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Copyright Infringement Advice for Freelancers: What to Do If Someone Steals Your Work and/or Falsely Accuses You of Stealing Their Work

November 30, 2010

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As you may know if you’ve been a subscriber to my newsletter for any amount of time, I went through a trying time last month when someone filed an online copyright infringement notice against me, and my websites were shut down– some for almost two weeks.

This of course meant my income came to a screeching halt, as I make my living completely online (100%).

It’s Amazing How Easy It Is for Someone to Have Your Website/Blog Taken Offline – Even When You’ve Done Nothing Wrong.

It’s amazing how easy it is for some to write up a copyright infringement letter (it doesn’t even have to be a real letter) and have your site shut down, as I talk about in this brief newsletter I sent out when all of this was happening. All it takes is a simple email – really. I was shocked. The copyright infringement notice was filed unjustly against me, but I was still the one who suffered the consequences.

Online Copyright Infringement (Content Theft) Is Rampant Online – And Will Only Increase: What Can You Do About It?

On the other side of the coin are those who steal your content. There’s literally not a week that goes by that I don’t run across one of my articles that have been outright stolen, ie, no change made – someone just slaps their name on my work; or that someone doesn’t send me an email saying they’ve seen my content on another site and wondering why I would write for “a site like that.”

I just don’t have time to go after everyone, but it’s starting to happen more and more. And, I think it’s only going to increase. Why?

Why Freelance Writers (and Other Content Producers) Must Learn How to Protect Their Copyright

As more and more come online and start to conduct business online (believe it or not, internet entrepreneurship is still in its infancy), this is going to be more of a problem.

The reason is, content (the written word, graphics, video, etc.) is pure gold on the net. And if you produce it, it’s becoming extremely important to know how to protect it.

Important Note for all Freelancers: Even though I’m a freelance writer and talk about stolen “content”; content can be any intellectual property/work, eg, video, graphics, logos, paintings, etc. Hence, it’s important for anyone who produces original “works” to learn how to prevent it from being stolen.

Free Ebook That Details How to Handle Copyright Infringement Issues

The reason I’m telling you all of this is that Ruth Barringham of Writeaholics.net, a fellow freelance writer who participated in the ebook writing tournament back in October, and I co-authored an ebook detailing what to do when someone steals your content (ie, report copyright infringement), and what to do when a copyright infringement notice is unjustly filed against you (which can get your site taken down in a nanosecond).

You see, someone stole Ruth’s content. And she had to hire a lawyer and everything to get it taken down. The opposite happened to me – someone accused me (falsely) of copyright infringement and my sites were offline for almost two weeks.

The ebook is very detailed – we cover everything from how to file a copyright infringement notice, to how to file a counter notice, to how to select a host company that protects you as a website owner, and even info on how to find a credible copyright infringement attorney – plus a whole lot more. 

In January, the ebook will be offered for sale on Amazon, but from now until the end of the year, you can download it absolutely free. It’s our way of giving back to fellow freelance writers.

Subscribe to get the link to the ebook. You can do so in the sign-up box on every page of this site (right hand side, top of column).

For my American friends, I hope you enjoyed Thanksgiving (and didn’t gain too much weight) and are looking forward to the remainder of the holiday season.

Sincerely,
Yuwanda
P.S.: Quite a few have inquired about how my marathon went on Thanksgiving Day. I bettered my time from last year by more than five minutes, finishing in 2:23:19 (half marathon). Next year, I’m shooting for 2 hours or less (oy vey, fingers crossed!).

Submit a Guest Post: This site and its sister site, SeoWritingJobs.com, accepts guest posts. Get the guest post submission guidelines.

The Freelance Writer’s Thanksgiving Prayer: What are You Thankful for as a Freelance Writer?

November 25, 2010

I wrote the following around Thanksgiving in 2006. It’s become a perennial favorite.

What are you thankful for as a freelance writer?  Add your thoughts and I’ll add them to the “prayer” so we can all share in eachother’s “thanks.”

CLIENTS

I’m thankful for clients.

I’m thankful for clients – who pay.

I’m thankful for clients – who pay on time.

I’m thankful for clients – who pay what I’m worth.

I’m thankful for clients – who pay their thanks to me.

I’m thankful for clients – who realize my value.

I’m thankful for clients – who have ideas.

I’m thankful for clients – who have no idea.

I’m thankful for clients – who know when to give up their ideas.

I’m thankful for clients – who know what they want.

I’m thankful for clients – who know when they don’t know what they want.

I’m thankful for clients – who let me do my job.

I’m thankful for clients – who realize writing IS a job.

I’m thankful for clients – who realize writing is MY job.

ME

I’m thankful for the gift of writing.

I’m thankful for the gift of writing – for a living.

I’m thankful for the gift of writing – words that matter.

I’m thankful for the gift of writing – just for me.

I’m thankful for the gift of writing – love notes to those who matter.

I’m thankful for the gift of writing – editorials that change people’s minds.

I’m thankful for the gift of writing – to help others.

I’m thankful for the gift of writing – down what I’m thankful for.

FRIENDS

I’m thankful for friends – who realize I write for a living.

I’m thankful for friends – who don’t ask me to work for free.

I’m thankful for friends – who don’t tell me to “get a real job.”

I’m thankful for friends – who pick up the tab during dry spells.

FAMILY

I’m thankful for family – who respect my working hours.

I’m thankful for family – who encouraged me to purse my dream.

I’m thankful for family – who ignore me when I’m on deadline.

I’m thankful for family – who know I love them, even when I’m on deadline.

I’m thankful for family – who realize that my computer really is a person to me.

I’m thankful for family – who know I’m a professional, even in my fuzzy slippers.

DEADLINES

I’m thankful for deadlines – that pass.

I’m thankful for deadlines – that pass with pay.

MONEY WISH LIST

I’m thankful for checks;

I’m thankful for checks – that come in the mail,

I’m thankful for checks – that come in the mail on time;

I’m thankful for checks – that come in the mail on time in my name;

I’m thankful for “notification of payment received” emails from PayPal;

I’m thankful for bank lines of credit;

I’m thankful for bank lines of credit – in my name;

I’m thankful for bills that don’t come;

I’m thankful for bills that don’t come – in my name;

I’m thankful for bills that are paid;

I’m thankful for bills that are paid – on time;

I’m thankful for bills that are paid on time – in my name.

WISH LIST FOR CLIENTS

I wish for vodka shots before talking to unreasonable clients;

bottles of tequila to share with good clients;

a moonshine hangover to nonpaying clients; and

a three-martini introduction to new clients.

WORK

I’m thankful for work.

I’m thankful for work – that matters.

I’m thankful for work – that I love.

I’m thankful for work – that I love that pays.

Submit a Guest Post: This site and its sister site, SeoWritingJobs.com, accepts guest posts. Get the guest post submission guidelines.

One Thing I Like to Do Around the Holidays That Makes Freelance Writing More Profitable

November 23, 2010

If you’re anything like me, you probably have a gazillion articles bookmarked under your “Favorites.”

I bookmark everything from free ebooks from internet marketing experts, to new marketing methods I want to try. And, a lot of these may stay favorites for months (sometimes even a year or more) before I finally get around to them.

Around the holidays though, when things tend to be a bit slow for many freelance writers, I try to clear out my favorites. And this means looking through the links and finally reading some of the stuff I’ve been meaning to get to.

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Publisher Note: Start the New Year off right. FINALLY get that ebook you’ve been wanting to write done in Inkwell Editorial’s How to Write an Ebook in 3 Days Market It & Start Getting Sales within a Week Ebook Writing & Publishing Tournament.
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One Little Thing Can Lead to Making More Money

What usually happens is I’ll implement one new thing that I’ve been “meaning to get to” all year long. This almost always leads to me making more money.

In fact, I attribute it to the growth my firm has experienced over the last few years.

This year though, I’m getting a bit more personal. The thing I’ve decided to tackle this holiday season could really revolutionize my business, if the research I’ve done is any indicator.

What is it?

You must be a subscriber to read this post in its entirety. See the sign-up box to the right (top of column) on every page of this site. Once you subscribe, you will immediately be emailed this post, as well as all previous posts where a subscription is required.

Yuwanda

P.S.: Want to start a successful career where you have the mobility to live and work where you please? Visit our freelance writing bookstore for a ton of opportunities (freelance writing and internet marketing) to get you started.

Content Marketing Tip for Freelance Writers: How to Make Money During the Holidays by Creating Special Reports

November 16, 2010

Every year we know that the holidays are coming, but it seems that many of us (me, me, me!) continue to be caught with our holiday bloomers down! What do I mean? We miss the boat when it comes to preparing to bringing more business during this hectic time of year.

To this end, following is one evergreen holiday marketing tip you can use to ensure that you never get caught with your festive drawers down again.

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Publisher Note: Start the New Year off right. FINALLY get that ebook you’ve been wanting to write done in Inkwell Editorial’s How to Write an Ebook in 3 Days Market It & Start Getting Sales within a Week Ebook Writing & Publishing Tournament.
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You must be a subscriber to read this post in its entirety. See the sign-up box to the right (top of column) on every page of this site.

Once you subscribe, you will immediately be emailed this post, as well as all previous posts where a subscription is required.

P.P.S.: Want to start a successful career where you have the mobility to live and work where you please? Visit our freelance writing bookstore for a ton of opportunities (freelance writing and internet marketing) to get you started.

A Writer’s $1 Million Retreat in New York City

November 14, 2010

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know that I lived in New York City for 18 years and have a never-ending love affair with it. In fact, I still have an apartment there, which I sublet to a friend from Chile.

As a long-time reader of The NewYork Times, I ran across this story in the Real Estate section today, entitled A Writer’s Start-Over Home. I love this section of the times (the column, Habitats) because it gives you an inside peek into the lives of sometimes ordinary, and sometimes extraordinary, New Yorkers with relatable stories.

Personally, I fell in love with the column because how those featured live is usually so different from how I live — yet I may pass that person on the same streets (if I still lived in the city). I mean, there aren’t many of us who can afford $1 million apartments, or $5,000/per month in rent — which is often the case of those featured in this column. But most New Yorkers take the subway and get their morning cup of Joe at the corner bodega on their way to the subway.

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Publisher Note: Start the New Year off right. FINALLY get that ebook you’ve been wanting to write done in Inkwell Editorial’s “How to Write an Ebook in 3 Days Market It & Start Getting Sales within a Week” Ebook Writing & Publishing Tournament.
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New York real estate prices are so out of whack with most of the rest of the nation, but for those who live there, it’s normal. In any case, those are just some of the reasons this column captured me years ago and why I continue to read it, even though I haven’t lived in New York full-time since 2004.

As today’s entry featured a writer, I thought I’d share it with you.

Southern Born with a New York Spirit

Sometimes I miss the city so much it’s a physical ache. Even though I’m southern born, I’ve never bonded with a place, a city more. Some of my native New York friends even kid me that I’m more New York than they are. I think it’s the vibrancy of the city, the no-nonsense way of getting things done.

It’s not a city for the weak or meek; if you’ve got cojones and are fearless, you’ll thrive. And truly, if you can make it in New York, you can do anything, anywhere — or at least feel like you can.

Anyway, that’s my ode to the Big Apple today.

God bless her dirty, stinky, crowded, expensive — but oh so lively – little heart.

Yuwanda
P.S.: Submit a Guest Post: This site and its sister site, SeoWritingJobs.com, accepts guest posts. Get the guest post submission guidelines.

P.P.S.: Want to start a successful career where you have the mobility to live and work where you please? Visit our freelance writing bookstore for a ton of opportunities (freelance writing and internet marketing) to get you started.

Freelance Writers: How to Land Jobs When You Have $0 & Your Marketing Tactics Aren’t Working – 5 Areas to Assess

November 2, 2010

When you’re a freelance writer, it can seem that you’re only as good as the last project you turned in. Then, the hunt is on for more work. This is especially true if you’re a new freelance writer who’s just trying to establish herself.

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Publisher Note: Start the New Year off right. FINALLY get that ebook you’ve been wanting to write done in Inkwell Editorial’s “How to Write an Ebook in 3 Days Market It & Start Getting Sales within a Week” Ebook Writing & Publishing Tournament.
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But, what if the jobs aren’t rolling in? What if you’ve been marketing for freelance writing jobs like a fiend and no one is biting? What if you have $0 marketing budget, have exhausted all the free and low-cost strategies you can and you still can’t seem to land one freelance writing job?

A couple of weeks ago, a struggling freelance writer wrote in to me. This is exactly what was going on with her. She wrote:

QUESTION FROM A DISILLUSIONED FREELANCE WRITER

Hi Yuwanda,
 
I hope all is well. I’ve been wanting to write this post to you for quite sometime. I’m not sure if other writers are having the same issue, however, I thought I would ask just in case they are.

First let me tell you, I went to exercise this morning and I just broke down crying. I mean I’m doing everything I can to get clients with a 0 budget( I’m still unemployed). I don’t know if there’s a missing link in marketing from my end. I see my fellow writers who I correspond with on Facebook, and all of them are making six-figures or pretty darn close to it. Some of them serve the same market I do. I guess that’s why I started to lack confidence again, I’m saying to myself, do I suck as a writer, why am I not getting repeat clients?( I do follow-up).

I know I can use training to enhance my skills and I even invested in AWAI’s Copywriting course before I got laid-off. However, it’s like a catch-22, I want to invest to better myself, and I’m trying all I can to get more revenue, however, it seems like no matter what I do, no one is buying.(Or they want my services for $ 5 bucks, and that’s not going to happen).

I’m trying to be optimistic and I see people in my field who are very successful. I guess, the real question is, ” When you are giving your business everything you got and you are still not seeing the results you desire, what do you do? Or what steps have you personally taken if this situation has happened to you, Yuwanda? Thanks so much for all your responses and your help. I truly value what you do, and am always thankful for your insight and knowledge.

MY ANSWER

There are so many reasons a freelance writer is not landing jobs that without knowing the intricacies of their business, it’s hard for me to give a concrete answer specific to her situation. But what I can say is this, if you’re having a hard time landing freelance writing jobs – and you’ve been marketing your butt off – following are five areas to assess.

Reminder: Don’t stop marketing; never stop marketing!

You must be a subscriber to read this post in its entirety. See the sign-up box to the right (top of column) on every page of this site. Once you subscribe, access the archives and look for the date of this post (November 2, 2010) and click. FYI, you will be able to read all posts in our archives, which is hundreds of pages of content on freelance writing.  

P.P.S.: Want to start a successful career where you have the mobility to live and work where you please? Visit our freelance writing bookstore for a ton of opportunities (freelance writing and internet marketing) to get you started.

How to Write an Ebook in 3 Days, Market It & Start Getting Sales within a Week

November 1, 2010

Freelance Writing Advice: New Freelance Writer Details Her Foray into the Marketplace and How She’s Learning to Deal with Rejection

November 1, 2010

The following is a guest post by Hannah Conti

“Although we enjoyed reading this piece, I’m afraid it doesn’t fit with our editorial needs at this time and we will not be able to publish it. We encourage you to continue sharing your writing with others.”

P.P.S.: Want to start a successful career where you have the mobility to live and work where you please? Visit our freelance writing bookstore for a ton of opportunities (freelance writing and internet marketing) to get you started.