Posts filed under 'Work from Home'
Many people take the plunge into writing without any real direction or understanding of the industry. I know I did. I sent in my first short story to Seventeen magazine when I was, well seventeen. It was rejected and with a photocopied letter that I still have today.
The sad thing is that I had one of the tools that would have helped guide me in my quest to write. I had received a subscription to The Writer when I first expressed a serious desire to write. The articles on query letters and knowing your market must have slipped right past me.
The Writer still comes to my home today. I also get other writing tools through the mail and now through the internet, but The Writer is still the one that ALWAYS offers me tips and suggestions that truly help me better my skills or increase my business (writing IS a business!).
If you aren’t currently receiving regular information about the craft of writing then The Writer is a great choice. The subscription fee is small, there is an online site, and the magazine is great for the experienced and the new writer.
This month (June, 2008) the magazine has some great tips on how to schedule your calendar, several articles on how to write children’s fiction and suggestions on taking real life people and molding them into fiction characters. Each month there is also a list of markets for the freelance writer and an interview with a successful writer that give tips on how to write.
Expand your writing skills and learn from some of the top writers in the field by using the tools that are available to you today. Whether you subscribe to a magazine like The Writer, invest in an online magazine subscription or find books to help you along the way, it is important that you continue the journey to become a better writer.
May 9th, 2008
I’ve been writing online in various aspects for around two years. Many of the sites that I have worked with pay a bare minimum (particularly when you compare them to the print market). With a few strong sales under my belt, I’m becoming more discriminate about what I will take and what I will not. Unless the topic is one I would do for free anyway, I have set my minimum per word pay and I’m not going back.
Just a few jobs a week that pay $50 an article will push you to your $5000 goal every month. And YES those kinds of jobs are out there when you really are willing to look for them.
1. Use keyword searches to find “top paying freelance writing jobs.” Avoid those sites that take a percentage of any jobs and avoid the ones that you have to pay to join. There are plenty of sites out there that have lists of well paying freelance writing jobs.
a. You just may have to spend a day specifically looking for new markets and new jobs.
b. Book mark the top sites that you find or subscribe to any newsletters that they send out to make your search easier in the future.
2. Be bold, be brave and be tough. Be bold and ask for the job. When you are at a website or forum that you like then you should ask for a chance to write and article for that site. Be brave enough to ask for what you think is fare and reasonable pay (about half of what you would expect from a print source). Be tough enough to take what ever answer is dished out.
a. Remember that no just means you have another chance to perfect your pitch elsewhere.
b. You can make the big dollars if you don’t ask for the big dollars.
3. Work on your skills. It is important that you perfect your writing, but it is just as important that you perfect your approach and your query. You can take a class or course on queries or you can work with other writers in a group or even online. Great queries are a sign of a professional writer.
a. Watch your grammar.
b. Check (and recheck) the spelling of the editor’s name and the website you are pitching.
4. Work at writing every single day. Do a little of every genre that you desire to work in. Set a goal of 1000 or 2500 words each day in each field and then set aside time to get that done. The more you do what you want to do then the better you will become and the easier it will be to reach your for your dreams.
Each month I set a new goal for my income target. I will continue to push myself more until I reach the level that I desire and then I will probably just begin pushing in another direction. Success requires action and I am determined to be a successful writer starting today.
With persistence and daring, YOU can make $5000 each month writing online. Hone your writing skills, look for the right jobs and the produce a product that is worthy to be called your own. You will soon find that the $50 (and even higher) jobs will begin to start looking for you.
May 2nd, 2008
IF I believed in conspiracies then I would think the cable company was out to drive me crazy. After several years of being told I was “unserviceable,” my hubby and I determined it was time to bite the bullet and become “serviceable.”
It cost an arm and a leg to get them to run cable to my house just so I could get high speed internet. The cable company would not foot the bill to run cable out to our farm (a mere mile from the main highway). They did allow us the privilege of paying for it, though.
Four months after I gave them a check for the process (which they stored in the company’s vault) the contractors were finally out here to run our cable. The twist was that THOSE contractors only ran the main line. It would be another day before the other contractors would come to actually connect to the house.
The next day was insane – the cable contractors refused to hook up the line because it was too far from the main drop. There is no way to CALL the office, so I had to make the 70 mile round trip to speak to them in person. Fortunately, the engineer was in the office at the time and he sent the contractors back out.
It has now been a full month, and my service has yet to work correctly. We’ve had three technicians out to our house. The last one left just about an hour ago. While the techs are here, the system works great. When the techs get out of the driveway, it slows right back down.
If I thought things like this were possible, I’d swear they go to the end of the drive and hit a switch that MAKES the internet run slower.
I had to call technical support again. This time she says it’s the modem that’s causing the problems. They are sending me out a new modem that will be here probably Tuesday. In the mean time, I just have to sit and wonder what’s really going on.
April 19th, 2008
After reading some blogs around the Web, I’ve discovered that the best way to make money as a freelance writer is to sell my abilities and proficiency as said writer. Today I am asking you to hire me!
1. You will be working with a freelance writer that produces quality work that is grammatically correct.
2. You will be working with a freelance writer that consistently produces the work on time – or early.
3. You will receive completely original work from the freelance writer that you hire (work will NOT be farmed out).
4. I am a freelance writer that is willing for work for a discount under some situations (for instance in exchange for the by-line or to retain re-print rights).
5. I am a freelance writer that is able to write with a variety of voices – from technical to chatty and anything in between.
6. I am a freelance writer who is looking to expand her career and is able to start working with you today.
7. I am a freelance writer that is passionate about writing and one who works hard to let that passion show through no matter what the topic being covered.
8. I am an experienced writer in both print and online and looking for more avenues to expand my freelance writing success.
9. I am a freelance writer that can do projects in a time crunch.
10. I am a freelance writer who is determined to always improve my skills and looks forward to comments and suggests. I do not get my feelings hurt if you have a complaint or a criticism.
Writing is not just my passion – it is my life’s work. I want to put my skills and experience to work for you. By seeking out the freelance writing jobs, I am taking one of the largest steps yet towards the freelance experience I desire and will achieve.
April 12th, 2008
Working at home is something I have been doing on and off since my first child was born (now over 11 years ago). I started out doing office work from home for my mom’s medical billing practice. There have been a few pauses and breaks (and stumbles) along the way, but some
things always seem to remain true.
Peculiar Thought #1: Some people will call to chat even though they will ask if you are working and you will respond yes. It’s almost as if they are asking to hear the words come out of their own mouth and not because they want a response.
Peculiar Thought #2: It doesn’t matter what your schedule looks like or how well you plan ahead – if you have kids in the house and you are working at home then the odds are good that you will work in the early morning hours (before the kids get up) or the late night hours (after they are in bed).
Peculiar Thought #3: The entire family and most of the rest of the world (including aunts, cousins and others that you may not know exist) expect you to do the little things that people who work just can be bothered with doing – like taking Aunt Pearl to the eye doctor or getting the Family Dinner planned and organized or putting together the church newsletter - because you don’t have a real job. These distractions can make work impossible.
Peculiar Thought #4: Even if you are making a nice living while you work at home there are those days when you will think that life would be easier if you just did the “normal” thing and got a real job.
Peculiar Thought #5: No matter how good you have planned out the work, there is always something that comes up or something that happens to try to throw everything off balance. Always be prepared for the unexpected, be organized and orderly, and work in advance. Procrastination and disorganization will eat you alive if you decide to work at home and let them rule the roost.
Peculiar Thought #6: The more money you make when you work at home the more money you need to make when you work at home. The government is taking a HUGE chunk of America’s income and when you write that check yourself you become very aware of it. And the more income you make, the more the government thinks it should get.
Peculiar Thought #7: Almost every venue pays less for online work than for print or in person. I haven’t decided if that is because the quality is so low around the industry or if the industry is just that cheep.
Peculiar Thought #8: The comment “so you don’t have a real job” will come up at least once when you are out in a new social situation no matter how successful you might be when you work from home. Society has a certain game plan and you must step in line or else you must be wrong.
The world of work at home is fun, interesting and it seems it is always changing (at least in this house). The best thing is that I’m here – enjoying each and every minute of my children and the craziness that is our lives. It may be a peculiar road to walk, but we are skipping along the way, so does it really matter all that much if people stare?
April 3rd, 2008
Six months ago, we began an experiment we didn’t see coming. When a turn of events took away our main income – and only regular paycheck, it would have been easy to panic. There were several nights when I think that’s exactly what I did. But worry won’t get you very far and every problem is a good thing if you look at it as a challenge to take your life to the next level.
Our family came together to do just that! We are all looking for ways to earn money that we have been overlooking for all these years.
1. This is the year that we really sale lots of the plants we have growing in the gardens. In all, we probably have around two or three thousand iris and daylilies that we can sale as root plants. There are also lots of plants that can be put in pots to take to the farmer’s market or festivals in the area. It may not make us rich over night, but the money from the plants will definitely put some change in the kitty.
2. The hubby is following his passion to work with youth in drama in a Christian environment. Starting next month he will be teaching private and group lessons – in our own facility or in theirs! This will not only bring in money but it will bring happiness to the people he works with and to him as well.
3. My writing has taken a new turn (or reversed back to one I knew before freelance) and I am doing grant consulting once again. The more time and effort I can devote to the projects the more income I can pull in.
4. The whole family is purging deep this spring to make way for what God has in store. We will take the best items to a local flea market or else have a sale at our new facility (and donate partial, if not all, proceeds to the new arts academy.)
5. Everyone is working together to make sure the house stays clean, the baby stays happy and everything that needs to run does run – and smoothly. This leaves time for the hubby to help the neighbor with some tasks for a few bucks or to mow a friend’s yard that has to be out of town.
There is an amazing amount of money to be made when you step outside society and look around. Six months ago I would not have imagined that I would be in the place financial with my writing that I am right now. Even better is the thought that six months from now things will be even better.
Keep pushing through and you will find the silver lining. Keep on climbing and you will reach the top. Keep on looking for the financial opportunities and you will find ways of making money without having to work the traditional job.
April 2nd, 2008
To be successful in any industry you have to establish yourself (or your company) at the top of that industry. Consumers need to look to you for advice or information about that particular market.
The internet is no different. Some of the people who are raking in the big dough are those that have established themselves as experts in their niche – either through time, education or endorsements. But becoming an expert is only one way to dominate your internet niche market.
1. Choose a subject that is near and dear to your heart. Passion will go a long way to establish your dominance (just keep your writing tight and informative).
2. Build your links. Write for the free articles sites (ezinearticle is one of the top), comment on other blogs and forums – related or in your market area, offer to guest post on other sites. There should always be a place for a signature or author’s box where you can offer a link to your site.
3. Offer freebies or contests to increase you visitors. Everyone likes feeling that they are getting something for free and most people are willing to pass the word on to other friends and family.
4. Participate in a blog carnival. There are several that I submit to on a regular basis (the Carnival of Christian Women and the Carnival of Christian Writers are two of them – thanks ladies). You can meet some neat people, get a boost in visitors and find some great blogs.
5. Keep writing. Content is still king – no matter what some experts say. If you are producing quality content then you will get visitors that not only share your site but that stick around.
It may take a little time and some hard work, but establishing yourself as a dominate force in the internet niche of your choice will be the beginning of a whole new life.
March 27th, 2008
Every writing conference I have ever attended was weighted down by people who wanted to be able to make a living writing. I am one of those people. I choose workshops and events that are going to help me increase my productivity in the marketplace. It is possible to make a living while freelance writing. It just takes persistence and patience.
1. It takes time. For most freelance writers, it takes about a year to establish a regular client base. Either stay in your regular job until you get to that point or else have a one year reserve of cash in your savings to live off of until you get your base established.
2. It takes creativity. Most writers start out writing “when the inspiration hits.” Working freelance writers have to make the inspiration happen. Writing is the best way to make that happen. Write something – anything – to get the juices flowing and you will be amazed at how inspired you come.
3. It takes consistency. Working for you can make it easy to procrastinate. All that accomplishes is keeping you behind. That means writing every day for a given amount of time – like any job. Working daily on projects will give you ample time to do other things (and even take on last minute projects that will often pay much more).
4. It takes diligence. Freelance writers have to continually search for writing opportunities. Look through the many writers’ websites and blogging sites that are available. Apply for new projects at least once a week (if not once a day). Don’t forget about print work either – continue to query print publications on a weekly or daily basis as well. The more work you seek then the more work you will find.
5. It takes skills. Continue your writing education by taking courses or classes in a genre that you are not skilled (grant writing or poetry or any kind of writing you might find intriguing). Even if you never use the new genre to make a living, the new skills you acquire will help you where you are.
6. It takes balance. You HAVE to budget you money when you are a freelance writer. You never know when the next check will arrive in the mail and you have to be in a position to live until it does arrive. Before you even consider a life of freelance, learn to live off the smallest budget you can physically manage (because there are likely to be months where that will be your life).
Freelance writing is just like any other job (except you don’t get a salary or benefits or paid vacation time). You have to work at freelancing to be successful. You have to plan for your career in order to make a life out of it. But the most important thing you have to do to be successful in freelance writing is to WRITE.
March 13th, 2008
It is possible to get everything done that you have on your list for this week. If you are like me, your to-do list reads more like a short story than a list. Every time you look at it, things mysteriously add on. It just keeps growing. But it is possible to finish your to-do list and still have time for yourself and for your family.
1. Start now. The early you start on the tasks the more time you have to get things done. Procrastination is one of the biggest busters of time that exists today. If you put it off until tomorrow (not matter what it may be) then you probably will be complaining about how you never have enough time.
2. Spread it out. Give yourself one or two hours (in thirty minute chunks) to get your to-do list done. Spend thirty minutes in the morning, thirty before lunch, thirty before dinner and thirty before bed. It will be amazing how much can be accomplished in such a seemingly short amount of time.
3. One big project a week. If you want to completely clean sweep your home then do it one room at a time and only one room a week. It won’t feel quite as overwhelming and you will feel a sense of accomplishment each time you complete a room.
4. Enlist help. If you can’t get your family to help you out, then ask a friend. Sometimes it helps to have someone there with you even if they don’t physically do anything.
5. Keep going. Even when you get distracted, get right back on track. Focus will be the key to keeping you consistent in your efforts.
6. Be realistic. Evaluate your to-do list and shift those things you know you can’t do or won’t have time to do. I WANT to clean out my garden, but the weather hasn’t cooperated. I just keep shifting that to-do until it’s time.
To get the to-do list done you have to stay on it. Work some here and there and be sure to set aside at least one day for catch up. When you get all your to-do’s done during the regular week, you will have that extra day to just be free and relax.
March 11th, 2008
Yesterday was a bad day for me. I sat down for a “break” to catch a ball game, and I don’t thing I ever looked back. There was always one more show or one more game to keep me from what I knew I needed to be doing. My excuse was that everyone needed a break now and then.
It didn’t matter to me that I wasn’t done doing the few things I needed to do. I was ready to take a break – so I did. That one break lasted approximately 11 hours. Once I got started, I couldn’t seem to stop myself (or is it once I got stopped I couldn’t seem to get started). Either way, I wasted the entire day doing absolutely NOTHING!
Taking a break is perfectly okay. Spend the day at the park with the kids. Lie outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Go for a long walk for no reason other than to go for a long walk and enjoy the quiet of that walk. Sitting in front of the television for 11 hours (no matter what programming might be on) is just a waste of time.
Next time I need a break, I’m going to ask myself some questions first.
1. Is it good for me? Will I get some kind of benefit from the activity that I will be doing?
2. Is it good for my family? Will the people I love most be hurt are helped by what I’m going to do?
3. Is it good for my life? Will the activity increase my health, add to my career or help my education or knowledge or will it decrease it?
4. Is it good for the people in my life? Will what I do be a blessing or encouragement to the people I encounter during the day, the week, or my life?
If the activity or break doesn’t have some benefits (for me or those around me) then I have to just walk away and let it go. It’s time that I break the break habit and get on with what’s important.
March 2nd, 2008
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