Posts tagged: freelance writer

Oct 24 2009

Niche Writing – How To Embrace Those Subjects You Hate

Niche article writing has always been a bit of burr in the side of most articles writers. It is inevitable if you are a freelance writer that you will come upon some subjects that you simply have no interest in. For those of you that find yourself in this situation, fear not. There are ways to embrace those article writing gigs that feature subjects that bore you to tears.

Niche article writing often means writing a series of articles on a particular subject or keywords. Niches may fall into broad or very narrow categories, and can be mind numbing after writing a tenth article on “bone marrow” or some similar subject. How do you get past that boredom and still turn out high quality, engaging articles?

The first step is to realize that every subject excites someone. If someone can be excited about a subject, then you can too. Dive into some information about the subject. Pretend that it is the next big thing, and ask yourself what you need to know about it. Ask yourself if you were being paid a million bucks to write about it, could you then become excited about it? Most often the answer is yes.

We have to trick our minds sometimes. I will sometimes pretend that I am an actor learning a role. In that role, I have to know all about ….. then I write the articles. For some reason, that switches my mindset and helps me to embrace the subject matter.

Another great trick to embracing niche writing is to realize that it will pass soon. No gig is everlasting in the world of freelance writing. Think of the money you are earning when you feel weary.

Finally, when all else fails, contact someone that is turned on by the subject mentally. If you are writing a group of niche articles about snakes, for example, you could visit the local zoo or pet store. You are likely to find plenty of people that can give you insight into why they like the subject. You may even find some common ground and generate some new article ideas. Visit some websites about your subject and read the comments. There you will often find the passionate few that embrace the niche’s subject matter.

Unfortunately, if we are to be successful in freelance writing, we are going to have some subjects that bore us. If we must write on these topics and niches, then it is always good to temporarily put on the shoes. If not, then you will simply stare at a blank screen, tap your foot, and never get a word typed. Give it a shot!

  • Share/Bookmark
Oct 16 2009

Is Freelance Writing For Everyone?

A common misconception is that freelance writing is a job that’s ideal for everyone. This couldn’t be any further from the truth. Although freelance writing is a very suiting career for many individuals, it is not an online job that is the right choice for just anyone. Here are some of the reasons to rethink quitting your day job to pursue a career in freelance writing.

You can’t type quickly
. Freelance writing allows you to work at your own pace, for the most part. However, you are going to have deadlines. If the idea of typing a lot of words in a short period of time seems challenging for you, then it may be a good idea to rethink pursuing a career in freelance writing. To make the most money and ensure that your clients are always happy, typing at the quickest pace possible is ideal. Here are some tips for improving typing speed and accuracy.

You have poor grammar skills. If you do not have very good skills in grammar or punctuation, a career in freelance writing is definitely not ideal for you. Have you ever browsed the internet, and found websites that were filled with typos? No one enjoys this. Unless you are willing to brush up on your grammar skills, it is a good idea to avoid a career in freelance writing.

You don’t enjoy doing research. Ultimately, you are going to be able to decide what freelance writing assignments you want to take on. However, the pickier that you are about what you want to write, the less money you are going to earn over time. Those who do not feel comfortable writing about topics that they are not familiar with may struggle with this. Doing internet research, and knowing how to provide sources when necessary, is one of the main keys to being a successful freelance writer.

You have very poor editing skills. Most freelance writers are their own editors because it costs too much money to hire a third person to do this job. If you do not have an eye for what looks right or wrong and if you tend to overlook the mistakes that you make, there is a possibility that freelance writing may not be for you. Here are some tips for editing your own work.

Although many people will make great freelance writers, there are some will not be too successful at this online job. Considering all of the factors prior to making the decision to pursue this as a career choice is very important. It is best to see how it works out for you on a part-time basis before quitting your day job to become a full-time freelance writer to pay the bills.

  • Share/Bookmark
Oct 16 2009

Check Out the WAHM Writing Forum For Useful Info

Looking for a great place to learn about new writing opportunities? If so, you will want to head over to the WAHM writing forum. Here, you will find a wealth of information that may be able to lead you to new opportunities.

Find New Opportunities at the WAHM Writing Forum

At the WAHM writing forum, writers talk about some of the opportunities that have been around for quite some time, as well as new ones when they become available. Any time that you learn about a new website that is paying writers, you will want to check out WAHM to find out if anyone else has had any experience with them. This is a great way to prevent yourself from being scammed or mislead by a certain writing company.

See if Others Share Your Experiences at the WAHM Writing Forum

Occasionally, those who are looking to hire writers stop by and post a bulletin. Writers also discuss some of the opportunities that are available, such as Associated Content and Demand Studios. If you are experiencing any problems with a website that you write for, you can post on the forum and see if there are other writers who have been sharing your experiences.

Find Support From Others at the WAHM Writing Forum

The WAHM writing forum is also a great place to check out if you are looking for group support. You will be exchanging information and conversing with people who are just like yourself, for the most part. Whether you are a beginner freelance writer or someone who has been doing this for quite some time, there is someone out there who can offer you advice on how to earn more money. If you are wondering whether freelance writing can help pay the bills, you will want to check out the forum because every month, certain people post how much they earn. What better inspiration for writers who are looking to get motivated?

These are just a few of the many reasons to stop by the WAHM writing forum! If you are looking for a great place to learn about freelance writing in general, this is a great option for you. Not only will you find inspiration, but you may find new opportunities. This is one of the best forums on the web for writers!

  • Share/Bookmark
Oct 13 2009

Do Writers Need to Pay Taxes?

A very common misconception is that writers do not need to pay taxes. This couldn’t be any further from the truth. Just like any other American citizen, freelance writers do need to pay taxes too.

Why do people think that writers don’t need to pay taxes?

One of the reasons may be because a lot of the jobs that you find over the years will not require you to provide them with any tax information. If you are dealing with clients on a one-time or inconsistent basis, it is unlikely that they will request information from you. They may not even want to have to deal with the issue themselves. Unless you are working for a well known website or company, such as Associated Content or Demand Studios, you probably won’t have to send a thing.

In addition to the people who are misinformed about not having to pay taxes, there are also many people who also think that they can hide the money that they are earning. It may seem a lot easier to hide money from the government when you are a writer, and in many ways, it can be. This does not mean that you shouldn’t pay taxes, however. Sooner or later, the IRS is going to catch up with you and realize that you haven’t been paying taxes.

When do you need to pay taxes if you are a freelance writer?

If you have made at least $500 a year, then you need to report your earnings. There are many people who feel that you do not need to pay if you have only earned $100 from one client, $100 from another, and so on. This is not true. If you have earned $500 total, then you are required to pay taxes on this money. Your clients or the companies that you work for many not necessarily be required to report the amount of money that you have made, but you are going to need to.

Self-employed individuals are also recommended to pay taxes on a quarterly basis. If you have a business name, not doing this according to regulations can come back to haunt you. That said, reporting any earnings that you have made, even if it is only done once a year, can help prevent you from getting into trouble with Uncle Sam.

Since not paying taxes is a federal offense, it is important to make sure that you do so. The best thing that you can do is keep good records of your earnings as a writer. Check back tomorrow for some tips on how to keep track of the amount of money that you make each month.

  • Share/Bookmark
Oct 13 2009

How to Keep Track of Monthly Earnings

If you are planning to work as a freelance writer, one of the things that you are going to need to worry about is keeping track of your monthly earnings. There are a number of different things that you can do in order to record how much you are earning per month. Here are a few tips.

Don’t Forget to Write in Bank Books

When you are doing a lot of online money transfers, it can often be difficult to remember to write how much money you are putting into your savings or checking account each week. Writing in books is the best thing that you can do. In order to make it go a lot smoother, try to write in your books on one specific day each week, such as Friday. It can also be whatever day you transfer money. Try to note where each transfer is coming from.

Keep a File Saved on Your Computer

Another easy way to keep track of your monthly earnings is to type it out each month and save it on a file on your computer. Just break it down according to each client or website that you are writing for. Write down the date and the amount of money that you have made. So, it should look something like this:

Client (Jane Smith) $20.00 2/12/2009
Associated Content: $25.00 2/14/2009
The Examiner $80.00 2/28/2009
Demand Studios $45.00 2/28/2009

(Please note that those numbers are entirely made up.)

Get Paper Versions of Your Monthly Earnings

Get a notebook or binder that you plan to write in. All that you need to do is write down the same exact things that you save on the computer. In fact, you can even print out the files from your computer with your monthly earnings. The reason that you will want to have it on paper is in case the computer gets a virus, or the file accidentally gets deleted.

Keeping track of your monthly earnings doesn’t need to be difficult. Since you will need to pay taxes on the money that you earn in the future, it is also something that is necessary for you to do.

  • Share/Bookmark
Oct 12 2009

Writing With Children in the House: How to Cope

Many parents find that freelance writing can be challenging when there are children in the house. Although you never want to neglect the needs of your children, you still need to make money writing – especially if it is one of your primary sources of income. Here are some tips on how to cope with writing on a regular basis while there are children in the house.

1. Come Up With a Schedule For Yourself

A schedule is one of the best ways to stay on track with writing. If your child takes a nap at a certain time every day, you may be able to get more work done during this time, so you will want to plan for it. Writing in the morning before your child wakes up or at night after she has gone to sleep can also both be strategies to get as much work done as possible.

2. Write Down a List of Things to Do

Since you are going to be strapped for time when it comes to writing, one of the best things that you can do is write down a list of things to do. Figure out what needs to be done, and then try to figure out when you will be able to do them. Most parents who are freelance writers will find that a to-do list can be very advantageous.

3. Find Ways to Distract Your Child

One of the most important things that you can do is find ways to distract your child. Encouraging them to watch a video or television program, allowing them to play with one of the pets in the same room that you are in, or getting them to use crayons in their coloring book are all great ways to distract your child. The most important thing to keep in mind is that the more distracted your child is, the less distracted you will be due to him.

Freelance writing with a child can be very challenging. The most important thing is to determine what works the best for you. Coming up with a writing schedule, writing down a list of things to do, and finding ways to distract your child are just a few of the things that can be done to ensure that your writing goes a bit smoother.

  • Share/Bookmark
Oct 11 2009

Five Inspirational Quotes For Writers

Writing can get frustrating from time to time. Whether you are having a hard time finding paid writing gigs or you are working at home with a child, there is no doubt that this job can bring a lot of sweat and tears. It’s important to remember that you’re not alone. There are many other writers who have been in the same boat as you at some point. We all get frustrated. We all get writer’s block. Here are five inspirational quotes for writers.

1. “Any man who keeps working is not a failure. He may not be a great writer, but if he applies the old-fashioned virtues of hard, constant labor, he’ll eventually make some kind of career for himself as writer” – Ray Bradbury

2. “Beware of self-indulgence. The romance surrounding the writing profession carries several myths: that one must suffer in order to be creative; that one must be cantankerous and objectionable in order to be bright; that ego is paramount over skill; that one can rise to a level from which one can tell the reader to go to hell. These myths, if believed, can ruin you. If you believe you can make a living as a writer, you already have enough ego.” – David Brin

3. “The reason 99% of all stories written are not bought by editors is very simple. Editors never buy manuscripts that are left on the closet shelf at home.” – John Campbell

4. “There is no satisfactory explanation of style, no infallible guide to good writing, no assurance that a person who thinks clearly will be able to write clearly, no key that unlocks the door, no inflexible rules by which the young writer may steer his course. He will often find himself steering by stars that are disturbingly in motion.” – E. B. White

5. “Occasionally, there arises a writing situation where you see an alternative to what you are doing, a mad, wild gamble of a way for handling something, which may leave you looking stupid, ridiculous or brilliant -you just don’t know which. You can play it safe there, too, and proceed along the route you’d mapped out for yourself. Or you can trust your personal demon who delivered that crazy idea in the first place.”
Trust your demon. – Roger Zelazny

  • Share/Bookmark
Oct 11 2009

How to Ask a Client For More Pay

Making the decision to ask a client for more pay can be a tricky one. Although you may need to ask for enough to make ends meet, you are also at risk of losing a client. This is why it is so important to put a lot of thought into how you should ask a client for more pay. Here are some tips on how to tackle this challenging issue that many writers face.

Way to Ask

The first thing that you will need to decide is how to ask your client for more pay. This can mean the difference between sending an email, making a phone call, instant messaging, or even meeting your client face-to-face. It is important to keep in mind that you should not choose a route that causes your client to feel on the spot, such as instant messaging or on the telephone, when your client may have little time to react. Asking your client in person can be a professional option, but will also put him or her on the spot. Emailing your client is probably the best way to ask for more pay because they will have time to react to the question, and respond once they have come to a decision instead of having to immediately provide you with an answer.

How to Ask

When you ask a client for more pay, it’s important to ask in a very polite manner. Asking in a rude or demanding way is not going to increase your chances of getting a raise in pay. The best thing that you can do is keep the email short, sweet, and to the point. Let your client know that you are planning to increase your pay scale. Tell them that you are willing to compromise if you want to keep this client, even if it means that you need to remain at the same pay. Be sure to tell your client that is going to ultimately be up to them, but that a pay raise would be appreciated. If you have already come up with an amount that you plan to increase the pay to, be sure to tell your client. If you are unsure of an amount, it may be a good idea to ask how much they would be willing to increase your pay to. Leaving options open to your client is a good way to make them feel as though they are in control of the situation, which could increase the chances of you getting the increase.

Remember that when asking a client for an increase in pay, it’s a bad idea to ask for too much. It is best to avoid asking for a pay raise that is more than 5 to 10% of the amount that you already making because this may be too shocking for your client to handle. Asking for small increases, over much time, can end up to the same amount that you are hoping to earn right away and it is likely to help you keep the client that you’re working for.

  • Share/Bookmark

Alibi3col theme by Themocracy

Easy AdSense by Unreal