Editor-in-Chief Job Opening: An Opportunity of a Lifetime, Or Not?

I recently had what some would refer to as the opportunity of a lifetime. My blog led to an Editor-in-Chief’s job offer. Read about it here. I turned it down. You can read why here.

I struggled with the decision – something foreign to me because I can usually decide almost immediately if an opportunity is right for me.

As I wrote in my 5/8/07 post, “I've learned a few things about myself in this process [the process of passing on a major opportunity]”, which I promised to expand upon in a future post. So, here goes.

What Passing on the “Opportunity of a Lifetime” Can Teach You

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Don’t be a schizophrenic entrepreneur: As I said in the aforementioned post, I’m somewhat of a schizophrenic entrepreneur. Meaning, I like to try many different things.

But, this will get you nowhere fast. While there’s no harm in trying many different things, if you want to achieve real success, sticking with one thing and building it will get you there much faster.

Many freelancers/entrepreneurs/small business owners fail at this one simple thing. They flit from one thing to the next – hoping the next idea will be “the one,” never giving their all to any one thing – over a period of time.

Think of it this way, if trickling water – over time -- can reduce a mountain to pebbles, why would you assume it couldn’t make you successful?

Form a plan, work it consistently and watch your business grow. That's the real key to success.

Fear inhibits truth: What I mean by this is, I was so afraid of giving up “the opportunity of a lifetime,” that I failed to see (at first), that it wasn’t the right opportunity for me.

Having a life plan will go a long way towards helping you to recognize what’s right for you when opportunities are presented.

Life presents many detours along the way. To avoid getting sidetracked, ask yourself if the opportunity at hand fits in with your long-range life plans. If not, pass. UNLESS, your life goals change.

And this is fine – just make sure the change is something you want because it will lead to greater happiness, not because of the opportunity at hand. Why? Because if, for whatever reason, the opportunity doesn’t pan out, you still have your life plan to contend with.

Even if an opportunity only takes you a little farther down that road, at least you’ll be a little closer to your end goal – not off on a detour that takes you farther away from it.

Getting older is a blessing: I don’t know if this holds true for everyone, but I delight in getting older. I see my truth more clearly. Hence, I’m able to choose wiser what is right for me – not my family, my friends, or my professional associates.

Being comfortable in my own skin, which for me, has come with age, has made me treasure and value me – a lot more than I ever did before.

When you think that the earth is billions, perhaps trillions of years old, and we get 70, 80 or 90 years on it – if we’re lucky – you want to make every decision count – towards happiness.

The next time an opportunity of a lifetime – or any opportunity comes your way – as the photo indicates, "Don't let the situation confuse you." Reflect on your truth and choose the path that is right for you. For, you can’t make anyone else in your life happy until you give that gift to yourself.

TOMORROW'S POST: How to Divide Your Marketing Budget for Maximum Success

EXCERPT: I was listening to the Dave Ramsey show on the radio one day. The show’s focus that day was on small business owners. a caller asked a really interesting question that I think freelancers could learn from. He said that he had set his marketing budget for the year, and he wanted to know how to spend it for maximum effect.

His query went something like this: “I have $12,000 to spend for fiscal year 2008. I want to know if I should spend $1,000/month for 12 months, or if I should spend more on special deals during a certain period, or if I should pump up our marketing during our busy season?”
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Why Freelance Writers May Be the Poorest Internet Entrepreneurs (Part I of II)

The war on poor freelance writers, that is.

Content, content, content – everyone wants it, but nobody wants to pay for it. And, freelance writers – poor suckers that we are – have thrown in the towel. How else do you explain ads like, “$2 for three 400-500 word SEO articles”?

This got me to wondering, “Are freelance writers the poorest “internet entrepreneurs?” And if so, how can we climb out of this mess?

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Why Freelance Writers May Be the Poorest Internet Entrepreneurs

1. Much of new technology is for tech people: It seems that every new piece of software that comes out is for tech people.

That's not to say that we as freelance writers can't take it and make it work for us. It's just that it's not invented with us in mind. Hence, we have to use "workarounds" to get maximum benefit.

Take social bookmarking sites like Digg. Many freelance writers use it as a marketing tool -- in one fashion or another. But, is there a category for freelance writers? No.

But, there is a category for technology, as well as science and gaming, among others. As a freelance writer, I get the feeling that I'm not welcome there UNLESS I'm writing on technology or gaming or science, for example. And, that's the freelance writer's workaround.

While I find many articles on Digg about freelance writing, it's not a main category. One has to Digg for the information -- pun fully intended.

Talking about Digg leads me to the next reason I think freelance writers may be the poorest internet entrepreneurs, free article directories.

2. Free article directories: This is only my opinion, but article marketing directories are a blessing and a curse for freelance writers.

They're a blessing in that it's a viable way for freelance writers to promote their products/services at no cost.

The flip side is that there is so much garbage in these directories that it's: (i) hard to get your message through to the masses; and (ii) even harder for potential customers to take you seriously if/when your message does get through.

Don't get me wrong, I think article marketing is a wonderful way to promote -- especially if you are just starting out and have little money. BUT, it's a patient marketing strategy.

Because many use these directories to promote junk, ie, Work 20 Minutes a Day & Make $200, most are skeptical about purchasing products promoted via free articles -- and rightly so.

So, how do you use these directories wisely? Look at it as a way to build your brand by submitting quality, in-depth material designed to help and/or inform the reader, not push a product/service.

If I read one more article that's only 400 words that tells me something I can find from 1,000 other articles on the internet, I'm going to scream!

This not only reflects poorly on you, the writer, but it does nothing to build customer loyalty and make prospects want to come back to your blog, website, and/or order your e-book, sign up to your newsletter or take your e-course.

NOTE: For more on how to effectively market with articles, request the free e-book, Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Article Marketing: Results of a 30-day article marketing experiment. Full details here.

Tomorrow: Part II of this topic. We’ll continue the reasons why freelance writers may be the poorest internet entrepreneurs, and explore ways we can climb out of this mess. Stay tuned!
Sincerely,
Yuwanda Black, Publisher
InkwellEditorial.com
InkwellEditorial.blogspot.com

Photo Credit: Peter Holderness Photography
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Do You Regret Not Starting a Freelance Writing Career?

My 13-year old nephew graduated from middle school today. He's officially a 9th grader! Yeah -- I'm such a proud aunt. :-) So, what does this have to do with the question posed?

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Well, the commencement speaker was a minister and the title of his address to the young graduates was, "Life is a Series of Choices." This got me to thinking about the choices we as adults make -- and how many we would do over if we could -- or, make different choices.

While the speech wasn't profound -- as in groundbreaking -- it did shine a light on what I think many of us already know. We choose what our lives become because every choice we make has a consequence that leads to a series of other choices. Even inaction is an choice. How? The very act of not deciding is a decision -- to, in essence, leave to chance what happens.

For example, say you've always wanted to be a freelance writer. But, you choose to do other things with your time. Eg, work for years at a job that is not satisfying, veg out in front of the TV instead of taking a seminar, work on the book inside your head, learn how to market for clients, etc.

Every choice you make leads you closer to your dream, or farther away from it. I'd even expand upon the minister's speech by saying, Life is a series of choices -- and how you spend your time reflects the progress (or lack of it) you choose to make in life.

So, make your choices -- and spend your time -- wisely. For, as you get older, you will clearly be able to see what choice led to what turn that got you where you are presently. Make choices that lead you where you want to be.

To my American counterparts, enjoy the holiday upon us (Memorial Day).

Tuesday's Topic: Are freelance writers the poorest internet entrepreneurs?

Sincerely,
Yuwanda Black, Publisher
InkwellEditorial.com
InkwellEditorial.blogspot.com
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5 Things You Must Look for in a Freelance Writing Mentor (Part II of III)

This is a continuation of yesterday's post, 5 Things You Must Look for in a Freelance Writing Mentor. In this post, we discussed two things you should look for, ie, tech-savviness and variety of projects.

Following are two more. The fifth thing will be discussed in the final post tomorrow. Without further ado:

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3. Specifics, Specifics, Specifics: As in, a specific answer to a specific question. Why?

The web is rife with general information, but if you've taken the time to ferret out a mentor, 9 times out of 10, you're serious about your career and want specific, tangible information you can act on.

So, find a mentor who will honor this. Now, that means some work on your part. What do I mean?

Many ask questions that can easily be researched on the net. Don't waste your mentor's time asking broad questions and/or questions that you can easily find the answer to yourself.

Remember, successful freelance writers tend to be fairly busy. In fact, anyone in a position to mention has achieved some level of success, which means they are probably pretty busy.

For an example of some great questions you might ask your mentor, read the article, FAQs: Starting A Freelance Editorial/Creative Business.

4. Give it to you straight: This piggybacks on the above-mentioned point, but I wanted to separate it out so that it's meaning is not lost.

You want a mentor who will give it to you straight. As in, "No, that's not going to work because blah, blah and blah." Or, one who will say, "I have no experience with that, but I'll find out. In the meantime, why don't you try X."

You don't want someone who feels like they have to know everything to be effective. If they don't know, you want them to own up to it. The writer was very specific in her questions, which allowed me to be very detailed in my answers.

Many mentors feel like they have to know everything - and, the truth is, freelance writing is such a vast field that it's impossible for him/her to do this.

Just as important as knowing the answer offhand, is being willing to find out the answer. And, this is what you're looking for - someone who will attempt to find out.

Successful freelancers usually have a vast network they can call upon - this is, in part, what makes them great mentor material.

Remember, mentoring is a two-way street.

You are not the wide-eyed student just waiting for your mentor to drop pearls of wisdom in your lap. To make sure that the mentoring relationship is beneficial, you must have a game plan of your own to steer it that way.

Like an interviewer in a presidential election, this means being prepared with the right questions.

In the last post tomorrow, I will reveal the number one thing you should look for in a freelance writing mentor - and why.

Tomorrow: Part III of this post will reveal the number one thing you want to look for in a mentor - and why.
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5 Things You Must Look for in a Freelance Writing Mentor (Part I of III)

Over the years, I've been asked many times by freelancers if I would be their mentor. I'm always flattered, but have never done it simply because I don't have the time. I usually refer inquirers to my website and blog, as it is all about the business of freelancing.

For those who want one, following are some things to look for in a freelance writing mentor.

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1. Tech Savvy: You want a mentor who is tech-savvy. They don't have to be Bill Gates tech-savvy, but at least be up on the latest technology.

How do you determine this without outright asking? Look for their website, their blog, see if they publish a newsletter, or air material via a podcast.

Also, scour their writings. Have they written on tech, referred to it in a newsletter, eg, "I recently attended a teleseminar," etc.

Why is it important that your mentor be tech savvy? As I discussed in the article Lessons I've Learned from 19+ Years as a Freelancer & Recruiter in the Editorial Industry, "I had to know enough [technology] to be able to stay competitive. This meant not only getting a [web]site, but learning how to update it myself."

Technology saves you time and money - two things freelancers are usually very short on. If you don't have a website, how are you going to sell yourself? Potential clients expect one nowadays - it's like trying to do business without a telephone.

Updating Your Website: You always want to have the latest sample on your site. Also, things like media blurbs, speaking engagements, testimonials for clients, etc.

All of these are individual updates - and, it can get very expensive to have someone constantly update it. So, learning enough HTML, or creating a site with a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) software like FrontPage will save you thousands of dollars over time.

2. Variety: I don't necessarily mean across genres, although this is a nice bonus, but I mean variety in the types of projects they take on.

For example, I do freelance writing, editing, copy editing, word processing and copywriting. I also create newsletters, brochures, postcards, write sales letters and provide web content.

Why is variety important? Quite simply, clients will approach you with different projects once they are pleased with your initial work.

I started doing brochures and newsletters because clients started requesting them. For example, years ago I had a client who was a web marketer. She initially hired me to copyedit her web content.

One time, when I turned a project in, she asked me if I could develop a monthly e-newsletter for her prospect list. She asked because she liked the way I copyediting her material. Basically, I rewrote a lot of her stuff - rearranging material for more impact and deleting material that I thought was excess.

When she asked, I said sure. Although I had never developed a newsletter for a client before, I knew what they were and also that I could go on the Internet and find good samples.

NOTE: Never turn down work that you can easily find out how to do. Most small business owners (who are the majority of my clients) are very busy and usually whatever you come up with will be so much better than they expected that they will be forever grateful.

The web is packed with templates, how-to information, easy-to-use software, etc., that it is relatively easy to pick up a new skill/software and teach yourself how to use it - usually within a matter of hours.

This is another reason you want a mentor who is tech-savvy.

I heard a quote on the radio the other day that's stuck with me. It went, "Years ago, workers advanced in society based on how they performed their job; today, workers advance because of what they know, not what they do."

Technology has made this so, so true. So, choose a mentor wisely.

Tomorrow: Part II of this article will discuss two more things you should look for in a freelance writing mentor, and the third part will reveal the number one thing you want to look for in a mentor - and why.
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How to Make More Money from Clients You Already Have

Upselling is a skill that most freelancers don't use nearly enough. What exactly is upselling? Simply put, selling a client another, usually closely related product, after you've made an initial sale.

For example, if you complete a brochure for a client, you might pitch them on adding it to their website, in the form of web copy.

When most small business owners outside of the publishing/advertising/communications realm first start to use freelance writers, they have no idea how they can grow their business.

So, it's up to you, the freelance writer (graphic designer, web designer, illustrator) to let them know. All that being said, how do you upsell a client? Following are 3 things I've found that work well for me:

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1. Make it a Habit: Most freelancers will finish a project, turn it and say something to the effect of, "Keep me in mind for all your freelance writing needs."

This is not upselling! To effectively upsell, you need to make it a habit, and this means having procedures in place so that you don't forget. A good way to do this is a Project Follow-up Calendar.

What is a Project Follow-up Calendar? It lists specific actions that you take each time you turn a project in. For example, if you vow make three follow-up actions every time you turn a project in, it might look something like this:

2/12: Turn Project in

2/19: Follow up Action #1: Call to make sure all was well with project turned in last week and ask about brochure* I sent along with project. Depending on answer to this, do the following:

2/26: Follow up Action #2: Do follow-up on brochure I re-sent after last week's call

3/5: Follow up Action #3: Touch base to see if they want to move ahead with e-book we discussed last week

*Do a brochure that lists all of your services - and include it with every project you turn in. A week or so after you turn the project in, follow up and ask if they've had a chance to look over the brochure with the other services you offer. If they say no, offer to follow up again in another week or so. [Follow the actions outlined in your project follow-up calendar].

2. Get Specific to Their Business: While including a brochure listing all the services you offer is a great idea, one that works even better in my opinion is to get specific to their business.

Eg, I noticed an article on your website about the benefits of Flood Insurance. Have you ever thought about making this a direct mail piece and/or or a full-fledged e-book detail the pros and cons of this type of insurance?

Research has shown that the more serious prospects are about buying a product, the more information they want about it. Having an e-book and/or mailer done about this can dramatically increase sales.

A 7-page e-book on the above can be completed within a week. It can be a wonderful promotional tool for homeownership seminars, networking conferences, stand-alone giveaways, etc.

I'll follow up in the next three days about this, after you've looked over this project. This type of follow up shows clients that you: i) have researched their business; and ii) are proactive in thinking of ways to help them grow it.

Did you know? NOTHING can happen with a contact unless you stay in touch. Waiting for them to call you is a crap shoot. They may meet another freelancer who does stay in touch, or lose your card, or forget your website.

3. Stay in Contact: Most freelancers - in fact, most small business owners - fall on their sword here.

To repeat, NOTHING can happen with a contact unless you stay in touch. Waiting for them to call you is a crap shoot. They may meet another freelancer whodoes stay in touch, or lose your card, or forget your website.

The onus is upon you to stay in touch because when someone needs a writer (graphic designer, illustrator, web designer, etc.), you want to be among the first they think of.
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How to Brand Yourself for Career Advancement

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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Freelance Writers: How to Turn Negative Comments into Cash

The Wrath of the Poison Pen

The web is rife with vitriolic rants. It's a medium, unfortunately, that encourages the worst behavior in some.

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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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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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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How to Organize Your Day to Become a Successful Freelance Writer

$1,000/Week is Very Possible Putting the Following into Motion

Freelancing is all about managing time. With over 14+ years of experience as a freelancer, there are still things I learn on a regular basis to increase my income.

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.

If you want to make a bonified living as a freelancer, get in front of repeat-paying clients. This only happens by consistently - I repeat, consistently - marketing.
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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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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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Fear and love. These are the two emotions that rule every decision we make. Sure, they are masked as insecurity, jealousy, inertia, complacency, bliss, etc. But, as human beings, these are the two primary emotions that cause us to act, or not.

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:

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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 this weekend.

Editorially yours,
Y. Black, Publisher
InkwellEditorial.com
InkwellEditorial.blogspot.com

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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.

If it's skill-based, then take a class to conquer the skills you need. If it's money, then get a second job to cover six months to a year's worth of expenses. If it's your spouse, talk to them about your dream and how doing what you're doing is slowly killing your spirit.

Whatever it is, examine it and come up with a solution for it. Whenever I don't think I can do something, I examine why. And, I remember where I came from.

Finding the Courage

To digress aminute for a personal story: One of the figures I admire most in history is Harriet Tubman. For those who don't know, she led slaves to freedom in the underground railroad. Some accounts say 300; some say 3,000.

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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