazine.
Good for You; What’s that Got to Do With Me?
I write of this offer, not to brag, but to impart how blogging can lead to opportunities you never knew existed. BUT, for this to happen, there are some “rules” you should adhere to.
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NOTE: Rules is in quotation marks because these are just from my personal experience and the feedback I’ve received from readers and clients alike. As far as I know, there is no industry standard (although, as I type this, I’m thinking maybe I could start one).
“Rules” for Blogging that Advance Your Career
1. Longevity: What do I mean? Consider the following:Almost every society teaches that to advance, education is the key. As a recruiter, I can tell you first hand that there are many jobs that can be done without a college degree. A degree is your access card. Without it, you can’t even enter the game.
BUT, many employers will not even consider candidates without a degree. The point? A degree says that you are disciplined enough to finish a course of study over and beyond a high school education.
Spending two or four years of your time and money to acquire more knowledge proves to potential employers that you have initiative, drive and dedication – and have hopefully picked up some key knowledge along the way.
What does this have to do with blogging? My point is longevity. In my opinion, you should blog – consistently – for a year before you even think about trying to use your blog to promote yourself.
There are many blogs that have been abandoned long before the year mark. Just think how this would reflect on you if you decided to quit.
Much like getting a four-year degree, blogging consistently for at least a year tells potential employers a lot about your drive, initiative and dedication.
2. Voice: I recently picked up a new client who read my blog. He didn’t ask for samples or anything – just gave me a job. Why? He said he liked the tone of my blog – the fact that my personality got through.
This is such a subjective concept, but what I took from that is to be yourself in your blog – but adhere to rules of decency (ie, no profanity or blasphemous rants (eg, sexist, racist, etc. comments)).
What you put into the blogosphere is there forever – even if you discontinue your blog. Don’t censor yourself, but do think if this will come back to bite you in the butt 3, 5 or 10 years from now.
3. Write Coherently: I recently received an email from a potential client about writing some articles for his organization. When I asked him why he chose me above all the other freelancers who were available on the site where he found me, he wrote back:
"I contacted you because of the quality of your articles, which I think are very good."
Again, this is not to brag, but all I do is adhere to basic rules of grammar and form cohesive thought patterns. Much like writing a term paper in college, blog posts should make sense. Ideas should flow logically from one point to the next.
Some blogs appear to be written by people with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). They flit from topic to topic with no thought for the reader.
Now this is fine if it’s personal and you just want to “rant space.” If this is the case, say so. However, if you are blogging to advance your career, think about potential employers/clients who may discover your posts. Will they reflect negatively or positively on your writing ability?
4. Advertise Yourself: While my job offer came out of the blue, advertise the fact that you are for hire in your blog. Do it with every blog post. This is something I need to start doing.
How to Advertise Yourself on Your Blog
Sample Blog Advert Jane Smith is a copywriter whose niche is business and finance. She produces brochures, web copy, e-books, sales letters and more. Clients include accountants, financial advisors, mortgage brokers, etc. For a full list of clients, see www.JaneSmith.com/clientlist.htm.
Ms. Smith can be contacted directly at 212-555-3456; info@JaneSmith.com; website: www.JaneSmith.com.
Blogging is not a fly-by-night trend; it’s here to stay. So, add it as a marketing weapon in your career-advancing arsenal.
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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!
