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Freelance Writers Have Other Skills Besides Writing

November 5, 2010 By 2 Comments

Many freelance writers have other skills besides writing. They have marketing, SEO, SEM, SMO, PR, graphic and web design, accounting, and other skills. Freelance writers who use all of their skills will set themselves apart from those who don’t. Their services will be in demand because they’ll add tremendous value to clients and their businesses.

Some freelance writers have graphic and web design backgrounds. Not only can they write search engine optimized web content, they can design websites as well. It’s a terrific combination that could save clients headaches in the long run.

FYI: It’s always best to hire a web designer that has a graphic design background because they understand color schemes, layouts, and how to properly use photos.

Many freelance writers write web content. This means they know and understand SEO. They understand how to use keywords and phrases within blog and articles without forcing them. They’re familiar with meta tags and how to use links within web content. Freelance writers also understand the importance of SEM and creating backlinks. Hiring freelance writers who are web savvy can boost page ranks within search engines; this translates to more customers and a higher profit.

Skills freelance writers have besides writing

  • Graphic and web design
  • SEO — search engine optimization
  • SEM — search engine marketing
  • SMO — social media optimization
  • PR
  • Marketing
  • IT
  • Illustration
  • Accounting
  • Organization
  • Coaching
  • Speak foreign languages
  • Use sign language
  • Train and teach others
  • Time management

The more skills freelance writers have the better they’re positioned to solve more problems and increase their income. Most clients are looking for people who can do more than one thing. While it’s true you can’t be everything to everyone, you can tap into your skills and use the ones that will complement your writing. It’s a win-win situation!

Rebecca

What others skills do you have beside writing? Share.

Filed Under: Clients, Freelance Writers, Freelance Writing, Publishing, Screenwriting, Search Engine Marketing, Search Engine Optimization, Social Media, Tips and Tricks, Travel Writing Tagged With: , , , , ,

7 Things My Business Degrees Taught Me About Having a Freelance Writing Business

November 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Some believe higher education is a waste of time and money; the paper you receive isn’t worth the amount of money or time you spent attending classes. This is a matter of perception. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit but no business sense, you may end up sabotaging your business. Like it or not, freelance writing is more than writing, it’s a business. You’re in business to solve a problem and to market your business. And, if you’re solely in business to make money, you may not be in business for that long.

Many people romanticize freelance writing. They daydream about seeing their byline and picture in magazines and newspapers. There’s nothing wrong with this but you have to find the publications, pitch your ideas, agree upon a fee, work with an editor, and write the copy by a deadline. If you’re serious about freelance writing then you’ll realize that it’s a business and you need skills and common sense to run it. If you don’t understand how to market yourself, where and how to find clients/publications, how to research, how to create a budget, how to use accounting software, how to use programs such as PowerPoint or Excel, or how to speak with people, you may struggle to develop your writing business. This will discourage you and you’ll quit!

FYI: Two of my degrees are in accounting. I know how to use accounting software such as QuickBooks, Peachtree, MAS90, and other software. I can easily put together an Excel spreadsheet or PowerPoint presentation. If I have questions, I consult a CPA!

Organization is your friend. I never had a problem with organization; I enjoy being organized! If a client has a question about the scope of work or contractual fees, I grab the paperwork with ease and don’t keep them on the phone too long. I can easily email a copy of the contract in case the client misplaced their copy. Most people can’t find a pen to write with or their cell phone! Being organized is apart of being professional.

7 things my business degrees taught me

  • Building relationships with people is a key component to developing and continuing a business.
  • You’re in the business of solving problems and marketing.
  • Organization isn’t something to fear — it can be your friend.
  • You can’t get away from accounting no matter what career you have.
  • Develop and continue to develop research skills.
  • Pay attention to the latest trends within your industry.
  • You never stop learning.

These are the 7 Things My Business Degree Taught Me About Freelance Writing, and I hope they help you develop your freelance writing business. Perhaps it will help you decide if you really want to become a full-time full freelance writer. Whatever you decide, follow your dreams, and go for it!

Rebecca

How have your degrees helped you with your freelance writing business? Share.

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

How Can Intuition Help Your Freelance Writing Business?

November 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Intuition )inner knowing) also known as “sixth sense” can help your freelance writing. Have you ever had the following experience: your speaking with a client and your jaw clenches or you feel a tightness in your gut. This is a sign that working with this particular client could wreak havoc on your life. It may pay well but could be more trouble than it’s worth. Your intuition can guide you if you listen to it!

You may think intuition or sixth sense is a bunch of nonsense but you probably had experiences in the past where you had an “inner knowing” that you shouldn’t accept an assignment. If you chose to ignore the signs, you probably had one hell of an experience. Perhaps you weren’t paid or the client constantly made changes but wouldn’t pay you for them. If you would have listened to your inner voice, you could have avoided the situation.

Listening to your intuition can help you build your freelance writing business. Once you tune in and tap in to your inner being, you can take your business to the next level. You’ll know when people are lying to you. You’ll know that an assignment sounds to good to be true. You’ll instinctively know when to walk away from clients. It’s the best partner to have in business.

Intuition is like an internal GPS system. It can point you in the right direction if you listen to it. If you ignore it, you’ll go off course until you correct yourself.

Rebecca

Do you listen to your intuition? Share.

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

Freelance Writers Learn the Meaning of No

October 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

According to Dictionary.com the word “No” has the following meanings:

Adverb
1. a negative used to express dissent, denial, or refusal, as in response to a question or request)
2. used to emphasize or introduce a negative statement): Not a single person came to the party, no, not a one.
3. not in any degree or manner; not at all (used with a comparative): He is no better.
4. not a (used before an adjective to convey the opposite of the adjective’s meaning): His recovery was no small miracle.

Adjective
5. not a (used before a noun to convey the opposite of the noun’s meaning): She’s no beginner on the ski slopes.

Noun
6. an utterance of the word “no.”
7. a denial or refusal: He responded with a definite no.
8. a negative vote or voter: The noes have it.

Verb (used with object)
9. to reject, refuse approval, or express disapproval of.

Verb (used without object)
10. to express disapproval.

Idiom
11. no can do, Informal. it can’t be done.

Many people, including freelance writers, find it difficult to say “No.” They feel bad telling family not to bother them between the hours of 9 am to 5 pm (unless it’s an emergency). They feel bad turning down family functions because they have a deadline to meet. They also find it challenging to tell clients they can’t take on anymore work. Not learning how to say “No” will stress you out!

Freelance writers often work from home. You’re still working; the only difference is you work from home versus a corporate office. Close the door and put a sign on it that says “Writer at Work, Do Not Disturb.” Learn how to set your boundaries with family. Unless the house is on fire or the school calls you to come and pick up your sick child, you’re not to be disturbed!

If you’re ghostwriting a book, tell family and friends you’ll be unavailable for a few weeks. They may get offended but that’s the way it is. You chose freelance writing as a career. If you enjoy what you do, missing a couple of parties and family functions won’t be a big deal. Freelance writing is your business — this is how you make your living.

Learning how to say “No” and mean it can set you free. Freelance writers sometimes take on more work than they can handle. Unless you can outsource work, gently tell clients you can’t take on more work at this time. Turning down work may feel painful at first but it will help you keep your sanity.

Freelance writers, the sooner you learn to say “No,” the better. If you’re overworked and overtired, you won’t be any use to family, clients, friends, or your community. Saying “No” can liberate you in more ways than one. You may want to practice saying “No” by looking in the mirror. Good luck!

Rebecca

How difficult is it for you to say “No” and mean it? Share.

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

7 Things My Business Degrees Taught Me About Freelance Writing

October 27, 2010 By 2 Comments

I have three degrees, two are in accounting and the other is a MSM degree. Needless to say, I had to write many papers and give presentations on my work. The biggest challenge was the business plan I wrote for my final project for my MSM degree. I created an outline and table of contents and stuck to a schedule. My business plan was 62 pages and had many appendixes — no presentation was required. My hard work paid off because I received an “A” and a high GPA. I didn’t realize my degrees would teach me about freelance writing but they did.

7 things my business degree taught me

  • Research skills are necessary and mine were reinforced. You must know where to find the information you seek. You must know how to narrow down your search. You may begin with a broad search but that could return too much information. Know how to “drill down” what you’re looking for.
  • Create an outline and table of contents to keep you focused on your subject.
  • You can’t get away from presentations. You’ll want to learn PowerPoint or some other presentation platform. Make sure you keep the slides short and to the point.
  • Make sure you proofread your writing and have someone else proofread it.
  • You’ll need to abide by writers guidelines and not go over pages and word count.
  • You’ll edit your work many times.
  • Deadlines don’t go away. As a freelance writer, you’ll have deadlines and sometimes they’ll change. Flexibility is the key when dealing with deadline changes.

Bonus!

  • Organization isn’t a bad idea. Whether you’re organizing your thoughts or your desk, implement a system that works for you. You may want to purchase a recorder to record your ideas and a filing cabinet to keep track of client contracts.

As a freelance writer, I pay attention to word and page counts, even character counts. I proofread my writing many times to ensure all typos are corrected and sentences make sense. Sometimes I have another proofreader read my work to make sure all mistakes are found and corrected. I use an outline and table of contents when necessary. I don’t freak out about deadlines; I’m an accounting major who’s used to deadlines. Yes, my business degrees did teach me many things about freelance writing.

Rebecca

How have your degrees helped you with your writing? Share.

Filed Under: Clients, Freelance Writers, Freelance Writing, Networking, Screenwriting, Tips and Tricks, Travel Writing Tagged With: , ,
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