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Bloggers Use Caution When Using Photos

January 28, 2010 By 6 Comments

Bloggers, before you download that cute picture from Google to accompany your blog post, you better make sure you’re allowed to do so. Business owners, before you upload photos on your website, make sure you can use the stock photography. Ask your web designer where they purchased the photos. And, when you pay for stock photography, you better understand the license agreement.

Many bloggers like to have a photo accompany their post because it adds to the dynamic of the post. It may behoove you to leave out the photo. Even though you’ve purchased photos, you could still be in violation of some licensing agreement. When in doubt, contact the administrators of the stock photography website or the originator of the photo.

Who says that you need photos on your website? Most “tips and tricks” about blog posts suggest posting photos with your blog. This may not be necessary. If you’re blog is interesting, people will visit it on a daily basis. In fact, some of the highest ranking blogs don’t have photos with their blog posts.

Caution: Whenever you search Google or Yahoo Images for a photo, you receive the following message: Image may be subject to copyright. It’s understood that any work you do is “automatically” copyrighted, however, it’s not that black and white.

People who upload their work iStock, Stock Expert, Getty Images, and other stock photography websites better make sure they want to do so. If you’re concerned how your photos will be used, sell them on your website. Most bloggers will use them to emphasis a blog post, but other people may want to create marketing materials with them. It’s understandable that you want credit for your work; however, you may be better off selling your photos on your website.

Note: Many “scraper” websites are on the internet, but no one does anything to stop it. Google is certainly not doing anything about the scraper websites. The blog posts that I wrote for clients have been scraped and uploaded onto websites. In fact, some of my blog posts have been scraped as well. What can you do about it? Spend time and money chasing these people. Some will give you a backlink, but others will not. It’s your call on how to handle these websites. I have more important matters to attend to in my life. Chasing these people sounds too exhausting to me.

Most bloggers will not use a photo from Google or Yahoo Images. However, sometimes you can’t find what you’re looking for on stock photography sites and you opt to use a photo from Google. Make sure beyond a shadow of a doubt you have right to use the photo and that it’s 72 dpi. Contact whomever you must to get permission. Of course, when in doubt, leave the photo out!

Bloggers may want to read up on copyright laws. No, it’s not fun reading, but the information could help you to sort fact from fiction. It’s your call on whether or not you’ll continue to use photos to accompany your blog posts. Make sure you’re in compliance. Remember three letters “CYA!” If you don’t know what that means, email me!

Rebecca

Where do you get your photos? How do you organize them? Share your thoughts.

Filed Under: Overcoming Obstacles, Tips and Tricks

Are You Sending Mixed Messages?

January 25, 2010 By Leave a Comment

When freelance writers, artists, and business owners attend events to sell their product or service, they don’t greet everyone who walks by their table. Yet, business owners, freelance writers, and artists often complain about the little or lack of income they make. How do you treat people when you’re at an event? Do you greet them? Are you interested in speaking with them? Part of your job is to market you and your business. No one else will do it for you, unless you hire a marketing firm!

Here’s a test you can do the next time you’re at an event. Walk by tables and notice how many people take an interest in potential customers. You’d be surprised how many business owners, freelance writers, and artists have selective customer radar. It’s interesting because they complain to others that business is slow and they can’t find leads or customers. Perhaps the reason has to do with how bad you want to be noticed. How important is it for you to support yourself with your work? Maybe you secretly desire not to be successful. You could be sending the universe mixed messages!

Most successful people surround themselves with successful people. No wealthy person has made it on his or her own. Take a look at the people in your life and gauge how successful they are in their life. Of course, everyone has different meanings for success, but most people equate a healthy income stream with success. If your income stream is a slow trickle, you could be sabotaging yourself by hanging around with people who don’t share your beliefs about success. They may not have a desire to be monetarily successful. If your contacts and friends are broke, how will you learn to rise to a higher level? It may be time to change your circle of friends and contacts.

Freelance writers and artists often hear “the starving artist” remark from family and friends. In fact, you may have heard this as a child. It has been programmed into your mind that you can’t make money from your work. This is nonsense. You have the power to delete any negative or self-defeating thoughts and create new ones. There are artists and writers around the world who make a living from their work — they just know how to do it. Plus, they have other streams of income.

Take inventory of the messages you send on a daily basis. What are you thinking? How do you think? If you constantly think, “…I want success, but it will be difficult,” you just cancelled your desire for success. You can’t have a “positive, ambitious thought” and expect to receive your desire if you replace it with a negative thought. The universe doesn’t work that way!

Freelance writers, artists, and business owners, the next time you’re at an event, acknowledge the people who walk and stop by your table. You never know who you’ll meet. You could blow an opportunity of lifetime because of your communication skills. Perhaps it’s time to strengthen those skills with a class or two. It couldn’t hurt!

Rebecca

What mixed signals have you sent? Share your thoughts.

Filed Under: Clients, Freelance Writers, Freelance Writing, Networking, Overcoming Obstacles, Tips and Tricks Tagged With: , ,

Building Business Relationships is like Dating

January 21, 2010 By 3 Comments

Many small business owners, including freelance writers, believe they can build their business alone. Building a solid business requires people. You could go it alone, but the road may be winding and long. Success could take its time to grace you with its presence. When it does, you’ll be tired and won’t enjoy it that much!

Building relationships is like dating — it requires interest, patience, and care. Don’t rush people and immediately begin telling them about you and your business. Get to know them first and exchange phone numbers and emails. Set up a time to meet and go from there. Go slow and take it one step at a time.

Tip: When you meet people, ask what you can do for them instead of what they can do for you. Yes, it sounds like Kennedy’s famous speech but it’s true.

Freelance writers often work alone and may not be skilled in the art of relationship building. Don’t panic because you are capable of developing strong relationships. When you attend networking events, make sure you get to know people before you ask for business. Take time to get to know people first and business second. After you get a sense of how you can help, ask to schedule a coffee or lunch meeting. Listen to what they have to say before giving your 30-second elevator pitch. Many people hear, but they do not listen to what others are saying. Pay attention when someone is speaking then ask if you could offer your advice and services. If you receive a “yes,” explain how solve problems and add value to clients. This is where freelance writers can fall short because they believe they’re in the writing business. See What Business Are You in Today? for more information.

Tips for Building Relationships

  • Get to know people before you ask for business. Ask people about their families, hobbies, or how they got started in their business. Don’t go for the jugular as soon as you meet people.
  • Take it slow. Just like dating, you don’t want to propose on the first date! Ask for a coffee or lunch meeting to gather more information about a potential client’s business. After you collected the information, let them know how you can be of service.
  • Get out of your comfort zone. Freelance writers are artists are solo professionals. The thought of meeting new people terrifies some of them to death. Take baby steps and join one or two business groups to gain your networking legs. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be attending three or four events a month.
  • Be sincere. There’s nothing worse than a phony. People don’t like being taking advantage of and it could ruin your reputation. Remember “word-of-mouth” is still a viable means of advertising. Be genuine and take an interest in people. Everyone wants to know they matter and are making a contribution to the world.

Freelance writers remember that it’s not about you. What can you do for potential clients? What problems can you solve? How will you add value to their business? Think about these questions before you whip out your business card and tell people you’re the most wonderful freelance writer in the world and that’s why they should hire you!

Rebecca

How has building relationships affected your business? Share your thoughts.

Filed Under: Clients, Networking, Overcoming Obstacles, Tips and Tricks Tagged With: , , ,

Break Free from Low Paying Writing Jobs

January 18, 2010 By 6 Comments

Many freelance writers begin their writing career by taking low paying jobs or even writing for free. You do what you must to begin your career, but that doesn’t mean you should stay at the same level. If you want to soar to new heights within your writing career then it’s time to say goodbye to low paying jobs.

Many freelance writers began their career writing for jobs that paid next to nothing. However, once they found their “writing groove” and developed a reputation, they moved onto bigger and better opportunities. Continuing to write for low paying markets could hinder your chances of becoming a successful freelance writer. Have the courage to say “no” to lowing paying writing opportunities.

Freelance writers deserve to be paid for their services because they add value to clients and solve problems at the same time. Your clients don’t have time to write a brochure when they have to market their businesses and solve their clients problems. By relieving them of their writing duties, freelance writers can help business owners focus on their business. It’s a win-win situation!

Low paying jobs can sustain you and your writing career when you begin freelance writing, but don’t settle for these jobs because you think you have no other choice. You can send out query letters or join networking groups to market your writing. Quit settling for second best!

Most freelance writers are scared to venture out into new territory. The thought of receiving rejection letters from editors terrifies them. However, if you want to grow as a writer, this is the next step. Or, you could begin writing that book you’ve been thinking about for years or ghostwrite for others.

Freelance writing is a wide open field. You can write brochures, newsletters, blogs, articles, ghostwrite books and short stories (fiction and non-fiction), screenplays, ad copy, eBooks, and web copy. You have many options.

When you find your “writing legs,” break free from low paying jobs! Find your niche and build your writing career from that point. You may decide to go outside your comfort zone which can catapult you to new heights in your career. Here’s to your success!

Rebecca

What steps can you take to break free of low paying jobs?

Filed Under: Freelance Writers, Freelance Writing Tagged With:

Freelance Writers and Artists Handle Rejection with Grace

January 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Many freelance writers fear rejection. Heck, most people fear rejection. Once you understand “rejection” in terms of your writing or artistry, you’ll be able to breathe. Rejection is NOT a rejection of you. It’s someone telling you that your work is not for their business or publication. It has nothing to do with you as a person. Writers who are lucky to receive feedback from editors can apply the constructive criticism to your writing which will make it stronger.

When a freelance writer sends a query to an editor they usually hold their breath. Actually, you’re very fortunate if the editor replies to your request and provides you with feedback. The key is to ensure that you followed the guidelines. Many writers do not follow a publication’s guidelines which is why their query is rejected. The writing is spot on, but you did not follow the rules. It’s important to give the editor and publication what they’re asking for the first time. Otherwise, you may not receive a second chance to make a first impression.

When you receive criticism that is rude or condescending take it with a grain of salt. Look past the rudeness and focus on the feedback. The person may be a jerk, but his advice could land you a multi-million dollar book deal. There’s nothing sweeter than making lemonade out of lemons and laughing all the way to the bank!

Artists and freelance writers put their heart and soul into the work they produce. To have someone else look at it and reject it is like a knife going through their heart. This sounds a bit melodramatic, but it’s true for some artists and writers. Get over it. That’s easier said than done, but it will help you deal with rejection. Not everyone will like your work and that’s all right. Focus on markets and people who will be interested in your work. Don’t waste time trying to convince someone they’ll love your work. You could be speaking with other prospects who are interested in you and your work.

Some freelance writers take rejection very hard and never write again. This is extreme. Avoid letting others dampen your dreams. Perhaps if you attended writing classes and workshops, you’re work would improve. It’s up to you to bring success into your life. How bad to you want to be published? If you want something bad enough, you’ll do what it takes to get it. Or, you will realize that it’s not really what you desire.

Rejection doesn’t have to hurt. Before you read any feedback, take a deep breath and count to 10. Read any feedback you receive with objective eyes. Detach for a moment from the constructive criticism. Look at it as an opportunity for you to improve upon your writing, artistry, or business. Have a positive attitude can help diffuse a negative situation. Of course, if the person is horribly rude, take the information and run!

Rebecca

What techniques do you use to handle rejection?

Filed Under: Freelance Writers, Freelance Writing, Overcoming Obstacles, Screenwriting Tagged With: , , ,
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