I am not a guru!
I woke up feeling a little frustrated ths morning. About what? I've gotten four inquiries in the last day and a half about how to start a freelance writing career. Three were from those who had even gone so far as to write samples and put up websites, but hadn't started to market yet.
What are you waiting for!
This frustrates me b/c I spend so much time writing and dispensing information about how to be a succesful freelance writer (ahem, the name of this blog and it's accompanying website). BUT, I'm not a guru. I'm not a shrink. I'm not a career counselor. I can't hold your hand. I have my own work to do.
You're grown, probably highly educated, no doubt skilled -- I can't baby sit you through your fears. So, that was the impetus for the post Do You Have the Balls to Be a Freelance Writer or Blogger?
Have a PARTICULAR client question or problem, yeah, I can probably help. A basic "I'm scared to get started" query. You're on your own. I'm way too busy.
And if this sounds harsh, then understand where I'm coming from.
Poverty: The Great Motivator
I grew up poor -- loving family, extremely supportive -- but we were poor. I never felt poor though b/c my parents always told me I could do anything I wanted -- as long as I got an education and worked hard (which I've done and do). This gave me a rich spirit'; a belief in myself.
I get frustrated when asked simple questions from readers, because it's like, "Are you kidding me? If you spent five seconds researching this you can find it out on your own."
The Internet Is Your Friend When Starting a Business
Every business I've ever started -- and there've been quite a few -- I've done all the "unpaid" background research myself. It's how I discover 95% of what I know (for better or worse).
Take SEO writing for example. Nobody taught me. I spent hours (and still do) reading about it. What is meta tag writing? I researched it. What is social media marketing? Thanks Google for enlightening me.
My point? While I may consult those who are doing what I want to do, I don't insult them by asking basic questions that minimal online research can answer.
I ask targeted questions after doing extensive research on my own. This lets the "guru" I'm consulting know that I've put in time and effort -- so as not to waste their time and effort. This lets them know I'm serious. Hence, they are much more likely to take time from their busy schedules to help.
Scared of What?
As for addressing any fears I have, I just don't even let that enter my head. Maybe it's a personality quirk, maybe it's how I was raised or a combination of the two. But fear is an emotion I just don't entertain when it comes to business.
Do I get scared? Yes. But, what scares me more is not challenging myself. For it's when you challenge yourself that you wring the joy, the passion, the drive out of life. And, THIS is living. NOT sitting in some corner second guessing myself.
I'm no wallflower!
Did I Offend You?
If I've offended some, sorry. Don't stop by again. If I've lit a fire under some -- great! That's the whole point of this post. If I've scared you -- then your challenge is to address that fear. It's not about my words -- it's something that's inside you that my words hit upon. Drag it out into the daylight and deal with it so you can live the fullest life possible.
Now, I have a TON of work to get to today. And if you want to start a freelance writing career where your days are filled with tons of work -- get to it!
Other Posts from Blogging Tips I Wrote This Week You May Like
Freelance Writers & Bloggers: How to Bill and Get Paid Quickly
For Busy Freelance (SEO) Writers: How to Choose a Social Media Marketing Outlet
Want to know what a typical day in the life of a busy SEO copywriter and new media marketing consultant is like? Follow me on Twitter.
Yuwanda
Contact: info *at* InkwellEditorial.com
P.S.: Where are all the freelance writing jobs? Find out in the 2008-2009 Freelance Writing Jobs Report
Hot Stuff Around Here!
Freelance Writing Job: Write 4 Pages for $1,500
$100 for SEO Articles: How to Become a Highly Paid SEO Copywriter
How to Start a Freelance Writing Career in Less than 24 Hours for $0
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Freelance Success Stories! There are freelancers who make very good livings at what they love. Inkwell Editorial’s newsletter features these successful professionals who put to rest the phrase, “starving freelancer.” Current Issue: How to Make the Most Money as a Freelance Writer. Subscribe to read this, and all previous, issues.
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Copyright © 2008 InkwellEditorial.com. Except where noted, no part of this site may be reproduced in any manner without the express, written consent of the publisher. Violators will be prosecuted.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Do You Have the Balls to Be a Freelance Writer?
Monday, July 28, 2008
11 Reasons You’ll Never Succeed as a Freelance Writer
Freelance writing is a profession many pursue, but relatively few obtain success in. By my count, this can be traced to 11 reasons. If you’re struggling to make a living as a freelance writer, the answer could be listed right here.
Read 11 Reasons You’ll Never Succeed as a Freelance Writer for an in-depth discussion.
Want to start a successful freelance writing blog? Get the latest ebook available in the Inkwell Editorial Freelance Writing Bookstore, How to Start a Profitable, Popular Freelance Writing Blog . Don't forget if you enjoyed this post, subscribe to the newsletter.
Sincerely,
Yuwanda Black, Publisher
How to Start a Successful Freelance Writing Career Newsletter
Contact: info *at* InkwellEditorial.com
P.S.: Did you know that InkwellEditorial.com is the authority site on freelance writing? From summertime marketing to search engine optimization -- if it deals with freelance writing, you'll find info on it here. Pass it on!
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Freelance Success Stories! There are freelancers who make very good livings at what they love. Inkwell Editorial’s newsletter features these successful professionals who put to rest the phrase, “starving freelancer.”
Previous Issue. Spotlight on Newbie Freelancers. Want to learn how one freelancer landed enough clients to quit his job in just 12 hours? There are also some blog warning tips if you're looking to move your blog from one platform to another -- and more. Subscribe to read this, and all previous, issues.
Current Issue. Spotlight on YOU: Questions from Readers. Want to learn about ghostwriting, how cut to the chase and "get started" as a freelance writer, which instant download ebook software to use and concrete advice on how to land paid blogging gigs? I answer these questions, and a few more from readers who wrote in. Subscribe to read this, and all previous, issues.
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Copyright © 2008 InkwellEditorial.com. Except where noted, no part of this site may be reproduced in any manner without the express, written consent of the publisher. Violators will be prosecuted.
Monday, June 11, 2007
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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Monday, May 14, 2007
Why Downsizing Hurts Those Making 50K+ More than Others
I've been a recruiter since 1997. I owned an editorial staffing agency in New York City from 1997 to 2004. In addition to freelance writing, I still do some recruiting.
I relay this upfront so that you will understand where I'm coming from with the following take on this subject.
In the course of my networking, over the last few weeks I've spoke with two mid-level managers who were down-sized. One worked for 18 years with a large telecommunications firm that was recently acquired. The other worked for 15 years at a Fortune 500 publisher that was recently bought and restructured.
Both were making between 55-65K/year and were lamenting about how hard it is to find other positions. If you find yourself in the same position, following is a market reality you must face as you go about your job search - and tips for landing a new position.
POST CONTINUED BELOW
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P.S.: All e-books are written from first-hand experience, or are told from first-hand accounts. So, you get concrete advice straight from those who have been where you are -- and are now where you want to be.
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Soft Skills are Not Valued: The publishing manager was telling me about her people management, team building and project management skills.
I told her that, while valuable, they are not as valued as "hard skills" that add directly to a company's bottom line, eg, software, accounting and market analysis abilities.
Directly is italicized because these are skills that employers can quantify. They use the software that a technician installs, maintains and upgrades; their budgets are set by the numbers that accounting pumps out; they develop products and revenue goals based on a marketing analyst's trend reports.
In short, these touch their daily working lives. Contrast that with soft skills like people management.
The Director doesn't see that it took the project manager to coordinate freelancers in three different time zones, call in a temp to cover a sick employee's time off to keep a deadline and/or recognize and get employees to implement time-saving procedures.
All the Director sees is that the project got done - on time and within budget.
Because middle managers tend to be facilitators, much of their value is behind the scenes. In essence, out of sight, out of mind. So, when a company is acquired, for example, they cut out this layer of "fat," and keep those employees that add directly to the bottom line.
How to Prove Your Worth to Potential Employers
So, what can middle managers do to combat this "layer of fat" mentality. Following are two tips.
1. Get concise: As in, lay out specifics of what you did in your last position - and how it contributed to the bottom line.
For example, the publishing manager told me that she implemented use of a new software on a newsletter her company published. This saved time and money.
Instead of saying it "saved time and money," quantify it, eg, how much time and how much money. Her resume might read, "With the use of this new software, production time was cut by 40%, equaling savings of $10,000 on each print run."
2. Draw a Picture: Human nature is to be lazy. How does this affect your new job search? If you run across advertised jobs that you know you could do, but your skill set is not an exact match, spell out for potential employers how what you did in your last position is transferable to the job at hand.
Use language from their job description. This is a modeling technique taught by the self-help guru Tony Robbins. In essence, you are subliminally seducing the potential employer by feeding their words back to them.
When you've reached a certain level in your career, it's hard to replace that level of job with another. A fast food worker can just move on to the next fast food establishment - and make a comparable wage.
But, for mid-level execs, $50,000/year+ jobs don't just come along. It usually takes some time to land them. Knowing why the market is that way goes a long way towards preparing yourself for the hunt.
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.
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Thursday, April 26, 2007
How to Develop a Lucrative "Portfolio Career"
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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WORK-FROM-HOME E-BOOKS: Freelance from home! Just a reminder, Inkwell Editorial's work-from-home, how-to freelance writing e-books will be back on InkwellEditorial.com this weekend.
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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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