Branching out isn't always painful

I've noticed there are lots of times clients need banner ads created, and usually I just suggest they hire a web person - or a graphics designer - or, well, actually I wasn't sure WHO does that.

Now I have a new answer.... Sure!

Just got a membership over at www.mybannermaker.com ($25 for a year). It's easy once you get used to fiddling with some of the controls. Basically, you're just adding text and images (if you want) to different sized boxes. Then you add effects, borders, etc.

Here's what I made for my affiliate program (if you're not in it yet, it's free, and it's a 50-50% split).



I did a few of these, with different text and banner sizes. Pretty neat - and this was just a first attempt.

There's also a free service level, but your banners will have a line of text at the bottom that advertises mybannermaker.com - if that doesn't bother you, go for it!

Freelance Writers Know: Too much can be too much... if you're not prepared

Ever get flooded?

We're currently getting a TON of rain from Tropical Storm Fay. The schools are closed - and I think even Starbucks is closed (either of these closures might explain my splitting headache right now!). And here are a couple of photos I took looking right and left at the end of our driveway:





Oh yes, and we lost our mailbox! (Yet another reason to use Paypal, I guess!)

No damage, and as long as it stops raining before the water crests the slope in our yard, we should be okay. (Praying for anyone who's actually having damage or danger from this storm.)

Anyhow, it got me thinking about a danger lots of freelancers don't foresee: When you get such a flood of projects that you can't possibly write it all on your own. (And if you're new, you're probably thinking it won't ever happen, but if you build your writing business like I'm telling you, it will!)

Do you have a plan for this kind of flood?

Do you have writers you can call on to help with the overflow?

Or, are you still so limited by a scarcity mindset that tells you you're lucky to have the work you have, and that if you pass some along, you'll regret it?

Writing may be a solitary activity, but it doesn't mean you have to go about your business like the Lone Ranger. In fact, I'll submit to you that breaking through to the next level of success depends on how well you can build and work with a team.

Turning to the dark side might be a smart move for freelance writers

No, not that dark side!

And really, I guess Elance isn't THAT bad : )

Yes, I'm eating crow here. I'm still a Guru girl at heart, but I'm also learning something very important lately.

My biggest clients are not on the Guru board (they never were, it's not that we moved off the board). It's never seemed like a good idea to rely ONLY on Guru - or any other job board - for a freelance writing career. However, it's a fantastic way to get your business started, and one of the easiest, most-efficient ways to keep a steady stream of work coming in.

To be completely honest - I've only ever had maybe 5 days that were slow in the entire time I've been freelancing. And that's not to say those days had no work - just not a full day. Part of the reason I've avoided the feast or famine cycle lots of freelancers complain about is that I have a constant source of work from Guru.

However, with the ranking system changes, I'm finding that as a firm (rather than a single writer), I'm still not sure how to master the new system. In fact, even with repeat work from relatively high paying clients, my "new" rank (not active yet) is getting worse and worse! Could be that we take in a huge volume of projects rather than just a few from a few clients - looks like that would do bad things to your ranking. Could be that we are willing to work with clients who just want a one-time project done - that doesn't seem to help your ranking either.

The old system was easy - do lots of projects really well, make your clients happy, and your rank will climb. Still working on how to build a ranking in the new system.

BUT....

I also decided it was time to branch out a bit, rather than putting all my freelance writing board eggs in one basket. So I did the unthinkable... I set up a profile on Elance!

: ) (Yes, I know many of you love Elance and have done really well on it - in fact I'd really love to hear your tips!)

I'll share what I learn as it goes.

Here are some very interesting things:

1. You can do sealed bids (not sure whether this works for all projects, but it definitely seems like an option for at least some of them). Not positive this is a new feature, but I could swear it wasn't like that when I messed with Elance a couple of years ago.
   
2. They've got tests on the site so you can get certified for different skills. This is pretty cool.
   
3. They don't seem to have templates, which is kind of a bummer. Not that you'd ever send a template out without customizing it to completely match your client's needs, of course. But having a template to start with is HUGE for bidding efficiently.
4. Seems like a lot of projects' bidding periods are extended.
5. You can pay monthly instead of coughing up $150 for an annual membership.
   

Haven't gotten any gigs there yet, but I think it's worthwhile to keep trying there. I'll keep you posted!

Ever work on-site for a client?

Seems like it would be kind of strange, doesn't it? I know I've checked that box as a "yes" on my Guru profile, but what would it be like if I actually had a client ask me to work from their location for a gig?

Does that ever happen? If you've ever settled into a client's office to write, I'd love to hear about how that happened, how it worked out, and what recommendations you'd make.

It seems like it would be about like taking a temp job. You go through the whole "What should I wear? Where will I go for lunch? What route will be fastest?" series of questions. You'd meet people who'd probably have no clue why you're there. You'd be this mysterious (glamorous?) figure who's there for a while and then gone. Or maybe your assignment would become a regular or episodic part of your business - like being a consultant.

Hey, actually, that might be something to consider - a whole niche unto itself. You could promote yourself as a web marketing consultant, and help clients get started with blogs, article marketing, their site content, and other ways they could use words to promote their businesses. And you know what happens when you add the C word to your title, of course! $$$ : )

Find local freelance writing jobs?

This seems like a good idea... but see whether you can find any gigs for freelance writers here. I might have searched incorrectly - or maybe the site's too new to be fully populated... so maybe it's worth checking back.


Freelance Jobs Temporary Work Part Time Jobs Freelancers Contract Employees Creative Staffing Agencies

Sheesh - another gig in my hometown!

This one definitely calls for someone local. I contacted the features editor with some questions and she was kind enough to reply (although she didn't answer my question for a pay rate range - maybe that's a faux pas, but to me it would be a deal maker/breaker).

So here's a question for you - would you trade your commercial clients for a newspaper job? It might look like a smart move, and even a move up... on the surface.

And to be honest, I toyed with the idea because it still holds some sense of glamor in my mind... but I'm not going to apply after all (although if you're in the area and interested, you should definitely give it a try if you want!). But, I'm so in love with setting my own hours, traveling only if and when I want to, taking only projects that interest me, and coaching other writers, that to give that up for a full-time journalism position seems crazy. (To say nothing of the pay - which I'm assuming is low!)

What do YOU think?

FREELANCE WRITER Calling all - STUART NEWS - Stuart, FL Freelance Job- Details - Online Writing Jobs

C'mon, making a video isn't really that hard!

OK, I'm getting kind of addicted.

The Marketing Do Over contest got me hooked, and now I'm seeing video opps everywhere.

(Hey, if you didn't hear my "YIPPPPEEEEE" where you live, I won the contest!! along with two others. Still waiting to find out when I go to Dallas for the prize, but just imagine what kind of amazing info I'll pass along to you!)

If you missed mine, here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-Yzl7DbRGA

So, how do you make a video like that? It was really pretty easy.

1. Think up a story line.
2. Find photos you can use for them (watch out for copyrights - you can get a ton of photos free on www.morguefile.com)
3. Go to www.onetruemedia.com and register for an account. You can get a free one, or pay a few bucks to get one with some more bells and whistles.
4. Import your photos, set them to music, add effects, and voila! You've got a video!