Laid Off? Out of Work? 5 Tips for Transitioning to a Career as a Freelance Writer
January 19, 2010
The American workforce is changing. Many jobs are disappearing in sectors that are not going to rebound (eg, manufacturing, newspapers). Those jobs are gone forever. While it may be a hard pill to swallow, it’s forcing many to rethink what job stability is.
I’ve been a freelance writer/editor since 1993. And while I’ve had some lean years, one of the things I’m always grateful for is that I know how to make money under my own steam. My income does not depend on any one client (one paycheck); it depends on me, my marketing savvy and my willingness to work hard.
If freelance writing intrigues you as a “recession-proof” career choice, and you find yourself looking to make the transition, following is some first-hand advice on how to do just that.
Tip #1 for Transitioning to a Freelance Writing Career: Rethink What Job Stability Means
If you find yourself laid off from a job that you thought was secure, and you haven’t been able to land another job, maybe it’s time to rethink what job stability means.
Accept the fact that gone are the days when you get with a company and retire with them. While a company can be sound financially one day, as we’ve seen over the last decade or so, things can change in a nanosecond. I mean, who thought GM would go bankrupt and have to accept government help to stay afloat.
While they seem to be bouncing back, they are doing it with a streamlined workforce. And, who knows what’s going to happen in 5, 10 or 15 years.
So tip number one for transitioning to a freelance writing career is accepting that the only job stability is the stability you give yourself.
Tip #2 for Transitioning to a Freelance Writing Career: Create Self Discipline
Many new to freelance writing – or any work from home job – say that they find it hard because there are too many distractions when working from home.
But, if you’re going to succeed in this career, you must develop self discipline. And the easiest way to do this is to create a routine — much like you would if you had to report to a job.
Get up at the same time every day, create a list of tasks to accomplish every day (in the beginning this will be marketing for freelance writing jobs), and sign off at the same time every day.
Some of the tasks you should be doing initially are getting a website up and running, creating writing samples and developing a marketing plan.
A routine will create the consistency you need to get these things done – which will lead to desired results (ie, freelance writing jobs).
Tip #3 for Transitioning to a Freelance Writing Career: Set Up a Home Office
It doesn’t have to be fancy. It can literally be a corner of your dining room table. But, having an “office” to go to goes hand in hand with creating a routine and being disciplined about work.
Tip #4 for Transitioning to a Freelance Writing Career: Set Income Goals
How much do you want/need to make? This will be different for every person. But, do set a goal; have a concrete number in mind. This is important because it’s like driving without a map. You must have an end goal in mind in order to motivate yourself to do what you need to do – day in and day out – to get work flowing in.
Without a number to reach, it’s much easier to be lackadaisical in your work habits.
Tip #5 for Transitioning to a Freelance Writing Career: Find a Mentor
This doesn’t have to be an actual person. It can be someone – or a few people — you follow online. There are going to be times you get discouraged. You’ll need some reassuring words (blog posts, articles, videos) to keep you pumped about your new career as a freelance writer.
Remember, if others can make a living doing this, you can too! It’s not rocket science, but it does require discipline.
Finding a Mentor Tip: The SBA (http://SBA.gov) has a program called SCORE (the Service Corp of Retired Executives). They mentor new business owners – at no charge. Go to the SBA’s main site and drill down to your city/state. Then, contact them to see if they have such a program in your jurisdiction and ask what you have to do to participate in it.
How Long Does It Take to Transition to a Career as a Freelance Writer?
Of course, there are many more steps to take to transition to a career as a freelance writer. But, these are the broad ones that get you on the right road.
How long it takes really depends on you. You can start landing clients in the first week, or it may take a month or more. It all depends on your desire, how adept you are at marketing and which niche(s) you target.
Freelancing Writing: Priceless “Job” Stability
But one thing I can tell you, once you start making money “under your own steam,” it’s a liberating feeling. Why? Because you’ll realize that you’ll never be at the mercy of a job (one paycheck) again.
Even through lean times, I never worry about how I’m going to make ends meet because I know that my income depends on only one factor – me and my brain. And that’s a kind of peace no job — no matter how stable — can compete with.
Best,
Yuwanda
P.S.: Want a Recession-Proof Career? Get SEO Copywriting Training. As of today, 1/19/2010, there are 4 slots open for the class starting on 1/25. You can still register — up until this Sunday (1/24) – by paying the full course fee. If you’re ready to get on the road to job security in an exciting new career, this class will teach you how to do just that.
P.P.S.: Find this post informative? Follow Inkwell Editorial on Twitter.
P.P.P.S.: Want an easy, fast way to get started in affiliate marketing, making as much as $50, $100 or $150/day? Get How to Make Money Placing Ads on Free Classified Ad Sites (ie, Backpage.com). If you want to make some easy money promoting affiliate products on free classified ad sites, this ebook is for you. I routinely make $100-$150/day.
Copyright © 2010: All material on this site is copyright protected and cannot be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without my written consent (linking to is fine).
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Freelance Writing Business Tax Tips: 4 Things You Can Do to Make Filing Your Taxes Easier
January 12, 2010
Tax season is right around the corner. If you’re a freelance writer, this can either cause angst or not (there’s no in between; I mean really, who’s ever happy about tax season). So, you’re probably either feeling a bit queasy at just the thought, or it’s one more thing on your list that you have to handle (no emotion attached thank you very much).
Following are four things you can do to get ready for the tax man. And who knows, if you have all your ducks lined up, you may just feel a teensy, weensy bit joyful the closer Thursday, April 15th gets (come ooonnnnn, you can squeeze out a smile).
Freelance Writers: 4 Things You Can Do Now to Make Filing Taxes Easier
I. Categorize Your Expenses: Freelance writing is a business that, at the outset may not look like it has a lot of expenses, but they can add up. So make sure you know what these are.
Some obvious ones are PayPal fees deducted from payments you’ve received from clients; offices supplies; telephone/cell phone charges and office equipment.
Some less obvious expenses you may forget to account for are:
Fees you pay for professional organizations like your Chamber of Commerce (you’d be amazed at how many forget this fee);
Mileage expenses if you drive to and from networking meetings or to meet clients;
Travel-related expenses: For example, if you go somewhere and write about it and submit to sites like AssociatedContent.com or sell it to your local newspaper, that’s a legitimate freelance writing business expense. Now, how much of your transportation, meals and other trip-related expenses you deduct can be a bit dicey, but it is a legitimate expense.
FYI, this is why I use TurboTax to efile taxes. It truly is practically impossible to go wrong with this software. Before finding TurboTax, I paid an accountant upwards of $3,000 some years to file my taxes (this was when I had an editorial staffing agency in New York). I’ve used TurboTax for the last four years, and I love it.
Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with TurboTax; I’m just happy user.
Recognizing Expenses Tip: Mentally do a walkthrough of some of your days as a freelance writer. Do you attend networking meetings on a weekly basis; does FedEx regularly pick up packages from your home office; do you use e-fax because you have a paperless office; do you backup your files when you close up at night; etc.?
I do a mental rundown like this when I pack to travel so that I don’t forget anything. By doing this kind of walk through, you remember expenses you may easily forget (eg, your monthly e-fax bill; your annual backup data storage fee; your mileage to weekly networking meetings, etc.).
II. Income: Income is much easier to calculate than expenses. I mean really, who forgets how much money they brought in, right? Not many of us.
HOWEVER, as freelance writers, we have a lot of clients and some of them are “one off” jobs. So don’t forget to declare that income. You should have some type of system where you track all jobs. You do, don’t you?
If not, get in the habit of doing so – now – because one time not declaring some income can have you paying out more in taxes — years later.
Freelance Writers: How Not Being Organized Can Cost You – Years Later — in Back Taxes
I remember one year I didn’t declare like $1,600 from a client who didn’t send me a 1099 at the end of the year. I simply forgot about the job because it had been done at the beginning of the year and the client never used my services again.
So two years later when I got a “revised” tax statement from the IRS, I owed hundreds more in taxes. I can be pretty flighty at times, but I’m not stupid. From that day on, I got organized — quick, fast and in a friggin’ hurry!
1099 Due Date: When You Should Receive These from Clients
The 1099 due date is the end of January. This is when all clients you’ve worked for the previous year should have mailed out your 1099 – if they paid you more than $600 over the course of the tax year. But, some of them don’t. Ultimately, it’s up to you to track your income.
Receipts: One of my sisters owns a business and she several rental properties. She’s a master receipt keeper. I swear to God, if you ask her for the receipt for a key she had made three years ago on October 18th, she’d dig it out.
I’m not that great with keeping receipts for every little thing. But for the big stuff, I do (eg, purchasing a new laptop, cell phone charges, shelf installation in my home office, etc.).
You never know when you’re going to get audited. So it’s best to keep all receipts. Some accountants say keep them on hand for three to five years. If you haven’t been audited for years gone by by then, then it’s a very good chance you won’t be.
III. Questionable Writeoffs: Is your home office really a home office? If so, how do you account for it? If you take a client out to lunch, can you write the whole thing off, or part of it? When you travel for business, how much of your trip is deductible (meals, car rentals, plane tickets, money exchange fees (if you travel internationally), etc.
All of these are sticky situations where it takes some reading to understand. If you use an accountant, you can ask them. If you use a software like TurboTax, it can give you guidance and you can even request help from an actual tax expert (for a fee).
Line up these questions to ask before you sit down to do your taxes or drop them off to your tax preparer. It’ll make the process so much easier.
IV. Filing Date: Finally, set a date to sit down and file your taxes or meet with your accountant.
This way, you won’t be rushed into doing them at the last minute when it can cost you more. Not only because mistakes are more prevalent and/or your accountant may charge a rush fee, but because you are in such a rush to just “get them done” that you don’t take the time to get every write off you’re entitled to.
Caution: Be Aware of Tax Scams This Time of Year
The tax scammers are starting to come out. Just a couple of days ago, I got an “email from the IRS.” I didn’t even open it. Why? The answer is, and I put the phrase in quotation marks because, the IRS does not send emails. Again, the IRS does not communicate with taxpayers via email. They will always send a letter.
The goal of IRS scammers is to get a hold of your financial info – name, social security number, birth date, etc. All of this means they can steal your identity and ruin you financially. It can literally take years – and thousands of man hours – to get this all figured out.
Don’t fall for it.
REMEMBER, “The IRS does not discuss tax account matters with taxpayers by e-mail.” Source: IRS.gov.
Learn more about IRS phishing scams directly from the IRS.
Happy Tax Filing!
Yuwanda
P.S.: Start a Recession-Proof Career. Get SEO Copywriting Training. As of 1/12/2010 there are only 5 slots open for the SEO writing class starting on 1/25. If you’re ready to get on the road to job security in an exciting new career, this class is for you.
P.P.S.: Find this post informative? Follow Inkwell Editorial on Twitter.
P.P.P.S.: Want an easy, fast way to get started in affiliate marketing, making as much as $50, $100 or $150/day? Get How to Make Money Placing Ads on Free Classified Ad Sites (ie, Backpage.com). If you want to make some easy money promoting affiliate products on free classified ad sites, this ebook is for you. I routinely make $100-$150/day.
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How I More Than Doubled My Income as a Freelance Writer in 2009: The #1 Reason I Was Able to Do This
January 5, 2010
I’ve actually wanted to write this post for a while, but it meant that I’d have to reveal some personal stuff – and I don’t like to do that. But I feel ready to do so. In case you’ve forgotten or are a new reader to Inkwell Editorial, this week’s post is all about how to make more money this year.
BUT, I’m not going to talk about marketing. You can read the specifics of how to make more money as a freelance writer here for that. And here; and here.
What I want to talk about is much more important — clearing energy sucking, motivation depriving, negative thinking people from your life. To illustrate this point, I’m going to tell you my story.
How to Make More Money as a Freelance Writer by Getting Rid of Non-Empowering People in Your Life
About a year and half ago, my two-year engagement ended. My ex-fiance was actually a very nice guy – so this is not a bashing story. In fact, although it was very painful, we had a very civil breakup. We broke up basically because we weren’t compatible – in a lot of ways. We looked at money differently; approached our careers differently and had different levels of ambition.
I’m definitely a Type A personality. I don’t do anything half ass. Either I’m all in or all out. This is especially true when it comes to my career. I’m extremely focused and can work around the clock if I have a goal in mind. This type of tunnel vision can become a problem if you’re with someone who’s a bit more laid back about everything.
In our case, it led to a lot of arguments about money, time spent together (or not spent together), future goals, etc.
The year after we broke up, I more than doubled my income and paid off more debt in that one year than I had in the entire two years that we were together. Now, again, this is not to blame or point fingers. The point I’m trying to illustrate is that when you don’t have anyone in your life holding you back from what is really important to you, you can literally move mountains.
I once read somewhere that 90% of your happiness in life will depend on the mate you choose. I believe this fully. Why? Because this is the person that you will ostensibly spend the most time with; who you will look to for inspiration; who will encourage you when you’re feeling down; will inspire you when you feel you can’t go on; and who will give you that extra pat on the back when you feel like crap.
If the person who is supposed to love you the most in the world is not supportive of you and your dreams, it weighs on you – more than you will ever realize. In fact, to realize it, you have to get out of it – and be out of it for some time – to see the effect that it has on you.
The same goes for friends in your life by the way. In fact, people in your life either add to it, or take away from it. A wise man once said that you can tell what a person is all about (ie, how successful they are/will be) by the five people they’re closest to in their life.
If your friends are ne’er-do-wells, or afraid to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams, or don’t support your dreams — even if they don’t come right out and say it – they’re holding you back.
How?
When you bring up a new idea, they may shoot it down or say “It’s too risky; why would you want to do that?” Or they may say. . .
“Man, I sure hope you know what you’re doing. I’d be scared to death if I were in your shoes.” Or, …
“How are you going to afford healthcare; you’d be crazy to give up that job.”
Or . . . you get the picture.
They’re well meaning but they don’t add to your life; in fact, they’re holding you back. This is especially true if you’re skittish anyway.
This is why you need to cultivate friends who will support you – no matter what. Now you don’t want “yes men” around you. But at the end of the day you want them to say, “You’re a smart cookie and if you’ve weighed the pros and cons — and have done your due diligence — then if anyone can a make a go of it, you can.”
The year after my fiancé and I broke up, because I didn’t have the emotional garbage that comes with being in a relationship that’s not working, I actually probably worked fewer hours. But again, I more than doubled my income.
I also started to take better care of myself – running more, eating better, drinking less, sleeping better, etc. All of this attributed to me feeling better, hence more focused. Ideas flowed easier, projects got done quicker, money flowed in seamlessly.
And all of this is because I was able to be at my best – emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. I can’t stress enough how important this is to your success as a freelance writer.
As a freelance writer, you’re building a small business. It takes will power, fortitude, encouragement and boundless energy to do this. The wrong relationships – romantic or otherwise – drain these from you right at the time you need them the most.
So take a good, long, hard look at your life. Are the people most important to you adding to your dreams, or taking away from them?
If they are taking away from them – get rid of them; I beg of you. You’ll feel so much better and will be genuinely surprised at how much more prosperous you’ll be – not only financially, but emotionally, physically and spiritually as well.
Tranquilly yours,
Yuwanda
P.S.: We’re getting down to the wire in the SEO Writing Training ecourse. As of 12/30/09 there are 4 slots left for the class starting on January 25th. You can reserve your spot for as little as $50, so sign up today!
P.P.S.: Find this post informative? Follow Inkwell Editorial on Twitter.
P.P.P.S.: Want an easy, fast way to get started in affiliate marketing, making as much as $50, $100 or $150/day? Get How to Make Money Placing Ads on Free Classified Ad Sites (ie, Backpage.com). If you want to make some easy money promoting affiliate products on free classified ad sites, this ebook is for you. I routinely make $100-$150/day.
Copyright © 2010: I don’t say it often, but all material on this site is copyright protected and cannot be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without my written consent (linking to is fine).
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How to Start a Freelance Writing Career in 2010: What to Do & Most Importantly, What NOT to Do
December 29, 2009
Last week, I wrote a long post about starting a freelance writing career in 2010. My intention was to lay out a concrete plan for doing so. I did that, but not in the way I wanted. What I DID was lay out why I think some achieve success and others don’t. In other words, I explained what I think are the mental blocks holding people back.
This week, I want to get more concrete. I want to lay out specifics for starting a freelance writing career next year.
4 Things You Can Do Now to Start Your Freelance Writing Career Next Year
1. PT or FT: Are you starting a full-time or part-time freelance writing career? Decide so that it becomes a reality and you can do the next step, which is . . .
2. Time Block: As in, how much time do you have to devote to your freelance writing career each day. To make a go of freelancing, you have to do something every day towards making it a reality. And I don’t mean doing stuff that makes it seem like you’re working on your dream, but really aren’t.
What are some of these things?
Freelance Writing Dream Killers: Things That Masquerade as Progress, But Really Aren’t
“Research”: This is in quotation marks because plenty of wannabe freelance writers spend so much time fooling themselves that they’re making progress when what they’re really doing is stalling. You may:
“Research” other freelance writers’ websites to get ideas on what you want yours to look like;
“Research” other freelance writers’ writing samples to see how to write yours;
“Research” the type of equipment you’re going to need for your “eventual” freelance writing business;
“Research” (read) articles on how others have gone about making their freelance writing dreams a reality;
“Research”; “research”; “research”; “research” . . . . until you have information overload and haven’t accomplished shit!
What you should be doing instead is . . .
3. Formulating an Action Plan: As in, I will have my website done in “x” number of days. I will choose a niche and write 5 sample articles over the next week. I will contact 20 companies a day via email until I’ve landed 10 clients. Then, I will consistently contact 10 a day no matter how busy I get.
I will write one promotional ebooklet that will help me to better sell my services. This will be completed by “X” date.
I will start an article marketing campaign, submitting 2 articles a week to popular article directories like EzineArticles .com and Amazines.com.
I will read one industry article a day (eg, SEO, medical writing, tech writing, etc.) to really get to know my industry inside and out.
See the difference between “research” and concrete actions.
Time is your most valuable asset when starting a freelance writing career. Waste it and you literally piss your dreams away!
Just as important as what you do, it’s what you shouldn’t do – especially in the beginning.
What You Should NOT Do If You Want to Start a Freelance Writing Career in 2010
You shouldn’t be spending a lot of time of social media sites like Twitter;
You shouldn’t be checking email incessantly throughout the day;
You shouldn’t be aimlessly surfing the net – not even for as little as 10 or 15 minutes at a time. This is particularly true if you’re starting part time because your time is already limited.
You shouldn’t be commenting on other blogs – or in fact even reading a whole bunch of other blogs and websites. Even when it’s in your industry, doing too much reading means you’re wasting valuable time. Don’t kid yourself and think that you’re “working” when you do stuff like this. You’re not. You’re procrastinating.
Why Being an Uncommunicative, Time-Selfish B*tch Can Serve You Well in This Career
I’ve been called uncommunicative, antisocial and “hard to get in touch with.” But you know what, that’s because I spend my time on income-producing work. For me, that usually means writing.
I write promotional material for my businesses: my SEO writing company and my freelance writing ebooks.
I’m an avid article marketer, so I write and distribute articles to tons of free article directories for the above-stated businesses.
I write promotional material for affiliate products I promote.
I write new material for my blogs each week (I actively update three and tangentially update five).
I write new ebooks.
I write and instruct freelance writing e-courses.
I write for clients.
My point is, I don’t have time to tweet incessantly, surf aimlessly and interact with others in forums and on blogs because these don’t fill my bank account at the end of the week. Writing does.
4. Implement! Once you’ve formulated your action plan, implement it. And keep implementing it – tweak it if it’s not working; put it on overdrive if it is.
If you do these four things, before you know it, you will be making a living as a freelance writer. It’s not hard, but it does take consistent effort. There will be dry spells, there will be difficult clients (although most are dolls to work with) and there will be times when you wonder if you can make a go of it.
You can . . . if you hang in there. If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times – if this was easy, everybody would do it.
Are You Ready to Live Your Life the Way You Want . . . Now?
BUT, the rewards are so great. Being a freelance writer has given me a freedom I never expected to have.
Jetting off to paradise (Jamaica) for 5 weeks at a stretch; no problem mon.
Taking off for a fun couple of days in DC with a girlfriend – no problem.
Visit friends in New York City for a week – no problem.
Planning a month-long sojourn to France with a girlfriend – no problem.
Laptop: check!
Cell phone: check
Internet connection: check!
The ability to make a living on my terms and live the life I want — now: check!
This is my life – the life of a freelance writer. And, it can be yours too – if you choose to make it so.
Tropically yours,
Yuwanda
Next Week’s Post: You won’t want to miss this one. It’s all about how to make more money as a freelance writer in 2010!
P.S.: We’re getting down to the wire in the SEO Writing Training ecourse. As of 12/30/09 there are 4 slots left for the class starting on January 25th. You can reserve your spot for as little as $50, so sign up today!
P.P.S.: Find this post informative? Follow Inkwell Editorial on Twitter.
P.P.P.S.: Want an easy, fast way to get started in affiliate marketing, making as much as $50, $100/day? Get How to Make Money Placing Ads on Free Classified Ad Sites (ie, Backpage.com). If you want to make some easy money promoting affiliate products on free classified ad sites, this ebook is for you. I routinely make $100-$150/day.
Copyright © 2009: I don’t say it often, but all material on this site is copyright protected and cannot be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without my written consent (linking to is fine).
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Want a Freelance Writing Career? Here’s How to Achieve That Dream in 2010
December 23, 2009
As we approach the New Year, it’s a good time to take a look back to assess what you did right, what you did wrong and what you can do differently in the coming year to achieve your dreams.
Note: This is a long, windy post. I often get sentimental at the end of the year. I figured it was as good a time as any to share with you why I believe some achieve success and others dont. And, how I did it. I hope you find it inspiring — and gets you on the road to achieving your dreams, whether it’s freelance writing or traveling or running a marathon. Whatever it is, just get busy doing it.
A Surefire Road to Success: The Value of a Plan
It’s amazing how things work out when you have a plan. While they don’t always go exactly the way you want them to, when you work from a plan, it allows you to stay on track. I’ve been freelancing since 1993. For the first 5 to 7 years, I just kind of winged it. I had no real plans other than making enough money to pay rent and hang out with my friends.
I was living in New York City then, a 20-something-year-old with a carefree existence.
About 10 years ago though, I started to take my freelance career more seriously. In my early 30s, I got married. Once this happened, I started to take life in general a little more seriously. Things like retirement, mortgages, life insurance and the possibility of children started to loom on the horizon.
Now in my early 40s, they are not only on the horizon, they are a part of my everyday existence. I don’t know if it’s because I freelance or because I’m just a Type A personality, but I think about the future – and how I want it to pan out – a lot.
I truly believe that if you don’t have a life plan, you plan to fail at life. I take issues like saving for retirement, paying off my home in 10 years instead of 30 years, staying in shape and having enough money to do what I want to do when I retire seriously.
And, I don’t want to wait until I’m in my 60s to retire. I want the option of retirement at 55. That’s just about a dozen years away. If you’re a regular reader of my blog/website, you’ve heard me express this sentiment before.
I recount all of this to get across this one simple point as a New Year dawns — life moves at an amazing speed. And if you keep putting off something you want to do, you’ll look back and wonder why you never gave it a shot – because the years will slip by before you know it.
So if you want to have a freelance writing career – go for it! You will stumble along the way; there will be dry spells; you will wonder what you’ve gotten yourself into sometimes – but this is all part of achieving a dream.
My Freelance Writing Career & the Dawn of Success
Working towards a dream is never easy. If it was, everybody would do it. I’ve only achieved the kind of success I dreamed of for years in the last two years or so. And again, I’ve been doing this since 1993. If I’d had a plan, I might have been successful sooner. But hey, better late than never.
I receive so many emails from wannabe freelance writers and those who are frustrated because the freelance writing jobs aren’t flowing in like they need them to. And I tell every one of them, “This is part of paying your dues. If it was easy, everyone would do it.”
It’s universal karma; you must pay your dues in order to achieve success – that’s just the way it is. So when you’re having a hard time landing assignments – and you’ve been doing everything “right” (ie, marketing your butt off consistently) – chalk it up to good ole karma (dues paying) doing its work.
Sometimes, I think the Power Superior (as my ex-husband refers to God) tests us. He tests us to see if we really want what we say we want, and to see if we’ll hang in there long enough to get it.
If you really want to have a freelance writing career (or whatever your dreams is), then you’re going to have to weather the ups and the downs. And, this is what keeps many from even trying. They get so scared and kill their dreams before they even give them a chance to flourish.
The American Workforce: Rethinking What Job Stability Means
Yesterday, I retweeted a news story that said that 14,500 journalists were laid off this year, ie:
. . . the powerful forces of the global economic meltdown, plummeting advertising costs, and the shift of readers from print to the web would force seismic changes on traditional media. . . . Paper Cuts, an online site, that tracks layoffs at newspapers and magazines says more than 14,500 journalists have been laid-off or bought out this year. [Source: HighTalk.net, The Great Media Collapse of 2009: Part 2]
Many shy away from freelancing in search of job stability. I quite frankly don’t think there is such a thing anymore. Many of the jobs in manufacturing, for example, have disappeared – and they’re not coming back. And in our field, journalism, jobs are disappearing at an alarming rate.
I argue that freelancing is the new form of job stability.
I’d much rather freelance and have 30 or 40 clients I depend on for my living, than 1 client (an employer) to provide for me.
Think about it this way: if you lose one client as a freelancer, you still have others you can turn to for work – and you can always market to bring in more. While your income may slow down, it doesn’t stop. When you lose a job, on the other hand, you’re a** out.
You panic — because there goes your healthcare, your retirement account, literally your daily bread — because all of your financial eggs are in one basket. As a freelancer, you have a more diversified portfolio.
Freelancing Provides More Job Security
Now yes, when you’re employed you have a steady paycheck. And it’s hard to argue this point. But how long is that paycheck going to last? No one knows that. Just 10 years ago, who would’ve thunk that GM would go belly up. These workers are learning the hard way that no job is safe. And, many of them don’t know how to do anything else.
As a freelance writer though, you learn out of necessity how to do a lot of things. You learn computer skills, how to write and negotiate contracts, how to put together marketing kits, how to write a business plan, how to budget and allocate funds, how to break into new niches – and the list goes on and on.
These are valuable skills – many of which you’d never learn on a full-time job because corporate America pigeonholes you. Your job is X, Mary’s Job is Y, Joe’s job is Z – that’s the corporate formula. But it sets you, the American worker, up for failure. Why?
The Global Economy: What Workers Need to Succeed
New technologies are coming down the pike every day and workers must be nimble and mercurial. It’s no longer enough to know how to do one thing and do it great. You need to know how to do a few things in order to compete.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been offered full-time positions by clients. And, a lot of times it’s because they see that I know how to do so much. If I’d stayed in corporate America, I know I wouldn’t have learned even a quarter of what I’ve been able to learn by being a freelance writer (author, blogger, webpreneur).
Securing Your Financial Future
I believe that in order to secure your future, you need to know how to make money under your own steam. Even if you work full time, always have something going on on the side. My stepfather, who could never seem to hold down a steady job, taught me this.
What My First Small Business Mentor Taught Me
He was the type of worker who would walk off a job in a hot minute. BUT, he always brought money home at the end of the week because he knew how to make money under his own steam. He was a hard worker and as long as it was legal, he’d do it. He never got organized enough to have a formal business, but he had so many side gigs that I realized years later that he was my first small business mentor.
My stepfather was an artist – he could draw and paint with the best of them. He had real talent. And he used it. He was a painter by trade (and I mean house painter, not artist). But he put his artistic skills to use. He’d paint decorative signs for businesses, in addition to painting their walls . . . “for a little extra.” He was a true hustler (the good kind!).
He could have been a gazillionaire he was so talented and had so many business ideas. But again, this took planning – not one of his strong suits. My mom was somewhat of an entrepreneur too. She sold Avon for years, all while working a full-time job. My biological father was an entrepreneur too — the unofficial kind that could never seem to hold on to a job either. If someone pissed him off, he’d simply walk off a job.
But because he had needed skills, he always managed to make a living. He was a carpenter, electrician and auto mechanic – no formal training in any of this stuff. But, he was so good at it – and everyone knew it – that he always had more work than he could shake a stick at. He could build a house from the ground up, fix a car with super glue and if it was electronic, he knew which wire went where. He was another one with amazing talent who never got organized enough to make a formal go of it as a business person.
My mom and stepfather always told me and my sisters to have side gigs. I’ve cut grass, waited tables, sold perfume door to door, made and sold decorative housewares (pillows, placemats, etc.), wrote resumes, etc. Even when I worked full time, I always had a side gig. And I‘m glad I learned this lesson early on.
I say all this to say that I guess I come by my entrepreneurial spirit honestly.
As I wrote in the post, SEO Copywriting: 3 Reasons to Train for this High-Paying, Work-from-Anywhere Career:
I’ve always thought a little differently than others. Having “just a job” never appealed to me. I’ve always been the kind to want to do my own thing.
And now after all these years, it’s all paying off. I don’t panic or worry about my financial future — even when funds are low — because I know how to make money under my own steam.
I believe this is the wave of the future.
I wrote this long post to get across the point that that the New Year is an excellent time to set goals – and really go after them. As my mom used to say, “Time is going to pass, it’s up to you what you do with it.”
Want to Live Life on Your Own Terms?
I’m off to Jamaica for 5 weeks on Monday. And yes, I’ll be working while I’m there. I have a life I wouldn’t trade for anything – because I have a vision, a plan and the courage to act on it.
You can too!
Happy holidays, and I hope to see you back here in the New Year.
Yuwanda
P.S.: We’re getting down to the wire in the SEO Writing Training ecourse. There are 5 slots left for the class starting on January 25th. You can reserve your spot for as little as $50, so sign up today!
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P.P.P.S.: Want to make some extra money ($50, $100/day) for the upcoming holiday season? Get How to Make Money Placing Ads on Free Classified Ad Sites (ie, Backpage.com). If you want to make some easy money promoting affiliate products on free classified ad sites, this ebook is for you. I routinely make $100-$150/day.
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Freelance Writing Job: The Stressful Side of Being an Online Writer & How to Handle It
December 1, 2009
I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted; stressed by having too much on my plate and am feeling a little overwhelmed by all I have to do over the next few weeks. You see, I’m going to Jamaica at the end of this month for about five weeks. And while I will work there, I have to finish the following before I leave — exactly four weeks from today:
The freelance writing jobs report for 2010-2012 (this will run anywhere from 15-25 pages);
2 e-pamphlets to write (20-50 pages each); and
1 full ebook to write (100 to 150 pages).
This is in addition to my weekly affiliate marketing, client deadlines, blog updates (I have four I actively update) and trying to have a life during this busy holiday season.
“I’ve Gotten Myself Into a Pickle!”
In case you’re wondering why I’m in this pickle; quite frankly it’s because I have multiple streams of income. And, you have to nurture each one of them consistently to keep the money flowing in.
If I didn’t do my article marketing, didn’t write press releases, didn’t update my blogs consistently, it wouldn’t be long before my income was down to a trickle.
I’m Not Complaining, Really
I’m really grateful to have so much work because I know a lot of freelancers are struggling right now. Usually, my posts are upbeat and glowing about how much I love what I do for a living — and I truly do. But, I just felt the need to put this out there to show the other side of working from home as a freelance writer.
Freelance Writing Tip: Work Now, Play Later
And that’s what I wanted to get across in this issue — while making a living online is soooo possible, it’s also a lot of work. But, greatly rewarding if you put in the effort. I have probably another year or so before I can ease up a bit, with my affiliate marketing. But right now, I have financial goals I’m trying to reach and I work hard to achieve them.
If you’re really ready to make a change going into the next year, don’t be afraid to buckle down and do the work it takes. If you work hard for a few years, you can enjoy the fruits of your labor for years to come.
Gratefully and exhaustedly,
Yuwanda
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P.P.S.: Want to make some extra money ($50, $100/day) for the upcoming holiday season? Get How to Make Money Placing Ads on Free Classified Ad Sites (ie, Backpage.com). If you want to make some easy money promoting affiliate products on free classified ad sites, this ebook is for you. I routinely make $100-$150/day.
P.P.P.S.: The SEO Copywriting Training Ecourse is Filling Up; 8 Spots Left for the Jan 25th Class as of 11/27.
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Recession Proof Income: Online Entrepreneurs Raking in Hundreds (Sometimes Thousands) of Dollars a Day
November 19, 2009
I market this site in several ways. One way that I use off and on (and will start to use a lot more) is free press releases. It’s something you can do too — for your freelance writing business, ebooks you write, affiliate products you promote, etc.
I’m going to talk more about this in Monday’s upcoming post, How to Effectively Market Your Freelance Writing Business Using Free Press Releases. Following is the press release I uploaded to PRLog.com, a free press release site, today (you can access it on PRLog from the hyperlink).
Inkwell Editorial Press Release
PRLog (Press Release) – Nov 19, 2009 – As the economy continues to shed jobs, unemployment continues to spike and many job seekers frantically search for their next job, many online entrepreneurs are merrily looking forward to the holidays – confident that their income is secure.
Online entrepreneurs (aka webpreneurs) are a diverse niche. They run the gamut from freelance writers, to social media consultants to information sellers (infopreneurs). What they all seem to have in common is a zest for entrepreneurship and a love of “making money under their own steam,” as Yuwanda Black, a freelance writer and self-described webpreneur states.
Ms. Black explains:
I worked in publishing for years, parlayed that into a successful freelance writing career in 1993 and now teach others the joy of this type of entrepreneurship. I love what I do because I can do it from anywhere (and I travel a lot), without worrying about how I’m going to pay my bills.
Another common trait many online entrepreneurs seem to have in common is boundless energy and diverse businesses. Many have two or three different businesses going at the same time. Some are spinoffs off each other, while others are complete and separate entities.
Ms. Black explained that many online entrepreneurs do this to ward against what many laid-off workers are experiencing right now – a loss of income. She adds that by doing a few different things, when one is not working out or going so well, you still have another “gig” as she puts it.
This type of thinking may be the wave of the future for the American workforce. As many know, getting a job and staying there until you retire is a thing of the past. Americans have to start thinking of themselves as entrepreneurs, even if they have a traditional job.
As Ms. Black sums up:
This kind of thinking [entrepreneurship] will keep you on your toes because you’ll always have something going on on the side; so, if you’re laid off it’s not the end of the world, but really an opportunity.
Spoken like a true entrepreneur!
# # #
Inkwell Editorial is authority site for those who want to work from home as a freelance writer. The site offers first-hand advice on how to become a freelance writer, freelance success profiles, marketing tutorials, freelance writing workshops, ebooks on how to make passive income selling info online — and a whole lote more. To learn everything you need to know about how to start this successful career, visit the Freelance Writing Bookstore.
# # #
Yuwanda
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Freelance Writers: Insight about Making Passive Income with Minisites
November 12, 2009
Earlier today I sent out the following tweet. I received a couple of DMs asking me about it, ie, what my “passive income blogs” were.
Sooooo, I decided to write this quick post to give a little more insight in case more questions came in (I can usually sense when I’m going to get more questions 
). Tweet sent:
Off to do some article mktng & blog posts. My little “passive income” blogs are really starting to pay off. Midnite hrs paying dividends!
What are Passive Income Blogs?
Actually, these are what I call my minisites. You can read more about them in the post, How to Make Money with Minisites: Turn $1/Day into an Online Empire.
Since it’s easier to manage data in Wordpress, I’ve turned my minisites into blogs using this platform. And, they are more profitable as well. I think it’s because it’s easy to update them and categorize material in Wordpress than HTML.
Number of Minisites I Have
Right now, I have three; two I’m actively promoting and one that’s just kind of there. I update it when I can, which is not often.
The minisite (blog) that makes the most money right now is ForeclosureBusinessNews. I started this one to promote an affiliate product. But lately, I’ve been treating it more like a real informational site — branching away from promoting my affiliate product and into covering the subject (”home foreclosures”) from every angle.
Want to Start Building a Minisite Empire?
Write what you enjoy — and what you know.
Real estate and related industries (mortgages, foreclosures, credit/debt) are subjects I happen to enjoy writing about. As a previous real estate agent (NYC; late 80s) and mortgage consultant (ATL; a few years ago), I also happen to be quite knowledgeable on these subjects.
How Much Money Am I Making with My Minisites?
Not a lot! But, I do see progress and I’m in this for the long haul. ForeclosureBusinessNews.com makes about $75/month. I’m on track to double that this month, because I’ve been actively updating and promoting it. I usually spend half an hour every few days on it — usually when I’m watching TV in the evenings.
This is about all the time I have to devote to them with my other responsibilities (ebook and ecourse writing/teaching/promotion and client projects).
My plan is to build 5 of these sites to actively promote, with the goal of making just $100-$200/day from all of them combined. I think I’ll be there within the next 18 to 24 months.
Freelance Writers: Why Would You Want to Make Money with Minisites
For me, this is purely futuristic thinking. I like to have multiple streams of income. One day, I know I’m going to retire as a freelance writer. But, I’m still going to need an income. My plan is to have minisites provide that. This appeals to me because I can create as many of them as I want. Realistically though, I think 20 is about the number anybody can handle effectively. I’ve read accounts though of people who have hundreds.
More Info on Making Passive Income with Minisites Coming
When I can find time to breathe, I’m going to put together an inexpensive e-pamphlet about how to start building your minisite empire. Yesterday, my sites pulled in over $12. And I’ve just started to really take an interest in promoting them with a specific monetary goal in mind within the last week.
So, I’m motivated!
Til Monday,
Yuwanda
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Photo Credit: Brunel Students Union
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WiFi (Online) Tips for Freelance Writers Who Work While Traveling (Part II)
September 21, 2009
I wanted to add one more thing to this list: get ”on the go” wireless internet access via a service like T-Mobil HotSpot.
The foliage is typical of what you see EVERYWHERE in Jamaica. It is a breathtakingly beautiful country.
I don’t have it yet, but my sister does. She gave me her information so all I had to do was log in while I was waiting in the airport (there’s no equipment or anything needed). Thanks to her, I was able to get some article writing and marketing done while waiting for my flight.
It was the only work I did the day I travelled — and as regular readers of my blog/website know, I’m an avid fan of article marketing because it works so well. It’s the way I make a lot of my passive income from ebooks and various affiliate products I promote, which I’ll talk about a bit more in tomorrow’s post.
Cost: $10/month (for T-Mobil wireless access).
Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with T-Mobil as a wireless user. I only recommend it here b/c the connection worked great for me in the ATL airport (I also have a T-Mobil cell, so I’m pretty familiar with their products).
P.S.: Want to train for a recession-proof freelance writing career? Get the FREE Report, Learn SEO: 6 Reasons SEO Copywriting Is the Ideal High-Paying, Work-from-Home, Recession-Proof Career (pdf file).
Tourists from all over the world gather on this little island to eat fresh-caught lobster cooked over an open flame by the locals. It's such a warm vibe. Dripping in butter and garlic, no 5-star restaurant serves lobster better. And yes, you can buy beer here too! Yet ANOTHTER thing to do in Negril, Jamaica on the beach.
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Freelance Writing Job: WiFi (Online) Tips for Freelance Writers Who Work While Traveling
September 18, 2009
Citronella (Negril, Jamaica): Cabins by the Sea
1. Wireless Internet Connection: I know this may sound obvious, but if you don’t travel a lot and are just used to making reservations without checking, you can easily forget to see if they have a wireless internet connection (WiFi). I always look for this in the description on the website. If I don’t see it and it’s a hotel I want to stay at, I’ll call, just to make sure that the person who did their website didn’t simply forget to put this information in.
I’ve found that most major chains have WiFi, but some smaller hotels may not. So be sure to ask, and also ask if . . .
2. The WiFi Is Free: In some hotels, it’s not. Again, most of the major chains have a connection you can simply log into, but some smaller hotels may not. You may be charged a fee. One more thing about WiFi on the road . . .
3. Is There a Passcode: In the hotel I’m staying at here in Jamaica, they have a passcode you have to type in to access their FREE WiFi. This is the first time I’ve encountered this, as most hotels allow you to just log in — on an unsecured connection mind you (more on this in a minute).
I simply went to the front desk and told them that I was getting a message that I needed a passcode and they gave it to me — no problem, mon (love Jamaica!).
Catch a Falling Star: Luxury Condos by the Sea in Negril, Jamaica. View from Condo Balcony.
4. Unsecured WiFi Connection: If you’re used to logging on from home or work, you’re probably accustomed to having secure connection (eg, no one can see the information that is being passed over the net when you’re logging into and out of accounts.
But when you’re on the road and logging in from a hotel, for example, you will get a message that says something like, “You’re logging into an unsecured network, which means that others can see the information you send.”
This can freak you out if you’re not used to logging in from an unsecured network.
But, people do it everyday. I don’t spend a lot of time logging into my financial accounts though (eg, bank, paypal, clickbank). I jump in, see what I need to see, and log out. While ostensibly someone could hack into any account if you log on from an unsecured connection — even if only for a few seconds — millions do it every day.
Financial Institutions Work Hard to Protect Your Info
Knock wood, I haven’t had any problems and I’ve been working and travelling a lot in the last year and a half. I think it’s because banks and other financial institutions work hard to protect your info. In another post, I’ll give some tips for protecting your info online when working on the road.
That ends the “professional” part of this post.
Part Deux of Lust in Jamaica
Quite a few people have emailed me about my love interest, which is why I traveled back to Jamaica so soon. Following is a little about that, and the trip in general.
First, I landed sick as a dog. I got bit by something back home (a tick, a spider, who knows what) and had a swelling on my tummy, a fever of 103+, an upset stomach and a headache to die for. I’m not one to run to the doc — especially in a foreign country — so I wanted to wait it out. The next morning though, I knew I couldn’t.
Rasta Man (the nickname I’ve given my guy here) was sooooo sweet. Off we went to his doctor, who wasn’t in. I had to wait about 5 hours (hey, remember it’s Jamaica mon) for the doc to get in. Rasta man took me to a friend of his who runs a business on the beach. I laid out in a beach chair she graciously provided and promptly fell asleep while he ate, drank rum and discussed politics with his friends – in a way that only Jamaicans (especially rastas) can (ie, loudly).
When I finally got to the doc, he gave me two cortisone shots (in my rear which hurt like heck) and 3 prescriptions for meds. I feel 200% better today, my second full day here. Thank goodness! Downside: No alcohol until I finish the meds in a week — bummer!
Needless to say, I like Rasta Man. Anyone who barely knows you, waits for you patiently b/c your flight got in 4.5 hours late and tells you you look gorgeous even when you know he’s lying b/c you’re a rumpled, sweaty, feverish, sick mess, gets tons of kudos in my book. He’s started off on the right foot!
It’s just past 1pm here, I’m almost done with work for today and then I’m off to pick up my bathing suits from Rasta Man’s shop (he’s a tailor and is doing some minor alterations I asked for). Then, we’re off to the beach for a run and some fun!
That’s my life as a freelance (SEO) writer — on the road. It CAN be yours too (minus the sick part, of course)!
FYI, I’ll upload some more pics from this trip (these two are from my last trip) to my facebook account as soon as I can figure out how to get them off the new digital camera I just bought (electronics of any kind just befuddle the heck out of me!).
Have a good weekend everybody — I fully intend too now that I’m feeling better,
Yuwanda
P.S.: Want to train for a recession-proof freelance writing career? Get the FREE Report, Learn SEO: 6 Reasons SEO Copywriting Is the Ideal High-Paying, Work-from-Home, Recession-Proof Career (pdf file).
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