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7 Points to Look for on Social Media Sites When Hiring a Freelance Writer

August 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Social Media: Changing Business

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Let’s face it; social media and the internet can be a blessing and a curse. Most people are courteous and professional on their social media websites like Twitter, Facebook, etc. However, a select few post lewd photos, unsavory links, don’t agree to disagree, and bash people. This information is available for everyone to see, including potential freelance writing clients. Like it or not, social media leaves a freelance writer and their professionalism open to interpretation. Here are several points to help you navigate the murky waters of social media when you check out a freelance writer.

7 Points to Look for on Social Media Sites When Hiring a Freelance Writer

1. Bashing previous clients. You’d think this would a ‘no-brainer’ but some freelance writers have been known to bad-mouth former clients and employers. They don’t understand that it’s not good business to ‘burn or blow up’ a bridge. It’s best to walk away in a professional, dignified manner.

2. Negative Nancy or Nick. Most freelance writers are aware of how to write comments on blog posts and forums. They’re professional and agree to disagree. However, some may tear people a part. This isn’t professional or helpful to the conversation. If you come across a freelance writer like this, they may not be the writer for you.

3. Sketchy contacts. There’s a saying about how you can tell a lot about a person by the company he/she keeps. This is why it’s important to choose  friends and contacts wisely. Peruse a freelance writer’s list of contacts. How solid are they? Are they legitimate contacts? Is a writer’s social media website filled with a lot of contacts to make them look good? Ask these and other questions to determine the legitimacy of contacts.

4. Endorsements. LinkedIn allows endorsements; it’s a hot topic. Review endorsements carefully. Does a freelance writer have solid, well written endorsements from actual clients? What about former employers? What did they have to say? Not all endorsements help a writer. Unfortunately, most of them are for show and don’t tell you much.

5. Unsavory media. This is a sticky area. What a freelance writer does on their personal time is their business. However, if you find pictures of them ‘jugging’ from a beer bong while wearing a lampshade on their head, you may receive the wrong impression. How would this affect your decision to hire them as your writer? Can you imagine having lunch with your potential freelance writer with that image of them in your head? Listen to your ‘gut instinct’ if you feel comfortable hiring the writer.

6. Grammar and other mistakes. This is why it’s important for everyone to set a Facebook Personal Page to the highest settings. There’s nothing wrong with Lol!, LMAO, and other abbreviations; however, a freelance writer’s business is writing and communications. Check out their Twitter page, Facebook fan page, and LinkedIn page to see what they’re posting.

7. Does the freelance writer interact on their blog and fan page? Social media can make your head spin! However, a freelance writer who understands the importance of ‘connecting’ and developing relationships will interact with fans and followers.

Rebecca

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

Freelance Writers Spice-Up Your Freelance Writing with Ginger Software

August 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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This is a review of Ginger Software and based on my ‘use’ of the writing software. I was not paid to write this review. However, I was offered a permanent version of Ginger Software which I have yet to activate.

Rony H., who’s a part of Ginger Software’s marketing team, emailed and asked me if I’d be interested in testing and reviewing Ginger Software. Before I agreed, I inquired about Ginger’s customer service. I will no longer review products without knowing how a company responds and treats customers. Too many writers complained about the customer service of another writing software company which has prompted me to ask ‘tough’ questions. With that said, here’s the review of Ginger Software.

What I like about Ginger

Let me reiterate how much I appreciated the attention to customer service. I communicated with Rony, who was nothing but professional and speedy, with responding to my inquiries. I found Ginger software to be super easy to download; it didn’t take long. The bonus is there are no ‘wonky’ toolbars downloaded onto your computer. This is a big issue with other writing softwares.

Ginger Software includes features such as a Learning and Settings section. The Learning section is very helpful. When you click on Learning, you’re taken to Ginger Learning. Click on the ‘Most Recommended Topics’ to learn more about these areas. You have the option to review Lessons and Quizzes. This is extremely helpful for writers.

I liked how Ginger Software scanned my writing line-by-line. The writing software also catches and hi-lights errors. You have the opportunity to correct or learn more about the errors by clicking on Learning.

When you click on Settings, you can view General, Display, and Speech settings. Adjust these according to your needs. I liked the ‘Speech’ setting because sometimes it’s helpful to hear what you wrote. The Settings section includes Enter Activation Code, Help, Contact Support, and About.

What could be improved?

My suggestions were as follows:

1. Include a translator. Sometimes, a writer translates writing into different languages.

2. Include reference materials such as dictionary, thesaurus, etc. I didn’t see these.

3. Include information on punctuation in the Learning section.

Free gifts for you from Ginger Software

1. Ginger Software’s free online correction service where your website visitors can go and paste/type their text and have it corrected instantly. Visit Ginger Software to grab your free gift.

2. Ginger Software’s brand new writing tool for web sites. The writing tool below can be placed on any webpage on your website, to enable the website visitors to receive corrections directly from your website. Visit Ginger Software to grab this free gift.

If you want to purchase writing software that’s easy to use, consider purchasing Ginger Software. As I said, I inquired about the company’s customer service before I agreed to ‘test’ the writing software. I, personally, had no issues with customer service and communication with Rony. Plus, the company’s offered everyone free gifts. This doesn’t happen every day. You may want to take advantage of this generous offer.

Rebecca

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What the Heck Is An Infographic?

August 13, 2011 By 1 Comment
Information

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Question: My client asked if I could put together and or include an infographic with my article. What the heck is it? As a freelance writer, do I need to know about this? I’m a freelance writer, not a graphic designer. Help!

Answer: Infographics are taking over the blog-o-sphere with fervor. Freelance writers with an accounting or marketing background (business) who are familiar with creating Excel speadsheets which include charts and graphics, will have flashbacks if and when they create infographics.

Basically, an infographic is nothing more than a graphic or visual representation of complex information which is turned into a pretty, easy-to-understand visual. They’re becoming quite popular among bloggers and article writers. Freelance writers with a graphic design background could include and or offer an infographic to complement a blog post or article.

Learning to create an infographic could benefit you. The more you know, the more services you can ‘add’ to your freelance writing services. This translates to an increase in revenue. Don’t be afraid to learn new skills, even if you don’t think it applies to freelance writing. You never know how new skills will benefit you now and in the future.

Rebecca

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The Challenges and Joys of Freelance Writing … Freelance Writer’s Perspective

August 12, 2011 By 4 Comments
Freelance (2007 film)

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Freelance writing can be a great career for anyone who loves a challenge and organization. Clients and editors keep you on your toes which will test your flexibility and resiliency. You get to interview various people; great way to network and make new business connections which could lead to more writing assignments or new business opportunities. Freelance writing has its ups and down — challenges and joys rolled into one.

Challenges of freelance writing

● Deadlines increase by a few days or one week.

● Changes in the scope of work.

● Connecting with interviewees is a challenge due to time zones and work schedules.

● Finding the best photos (when needed) to accompany a blog post or article.

● Collecting payment from clients. This is why contracts are important.

● Freelance writers are responsible for marketing and PR, accounting, answering calls and emails, etc. It’s your business!

Joys of freelance writing

● Variety of clients and assignments.

● No overhead.

● Work from home; the commute is very short.

● Freelance writing is good for stay-at-home moms; home for the kids.

● Create your own work schedule.

● Take a vacation whenever you want to, not when you’re told you have to.

● Meeting and speaking with new people.

● Own your own business and run it the way YOU want to.

● Choose clients; who do you want to work with?

● Work within a creative industry.

Rebecca

What are your challenges and joys of freelance writing? Share

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Authors and Writers Get the Skinny on Purchasing and Using Photos

August 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment
© is the copyright symbol in a copyright notice

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Question: This is a two-part question. First, I use photos to accompany or enhance my blog posts. Some clients expect me to incorporate photos into a blog post or article I write for them. Do I need to purchase extra licenses? As a freelance writer my business is writing, not photography. Second, what kind of license would I need if I wanted purchase an illustration or photo for a book I wrote? If I self-publish, am I better off using the self-publisher‘s graphic designer and or illustrator? Help!

Answer: These are excellent questions and a good sign you’re aware of copyright protection.

Photos for freelance writing clients

Most clients have their own stock photography; you shouldn’t be stressed about it. If you need to purchase or find photos from a stock photography site, a photo can be used once (at least this is my understanding) in a blog post or article. For example, if you purchase a photo from iStock, Bigstock Photos, Fotolia, etc. you’ll be able to use the photo one time for a specific client. You can’t reuse photos for all clients, unless, you purchase additional license agreements. Reading and interpreting license agreements can be a tricky. When in doubt, always ask questions before your purchase photos. Each stock photography company has different licensing terms. However, the goal is the same; to protect the copyright of artists.

The bottom line for you, the freelance writer, is selling your writing and not worrying about photos. Of course, if you’re interviewing someone and writing an article for a magazine or newspaper, you can take your own photos or have the publication’s photographer take photos.

Adding a photo is nothing more than an ‘enhancement’ to a blog post or article; your main focus is writing. If you’re a freelance writer who ‘dabbles’ in photography, feel free to sell clients your photos separately or as part of a writing package. To ease your anxiety about purchasing photos (if you have any), you may consider telling a client your focus freelance writing. They’ll have to purchase photos.

Artwork for book covers

You may consider using the services offered to you by a self-publisher or hiring a freelance graphic designer or illustrator. Traditional publishers also have graphic designers and illustrators. Again, it will behoove you to ask questions such as:

● Who owns the rights to the artwork?

● Is the artwork licensed to me, the author?

● Where did you purchase the artwork from?

● Can I reuse the artwork?

All of this may sound like paranoia, but it’s better to err on the side of caution. When I worked for a real estate and development corporation, we used to say, “CYA” which stands for ‘Cover Your A**”

BTW: Artists appreciate knowing how and where their photos are used. If you use ‘royalty free’ photos from Stock Exchange or some other site, send the artist an email and link to your writing.

As an author or writer, you want to understand copyright protection. The more you know and understand the better for you and your writing (freelance) career. There’s nothing wrong with investigating and making sure you dot the “I’s” and cross the “T’s.” Not only does it protect you, it protects your clients. Artists are also protected; all they want is credit and recognition. Isn’t this what we all want?

Rebecca

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