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Bob Proctor was apart of the movie The Secret. He teaches people how to shift their mindset from poverty consciousness to one of wealth. Freelance writers would benefit from visiting his website and taking his coaching program.

Most freelance writers want to earn more don’t because they hold a belief they can’t or have an intention (in the subconscious mind) to attract low paying clients. It may be time to buy a journal and purge your feelings around money. What did your parents believe? What was spoken over you as a child? It’s said that your “mind” is programmed by the time you’re five-years-old. If you grew up with peopel that didn’t have a good financial blueprint, your financial blueprint could be set to lack.

Learn to say “no” to potential clients. Do you value yourself? Do you value your time? Not every person or business will be your client. Put together a client questionnaire to find out if a client is right for you. If they’re not, refer them to another freelance writer. This may be scary at first but it will benefit you in the long run.

Forget about charging what other freelance writers charge. You can only charge based on your experience. If you have a plethora of experience and education, your rates won’t match a freelance writer who isn’t as experienced as you. You could research to find out the average rate per hour and per word. Take into consideration the value you add and create your rates. Stay flexible because you want to be able to increase your rates over the long run.

Remember that freelance writing is a business. If you don’t think you have the stomach to run your own business, you may want to stick to writing your own material. In fact, you may start out as a freelance writer and find out that you’re better off writing for you. For example, if you’ve experienced obstacle after obstacle, the universe could be telling you the following:

• Write for you.
• You don’t value yourself.
• You’re putting out desperate energy.
• You’re not communicating clearly want you want/desire.

Make sure you really want to be a freelance writer. It’s all right if you don’t want to be — just be honest with yourself.

Being a freelance writer doesn’t mean starving. Charge rates based on you and your experience. It’s all right to look at guidelines but you only know what you can charge. Let go of any fears you may have surrounding your fees. If you don’t, you could be in for an unnecessary struggle. Instead, be confident in your writing and the universe will deliver you clients that are right to you. Good luck!

Rebecca

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Sometimes freelance writers will encounter clients that don’t pay on time or at all. How many times have you encountered clients like this? It’s time to say goodbye to these clients for good and hello to solid clients that understand that you’re more than a freelance writer — you’re a business man or woman.

Freelance writers deserve respect. In order to have respect, you must respect yourself. This means saying “no” to low paying clients. Refer them to the college kid down the road who’s just starting out or someone in India charges next to nothing. There’s no reason for you to put up with clients who don’t pay you or pay your rates.

Before you agree to write for anyone now and in the future, tell them your rates and your terms. Also tell them that your rates are subject to change. This is nothing new. Read your cell phone bill if you don’t believe this. In fact, you may want to read the fine print because you’ll be surprised at what you find. You’ll see that rates are subject to change and sometimes without notice.

Being a freelance writer also means that you’re in business for yourself. Yes, you are a business owner. If you don’t think you could handle owning your own business, you may want to forgo becoming a freelance writer. Remember, you’re responsible for marketing you and your services. You’re also responsible for finding and retaining clients. Think about this before you enter the realm of freelance writing.

Here are some steps to follow if you clients aren’t paying:

• Send another reminder invoice. Give your clients the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps they got busy and just forgot. It happens — no one is perfect.
• Make sure your clients know your terms. Do you expect payment up front? Do you expect 50% up front? Are your terms net, 30 days or net, 20 days? Make your payment terms clear.
• Get a signed contract. Before you proceed with writing, lay out all the details in a contract. Who owns the copyrights? What are the payment terms? What are the termination terms? This way there aren’t any surprises.
• Contact a collection agency or lawyer. Do this as a last resort; it’s up to you if you want to take it this far. Depending on the amount of money, you may choose to use a collection agency or lawyer. Sleep on it before you proceed.

Freelance writers deserve to be paid for their services. Be consider in your services and you’ll attract professional clients that will pay you on time. Start being selective about clients and forget about writing for everyone that approaches you. Take time to consider the project. Meet face-to-face with a client in order to get a better “feeling” for them. Sometimes you can’t “tune” into someone via email or phone. Be discerning and discriminating. More importantly, be a smart business owner!

Rebecca

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Many people aren’t fond of organization or they use a system of organization that doesn’t work. You may be in trouble if you have to sort through a bunch of sticky notes for your new client’s phone number. There’s nothing wrong with being organized. It’s amazing how many people aren’t organized because they think it’s not cool or hip. When your clients leave, you’ll probably consider becoming organized.

Organization is a great way to live a stress free life. If everything is in its place, you won’t freak out when you can’t find pertinent information like your client’s proposal. It’s embarrassing if you have to contact a client and tell them you lost the signed proposal. Instead, make a folder on your computer and label it ‘Client Proposals’ and make sure you back it up. You may want to print out a hard copy and stick it in a file folder within a filing cabinet. This way you’ll have the information at your fingertips.

Tips to becoming organized

• Have an organized workspace that’s free from clutter. File papers away and keep you desk clean with the exception of pen, paper, and phone. Keep your office supplies in a cabinet.
• Keep specific hours.
• Most freelance writers read a lot which means they have a plethora of books. Buy a bookcase for all of your books. This way you can grab your reference materials with ease.
• Use Excel or some other program to keep track of client contact and project information.
• Affirm that you’re organized!

Make sure you keep your clients contact information in one central location. Your computer has various programs; use them to record contact information. You could create an Excel spreadsheet. You could use Outlook or whatever the Mac equivalent is. You could purchase a CRM program. This would be a good investment because CRM programs can help your streamline sales and marketing, reduce expenses, and much more. Choose a program and enter clients contact information today and it will be readily available to you.

How do you know which projects to work on for the week? You could use Windows Calendar (or Mac program) to schedule your projects. You could use an Excel spreadsheet or some other program to track your projects. You want to ensure you meet or exceed deadlines. Your clients probably wouldn’t be happy with you if you missed deadlines.

Freelance writers get over your fear of becoming organized. Forget about the stigma that being organized will make you a dependable, reliable person instead of a free spirited artist. If you’re not dependable and reliable, you won’t have any clients. Get organized today and watch how it changes your business. Good luck!

Rebecca

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Sometimes writers struggle to think of ideas, plots, scenes, and characters for novels. You may have a great idea for novel but are stuck on character development. Creating the right name can be particular difficult. This is why a character development worksheet is helpful. There’s also Seventh Sanctum which can help you flush out characters. It could save you time and aggravation. And, it’s free!

Seventh Sanctum offers creativity tools. You’ll find generators for characters, plots, ideas, and more. You don’t have to acknowledge Seventh Sanctum if an idea results in thousands or millions of dollars for you. But, it would be nice if you did give credit to the website and its developer.

How does it work?

When you visit Seventh Sanctum, you’ll see a list of generators on the left hand side of the website. For example, click on Characters and a list appears. Choose from general characters, animal-humanoids, for the fans, specific characters, or miscellaneous. Each generator has specifications that you can choose from to create your character. Let’s look at the General Character.

General Character

• Click on the ‘general character’ generator.
• Select the number of people to generate from the drop down menu.
• Choose the character: regular, regular male, regular female, anime, anime male, or anime female.
• Poof! Your characters are created.

The only aspect the ‘general character’ doesn’t do is give you character names. No problem. Click on ‘names’ on the left hand side of the website.

Names

• Click on the ‘names’ generator.
• Choose the name generator: general, dark/evil names, species/specific, theme, locations, and ships.
• Poof! Your character names are created.

Seventh Sanctum can save you a lot of time, especially if all you want to do is write your novel. Using the generators can cut your time in half. Make sure you have a basic outline for your novel because it can help guide your novel in the right direction.

Stop struggling with character development, ideas, plots, and scenes. Give Seventh Sanctum a try and see what it can do for you. Maybe your storyline isn’t quite there yet. Or, you may scrap your storyline and take one that’s generated for you. That’s what I did. Seventh Sanctum provided me with a great title and my characters are developing nicely. Now all I have to do is write the novel and thank Seventh Sanctum for my success!

Rebecca

How long does it take you to develop characters and character names? Share your thoughts.

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Some writers may faint at the thought of “slicing and dicing” their work. The thought of removing this or that could send them running for the hills! You won’t feel the pain of weeding out extraneous words if you write in a clear and concise manner.

Freelance writers know that a blog post is between 350-700 words, unless a client specifically asks for 500 words. Make good use of the space by getting to the point. Take out words such as so, just, because, really, and other words. Say what you want to say!

Writers write from the heart. It makes sense they’d want to keep every word they wrote on the page. Thank God for editors; they’ll trim the fat without thinking twice about it. Articles are written with precision to alleviate spacing issues in publications.

Cut down on these extra words

• So
• Just
• That
• Also
• Seriously
• Really
• Because
• Usually
• This

It’s a good idea to put your writing away and come back to it with a fresh pair of eyes. Read it a few times and see if you can find words to cut. You may only find one or two words to remove; it’s better than nothing. At least you’ll have the satisfaction of taking out unnecessary words.

Freelance writers love what they do. Trimming words may be a challenge for some of them. It’s as if they’re taking a piece of their soul out of the writing. Or, they need the words in order to reach the specified word count! You may want to go back and reread your writing if you’re using “filler words” to guarantee a set amount of words. Remember, you’re a professional writer.

Ask any travel writer how to pack for vacation and they’ll tell you, “…when in doubt, leave it out!” Approach your writing this way. If certain words don’t make an impact on your article or blog post, take them out or replace them. It’s better to have a well written piece instead of one filled with puff!

Rebecca

What words do you eliminate from your writing? Share your thoughts.

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A freelance writer knows how much time and effort they put into your writing. Therefore, you wouldn’t want someone to take strong>your or your client’s entire blog post or article without permission, would you? Artists that upload stock photography probably feel the same way. They would appreciate credit and a link when applicable. After all, they took the time to create a perfect photo that ties your blog or article together.

When you purchase stock photography from sites such as iStockphoto, Dreamstimes, Getty Images, or some other site, you own the right to use the photo. Of course, it’s best to read the license agreement twice in order to understand your rights to the photo. Since you own the photo you may not consider giving credit to the artist but it would be nice if you did. It’s a great way to acknowledge their work and say “thank you.”

FYI: Some artists require you to give them credit along with a link to their website. They’ll also request that you send them a link to your work so they can see how you used their photo.

Give credit the artist to avoid copywriting issues. Freelance writers that use Stock Exchange may be shocked to know that some artists do require you to give them a link to your site so they can see how you used their photo. You won’t know this if you don’t click on their profile. Most people who download photos probably don’t click on the profiles. The next time you download photos from Stock Exchange, make sure you click on the artist’s profile.

You can find images on Google but this isn’t recommended for many reasons. The photos are usually low res and won’t look good next to your post. The obvious reason is copywriting issues. You may not have the right to use the photos. Contact the owner of the photo to make sure you can use it.

Another alternative for freelance writers is to purchase Art Explosion. This art CD is available in 300,000, 600,000, or 800,000. You’ll receive vector and photo images. Some of the photos have been updated while others have not. If you’re looking for modern pictures this may not be the CD for you. Some of the pictures look like they’re from the late 1980s and the 1990s. Cell phones aren’t as gigantic as they used to be!

Before you use photos, make sure you have the right to do so — due diligence goes a long way. Freelance writers who know graphic artists may be able to get customized photos for a great price. Whatever you do, credit the artist and appreciate how their photo enhances your blog or article.

Rebecca

Where do you get your photos? Share.

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Some people love DIY projects. From putting in a new floor to painting the entire the house, these folks persevere no matter what. That’s great but what about when it comes to DIY websites and templates. These can be websites or templates that are already created but require a few tweaks here and there (think WordPress templates). What happens when you’re not thrilled with the color the schemes? How do you change them? What about font and line spacing? There’s nothing worse than small font that you can’t read!

Web design can leave freelance writers feeling lightheaded. It’s overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re doing. Perhaps you don’t know what “HTML h1 to h6 tag” are. What about CSS style sheets? The thought of this language may leave you feeling defeated.

Freelance writers who understand HTML could “tweak” templates without any problem. But they may not be exactly what you want, especially color schemes. Sometimes you can’t upload a custom logo because you don’t understand how to do it. This can be frustrating.

Where to find templates

• WPSkins
• TopWPThemes
• StyleShout
• Free CSS Templates
• Themes Preview

If you’re lucky, you’ll find a template that was created by a web designer who was thoughtful to include “instructions or “Read Me” text. Sometimes designers will include their email address and website. You’ll be able to contact them if you have any problems.

If you’re thinking about creating a web design from scratch, make sure you know what you’re getting into before you proceed. Hiring a web designer may be more ideal for you if the thought of web coding makes you swoon. There are many web design tutorials on the internet. If you feel up to it, design or redesign your website. Good luck!

Rebecca

Who designed your website? Share.

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The number of blogs on the internet increase every day. What makes yours unique? Many blogs have the same theme. Perhaps they’re about freelance writing, blogging, Paris, SEO, interior design, graphic design, screenwriting, or whatever your niche is. How do you make your blog stand out with so many other similar blogs out there? This can be quite the conundrum!

Freelance writers are no stranger to blogs. They have their own and write posts for clients. It’s their job to make sure the content is unique and strikes a nerve with readers. No one wants to read a blog post that could put you to sleep faster than a sleeping pill! Hook the reader and reel them in so they keep coming back for more.

Writing a blog can be tedious if you’re writing on the same topic as everyone else. How many “how to” posts are really needed? Be original and break out of the mold. Use a different angle if you must write a “how to” post. Provide information that hasn’t been written about yet. This may take some research time but you can do it.

Tips to creating a blog that won’t make you gag

1. Write unique posts in your style, tone, and voice. Forget about copying your writer because that’s too boring.
2. Create attention grabbing headlines and back them up with solid information.
3. Change your color scheme one in awhile. You may get bored with the look of your blog or could use a makeover. Freshen your blog with a different a color scheme and layout. It could help with your ranking.
4. Breakout of the “how to and tips and tricks” blog posts. There’s more to blogging than “How to do this or How to do that.” Be bold and daring and write posts that make readers stop and think or at least present a “How to” post in a different manner such “Create Your Blog and Attract Readers to Your Site.”
5. Find your niche. If you’re not passionate about your subject matter it will show in your blog posts. Make sure you’re passionate about what you do and have fun with it.

Blogging can be your worst nightmare if you don’t like to write. This why hiring a freelance writer is a good idea. They’re creative people who think of ideas you didn’t even know were possible. They weave your keywords into each blog post which can increase your page rank. They can also find a photo to accompany your blog to make it stand out.

If your blog is making you gag, then it’s time for a change. Step back and reevaluate why you created a blog in the first place. What’s your goal for the blog? What do want to accomplish with a blog? You may want to consult a freelance writer who’ll critique your blog and provide you with solid feedback. It could be the investment you make all year!

Rebecca

What’s your blog about and how is it unique? Share.

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Photo by Ivana from Stock Exchange

What do you do if your client wants a bio, to revise their bio, or wants an article written on their latest product or service? The solution is to interview them. You can do this over the phone, face-to-face, or through email — whatever the client prefers. Your client can use the interview to post on their website and you have a guideline for writing a stellar bio or article.

Interviewing doesn’t have to be scary — it can be a lot of fun. Freelance writers who want to exercise their inner journalist will enjoy interviewing. It’s a nice break from writing and you may discover a hidden talent. Once you develop your interviewing skills, you could add this to your freelance services.

Knowing the client will help you with the interview. Look at their website, social media sites, and read any material they’ve written. Pulling information from these marketing materials will help you create interviewing questions.

Listening and understanding your client are the keys to getting a profound interview. Forget about interrupting your client when they’re speaking. Wait for pauses then interject and ask questions. The interview will flow better if you do this.

Tips and tricks to interviewing

1. Be natural when you interview someone. Think of it as having a conversation with a friend and you won’t get nervous or make the client nervous.
2. Ask journalistic questions: who, what, when, where, why, and how and prepare questions ahead of time. However, if you allow the interview to unfold, you’ll intuitively know what questions to ask.
3. Be professional. If a phone interview is scheduled for 2 pm EST and you live in another state, make sure you’re familiar with time zones. Its embarrassing to have a client call and ask you if you forgot about the interview.
4. Expect the unexpected. If the interview gets off course, gently guide the client back to the interview.
5. Phone interviews. Your client may prefer a phone interview because they’ll be relaxed and in their own environment. You may want to use a program called Audacity which is a FREE audio editor and recorder. It works great for phone interviews.
6. Email interviews. If your client prefers email, make sure you know what program your client prefers, i.e., Notepad, the new or old version of Word, or some other program.
7. Face-to-face interviews. This provides you the opportunity to see your client and their facial expressions. Bring a recorder, notebook, and pen. You may want to bring an extra recorder and batteries to ensure the interview is recorded — sometimes technology malfunctions. Make notes as you conduct the interview because they could prompt you to ask additional questions and write down key points.
8. Listen. Know when to interject with questions by listening to definitive pauses.
9. Forget about a set time limit. Avoid using a time limit unless your client is under time constraints. Plan for an hour but if the interview is flowing ask your client if you they’d like to keep going.
10. Transcripts. Some clients will ask for a transcript of the interview. You can either transcribe it yourself, use a transcription service, or hire a local transcriber.

Remember the interview may be posted on your client’s website so ask interesting questions that will engage your client and readers. Boring questions are the fastest way to dash your hopes of a poignant interview. Ask open-ended questions that you can build upon if necessary. Stay away from questions that require a “yes or no” response because they don’t add anything to an interview.

Freelance writers have fun with an interview. Make sure your client is relaxed because it will make the interviewing process easier. Be prepared with you questions, but don’t be afraid to ask questions that you think of as the interview progresses. Good luck!

Rebecca

What was your favorite interview? Share your experience.

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The U.S. population uses slang terminology every day. Webster defines slang as: 1) language peculiar to a particular group as argot or jargon; 2) an informal nonstandard vocabulary composed typically of coinages, arbitrarily changed words, and extravagant, forced, or facetious figures of speech. Freelance writers may want to limit the use of slang because it’s possible only U.S. citizens will understand the message. If you’re goal is to reach a global audience then you want to be mindful of the words you use.

Freelance writers may use slang words (guilty of this — my bad) in their writing, but how many people will understand the meaning? U.S. readers will understand what the words mean, but readers from other countries may not understand. Or, you could end up offending readers. Remember that certain words and signs (thumbs up) have different meanings in other countries. What the U.S. considers acceptable may not apply to other countries.

Slang terms can make writing more colorful, but you may want to save it for your best-selling novel. If readers don’t understand what you’re saying, you could receive many emails from readers asking for an explanation. Of course, this is a good way to get dialogue going between you and your readers.

List of slang terms

Awesome
Bomb
Bogus
Bummed out!
Bummer
Busted
Chill out
Cop out
Cut it out!
Dude (still used today)
Hang out
Loaded
Oops!
Pal
Unreal

Sometimes slang can “cheapen” writing. You may be trying to be cool, but the execution of your use of slang could make your writing look amateurish. If you’re trying to revive your writing, consider taking a writing workshop or attending a conference. You can learn a lot from the speakers and other writers.

If you’re writing dialogue for a character in a novel or screenplay then you may want to consider using slang if it’s appropriate for the character. Otherwise, be professional in your writing and forgo using slang. Sometimes it just happens. When it does recognize it and find another word to use. Think of it as a challenge or a form of exercise for your brain!

If you’re a writer who doesn’t use slang, you deserve some props!
Rebecca

How many times have you used “slang” in your writing? Share your experience.

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