Freelance Writing Advice: Should You Separate “You” from Your Writing Business

March 2, 2010

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A few times in the last couple of weeks, I’ve come face to face with how intimately “I am” New Media Words, my SEO copywriting services firm.

The first thing that brushed me up against this knowledge was receiving four requests for proposals (RFPs) in the last two weeks for search engine optimized content; some also wanted submission services. As I was putting each RFP together, it hit me – yet again – how intricately my persona is tied to my company.

The second thing that highlighted this was a question I received from a new freelance SEO writer. He’s not new to SEO writing, as he’s been doing that for almost a decade. What’s new is the fact that he’s striking out on his own (yeah baby!). He sent me a Twitter DM, asking:

Found another domain. Should I brand myself (eg, johndoewritesseo) or a company (seowritingcorp)?

Note: Info in parenthesis has been changed to protect the sender’s identity.

My answer was:

Depends on how u want to grow. Wanna stay small; brand u. Wanna grow; brand a company. I started off branding me, then formed a company.

Even though I’m a “company”, the brand is still me. And I’m fine with that. Following are the main two reasons why.

Money: I earn as much or more from my SEO expertise as an “individual” as I do as a “company” via my seo writing ebooks and seo copywriting training e-course.

Search Engine Rank: As an individual, I rank well in search engines for industry keywords (eg, “seo writing,” “seo content provider,” and “write seo content”).

Getting to this point was not easy, so I don’t want to dismantle what I’ve accomplished. New Media Words is a small firm. If it never grows beyond where it is now, that’s just fine with me.

And in the end, I think this is what it’s all about – what your desires are. The SEO writer referenced above who contacted me tweeted back:

Thanks! Was thinking along the same lines (personal brand first, then a business brand if I grow large enough). Appreciate it! :)

One of the reasons I love being my own boss is that I get to mold my business to fit my life, my personality, my being. This is the joy of entrepreneurship.

2 Things to Consider When Trying to Decide Whether to Brand Yourself or Brand a Company

The Golden BrandI would have said more to the writer who sent in the question if Twitter didn’t limit users to only 140 characters. I would have told him to consider the following when trying to decide:

1. Write out a one-year and a three-year plan for your life: Why? Because where you want to be personally will guide what you do professionally (or at least it should, in my opinion). And, this changes constantly, which is why I suggest having immediate goals (eg, a one-year plan) and future goals (a three-year plan).

2. Run the numbers: As in, figure out how much you want/need to make a year as an SEO writer to be able to meet your financial obligations – and be happy. This is different for every person. For example, I’m a 40-something year old homeowner with all the bills that come along with it. This requires a certain income level to maintain.

And personally for me to be happy, I like to “take to the friendly skies” and travel.  This requires funds over and beyond paying normal, set expenses like a mortgage.

But, if you’re a twenty-something year old who shares a rented apartment with no other “life expenses” (eg, mortgage, homeowners insurance, car insurance, etc.), then you may require less to live on – and to be happy.

Personally, I don’t believe it matters – up to a certain point – whether you brand yourself or a company. If you treat your copywriting business like a business and conduct yourself professionally with each client interaction – you will have no problems acquiring clients for your SEO writing firm.

Just some food for thought this snowy Wednesday afternoon (yes it’s snowing in Atlanta; a wet, barely-stick-to-the-ground snow, but snow nonetheless).

SEO Writing Ecourse News

FYI, the next SEO writing ecourse commences on April 26th. As of today, there are 15 slots remaining. You’ll learn four ways to make money online using your newly acquired skills that will give you financial security. Get full details on the SEO copywriting training this ecourse offers.

Best,
Yuwanda
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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’ve personally sold tens of thousands of dollars of e-products (my own and affiliate products) doing this since January 2009.

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