Writing With Purpose

A couple of weeks ago, Tina asked if any of us were making a living writing online and, if so, would we mind discussing it. I raised my hand. I’m not alone in providing words for the Web. After all, according to DomainTools.com, there are currently over 117 billion active domains on the Internet with over 100,000 new domains registered each day. That’s a lot of content that needs to be written.

I primarily write Web content for Web sites. This includes general content such as Home and About Us pages as well as articles, blog posts, and even Twitter tweets. I also post the occasional article on revenue share sites like Associated Content. I find my clients three ways: Constant-Content.com where I submit articles for public requests; word of mouth where clients recommend me to their colleagues; and from one of my Web sites promoting my writing services.

For the most part, I work with the same clients week in, week out. I’m fortunate that these clients have an ongoing need for continuous content. I learned early on that it’s much easier to keep existing clients than to find new ones. As with any other business, it pays to prioritize customer service and be easy to work with.

My advice for online writers? Keep upgrading your skills and run your writing business as a business. Set regular hours and keep your clients informed. Remain accessible and honest – and be easy to work with. If a client wants revisions, make revisions. After all, you want the client to be completely satisfied, right?

It is possible to make a decent living writing online. It’s not easy, but it is possible.

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One of the biggest problems I have in freelancing is deciding what to charge. I sign a contract for a specific number of articles, but then I find out there is going to be a lot of research involved. Basically, I am stuck doing a lot of work for free.

In addition, I have no idea what others are charging and I want to remain competitive. If I go by the project bids on Elance, I am going to have to work 16 hours, 6 days a week, just to pay my bills and keep my business afloat. Thus, the price of our services are going down, while the cost of everything else is going up.

Or is it just Me?

This year, I decided that after 4 years of freelancing it was time to give myself a raise. Unfortunately, my best client didn’t think so. Ouch! Now what?

I have had other freelancers tell me that I am too nice. I am too concerned about making my services more affordable to the clients; and, I should be looking out for my own career and pocketbook.

When in Doubt, Look it UP

Today, in the course of doing my job, I came across a site that I found very interesting. The Editorial Freelancers Association has a lot of helpful information for me and you. But, the part I was most interested in checking out today were the going rates for all of the jobs I do:

So, are you Charging Enough?

Herein lies the rub. If a writer from China will write a page for $1 though Elance, how can you expect your client to pay $15-$30 per page.

Plus, a lot depends on the type of writing you do. Is it a very basic informative article, or is a lot of research required? Is it technical writing? It takes experience that a lot of freelancers do not possess.

Wish I had the Answer

Unfortunately, there is no real answer. You simply have to decide what your clients are willing to pay, and whether you can afford to lose them, if you raise your prices and they decide not to follow. You have to use your business sense and feel out the market.

Recently, I heard of a man that had been a freelancer for a number of years, but he was sadly lacking in clientèle. He decided to hire the services of a coach, to help him get up to speed and back in the market. During the conversation, the coach offered him the job of writing a one page article for $25. He promptly turned down the offer, because it was not enough money.

Excuse me! He had no clients. He was desperate for help. But, he couldn’t write for approximately 30 minutes and earn $25? Hire me! Hire me! I’ll take it! How many people do you know that are freelancers and consistently make $50 an hour?

If you do, you need to write a guest post for this blog, and let us in on your secret!

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I have been contemplating what I should write about today. I know a lot about freelance writing; but, I also don’t know what you want/need to hear. So, today I am going to give you some freelance writer advice, speaking from personal experience, and talking to other writers. Do with it as you wish.

As freelance writers, we are constantly striving to meet deadlines, find new clients, continue learning-so we can remain competitive and improve our businesses, etc.

Our friends and family don’t always understand what we do. They hear ‘work at home’ and they assume we work a few hours a day, then sit around watching soap operas, or something else equally lazy. What they don’t understand is the countless hours we work for no pay, the decline in pay for worthwhile jobs, and the 12-16 hour days many freelancers work, in order to make a decent living and grow their business.

But, I want to give you a piece of freelance writer advice:

Don’t forget the Brownies and Ice Cream!

Brownies & Whipped Cream

One day I had a date with friends for lunch. Mae, a little old “blue hair” about 80 years old, came along with them—all in all, a pleasant bunch.
When the menus were presented, we ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups, except for Mae who said, “Ice Cream, please. Two scoops, chocolate.”

I wasn’t sure my ears heard right, and the others were aghast. “Along with heated apple pie,” Mae added, completely unabashed.
We tried to act quite nonchalant, as if people did this all the time. But when our orders were brought out, I didn’t enjoy mine.
I couldn’t take my eyes off Mae as her pie a-la-mode went down. The other ladies showed dismay. They ate their lunches silently and frowned.

The next time I went out to eat, I called and invited Mae. I lunched on white meat tuna. She ordered a parfait.
I smiled. She asked if she amused me.
I answered, “Yes, you do, but also you confuse me.

How come you order rich desserts, while I feel I must be sensible? She laughed and said, with wanton mirth, “I’m tasting all that is Possible.

I try to eat the food I need, and do the things I should.. But life’s so short, my friend, I hate missing out on something good.
This year I realized how old I was. (She grinned) I haven’t been this old before.”
“So, before I die, I’ve got to try those things that for years I had ignored.
I haven’t smelled all the flowers yet.. There are too many books I haven’t read. There’s more fudge sundaes to wolf down and kites to be flown overhead.

There are many malls I haven’t shopped. I’ve not laughed at all the joke s. I’ve missed a lot of Broadway hits and potato chips and cokes.
I want to wade again in water and feel ocean spray on my face. I want to sit in a country church once more and thank God for His grace.
I want peanut butter every day spread on my morning toast. I want un-timed long distance calls to the folks I love the most.

I haven’t cried at all the movies yet, or walked in the morning rain. I need to feel wind in my hair. I want to fall in love again.
So, if I choose to have dessert, instead of having dinner, then should I die before night fall, I’d say I died a winner, because I missed out on nothing. I filled my heart’s desire. I had that final chocolate mousse before my life expired.”

With that, I called the waitress over.. “I’ve changed my mind, ” I said. “I want what she is having, only add some more whipped cream!”

Be mindful that happiness isn’t based on possessions, power, or prestige, but on relationships with people we love and respect. Remember that while money talks Chocolate Sings!

(author unknown)

One of the great perks about freelance writing is being our own boss. We create our own hours and employee benefits. But, we also have the added pressure of keeping clients coming to us for services, working long hours to complete a project by a deadline, and more. We don’t have a boss that will keep giving us paychecks, even when business is going through a slow spell.

So, many of us become workaholics.

My advice for the day: don’t forget the brownies and ice cream of life.

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The stress of freelance writing is very real. Your friends and family, and even your clients, may think you have a cushy job working at home, but there are days you want to throw the computer in the trash and run away. You would do almost anything other than another article on a topic for which you have absolutely no interest; especially, if it is the 50th article on the same exact subject.

Do you ever have those days, when you feel like pouring the coffee directly into your veins, in order to save time and energy? I sure do!

So, what do you do about it?

Time management is the key. However, it is much easier said than done-I know. So, here are some clues:

1. Don’t assume ANYTHING!
I have taken jobs on topics close to my heart. It was going to be a cinch! I wouldn’t have to do a lot of research. I can whip out the articles in nothing flat and make a bigger profit. NOT! For instance, I may know a lot about Living with Cerebral Palsy, because I do it every day. But, I don’t know that much about the legalities of business as it relates. Thus, I am late completing the assignment.

2. DON’T believe everything you hear!
I can’t count the times a client has told me that the assignment will be very simple for a good freelance writer. Nine times out of ten, I end up thinking that if it was so easy and quick, why are they paying me to do the job? Recently, I did an article on reasonable accommodations for the disabled in a place of business. Since I am in a wheelchair, I should know-right? Wrong? Again, the assignment had to do with legal issues. The client thought it would be easy, because she already had a vision of the finished project. Unfortunately, my vision was totally different! REDO! OUCH!

3. Time is Illusive!
The clock keeps ticking away, no matter how fast you think and type. Even if you know a lot about the subject, realize that it generally takes you longer to finish a project than you anticipate. A good rule of thumb is to double the time you actually think it will take, so you don’t need that infusion of caffeine to pull and all-nighter to get a project done on time.

If you get done earlier, so much the better! Your client will be pleased, and you will have spare time to begin the next task early, or just get a decent night’s sleep. Both are good!

4. Give yourself a break!
I know quite a few freelance writers that seem to work 24/7. Granted, the pay isn’t always the best, and it takes a lot of work to get the projects done, and still have time for self-promotion, further education, and developing new ideas. But, if you work everyday until you drop, it WILL come back to haunt you, sooner or later.

You need to walk or, in my case, roll away from the computer. Get a life beyond the keyboard! Life is too short to be constantly looking at a computer screen. If you give yourself a break, chances are you will work faster and write better, when you do get back to the projects at hand.

Taking my Own Advice

So, why write about the stress of freelance writing? Well, for one thing, it is very real for us, at one time or another. Secondly, I need to take my own advice. Although I don’t have as much trouble with taking time for myself, I DEFINITELY have a lot of trouble with the other 3 on occasion.

This last week alone, I had programming issues with a site. It took 4 days, a lot of work, and numerous techs and programmers to discover the problem. Then, I took on a project that required an all-nighter. (I don’t pull them as easily, now that I am older.) To top it off, my car quit working to the tune of almost $600.

Yes, I know all about the stress of freelance writing; yes, I know how I can relieve it; no, I don’t always follow my own advice.

So, how about you? What do you do to relieve the stress of freelance writing?

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As freelance writers today, we are up against a lot of competition. When I started 4 years ago, there wasn’t that many of us out there, and it was a lot easier to find work. On the downside, help to get started was in short supply.

When I first started as a copywriter, my only claim to fame was the ability to write. I had absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into.

I was fortunate in finding clients that were willing to let me learn, and they had a lot to teach me. But, I still felt all alone, sitting in my living room, with no co-workers or colleagues to share ideas with or ask questions.

Victoria Ipri

As a copywriter, she knows how difficult it can be to get help, get known, and really make it as a successful freelance writer. So, she has provided some amazing perks for becoming a member, and it is all FREE!

As a member, you can:

You really should see for yourself. Think of what it can do to help you grow your business. Talk to other copywriters and find out their secrets to success.

I am a member. Will you become one? All you have to do is click here.

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Wow! I have been so busy! Yet, I can’t believe I have neglected the blog for a week! I was so faithful about adding something every day. I must apologize. I need to get a calendar set up, so I don’t forget what is important.

But, during the past week, I have been working in the back end of freelance writing and learning how to change and add to a WordPress blog. It is something different. I think the knowledge will help me in the future. I’m even thinking about taking some programming classes.

Can you imagine being able to tell future clients: I can build your website; then, I can populate it with good, solid content, before I use my marketing skills to advertise it all over the Web?

Seriously, if you really want to make it in this business, you will need to diversify. I have said it before, and I will say it again: the competition is getting tougher out there, because more people are turning to the Internet as a source of income-you and me included!

So, now you know what has been keeping me busy. But you need to know about the great new advertising tools I have found. Of course, as usual, I am looking for the freebies.

I found a site that will help you create banners for FREE. In addition, it will give you the html code to plug it into your site, or wherever, so you can benefit from it immediately. http://www.snacktools.com/ It is great fun!

I made this banner for advertising on another site in just a matter of minutes. As you can see, you can also create banners for your own site, to make a point or catch the readers eye. Although the full size will not embed into this post, check out the right side of my blog and you will see a simple flash banner that will lead you to Living with Cerebral Palsy.

You can also make banners to insert into emails, to send a personalized greeting card to someone. You don’t necessarily need a website of your own.

So, forgive me for neglecting my blog, and have fun with this new tool I have found to ramp up your advertising campaign.

Do you have any cool advertising tools that you prefer?

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For those of you that have used the Internet a lot, you have probably already figured out the value of social networking sites. It is a great way to get your name out there and provide links to your work blog-like this one-or your online portfolio.

Unfortunately, some of them are starting to get greedy. It is not enough for advertisers to purchase ads and place them

Hang on to your Wallet!

Today, I found out that Facebook is going to start charging $4 a month, in order to use Facebook. Personally, I think it is a great venue for meeting up with friends and promoting my blogs. But, why pay when there are other sites that will let you sell yourself and your freelancing experience for free?

The cost of living is going up, and it is hard enough to make a full-time living at freelancing, without adding unnecessary expenses. I say, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! I will continue to use Facebook and other social networking sites. But, unless I can see how it really pays me back in clients and readers, I am going to keep the money in my wallet-Thank you!

What about you? Are you going to pay? I am going to check out the other social networking and business sites that I know about, and make sure they are still free. I will let you know!

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