How Writing Changed My Life

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How has writing changed your life? Chime in!
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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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A Day in the Life of a Busy Commercial Freelance Writer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Keep the above in mind as you market.

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

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

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

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

And that, folks, is a basic rundown of what happens before I log off, usually around 8 or 9 pm.
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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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Why Work-at-Home Scams Succeed so Often

. . . And It's Not Laziness or Stupidity

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

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

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

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3 Reasons Work-at-Home Scams Succeed

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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